Commission Decision (EU) 2024/721of 27 February 2024establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise and repealing Commission Decision (EU) 2018/229(notified under document C(2024) 1113)(Text with EEA relevance)

Commission Decision (EU) 2024/721 of 27 February 2024 establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise and repealing Commission Decision (EU) 2018/229 (notified under document C(2024) 1113) (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1. , and in particular Section 1.4.1(ix) of Annex V thereto, Whereas: (1) Directive 2000/60/EC requires the Member States to protect, enhance and restore all bodies of surface waters with the aim of achieving good ecological and chemical status. It furthermore requires Member States to protect and enhance all artificial and heavily modified bodies of water, with the aim of achieving good ecological potential and good chemical status. (2) In order to define one of the main environmental objectives of Directive 2000/60/EC, namely good ecological status, the Directive provides for a process to ensure the comparability between the biological monitoring results of Member States and their monitoring system classifications. Member States’ biological monitoring results and their monitoring system classifications are to be compared through an intercalibration network comprised of monitoring sites in each Member State and in each ecoregion of the Union. Directive 2000/60/EC requires the Member States to collect, as appropriate, the necessary information for the sites included in the intercalibration network, in order to enable the assessment of the consistency of the national monitoring system classifications with the normative definitions of Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC. In order to carry out the intercalibration exercise Member States are organised in Geographical Intercalibration Groups, consisting of Member States and Norway sharing particular surface water body types, as set out in Annex 2 to this Decision. (3) In accordance with Directive 2000/60/EC the intercalibration exercise is to be carried out at the level of the biological quality elements, comparing the classification results of the national monitoring system for each biological quality element and for each common surface water body type among Member States. The exercise has also to ensure the consistency of the results with the normative definitions set out in Section 1.2 of Annex V to that Directive. (4) The Commission has facilitated four phases of the intercalibration exercise. Under the Water Framework Directive Common Implementation Strategy, four guidance documents (No 6 Common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), Guidance Document No 6, Towards a Guidance on Establishment of the Intercalibration Network and the Process on the Intercalibration Exercise, European Communities, 2003. ISBN 92-894-5126-2.

, 14 (two versions Common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), Guidance Document No 14. Guidance document on the Intercalibration Process 2004-2006, ISBN 92-894-9471-9; Common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), Guidance Document No 14. Guidance document on the Intercalibration Process 2008-2011, ISBN: 978-92-79-18997-5. ) and 30 Procedure to fit new or updated classification methods to the results of a completed intercalibration exercise, Guidance Document No 30. Technical Report 2015-085, ISBN: 978-92-79-38434-9. ) were prepared to facilitate the intercalibration process. They provide an overview of the key principles of the process and the options to perform the exercise including timescales, and reporting requirements. They also provide a procedure to ensure that new or revised national classification methods are consistent with the harmonised definition of good ecological status. (5) Commission Decision 2008/915/EC Commission Decision 2008/915/EC of 30 October 2008 establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise (OJ L 332, 10.12.2008, p. 20). included some intercalibration results for a number of biological quality elements. That Decision set out the values of the boundaries between classes that Member States had to use in their national monitoring system classifications. (6) The first phase of the intercalibration exercise was incomplete. Hence the Commission initiated a second phase for this process. The results of this exercise were included in Commission Decision 2013/480/EU Commission Decision 2013/480/EU of 20 September 2013 establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise and repealing Decision 2008/915/EC (OJ L 266, 8.10.2013, p. 1). in order to close the gaps and improve the comparability of the intercalibration results in time for the second river basin management plans due in 2015. The results revealed that, in some cases, intercalibration was only partially achieved. There were also Geographical Intercalibration Groups and biological quality elements for which there were no intercalibration results for inclusion in that Decision. (7) A third phase of the intercalibration exercise was therefore necessary to close these gaps and improve the comparability of the intercalibration results in time for the third river basin management plans due in 2021. The results of this exercise were included in Commission Decision (EU) 2018/229 Commission Decision (EU) 2018/229 of 12 February 2018 establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise and repealing Commission Decision 2013/480/EU (OJ L 47, 20.2.2018, p. 1).

. Yet again, the results revealed that, in some cases, intercalibration was only partially achieved. (8) There was a need to close those remaining gaps, and to review some of the results previously adopted in view of adapting to scientific and technical progress in the Member States’ monitoring and classification systems. Hence the Commission initiated a fourth phase of the intercalibration exercise. Its results are included in Annex 1 to this Decision. (9) For the purpose of developing the results in Part 1 of Annex 1, all steps of the intercalibration process set out in the guidance documents have been fully completed. Part 2 of Annex 1 includes the national classification methods and their respective boundary values for which it has not been technically feasible to complete the comparability assessment due to a lack of common types, different pressures addressed or different assessment concepts. Part 3 of Annex 1 includes surface water body types (found in Member States and Norway) for which a biological or sub-biological quality element is not applicable on the basis of the justifications provided and accepted. Since the results set out in Part 1 and Part 2 of Annex 1 are consistent with the normative definitions set out in Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC, the respective boundary values should be used in Member States’ monitoring and classification systems. (10) Where water bodies corresponding to the intercalibrated types are designated as artificial or heavily modified water bodies in accordance with Article 4(3) of Directive 2000/60/EC, Member States should be allowed to use the results presented in Annex 1 to this Decision to derive their good ecological potential. In doing so, they should take into account their physical modifications and their associated water use in accordance with the normative definitions in point 1.2.5 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC. (11) Member States should apply the results of the intercalibration exercise to their national classification systems when setting the boundaries between high and good status and between good and moderate status for all their national types. (12) The information that is made available through the establishment of the monitoring programmes provided for in Article 8 of Directive 2000/60/EC and the review and update of the characteristics of river basin districts provided for in Article 5 of that Directive will bring new evidence. In some cases, such information may entail the need for Member States to adapt their monitoring and classification systems to cater for scientific and technical progress. Member States may also develop new national classification methods covering biological quality elements or sub-biological quality elements and respective boundary values which would need to be consistent with the normative definitions set out in Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC. (13) Decision (EU) 2018/229 should be repealed and replaced accordingly. (14) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee referred to in Article 21(1) of Directive 2000/60/EC,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1. For the purpose of Section 1.4.1(iii) of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC, Member States shall use in their monitoring and classification systems the values of the boundaries between classes that are set out in Part 1 of Annex 1 to this Decision.
2. Where a comparability assessment for a biological quality element has not been completed within a Geographical Intercalibration Group as set out in Annex 2 to this Decision, Member States shall, for the purpose of Section 1.4.1(iii) of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC, use in their monitoring and classification systems the methods and the values of the boundaries between classes that are set out in Part 2 of the Annex 1 to this Decision.
3. Member States may use the methods and the values of the boundaries between classes set out in the Annex 1 to this Decision to establish the good ecological potential of water bodies designated as artificial or heavily modified water bodies in accordance with Article 4(3) of Directive 2000/60/EC.

