Division 1.2.4 Definitions for high, good and moderate ecological status in coastal waters

United Kingdom

Biological quality elements

Element	High status	Good status	Moderate status
Phytoplankton	The composition and abundance of phytoplanktonic taxa are consistent with undisturbed conditions. The average phytoplankton biomass is consistent with the type-specific physico-chemical conditions and is not such as to significantly alter the type-specific transparency conditions. Planktonic blooms occur at a frequency and intensity which is consistent with the type specific physico-chemical conditions.	The composition and abundance of phytoplanktonic taxa show slight signs of disturbance. There are slight changes in biomass compared to type-specific conditions. Such changes do not indicate any accelerated growth of algae resulting in undesirable disturbance to the balance of organisms present in the water body or to the quality of the water. A slight increase in the frequency and intensity of the type-specific planktonic blooms may occur.	The composition and abundance of planktonic taxa show signs of moderate disturbance. Algal biomass is substantially outside the range associated with type-specific conditions, and is such as to impact upon other biological quality elements. A moderate increase in the frequency and intensity of planktonic blooms may occur. Persistent blooms may occur during summer months.
Macroalgae and angiosperms	All disturbance-sensitive macroalgal and angiosperm taxa associated with undisturbed conditions are present. The levels of macroalgal cover and angiosperm abundance are consistent with undisturbed conditions.	Most disturbance-sensitive macroalgal and angiosperm taxa associated with undisturbed conditions are present. The level of macroalgal cover and angiosperm abundance show slight signs of disturbance.	A moderate number of the disturbance-sensitive macroalgal and angiosperm taxa associated with undisturbed conditions are absent. Macroalgal cover and angiosperm abundance is moderately disturbed and may be such as to result in an undesirable disturbance to the balance of organisms present in the water body.
Benthic invertebrate fauna	The level of diversity and abundance of invertebrate taxa is within the range normally associated with undisturbed conditions. All the disturbance-sensitive taxa associated with undisturbed conditions are present.	The level of diversity and abundance of invertebrate taxa is slightly outside the range associated with the type-specific conditions. Most of the sensitive taxa of the type-specific communities are present.	The level of diversity and abundance of invertebrate taxa is moderately outside the range associated with the type-specific conditions. Taxa indicative of pollution are present. Many of the sensitive taxa of the type-specific communities are absent.

Element

High status

Good status

Moderate status

Phytoplankton

The composition and abundance of phytoplanktonic taxa are consistent with undisturbed conditions.

The average phytoplankton biomass is consistent with the type-specific physico-chemical conditions and is not such as to significantly alter the type-specific transparency conditions.

Planktonic blooms occur at a frequency and intensity which is consistent with the type specific physico-chemical conditions.

The composition and abundance of phytoplanktonic taxa show slight signs of disturbance.

There are slight changes in biomass compared to type-specific conditions. Such changes do not indicate any accelerated growth of algae resulting in undesirable disturbance to the balance of organisms present in the water body or to the quality of the water.

A slight increase in the frequency and intensity of the type-specific planktonic blooms may occur.

The composition and abundance of planktonic taxa show signs of moderate disturbance.

Algal biomass is substantially outside the range associated with type-specific conditions, and is such as to impact upon other biological quality elements.

A moderate increase in the frequency and intensity of planktonic blooms may occur. Persistent blooms may occur during summer months.

Macroalgae and angiosperms

All disturbance-sensitive macroalgal and angiosperm taxa associated with undisturbed conditions are present.

The levels of macroalgal cover and angiosperm abundance are consistent with undisturbed conditions.

Most disturbance-sensitive macroalgal and angiosperm taxa associated with undisturbed conditions are present.

The level of macroalgal cover and angiosperm abundance show slight signs of disturbance.

A moderate number of the disturbance-sensitive macroalgal and angiosperm taxa associated with undisturbed conditions are absent.

Macroalgal cover and angiosperm abundance is moderately disturbed and may be such as to result in an undesirable disturbance to the balance of organisms present in the water body.

Benthic invertebrate fauna

The level of diversity and abundance of invertebrate taxa is within the range normally associated with undisturbed conditions.

All the disturbance-sensitive taxa associated with undisturbed conditions are present.

The level of diversity and abundance of invertebrate taxa is slightly outside the range associated with the type-specific conditions.

Most of the sensitive taxa of the type-specific communities are present.

The level of diversity and abundance of invertebrate taxa is moderately outside the range associated with the type-specific conditions.

Taxa indicative of pollution are present.

Many of the sensitive taxa of the type-specific communities are absent.

Hydromorphological quality elements

Element	High status	Good status	Moderate status
Tidal regime	The freshwater flow regime and the direction and speed of dominant currents correspond totally or nearly totally to undisturbed conditions.	Conditions consistent with the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.	Conditions consistent with the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.
Morphological conditions	The depth variation, structure and substrate of the coastal bed, and both the structure and condition of the inter-tidal zones correspond totally or nearly totally to the undisturbed conditions.	Conditions consistent with the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.	Conditions consistent with the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.

Physico-chemical quality elements^f1

Element	High status	Good status	Moderate status
The following abbreviations are used: bgl = background level, EQS = environmental quality standard.
Application of the standards derived under this protocol shall not require reduction of pollutant concentrations below background levels: (EQS >bgl).
General conditions	The physico-chemical elements correspond totally or nearly totally to undisturbed conditions. Nutrient concentrations remain within the range normally associated with undisturbed conditions. Temperature, oxygen balance and transparency do not show signs of anthropogenic disturbance and remain within the ranges normally associated with undisturbed conditions.	Temperature, oxygenation conditions and transparency do not reach levels outside the ranges established so as to ensure the functioning of the ecosystem and the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements. Nutrient concentrations do not exceed the levels established so as to ensure the functioning of the ecosystem and the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.	Conditions consistent with the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.
Specific synthetic pollutants	Concentrations close to zero and at least below the limits of detection of the most advanced analytical techniques in general use.	Concentrations not in excess of the standards set in accordance with the procedure detailed in section 1.2.6 without prejudice to Directive 91/414/EC and Directive 98/8/EC. (< EQS)	Conditions consistent with the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.
Specific non-synthetic pollutants	Concentrations remain within the range normally associated with undisturbed conditions (background levels = bgl).	Concentrations not in excess of the standards set in accordance with the procedure detailed in section 1.2.6^f2 without prejudice to Directive 91/414/EC and Directive 98/8/EC. (< EQS)	Conditions consistent with the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.

Annotations

Footnotes

f1: The following abbreviations are used: bgl = background level, EQS = environmental quality standard.
f2: Application of the standards derived under this protocol shall not require reduction of pollutant concentrations below background levels: (EQS >bgl).