Water quality - Guidance standard for the surveying of aquatic macrophytes in running waters

This European Standard specifies a method for surveying aquatic macrophytes in running waters for the purpose of assessing ecological status, using these organisms as elements of biological quality. The information provided by this method includes the composition and abundance of the aquatic macrophyte flora.
The general principles of the approach described in this European Standard may also be applied when monitoring water bodies in the fluvial corridor of a river, such as side channels and oxbows.
It is recognised that for a complete assessment of ecological status, other elements of biological quality should also be assessed.

Wasserbeschaffenheit - Anleitung für die Untersuchung aquatischer Makrophyten in Fließgewässern

Diese Europäische Norm legt ein Verfahren zur Untersuchung aquatischer Makrophyten in Fließgewässern mit dem Ziel fest, den ökologischen Zustand von Gewässern mit Hilfe dieser Organismen abzuschätzen, indem diese als Qualitätselemente verwendet werden. Diese allgemeine Information muss die Zusammensetzung und Häufigkeitsverteilung der aquatischen Makrophytenflora berücksichtigen.
Die Grundsätze der in der Europäischen Norm beschriebenen Vorgehensweise können auch für die Überwachung von Gewässerbereichen im Umfeld eines Flusslaufs angewendet werden, z. B. in Seitenkanälen und Altwasserbereichen.
Es ist bekannt, dass zur vollständigen Bewertung des ökologischen Status weitere Aspekte der biologischen Beschaffenheit betrachtet werden sollten.

Qualité de l'eau - Guide pour l'étude des macrophytes aquatiques dans les cours d'eaux

Kakovost vode - Navodilo za preiskavo vodnih makrofitov v tekočih vodah

General Information

Status
Withdrawn
Publication Date
30-Nov-2003
Withdrawal Date
13-Apr-2014
Technical Committee
Current Stage
9900 - Withdrawal (Adopted Project)
Start Date
11-Apr-2014
Due Date
04-May-2014
Completion Date
14-Apr-2014

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2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Wasserbeschaffenheit - Anleitung für die Untersuchung aquatischer Makrophyten in FließgewässernQualité de l'eau - Guide pour l'étude des macrophytes aquatiques dans les cours d'eauxWater quality - Guidance standard for the surveying of aquatic macrophytes in running waters13.060.70Preiskava bioloških lastnosti vodeExamination of biological properties of water13.060.10Voda iz naravnih virovWater of natural resourcesICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 14184:2003SIST EN 14184:2003en01-december-2003SIST EN 14184:2003SLOVENSKI
STANDARD



SIST EN 14184:2003



EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 14184September 2003ICS 13.060.70English versionWater quality - Guidance standard for the surveying of aquaticmacrophytes in running watersQualité de l'eau - Guide pour l'étude des macrophytesaquatiques dans les cours d'eauxWasserbeschaffenheit - Anleitung für die Untersuchungaquatischer Makrophyten in FließgewässernThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 1 August 2003.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the Management Centre or to any CEN member.This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UnitedKingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2003 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 14184:2003 ESIST EN 14184:2003



EN 14184:2003 (E)2ContentspageForeword.3Introduction.41Scope.52Normative references.53Terms and definitions.54Principle.65Equipment.76Survey planning.87Survey procedure.11Bibliography.14SIST EN 14184:2003



EN 14184:2003 (E)3ForewordThis document (EN 14184:2003) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 230 “Water analysis”,the secretariat of which is held by DIN.This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identicaltext or by endorsement, at the latest by March 2004, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn atthe latest by March 2004.WARNING — Working in or around water is inherently dangerous. Persons using this standard shouldbe familiar with normal laboratory practice. This standard does not purport to address all of the safetyproblems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user to establish appropriatesafety and health practices and to ensure compliance with any national regulatory conditions.According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the followingcountries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark,Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands,Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.SIST EN 14184:2003



EN 14184:2003 (E)4IntroductionMacrophytes are an important component of aquatic ecosystems and can be used to facilitate the monitoringof ecological status. The requirement for the use of macrophytes in monitoring is inherent in numerousEuropean and national directives (e.g. Council Directive establishing a framework for a community action inthe field of water policy [Water Framework Directive “WFD”(2000/60/EC)], Urban Waste Water TreatmentDirective (91/271/EEC), Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC), Austrian Standard ÖNORM M6232, Loi sur l’eau de1992 (KKK), Système d’Evaluation de la Qualité des Milieux aquatiques (SEQ), etc).In addition to their important ecological role, the use of macrophytes as indicators of ecological quality inrunning waters is based on the fact that certain species and species groups are indicators for specific runningwater types and are adversely affected by anthropogenic impact. In certain situations the lack of macrophytesis also characteristic for certain types of running water habitats. For example, in deeper rivers macrophytesmay be absent due to the habitat limitations imposed by water depth, current flow velocity, turbidity, etc.Therefore, the lack of macrophytes is also characteristic for certain types of running water habitats.A wide range of sampling and survey methodologies has been developed for specific applications includingconservation, drainage impact, management, ecological habitat, enhancement etc. The methodology of thisguidance standard is recommended specifically for the surveying of macrophytes in running freshwaters, ofnatural and artificial character, for the purpose of monitoring ecological status. It could be used, however, asthe basis for investigative monitoring of water quality or other applications.According to the precise usage to which this European Standard is to be put, it is essential for specifiers andusers to mutually agree on any necessary variations or optional procedural details prior to use.SIST EN 14184:2003