Article 2

Decision (EU) 2018/229 is repealed.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 27 February 2024. For the Commission Virginius Sinkevičius Member of the Commission

Annex

ANNEX 1 Part 1 of this annex includes the results of the intercalibration exercise for which all steps of the intercalibration process have been fully completed, including their respective boundary values. Part 2 includes national methods and their respective boundary values which are consistent with the normative definition set out in Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC but where they have not been technically feasible to complete the comparability assessment within a Geographical Intercalibration Group due to lack of common types, different pressures addressed or different assessment concepts. Part 3 includes surface water body types (across Member States and Norway) for which a Biological or Sub-Biological Quality element is not applicable on the basis of the justifications provided and accepted. Part 1 Water categoryRiversGeographical Intercalibration GroupAlpine rivers Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeRiver characterisationCatchment (km2)Altitude (m a.s.l.) and geomorphologyAlkalinityFlow regimeR-A1Pre-Alpine, small to medium, high altitude calcareous10 – 1000800 – 2500 m (catchment), boulders/cobbleHigh (but not extremely high) alkalinityR-A2Small to medium, high altitude, siliceous10 – 1000500 – 1000 m (max. altitude of catchment 3000 m, mean 1500 m), bouldersNon-calcareous (granite, metamorphic) medium to low alkalinityNival-glacial flow regime Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: Type R-A1Austria, France, Germany, Italy, SloveniaType R-A2Austria, France, Italy, SpainALPINE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country and TypeNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryType R-A1AustriaAssessment of the biological quality elements – part benthic invertebrates [Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente – Teil Makrozoobenthos (Detaillierte MZB-Methode)]0,800,60FranceMultimetric index based on macroinvertebrate fauna for the ecological assessment of French wadeable rivers (I2M2)0,6050,354GermanyPERLODES – Bewertungsverfahren von Fließgewässern auf Basis des Makrozoobenthos0,800,60ItalyMacrOper, based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index (STAR_ICMi)0,970,73SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev0,800,60Type R-A2AustriaAssessment of the biological quality elements – part benthic invertebrates [Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente – Teil Makrozoobenthos (Detaillierte MZB-Methode)]0,800,60FranceMultimetric index based on macroinvertebrate fauna for the ecological assessment of French wadeable rivers (I2M2)0,6650,460ItalyMacrOper, based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index (STAR_ICMi)0,950,71SpainIberian BMWP (IBMWP)0,830,53ALPINE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementPhytobenthos Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated Type and countryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryType R-A1AustriaAssessment of the biological quality elements – part phytobenthos [Leitfaden zur Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente, Teil A3 – Fließgewässer/Phytobenthos]0,890,71 FranceIBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {...} des eaux de surface0,940,78GermanyVerfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Fließgewässern zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Diatomeen0,7350,54ItalyIntercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)0,870,70SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos0,800,60Type R-A2AustriaAssessment of the biological quality elements – part phytobenthos [Leitfaden zur Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente, Teil A3 – Fließgewässer/Phytobenthos]0,890,71FranceIBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {...} des eaux de surface0,940,78SpainIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)0,940,74ItalyIntercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)0,850,64Water categoryRiversGeographical Intercalibration GroupCentral-Baltic rivers Description of types that have been intercalibrated

TypeRiver characterisationCatchment (km2)Altitude and geomorphologyAlkalinity (meq/l)R-C1Small lowland siliceous sand10 – 100Lowland, dominated by sandy substrate (small particle size), 3 – 8 m width (bankfull size)> 0,4R-C2Small lowland siliceous – rock10 – 100 Lowland, rock material 3 – 8m width (bankfull size) < 0,4R-C3Small mid-altitude siliceous10 – 100Mid-altitude, rock (granite) – gravel substrate, 2 – 10 m width (bankfull size)< 0,4R-C4Medium lowland mixed100 – 1000Lowland, sandy to gravel substrate, 8 – 25 m width (bankfull size)> 0,4 R-C5Large lowland mixed1000 – 10000Lowland, barbel zone, variation in velocity, max. altitude in catchment: 800 m a.s.l., > 25 m width (bankfull size)> 0,4R-C6Small, lowland, calcareous10 – 300Lowland, gravel substrate (limestone), width 3 – 10 m (bankfull size)> 2 Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: Type R-C1Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, SwedenType R-C2France, Ireland, Spain, SwedenType R-C3Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), Czechia, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, SwedenType R-C4Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, SwedenType R-C5Belgium (Wallonia), Czechia, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, SwedenType R-C6Belgium (Wallonia), Denmark, Estonia, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Spain, SwedenCENTRAL-BALTIC RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryAustriaAssessment of the biological quality elements – part benthic invertebrates0,800,60Belgium (Flanders)Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Flanders (MMIF)0,900,70Belgium (Wallonia)Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN) (Norme AFNOR NF T 90 350, 1992) and Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 13 septembre 2012 relatif à l’identification, à la caractérisation et à la fixation des seuils d’état écologique applicables aux masses d’eau de surface et modifiant le Livre II du Code de l’Environnement, contenant le Code de l’Eau. Moniteur belge 12.10.2012 0,94 (type R-C1) 0,97 (types R-C3, R-C5, R-C6) 0,75 (type R-C1) 0,74 (types R-C3, R-C5, R-C6) CzechiaCzech system for ecological status assessment of rivers using benthic macroinvertebrates0,800,60DenmarkDanish Stream Fauna Index (DSFI)1,000,71EstoniaEstonian surface water ecological quality assessment – river macroinvertebrates0,900,70 FranceMultimetric index based on macroinvertebrate fauna for the ecological assessment of French wadeable rivers (I2M2)0,6650,443GermanyPERLODES – Bewertungsverfahren von Fließgewässern auf Basis des Makrozoobenthos0,800,60IrelandQuality Rating System (Q-value)0,850,75ItalyMacrOper, based on STAR_ICM index calculation0,960,72LatviaLatvian Macroinvertebrate Index (LMI)0,920,72LithuaniaLithuanian River Macroinvertebrate Index0,800,60LuxembourgMacroinvertebrate-based Multimetric Index (I2M2)0,640,45NetherlandsKRW-maatlat0,800,60PolandRIVECOmacro – MMI_PL0,91(type R-C1)0,72 (type R-C1)SpainMETI0,930,70Spain (Basque country)MBf (Multimetric Basque index family level)0,910,68SwedenDJ-index (Dahl & Johnson 2004)0,800,60CENTRAL-BALTIC RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementMacrophytes

