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Approaches for integrated assessment of ecological and eutrophication status of surface waters in Nordic Countries

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Abstract

We review approaches and tools currently used in Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) for integrated assessment of ‘ecological status’ sensu the EU Water Framework Directive as well as assessment of ‘eutrophication status’ in coastal and marine waters. Integration principles for combining indicators within biological quality elements (BQEs) and combining BQEs into a final-integrated assessment are discussed. Specific focus has been put on combining different types of information into indices, since several methods are currently employed. As a consequence of the variety of methods used, comparisons across both BQEs and water categories (river, lakes and coastal waters) can be difficult. Based on our analyses, we conclude that some principles and methods for integration can be critical and that a harmonised approach should be developed. Further, we conclude that the integration principles applied within BQEs are critical and in need of harmonisation if we want a better understanding of potential transition in ecological status between surface water types, e.g. when riverine water enters a downstream lake or coastal water body.

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Acknowledgements

This study was initiated by WATERS, a Swedish strategic research programme supporting science-based implementation of the Water Framework Directive (http://www.waters.gu.se). JHA, JC, CM, ML and RJ were funded through WATERS. The authors would like to thank Stina Drakare, Anna-Stiina Heiskanen, Samuli Korpinen and Anne Lyche Solheim for providing information or comments to an earlier version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NIVA Denmark Water Research, Ørestads Boulevard 73, 2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark

    Jesper H. Andersen

  2. Freshwater Centre, Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Oulu, Finland

    Jukka Aroviita

  3. Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark

    Jacob Carstensen & Ciarán Murray

  4. Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadsalleen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway

    Nikolai Friberg

  5. Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7050, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden

    Richard K. Johnson

  6. Marine Research Center, Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Helsinki, Finland

    Pirkko Kauppila

  7. Department of Biological and Environmental Science - Tjärnö, University of Gothenburg, 452 96, Strömstad, Sweden

    Mats Lindegarth

  8. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 41319, Göteborg, Sweden

    Karl Norling

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  1. Jesper H. Andersen
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Andersen, J.H., Aroviita, J., Carstensen, J. et al. Approaches for integrated assessment of ecological and eutrophication status of surface waters in Nordic Countries. Ambio 45, 681–691 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-016-0767-8

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