WFD Cycle 2 River Invertebrate Classification
Summary
This dataset is a subset of "WFD Classification Status Cycle 2" and contains classification data for benthic invertebrates in rivers. Benthic invertebrates can be used to indicate the ecological status of a river. Data on number of taxa (NTAXA) and average score per taxa (ASPT) is run through the River Invertebrate Classification Tool (RICT). Bias values are applied to these scores to account for identification and sample sorting errors. The actual (observed) scores are compared with a predicted score (reflecting a river in pristine condition). The comparison of the observed to expected scores is known as an Ecological Quality Ratio (EQR). Means of the annual EQRs are used to produce a benthic invertebrate classification (High, Good, Moderate, Poor, Bad) of the monitoring site for Water Framework Directive (WFD) purposes. The data is then run through another tool called VISCOUS to produce a water body level classification.
Categories
Keywords
Use limitation statement
There are no public access constraints to this data. Use of this data is subject to the licence identified.
Licence
Open Government LicenceAttribution statement
© Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2015. All rights reserved.
Technical information
Update frequency
annually
Lineage
The Water Framework Directive classification system is risk based and focuses on where there is likely to be a problem. It uses a principle known as "one out, all out", which means the poorest individual results drive the overall classification for a water body. It reports on over 30 quality elements, grouped into ecological status and chemical status. Ecological status includes physico-chem (e.g. nutrients, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia) , biological elements (e.g. phytoplankton, macroalgae, fish, invertebrates) , specific pollutants (e.g. metals and compounds, organic compounds) , hydromorphology (e.g. depth, width, flow, structure). Chemical status is assessed using priority substances, priority hazardous substances and other pollutants that present a significant risk to the water environment.
Spatial information
Coordinate reference system
http://www.opengis.net/def/crs/EPSG/0/27700Geographic extent
- Latitude from: 49.943 to 55.816
- Longitude from: -6.236 to 2.072
Metadata information
Language
English
Metadata identifier
e78e8d36-5cb7-4622-9c03-ae1372aad90c
Published by
Environment Agency
Contact publisher
Defra Data Services ForumDataset reference dates
Creation date
09 December 2015
Revision date
N/A
Publication date
N/A
Period
- From: 02 December 2015
Search
Data and Supporting Information
Data services and download by area of interest | Link | Action |
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Full downloads and supporting documentation | Format | Action |
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WFD_SW_Classification_Status_and_Objectives_Cycle2_v3.xlsx | XLSX | Download |