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedTypeEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryAustriaAIM for Rivers (Austrian Index Macrophytes for rivers)RC-30,8750,625Belgium (Flanders)MAFWAT – Flemish macrophyte assessment systemR-C10,800,60 Belgium (Wallonia)IBMR-WL – Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers (Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 13 septembre 2012 relatif à l’identification, à la caractérisation et à la fixation des seuils d’état écologique applicables aux masses d’eau de surface et modifiant le Livre II du Code de l’Environnement, contenant le Code de l’Eau. Moniteur belge 12.10.2012)R-C30,9250,607CzechiaAssessment method of surface running water bodies in Czechia using biological quality element macrophytesR-C3 (national type 1)0,830,67R-C3 (national type 4)0,820,64R-C40,860,62DenmarkDSPI – Danish Stream Plant IndexR-C1, R-C40,700,50EstoniaEstonian Macrophyte Index for RiversR-C40,850,65GermanyVerfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Fließgewässern zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul MakrophytenR-C10,7450,495R-C30,800,55R-C40,5750,395GermanyNRW-Verfahren zur Bewertung von Fließgewässern mit MakrophytenR-C1, R-C3, R-C40,9950,695FranceIBMR – Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Rivière French standard NF T90-395 (2003-10-01)R-C30,930,79R-C40,9050,79IrelandMTR – IE – Mean Trophic RankingR-C40,740,62ItalyIBMR – IT – Biological Macrophyte Index for RiversR-C10,900,80R-C40,900,80LithuaniaLithuanian River Macrophyte IndexR-C40,610,41LatviaLatvian assessment method using macrophytesR-C40,750,55LuxembourgIBMR – LU – Biological Macrophyte Index for RiversR-C3, R-C4, R-C5 and R-C60,890,79 NetherlandsRevised assessment method for rivers in The Netherlands using macrophytesR-C1 and R-C40,800,60PolandMIR – Macrophyte Index for RiversR-C10,900,65R-C30,9100,684R-C40,900,65CENTRAL-BALTIC RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementPhytobenthos Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedTypeEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryAustriaAssessment of the biological quality elements – part Phytobenthos [Leitfaden zur Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente, Teil A3 -Fließgewässer/Phytobenthos]All types, altitude < 500 m0,640,49All types, altitude > 500 m0,810,53Belgium (Flanders)Proportions of Impact-Sensitive and Impact-Associated Diatoms (PISIAD)All types0,800,60Belgium (Wallonia)IPS (Coste, in CEMAGREF, 1982; Lenoir & Coste, 1996 and Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 13 septembre 2012 relatif à l’identification, à la caractérisation et à la fixation des seuils d’état écologique applicables aux masses d’eau de surface et modifiant le Livre II du Code de l’Environnement, contenant le Code de l’Eau. Moniteur belge 12.10.2012)All types0,980,73CzechiaCzech assessment method for rivers using phytobenthosR-C3, R-C4, R-C50,800,63DenmarkDanish index for benthic algae (SID_TID)R-C1, R-C4, R-C60,8610,68EstoniaIndice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)All types0,850,70

FranceIBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {...} des eaux de surfaceAll types0,940,78GermanyVerfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Fließgewässern zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul DiatomeenR-C10,670,43R-C30,670,43R-C40,610,43R-C50,730,55IrelandRevised form of Trophic Diatom Index (TDI)All types0,930,78ItalyIntercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)All types0,890,70IrelandRevised form of Trophic Diatom Index (TDI)All types0,930,78LatviaLatvian assessment method using phytobenthosR-C4, R-C5, R-C60,700,50LithuaniaLithuanian River Phytobenthos IndexR-C1, R-C4, R-C5, R-C60,730,55LuxembourgIndice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)R-C3, R-C4 (low alkalinity)0,980,78R-C4 (high alkalinity), R-C5 and R-C60,990,78NetherlandsKRW MaatlatAll types0,800,60PolandIndeks Okrzemkowy IO dla rzek (Diatom Index for rivers)All types0,800,58SpainDiatom multimetric (MDIAT)R-C2, R-C3, R-C40,930,70SwedenSwedish assessment methods, Swedish EPA regulations (NFS 2008:1) based on Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)All types0,890,74Water categoryRiversGeographical Intercalibration GroupEastern Continental rivers Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeRiver characterisationEcoregionCatchment (km2)Altitude (m a.s.l.)GeologySubstrateR-E1aCarpathians: small to medium, mid-altitude1010 – 1000500 – 800MixedR-E1bCarpathians: small to medium, mid-altitude1010 – 1000200 – 500MixedR-E2Plains: medium-sized, lowland11 and 12100 – 1000< 200MixedSand and siltR-E3Plains: large, lowland11 and 12> 1000< 200MixedSand, silt and gravelR-E4Plains: medium-sized, mid-altitude11 and 12100 – 1000200 – 500MixedSand and gravelR-EX4Large, mid-altitude10, 11 and 12> 1000200 – 500MixedGravel and boulderR-EX5Plains: small lowland11 and 1210 – 100< 200MixedSand and siltR-EX6Plains: small, mid-altitude11 and 1210 – 100200 – 500MixedGravelR-EX7Balkan: small, calcareous, mid-altitude510 – 100200 – 500CalcareousGravelR-EX8Balkan: small to medium-sized, calcareous karst spring510 – 1000CalcareousGravel, sand and silt Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: R-E1aBulgaria, Czechia, Romania, SlovakiaR-E1bBulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, SlovakiaR-E2Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, SloveniaR-E3Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, SloveniaR-E4Austria, Czechia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, SloveniaR-EX4Czechia, Romania, SlovakiaR-EX5Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, SlovakiaR-EX6Croatia, Hungary, Romania, SloveniaR-EX7Croatia, SloveniaR-EX8Croatia, SloveniaEASTERN CONTINENTAL RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedTypeEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryAustriaAssessment of the biological quality elements – part benthic invertebratesR-E40,800,60BulgariaIBI (BG) (Irish Biotic Index (BG))R-E1a, R-E1b0,860,67R-E2, R-E30,800,60CroatiaCroatian classification method for benthic macroinvertebratesR-E2, R-E3, R-EX5, R-EX60,800,60CzechiaCzech system for ecological status assessment of rivers using benthic macroinvertebratesR-E1a, R-E1b, R-E2, R-E30,800,60HungaryHungarian Multimetric Macroinvertebrate IndexR-E1b, R-E3, R-E4, R-EX5, R-EX60,800,60RomaniaAssessment method for ecological status of water bodies based on macroinvertebratesR-E1a, R-E1b, R-E3, R-EX40,800,60SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjevR-E4, R-EX5, R-EX60,800,60SlovakiaSlovak assessment of benthic invertebrates in riversR-E1a, R-E1b, R-E2, R-E3, R-E4, R-EX40,800,60EASTERN CONTINENTAL RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementMacrophytes

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedTypeEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryAustriaAIM for Rivers (Austrian Index Macrophytes for rivers)R-E40,8750,625BulgariaReference IndexR-E2, R-E30,5700,370R-E40,5100,270CroatiaCroatian classification method for macrophytes in riversR-E2, R-E30,8000,600 CzechiaAssessment method of surface running water bodies in Czechia using biological quality element macrophytesR-E2, R-E30,7500,500CzechiaAssessment method of surface running water bodies in Czechia using biological quality element macrophytesR-E40,7700,560HungaryReference IndexR-E2, R-E30,7000,370RomaniaRomanian Macrophyte-based assessment system for rivers (Macrophyte River Index (MARI))R-E2, R-E3, R-E4R-E2 and R-E3: 0,875, R-E4: 0,783all types: 0,625SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, makrofitiR-E2, R-E3, R-E40,8000,600SlovakiaMacrophyte Biological Index for Rivers (IBMR-SK)R-E2, R-E3, R-E40,8000,600EASTERN CONTINENTAL RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementPhytobenthos Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedTypeEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryAustriaAssessment of the biological quality elements – part Phytobenthos [Leitfaden zur Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente, Teil A3 – Fließgewässer/Phytobenthos]R-E40,640,49BulgariaEcological status assessment of rivers in Bulgaria based on IPS diatom indexR-E1a, R-E1b, R-E3 0,87 (national type R2, R4) 0,85 (national type R7, R8) 0,66 (national type R2, R4) 0,64 (national type R7, R8) CroatiaCroatian classification method for phytobenthos in riversR-E2, R-E3, R-EX5, R-EX6, R-EX7, R-EX80,8620,60CzechiaAssessment system for rivers using phytobenthosR-E1a, R-E1b, R-E2, R-E3, R-EX40,800,60HungaryEcological status assessment for rivers based on diatomsR-E1b, R-E2, R-E3, R-EX50,800,60RomaniaNational (Romanian) Assessment Method for Rivers Ecological Status based on Phytobenthos (Diatoms) RO-AMRPR-E1a, R-E1b, R-E30,800,60SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentosR-E4, R-EX5, R-EX6, R-EX7, R-EX80,800,60SlovakiaEcological status assessment system for rivers using phytobenthosR-E1a, R-E1b, R-E2, R-E3, R-E4, R-EX40,900,70Water categoryRiversGeographical Intercalibration GroupMediterranean rivers Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeRiver characterisationCatchment (km2)GeologyFlow regimeR-M1Small Mediterranean streams< 100Mixed (except siliceous)Highly seasonalR-M2Medium Mediterranean streams100 – 1000Mixed (except siliceous)Highly seasonalR-M4Mediterranean mountain streamsNon-siliceousHighly seasonalR-M5Temporary streamsTemporary