EN 14184:2003 (E)51 ScopeThis European Standard specifies a method for surveying aquatic macrophytes in running waters for thepurpose of assessing ecological status, using these organisms as elements of biological quality. Theinformation provided by this method includes the composition and abundance of the aquatic macrophyte flora.The general principles of the approach described in this European Standard may also be applied whenmonitoring water bodies in the fluvial corridor of a river, such as side channels and oxbows.It is recognised that for a complete assessment of ecological status, other elements of biological qualityshould also be assessed.2 Normative referencesNon applicable.3 Terms and definitionsFor the purposes of this European Standard, the following terms and definitions apply.3.1aquatic macrophyteslarger plants of fresh water which are easily seen with the naked eye, including all aquatic vascular plants,bryophytes, stoneworts (Characeae) and macro-algal growths3.2bankpermanent side of a river or island, which is above the normal water level and only submerged during periodsof high river flowNOTEIn the context of this standard, bank species include macrophytes that overhang the channel but are rooted inthe bank.3.3channelthe course of a river or streamNOTEIn the context of this standard, this includes only the in-stream part, i.e. that which is under water most of thetime although it may be exposed temporarily under conditions of dry-weather flow or for longer periods under certainnatural (climatic, geological) conditions.3.4belt transecta defined band across a river or stream at right angles to the bankNOTEThis may be virtual or physically delineated within which the aquatic vegetation is analysed (speciescomposition, abundance, cover).3.5ecological statusan expression of the quality of the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems, expressed by comparingthe prevailing conditions with reference conditionsNOTEAs classified in accordance with Annex V of the EC Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).SIST EN 14184:2003



EN 14184:2003 (E)63.6helophytea plant that is usually rooted under water with emergent shoots, typically growing in marginal or marshy areas3.7hydrophytean aquatic plant that is usually rooted under water with floating or submerged leaves, or totally free floating atthe water surface3.8reference site (RefS)a length of river representing the reference conditions for a given ecological type of river3.9reference conditionsconditions reflecting a totally undisturbed state, lacking human impact, or near-natural with only minorevidence of distortionNOTEReference conditions may be defined using field sites or, where necessary, using expert judgement orpredictive modelling techniques.3.10representative site (RepS)a length of river reach representative of the ecological quality that characterizes that reach3.11river reacha major sub-division of a river, defined by physical, hydrological and chemical characteristics thatdistinguishes it from other parts of the river upstream and downstream3.12river survey stretch, survey sectiona short length of river for which community composition and abundance of aquatic species is determined,usually by semi-quantitative methods for assessment of ecological status and/or other purposes based onquantitative methods4 PrincipleThis European Standard describes the methodological approach for determining the ecological status of riverreaches using aquatic macrophytes. The status of a river reach is assessed by surveying a representative site(RepS) and measuring its deviation from the natural conditions of a river reach of a similar ecological type. Ifnatural conditions in river reaches no longer exist to serve as a background, or a reference site (RefS), it isnecessary to reconstruct this background based upon whatever records exist.The presence of aquatic macrophyte taxa in the channels of defined river lengths is recorded. Macrophyteabundance, measured in terms of the spatial extension of taxa or macrophyte beds, and/or the relativeabundance of macrophyte taxa, and/or macrophyte biovolume or biomass, is assessed by different methodsadapted to the scale and purpose of the study.Numerical derivatives of the macrophyte composition and abundance in a surveyed river length can be usedto identify the divergence from type-specific “natural” conditions.Concerning sampling of macrophytes, some information is given in EN 27828 and EN ISO 9391.SIST EN 14184:2003