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: R-M1Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, SpainR-M2Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain R-M4Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, SpainR-M5Croatia, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, SpainMEDITERRANEAN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated Type and CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryR-M1CroatiaCroatian classification method for benthic macroinvertebrates0,8000,600FranceMultimetric index based on macroinvertebrate fauna for the ecological assessment of French wadeable rivers (I2M2)0,6760,464GreeceHellenic Evaluation System-2 (HESY-2)0,9430,750ItalyMacrOper (based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index ICMi)0,9700,720PortugalRivers Biological Quality Assessment Method-Benthic Invertebrates (IPtIN, IPtIS)0,870 (type 1)0,678 (type 1)0,850 (type 3)0,686 (type 3)SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev0,8000,600SpainIberian Biological Monitoring Working Party (IBMWP)0,8450,698SpainIberian Mediterranean Multimetric Index—using quantitative data (IMMi-T)0,8110,707R-M2BulgariaIBI (BG) (Irish Biotic Index (BG))0,8000,600CroatiaCroatian classification method for benthic macroinvertebrates0,8000,600FranceMultimetric index based on macroinvertebrate fauna for the ecological assessment of French wadeable rivers (I2M2)0,6760,464GreeceHellenic Evaluation System-2 (HESY-2)0,9440,708ItalyMacrOper (based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index ICMi)0,9400,700PortugalRivers Biological Quality Assessment Method-Benthic Invertebrates (IPtIN, IPtIS)0,830 (type 2)0,693 (type 2)0,880 (type 4)0,676 (type 4) SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev0,8000,600SpainIberian Biological Monitoring Working Party (IBMWP)0,8450,698SpainIberian Mediterranean Multimetric Index—using quantitative data (IMMi-T)0,8110,707R-M4CyprusSTAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index (STAR_ICMi)0,9720,729FranceMultimetric index based on macroinvertebrate fauna for the ecological assessment of French wadeable rivers (I2M2)0,6760,464GreeceHellenic Evaluation System-2 (HESY-2)0,8500,637ItalyMacrOper (based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index ICMi)0,9400,700SpainIberian Biological Monitoring Working Party (IBMWP)0,8400,700SpainIberian Mediterranean Multimetric Index—using quantitative data (IMMi-T)0,8500,694R-M5CroatiaCroatian classification method for benthic macroinvertebrates0,8000,600CyprusSTAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index (STAR_ICMi)0,9820,737GreeceHellenic Evaluation System-2 (HESY-2)0,9630,673ItalyMacrOper (based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index ICMi)0,9700,730PortugalRivers Biological Quality Assessment Method-Benthic Invertebrates (IPtIN, IPtIS)0,973 (type 5)0,705 (type 5)0,961 (type 6)0,708 (type 6)SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev0,8000,600SpainIberian Biological Monitoring Working Party (IBMWP)0,8300,630SpainIberian Mediterranean Multimetric Index—using quantitative data (IMMi-T)0,8300,620Spain (Balearic Islands)INVMIB index (INVertebrate Multimetric Illes Balears)0,930,68

MEDITERRANEAN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementMacrophytes Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated Type and CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryR-M1, M2, M4Bulgaria (R-M1 and R-M2)RI (BG) (Reference Index (BG))0,6400,350Croatia (R-M1 and R-M2)Croatian classification method for macrophytes in rivers0,8000,600Cyprus (R-M4)IBMR – Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers0,7950,596FranceIBMR – Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Rivière French standard NF T90-395 (2003-10-01)0,9300,745GreeceIBMR – Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers0,7500,560ItalyIBMR – Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers0,9000,800Portugal (R-M1 and R-M2)IBMR – Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers0,9200,690Slovenia (R-M1 and R-M2)Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, makrofiti0,8000,600SpainIBMR – Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers0,9500,740MEDITERRANEAN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementPhytobenthos Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated Type and CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryR-M1BulgariaIPS (Indice de polluo-sensibilité)0,8200,630CroatiaCroatian classification method for phytobenthos in rivers0,8290,555 FranceIBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {...} des eaux de surface0,9400,780GreeceIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982) Intercalibrated (EQR IPS)0,9560,717ItalyIntercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)0,8000,610PortugalIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)0,970 (type 1)0,730 (type 1)0,910 (type 3)0,680 (type 3)SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos0,8000,600SpainIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)0,9370,727R-M2BulgariaIPDS (Indice de polluo-sensibilité)0,8200,630CroatiaCroatian classification method for phytobenthos in rivers0,8290,555FranceIBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {...} des eaux de surface0,9400,780GreeceIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982) Intercalibrated (EQR IPS)0,9530,732Italy Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009) 0,8000,610PortugalIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982))0,910 (type 2)0,680 (type 2)0,970 (type 4)0,730 (type 4)SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos0,8000,600SpainIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)0,9380,727R-M4CyprusIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)0,9100,683FranceIBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {...} des eaux de surface0,9400,780GreeceIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982) Intercalibrated (EQR IPS)0,9320,716Italy

Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009) 0,8000,610 SpainIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)0,9350,727R-M5CroatiaCroatian classification method for phytobenthos in rivers0,8500,585CyprusIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)0,9580,718Italy Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009) 0,8800,650PortugalIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)0,800 (Type 5)0,651 (Type 5)0,940 (Type 6)0,700 (Type 6)SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos0,8000,600SpainIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)0,9350,700Spain (Balearic Islands)Diatom multimetric index (DIATMIB)0,930,68Water categoryRiversGeographical Intercalibration GroupNorthern rivers Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeRiver characterisationCatchment area of stretch (km2)Altitude and geomorphology Alkalinity (meq/l) Organic material (mg Pt/l) R-N1Small lowland siliceous moderate alkalinity10 – 100< 200 m a.s.l. or below the highest coastline0,2 – 1 < 30 (< 150 in Ireland) R-N3Small/medium lowland organic low alkalinity10 – 1000< 0,2> 30R-N4Medium lowland siliceous moderate alkalinity100 – 10000,2 – 1< 30R-N5Small mid-altitude siliceous low alkalinity10 – 100Between lowland and highland< 0,2< 30R-N9Small/medium mid-altitude siliceous low alkalinity organic (humic)10 – 1000Between lowland and highland< 0,2> 30 Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: R-N1Finland, Ireland, Norway, SwedenR-N3Finland, Ireland, Norway, SwedenR-N4Finland, Norway, SwedenR-N5Finland, Norway, SwedenR-N9Finland, Norway, SwedenNORTHERN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna (methods sensitive for organic enrichment and general degradation) Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryFinlandRevised Finnish river invertebrate fauna assessment method0,800,60IrelandQuality Rating System (Q-value)0,850,75NorwayASPT0,990,87SwedenDJ-index (Dahl & Johnson 2004)0,800,60Biological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna (methods sensitive for acidification) Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated The following results apply to clear, low alkalinity river types CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryIrelandAcid Waters Indicator Community Species (IE AWICSp)0,990,90NorwayAcidIndex2 (Modified Raddum index2) (river acidification)0,6750,515 Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated The following results apply to humic, low alkalinity river types CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundarySwedenMISA: Multimetric Invertebrate Stream Acidification index0,5500,400NORTHERN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementMacrophytes

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated Type and CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryR-N3 and R-N9FinlandTrophic index TIc0,8890,610SwedenTrophic index TIc0,8890,610NorwayTrophic index TIc0,8890,610NORTHERN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementPhytobenthos Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryFinlandRevised Finnish river phytobenthos method0,800,60IrelandRevised form of Trophic Diatom Index (TDI)0,930,78 NorwayPeriphyton Index of Trophic Status (PIT) 0,99 (Ca ≤ 1 mg/l) 0,83 0,95 (Ca > 1 mg/l) SwedenIndice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)0,890,74Water categoryRiversGeographical Intercalibration GroupsAllBiological Quality ElementFish fauna Overview of regional groups that have been established for the river fish intercalibration: Alpine-type Mountains group – Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia Danubian group – Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia Lowland-Midland group – Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland Mediterranean South Atlantic group – Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain Nordic group – Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated Alpine-type Mountains group CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryAustriaFIA0,8750,625FranceFBI (Fish-Based Index): Indice Poissons Rivière (IPR). AFNOR NF-T90-3441,1310,876GermanyFIBS – fischbasiertes Bewertungssystem für Fließgewässer zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland1,0860,592ItalyNISECI index (New Index of Ecological Status of Fish Communities)0,8000,520SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi rib0,8000,600 Danubian group CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryBulgariaTsBRI (Type Specific Bulgarian Fish Index)0,8600,650CroatiaCroatian classification method for fish in rivers0,8000,600CzechiaCzech multimetric method CZI0,7800,585RomaniaEFI+ European Fish index (cyprinid wading type)0,9390,700RomaniaEFI+ European Fish index (salmonid type)0,9110,755SlovakiaFish Index of Slovakia FIS0,7100,570 Lowland – Midland group CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryBelgium FlandersUpstream and Lowland IBI0,8500,650Belgium WalloniaIBIP (Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 13 septembre 2012 relatif à l’identification, à la caractérisation et à la fixation des seuils d’état écologique applicables aux masses d’eau de surface et modifiant le Livre II du Code de l’Environnement, contenant le Code de l’Eau. Moniteur belge 12.10.2012)0,9580,792DenmarkDanish index for fish in streams DFFVa0,7000,500FranceFBI (Fish-Based Index): Indice Poissons Rivière (IPR). AFNOR NF-T-90-344.1,1310,835GermanyFIBS – fischbasiertes Bewertungssystem für Fließgewässer zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland1,0860,592LatviaLatvian Fish Index0,8800,660LithuaniaLithuanian River Fish Index0,9400,720LuxembourgClassification française DCE Indice Poissons Rivière (IPR). AFNOR NF-T-90-3441,1310,835NetherlandsNLFISR0,8000,600PolandEFI+PL index0,8000,600

Mediterranean group CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryCroatiaCroatian classification method for fish in rivers0,8000,600GreeceHellenic Fish Index (HeFI)0,8000,600PortugalF-IBIP – Fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity for Portuguese Wadeable Streams0,8500,675SpainIBIMED – type T20,8160,705SpainIBIMED – type T30,9290,733SpainIBIMED – type T40,8640,758SpainIBIMED – type T50,8660,650SpainIBIMED – type T60,9160,764 Nordic group CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryFinlandFinnish Fish Index (FiFi) – type L20,6650,499FinlandFinnish Fish Index (FiFi) – type L30,6580,493FinlandFinnish Fish Index (FiFi) – type M10,7090,532FinlandFinnish Fish Index (FiFi) – type M20,7340,550FinlandFinnish Fish Index (FiFi) – type M30,7230,542IrelandFish Classification Scheme 2 Ireland (FCS2)0,8450,540SwedenSwedish method VIX0,7390,467Water CategoryRiversGeographical Intercalibration GroupsAll – Very Large Rivers Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeRiver characterisationCatchment area of stretch (km2)Alkalinity (meq/l)R-L1Very large low alkalinity rivers> 10000< 0,5R-L2Very large medium to high alkalinity rivers> 10000> 0,5 Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: R-L1Finland, Norway, SwedenR-L2Austria, Belgium (Flanders), Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, SwedenVERY LARGE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUPBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryAustriaAssessment of the Biological Quality Elements – part benthic invertebrates (for large alpine rivers)0,800,60AustriaSlovak assessment of benthic invertebrates in large rivers (for large lowland rivers)0,800,60Belgium (Flanders)Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Flanders (MMIF)0,900,70BulgariamRBA – Modified Rapid Biological Assessment0,800,60CroatiaEcological status assessment system based on benthic invertebrates in very large rivers0,800,60CzechiaCzech system for ecological status assessment of large non-wadeable rivers using benthic macroinvertebrates0,800,60EstoniaEstonian surface water ecological quality assessment _ large river macroinvertebrates0,900,70FinlandRevised Finnish river invertebrate fauna assessment method0,800,60GermanyGermany PTI – Potamon-Typie-Index0,800,60GreeceSTAR_ICMi index1,010,73HungaryHungary HMMI_II – Hungarian Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index for large and very large rivers0,800,60ItalyISA (Indice per la classificazione sulla base dei Substrati Artificiali) – mediterranean rivers0,940,70ItalyISA (Indice per la classificazione sulla base dei Substrati Artificiali) – non-mediterranean rivers0,960,72LatviaLRMI – Latvian large River Macroinvertebrate Index0,880,63LithuaniaLithuanian River Macroinvertebrate Index0,800,60