EN 14184:2003 (E)7Table 1 — Aims and methods of surveyAIMSMETHODSSCALESCOMMENTSFloristic listFloristic surveys on :10 m to 5 000 mQuick, depends on surveyor knowledgeselected reaches orHomogeneousReasonable cost but often imprecisecontiguous reachesminimal areaTime and money consumingdepending onSome scientists think that associations doPhytosociologycommunity typenot exist.GeneralField or air surveys + GISLarge scaleTechnology, air survey is imprecisedistributionSelected reaches -->Possibly large scaleProblem of generalisationmapgeneralisationSmall to mediumTime-consumingContiguous reaches –scale, including time> transcriptioneffectCoverPin-point method +100 to 500 pointsTime-consuming, precise for abundantmeasurementtransectswithin a reachspecies, not for scarce ones/estimationQuadrats (+ transects)More precise than pin-point method, with aslightly stronger effortLight attenuationSubmersible lightTechnology. Precise, but problem of algaesensorsdepositionVolumePin-point-method,Quoting depth,Time consuming, for functional ecologymeasurementField measurementsthickness of plant/estimationlayerIdentification of eachTime consuming, for functional ecologymacrophyte standLocalTransect + field drawingfrom 5 m to 10mTime consuming, for functional ecologymap/DGPSCroppingtransect belt to veryProblem of sorting plant material, destructiveBiomasssmall areasmethodGPS large scale5 Equipment5.1 General Binoculars; Maps, with scales compatible with the objectives of the survey; Waterproof recording sheets, indelible pens/pencils and clipboard in a clear cover; Plastic bags, small specimen tubes and waterproof labels; Tape measure calibrated in metres, marking stakes and mallet; Hand lens, x10 magnification; Identification keys and field guides; Wading suit; Polarising sunglasses; Camera with polarising lens; Global Positioning System (GPS)-instrument;SIST EN 14184:2003



EN 14184:2003 (E)8 Rake and/or grapnel; Underwater viewing aid/aqua-scope (bucket or box with clear Perspex base); White plastic trays.5.2 Deeper waters (optional) Boat and necessary safety equipment; Grapnel with depth markings in metres on the rope; Underwater viewing aid/aqua-scope (viewing tube, bucket or box with clear Perspex base); Wet-suit, diving equipment.6 Survey planningAt the beginning of a survey the geographic region(s), the river order and the respective reference conditionscharacteristic for the river reach under investigation should be defined.6.1 Timing of initial and subsequent surveysAs far as possible, macrophyte surveys should be undertaken between late spring and early autumn (usuallyMay to late September, but dependent on local climate), when macrophyte growths will be optimum.NOTE 1This may not necessarily be the optimum growth period for macroscopic algae. Surveying may need to belater in the more northern regions of Europe. Preferably field survey should follow several days of low flow where waterclarity is maximised and water depths are reasonably low, thereby enhancing visibility. Information regarding the timing ofvegetation cutting is essential prior to surveying, where this is known to be usual management practice.NOTE 2When water depths are enhanced and water clarity is reduced following periods of high flow, the observationof smaller species is difficult and the recording of abundance may be inaccurate. This will in turn reduce the reliability ofthe data.Macrophyte species grow and reach sexual maturity at different times over the summer period. For thisreason surveys at sites in the same river system should be undertaken in quite close chronological successionwhere comparative data are required.Due to differential growth rates between macrophyte species, which can result in different data patternsbetween early and late summer surveys, it is recommended that each site is surveyed on two separateoccasions during each sampling year, where resources allow. Preferably the first survey will be early (e.g.~May/June) in the survey period. The second survey should be several months later (e.g. August orSeptember).
Surveying will need to be later in the year in northern parts of Europe to take into account localclimatic influences.Comparative surveys in subsequent years should be undertaken at the same time of the year as in previousyears. This will ensure that changes resulting from differential seasonal growth patterns are minimised. Thedevelopment of macrophyte growth in the spring can vary between years as it is highly dependent on waterdepth, physical disturbance, flow regime, solar radiation (photosynthetically active radiation, PAR) and watertemperature. All of these factors can vary significantly between years. For these reasons pilot visits to surveysites are necessary in order to assess the state of development.SIST EN 14184:2003



EN 14184:2003 (E)96.2 Survey protocolsMacrophyte surveys can be undertaken at different levels of sophistication. In addition to the surveying ofreference sites this can involve the surveying of:1) short lengths of river which are representative sites (RepS);2) longer river lengths in the process of defining the best location of RepS; or3) in special cases, complete length surveys to produce inventories of whole rivers.The survey protocol may vary between these different approaches depending on the purpose of the survey.For example, less intensive data collection for preliminary surveys designed to locate RefS or RepS.The first approach requires relatively little time and is recommended for the routine assessment of ecologicalstatus. Only the short reach of a RepS can be described, but it can be used for spatial and temporalmonitoring. When defining RepS a longer stretch of a river should be surveyed first using the secondapproach to prove “evenness” within this stretch of a) physical and b) biological variables.The last approach fulfils more specialist needs. For example, this can be part of the procedure to findreference sites (RefS) for different ecological river types. It is a labour-intensive approach not to be applied forroutine surveys. It is for use in special cases, e.g. single-river long-term monitoring and for detailedbackground information for ecological classification.6.3 Selection o
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