NetherlandsWFD metrics for natural water types0,800,60NorwayNorway ASPT – Average Score Per Taxon0,990,87PolandRIVECOmacro – MMI_PL0,910,71PortugalPortuguese assessment method for Large Rivers using Benthic Macroinvertebrates (IPtIN)0,8490,637RomaniaAssessment method for ecological status of water bodies based on macroinvertebrates0,800,60SlovakiaSlovak assessment of benthic invertebrates in large rivers0,800,60SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev0,800,60SpainIBMWP – Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party0,790,48SwedenAverage Score Per Taxon (ASPT) and DJ-index0,800,60VERY LARGE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUPBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryAustriaGerman PhytoFluss-Index 4.00,800,60Belgium (Flanders)German PhytoFluss-Index 2.00,800,60BulgariaGerman PhytoFluss-Index 4.00,800,60CroatiaHRPI – Hungarian River Phytoplankton Index0,800,60CzechiaCZ – Assessment method for ecological status of rivers based on phytoplankton0,800,60GermanyGerman PhytoFluss-Index0,800,60EstoniaEST_PHYPLA_R – Estonian Large River Phytoplankton Index0,850,65HungaryHRPI – Hungarian River Phytoplankton Index0,800,60LatviaLatvian Large River Phytoplankton Index0,800,60 LithuaniaGerman River Phytoplankton Index (PhytoFluss-Index for lowland rivers of type 15.2)0,800,60PolandIFPL metric – Method for large rivers assessment using phytoplankton1,080,92PortugalPortuguese assessment method for Phytoplankton in large rivers (NMASRP)0,800,60RomaniaECO-FITO – Assessment Method for Ecological Status of the Water Bodies based on Phytoplankton0,920,76SlovakiaPhytoplankton-SK – Slovak assessment of phytoplankton in large rivers0,800,60VERY LARGE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUPBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementPhytobenthos Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated Country and TypeNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryR-L1FinlandRevised Finnish river phytobenthos method0,800,60SwedenBenthic algae in running water – diatom analysis0,890,74R-L2AustriaAssessment of the Biological Quality Elements – part phytobenthos0,850,57BulgariaIPS (Indice de Polluo-Sensibilité)0,760,58CroatiaEcological status assessment system for phytobenthos in rivers based on diatoms0,800,61CzechiaAssessment system for rivers using phytobenthos0,800,60EstoniaEstonian surface water ecological quality assessment – river phytobenthos0,830,64FranceIBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF T90-354, April 2016. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {...} des eaux de surface0,920,76 GermanyVerfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Fließgewässern zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Diatomeen0,7250,55HungaryEcological status assessment for rivers based on diatoms0,7620,60ItalyIntercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini &Sollazzo 2009)0,89 (national type C)0,70 (national type C)0,82 (national type M3)0,62 (national type M3)LatviaLatvian assessment method using phytobenthos in very large rivers (IPS index)0,780,58LithuaniaLithuanian River Phytobenthos Index0,730,55NetherlandsWFD-metrics for natural water types0,800,60PortugalIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)0,900,67RomaniaNational (Romanian) Assessment Method for Rivers Ecological Status based on Phytobenthos (Diatoms) – RO-AMRP0,800,60SlovakiaEcological status assessment system for rivers using phytobenthos0,900,70SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos0,800,60SpainIPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)0,680,48VERY LARGE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUPBiological Quality ElementFish fauna

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated n.i. – not intercalibrated due to an insufficient number of national samples. CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryAustriaFish Index Austria (FIA)n.i.0,625Belgium (Flanders)Flemish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBIFL)n.i.0,805 BulgariaBulgarian River Index for the Danube River (BRID)n.i.0,600CroatiaCroatian fish index for large rivers (CFILR)0,870,550CzechiaCzech Multimetric Fish Index for Rivers (CZI)0,8000,600GreeceHellenic Fish Index (HeFI)n.i.0,650HungaryHungarian Multimetric Fish Index Group (HMMFI)Highland0,8000,600LowlandLatviaLatvian Large River Fish Indexn.i.0,660LithuaniaLithuanian River Fish Indexn.i.0,720NorwayEuropean Fish Index (EFI)0,9960,755PolandIndex of Biotic Integrity with Diadromous Fish Index (IBIPL)n.i.0,688PortugalFish-based index of biotic integrity for Portuguese Large Rivers (FIBIP-GR)0,8600,600RomaniaNew European Fish (EFI+I)Boat-sampling0,9710,651Wade-sampling0,9390,655SlovakiaFish Index of Slovakia (FIS)n.i.0,661SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi rib0,8000,600SpainNew European Fish (EFI+I)Boat-samplingn.i.0,614SwedenSwedish Method VIX0,7390,467Water categoryLakesGeographical Intercalibration GroupAlpine lakes Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeLake characterisationAltitude (m above sea level)Mean depth (m)Alkalinity (meq/l)Lake size (km2)L-AL3Lowland or mid-altitude, deep, moderate to high alkalinity (alpine influence), large50 – 800> 15> 1> 0,5L-AL4Mid-altitude, shallow, moderate to high alkalinity (alpine influence), large200 – 8003 – 15> 1> 0,5 Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: Types L-AL3Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and SloveniaTypes L-AL4Austria, France, Germany, ItalyALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryAustriaEvaluation of the biological quality elements, Part B2 – phytoplankton0,800,60FrancePhytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustre0,800,60GermanyPSI (Phyto-Seen-Index) – Bewertungsverfahren für Seen mittels Phytoplankton zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland0,800,60ItalyItalian Phytoplankton Assessment Method (IPAM)0,800,60SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja jezer na podlagi fitoplanktona0,800,60ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementMacrophytes Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedIC typeEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryAustriaAIM for Lakes (Austrian Index Macrophytes for lakes)

L-AL3+ L-AL4 0,800,60FranceFrench Macrophyte Index for Lakes (IBML): Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Lacs L-AL3+ L-AL4 0,920,72GermanyVerfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Makrophyten L-AL3+ L-AL4 0,760,51GermanyVerfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Makrophyten und PhytobenthosLAL40,740,47ItalyMacroIMMI (Macrophytic index for the evaluation of the ecological quality of the Italian lakes) L-AL3+ L-AL4 0,800,60SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja jezer na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, makrofitiL-AL30,800,60ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryAustriaMethod for the assessment of Alpine lakes using benthic invertebrates0,800,60GermanyAESHNA – Bewertungsverfahren für das eulitorale Makrozoobenthos in Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland0,800,60SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja jezer na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev0,800,60 ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementFish fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryAustriaALFI (Austrian lake fish index): A multimetric index to assess the ecological status of alpine lakes based on fish fauna0,800,60GermanyDeLFI_SITE – Deutsches probennahmestandort-spezifisches Bewertungsverfahren für Fische in Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie0,850,69ItalyLake Fish Index (LFI)0,820,64SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja jezer na podlagi rib0,800,60Water categoryLakesGeographical Intercalibration GroupCentral/Baltic lakes Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeLake characterisationAltitude (m above sea level)Mean depth (m)Alkalinity (meq/l)Residence time (years)L-CB1Lowland, shallow, calcareous< 2003 – 15> 11 – 10L-CB2Lowland, very shallow, calcareous< 200< 3> 10,1 – 1 Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated Types L-CB1Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, PolandTypes L-CB2Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, PolandCENTRAL-BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBelgium (Flanders)Flemish phytoplankton assessment method for lakes0,800,60DenmarkDanish Lake Phytoplankton Index0,800,60EstoniaEstonian surface water ecological quality assessment – lake phytoplankton0,800,60GermanyPSI (Phyto-Seen-Index) – Bewertungsverfahren für Seen mittels Phytoplankton zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland – German Phyto-Lake-Index (Phyto-See-Index)0,800,60IrelandIE Lake Phytoplankton Index0,800,60LatviaLatvian Lake Phytoplankton Index0,810,61LithuaniaGerman Lake Phytoplankton Index (Phyto-See-Index)0,810,61NetherlandsWFD – metrics for natural water types0,800,60PolandPhytoplankton method for Polish Lakes (PMPL)0,800,60CENTRAL-BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementMacrophytes

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedIC typeEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBelgium (Flanders)Flemish macrophyte assessment systemAll types0,800,60DenmarkDanish Lake Macrophytes IndexAll types0,800,60EstoniaEstonian surface water ecological quality assessment – lake macrophytesLCB10,780,52LCB20,760,50 GermanyVerfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul MakrophytenAll types0,800,60LatviaLatvian Lake Macrophyte Assessment MethodAll types0,800,60LithuaniaLithuanian Lake Macrophyte IndexAll types0,750,50NetherlandsWFD-metrics for natural water typesAll types0,800,60PolandMacrophyte based indication method for lakes – Ecological Status Macrophyte Index ESMI (multimetric)All types0,680,41CENTRAL-BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderateBelgium (Flanders)Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Flanders (MMIF)0,900,70DenmarkDanish Lake Macroinvertebrate Index (DLMI)0,6960,511EstoniaEstonian surface water ecological quality assessment – lake macroinvertebrates0,860,70GermanyAESHNA – Bewertungsverfahren für das eulitorale Makrozoobenthos in Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland0,800,60LatviaLatvian Lake Macroinvertebrate Multimetric Index (LLMMI)0,850,52LithuaniaLithuanian Lake Macroinvertebrate Index0,740,50NetherlandsWFDi – Metric for Natural Watertypes0,800,60PolandLake Macroinvertebrate Index (LMI)0,920,588 CENTRAL-BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementFish fauna Description of common intercalibration types TypeLake characterisationAltitude (m above sea level)Mean depth (m)Alkalinity (meq/l)Residence time (years)L-CB1Lowland, shallow, calcareous< 2003 – 15> 11 – 10L-CB2Lowland, very shallow, calcareous< 200< 3> 10,1 – 1L-CB3Lowland, shallow, small, siliceous (moderate alkalinity)< 2003 – 150,2 – 11 – 10L-CB4Heavily modified water bodies200 – 7003 – 30> 0,20,1 – 5 Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated Types L-CB1Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, PolandTypes L-CB2Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, PolandTypes L-CB3Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Latvia, PolandTypes L-CB4Czechia Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderateCzechiaCZ-FBI0,8700,619DenmarkDanish Lake Fish Index0,750,54EELAFIEE0,800,61GermanyDeLFI_SITE – Deutsches probennahmestandort-spezifisches Bewertungsverfahren für Fische in Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie0,950,80FranceELFI (European Lake Fish Index): Indice Ichtyofaune Lacustre (IIL)0,730,49LatviaLatvian Lake Fish Index0,760,57LithuaniaLithuanian Lake Fish Index0,8650,605NetherlandsVISMAATLAT0,800,60

PolandLFI+0,8660,595PolandLFI EN0,8040,557Water categoryLakesGeographical Intercalibration GroupEastern Continental lakes Description of common intercalibration types TypeLake characterisationAltitude (m above sea level)Mean depth (m)Alkalinity (meq/l)Conductivity (μS/cm)L-EC1Lowland very shallow hard-water< 200< 61 – 4300 – 1000 Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated Types L-EC1Bulgaria, Hungary, RomaniaEASTERN CONTINENTAL LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUPBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBulgariaHLPI-Hungarian lake phytoplankton index0,800,60HungaryHLPI-Hungarian lake phytoplankton index0,800,60RomaniaHLPI-Hungarian lake phytoplankton index0,800,60EASTERN CONTINENTAL LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUPBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementMacrophytes Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBulgariaRI-BG – Adapted Reference Index0,830,58HungaryHU-RI – Adapted Reference Index0,890,67RomaniaMIRO – Macrophyte Index for Romanian Lakes (Adapted Reference Index)0,860,66EASTERN CONTINENTAL LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUPBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBulgariaHMMI_lakes (Hungarian Macrozoobenton Multimetric Index for Lakes0,850,65HungaryHMMI_lakes (Hungarian Macrozoobenton Multimetric Index for Lakes0,850,65RomaniaECO-NL-BENT Romanian ecological status assessment system for natural lakes using benthic invertebrates0,930,60Water categoryLakesGeographical Intercalibration GroupMediterranean lakes Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeLake characterisationAltitude (m)Annual mean precipitation (mm) and T (°C)Mean depth (m)Area (km2)Catchment (km2)Alkalinity (meq/l)L-M5/7Reservoirs, deep, large, siliceous, wet areas< 1000> 800 and/or < 15> 150,5 – 50< 20000< 1L-M8Reservoirs, deep, large, calcareous< 1000-> 150,5 – 50< 20000> 1 Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated Types L-M5/7France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, SpainTypes L-M8Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, SpainMEDITERRANEAN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton High-Good boundary is not defined for reservoirs (both LM5/7 and LM8 types are reservoirs). Country and TypeNational classification methods intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryLM 5/7FrancePhytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustren.d.0,60GreeceNew Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs (NMASRP)n.d.0,60ItalyNew Italian Method (NITMET)n.d.0,60PortugalReservoirs Biological Quality Assessment Method – Phytoplankton (New Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton: NMASRP).n.d.0,60SpainMediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton (MASRP).n.d.0,58L-M8CyprusNew Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton (NMASRP).n.d.0,60FrancePhytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustren.d.0,60GreeceNew Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs (NMASRP)n.d.0,60ItalyNew Italian Method (NITMET)n.d.0,60SpainMediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton (MASRP).n.d.0,60Water categoryLakesGeographical Intercalibration GroupNorthern lakesNORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton

Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeLake characterisationAltitude (m above sea level)Mean depth (m)Alkalinity (meq/l)Colour (mg Pt/l)L-N1Lowland, shallow, moderate alkalinity, clear< 2003 – 150,2 – 1< 30L-N2aLowland, shallow, low alkalinity, clear< 2003 – 15< 0,2< 30L-N2bLowland, deep, low alkalinity, clear< 200> 15< 0,2< 30L-N3aLowland, shallow, low alkalinity, meso-humic< 2003 – 15< 0,230 – 90L-N5Mid-altitude, shallow, low alkalinity, clear200 – 8003 – 15< 0,2< 30L-N6aMid-altitude, shallow, low alkalinity, meso-humic200 – 8003 – 15< 0,230 – 90L-N8aLowland, shallow, moderate alkalinity, meso-humic< 2003 – 150,2 – 130 – 90Types L-N1, L-N2a, L-N3a, LN-8aIreland, Finland, Norway, SwedenTypes L-N2bNorway, SwedenTypes L-N5, L-N6aNorway, Sweden Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated CountryNational classification methods intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryFinlandFinnish phytoplankton assessment method for lakes0,800,60IrelandIE Lake Phytoplankton Index0,800,60NorwayLake phytoplankton ecological status classification method0,800,60SwedenEcological assessment methods for lakes. quality factor phytoplankton0,800,60NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-Biological Quality ElementMacrophytes Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeLake characterisationAlkalinity (meq/l)Colour (mg Pt/l)L-N-M 101Low alkalinity, clear0,05 – 0,2< 30L-N-M 102Low alkalinity, humic0,05 – 0,2> 30L-N-M 201Moderate alkalinity, clear0,2 – 1,0< 30L-N-M 202Moderate alkalinity, humic0,2 – 1,0> 30L-N-M 301aHigh alkalinity, clear, atlantic subtype> 1,0< 30L-N-M 302aHigh alkalinity, humic, atlantic subtype> 1,0> 30Types 101, 102, 201 and 202Ireland, Finland, Norway, SwedenType 301aIrelandType 302aIreland Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated CountryNational classification methods intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderateFinlandFinnish macrophyte classification system (Finnmac)0,8 (all types)0,6 (all types)IrelandFree Macrophyte Index0,9 (all types)0,68 (all types)NorwayNational macrophyte index (Trophic Index – TIc) Type 101: 0,98 Type 102: 0,96 Type 201: 0,95 Type 202: 0,99 Type 101: 0,87 Type 102: 0,87 Type 201: 0,75 Type 202: 0,77 SwedenTrophic Macrophyte Index (TMI) Type 101: 0,93 Type 102: 0,93 Type 201: 0,89 Type 202: 0,91 Type 101: 0,80 Type 102: 0,83 Type 201: 0,78 Type 202: 0,78 NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrates Fauna Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeLake characterisationEcoregionAltitude (m absl)Alkalinity (meq/l)Colour (mg Pt/l)Lake littoral acidificationL-N-BF1Lowland/mid-altitude, low alkalinity, clearn.d.< 8000,05 – 0,2< 30Lake profundal eutrophicationL-N-BF2Ecoregion 22, low alkalinity, clear and humic22Area > 1 km2, max. depth > 6 m< 0,2n.d.Types L-N-BF1Ireland, Finland, Norway, SwedenTypes L-N-BF2Finland, Sweden

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated Country National classification methods intercalibrated Ecological Quality RatiosHigh-goodGood-moderateLake littoral acidificationIELAMM (Lake Acidification Macroinvertebrate Metric)0,860,70NorwayMultiClear: Multimetric Invertebrate Index for Clear Lakes0,950,74SwedenMILA: Multimetric Invertebrate Lake Acidification index0,850,60Lake profundal eutrophicationFinlandRevised Finnish lake invertebrate fauna assessment method (PICM)0,800,60SwedenBQI (Benthic Quality Index)0,840,67NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementFish fauna Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeLake characterisationLake area km2Alkalinity (meq/l)Colour (mg Pt/l)L-N-F1Dimictic clear water lakes< 40< 0,2< 30L-N-F2Dimictic humic lakes< 5< 0,230 – 90 Types L-N-F1Ireland, Finland, Norway, SwedenTypes L-N-F2Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated Country National classification methods intercalibrated Ecological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryEutrophicationFinlandEQR40,800,60IrelandFIL20,760,53NorwayEindexW30,750,56SwedenEindexW30,750,56AcidificationNorwayAindexW50,740,55SwedenAindexW50,740,55Water categoryLakesGeographical Intercalibration GroupCross-GIG Phytobenthos Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeLake characterisationAlkalinity (meq/l)EcoregionsHAHigh alkalinity lakes> 1Alpine, Central-Baltic, Eastern Continental, MediterraneanMAModerate alkalinity lakes0,2 – 1Alpine, Central-Baltic, Eastern Continental, Mediterranean, NorthernLALow alkalinity lakes< 0,2NorthernTypes HABelgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, SloveniaTypes MABelgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Romania, SwedenTypes LAFinland, Ireland, SwedenCountry and TypeNational classification methods intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryHA typeBelgium (Flanders)Proportions of Impact-Sensitive and Impact-Associated Diatoms (PISIAD)0,800,60 CroatiaCroatian phytobenthos-based assessment method0,810,62DenmarkDanish Lake Phytobenthos classification method0,9210,76GermanyVerfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Phytobenthos0,800,55HungaryMIL – Multimetric Index for Lakes0,800,69IrelandLake Trophic Diatom Index (IE)0,900,63ItalyItalian national method for the evaluation of the ecological quality of lake waterbodies using benthic diatoms (EPI-L)0,750,5LithuaniaLithuanian Lake Phytobenthos Index0,630,47PolandPL IOJ (Multimetryczny Indeks Okrzemkowy dla Jezior = Multimetric Diatom Index for Lakes)0,910,76SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja jezer na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos0,800,60SwedenIPS0,890,74MA typeBelgium (Flanders)Proportions of Impact-Sensitive and Impact-Associated Diatoms (PISIAD)0,800,60FinlandRevised Finnish lake phytobenthos method0,800,60IrelandLake Trophic Diatom Index (IE)0,900,63ItalyItalian national method for the evaluation of the ecological quality of lake waterbodies using benthic diatoms (EPI-L)0,750,5SwedenIPS0,890,74LA typeIrelandLake Trophic Diatom Index (IE)0,900,66Water categoryCoastal watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupBaltic Sea

Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeSurface salinity (psu)Bottom salinity (psu)ExposureIce daysOther CharacteristicsBC1 0,5 – 6 Oligohaline 1 – 6Exposed90 – 150Sites in the Quark and the Bothnian Sea, extending to the Archipelago Sea (for phytoplankton the latter is excluded and integrated in type BC9). Influence of humic substancesBC2 6 – 22 Mesohaline 2 – 6Very ShelteredLagoonsBC3 3 – 6 Oligohaline 3 – 6Sheltered90 – 150Finnish and Estonian coasts of Gulf of FinlandBC4 5 – 8 Lower mesohaline 5 – 8Sheltered< 90Sites of Estonia and Latvia in the Gulf of RigaBC5 6 – 8 Lower mesohaline 6 – 12Exposed< 90Sites in the southeastern Baltic Sea along the coast of Latvia, Lithuania, and PolandBC6 8 – 12 Mid mesohaline 8 – 12Sheltered< 90Sites along the Western Baltic Sea at the southern Swedish coast and the southeastern Danish coastBC7 6 – 8 Mid mesohaline 8 – 11Exposed< 90Western Polish coast and eastern German coastBC8 13 – 18 Upper mesohaline 18 – 23Sheltered< 90Danish and German coasts in the Western Baltic SeaBC9 3 – 6 Lower mesohaline 3 – 6Moderately exposed to exposed90 – 150Sites in the western Gulf of Finland, Archipelago Sea and Asko archipelago (only for phytoplankton) Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: Type BC1Finland, SwedenType BC2GermanyType BC3Estonia, FinlandType BC4Estonia, LatviaType BC5Latvia, Lithuania, PolandType BC6Sweden, DenmarkType BC7Germany, PolandType BC8Germany, DenmarkType BC9Finland, Sweden, Estonia (type only relevant for phytoplankton)BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated Country and TypeNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBC7GermanyGerman coastal phytoplankton method0,80,6PolandPolish coastal phytoplankton method0,80,6BC8DenmarkDanish coastal phytoplankton method0,80,6GermanyGerman coastal phytoplankton method0,80,6 Results for parameter indicative of biomass (Chlorophyll-a) Country and TypeEcological Quality RatiosValues (μg/l)High-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBC1Finland (Quark outer)0,760,591,72,2Finland (Bothnian Sea outer)0,780,601,62,1Sweden (Quark outer)0,750,581,62,1Sweden (Bothnian Sea outer)0,800,601,52,0BC4Estonia0,8300,6702,43,0Latvia0,820,672,22,7 BC5Latvia0,6500,3901,853,1Lithuania0,8800,6002,54,9BC6Denmark0,780,621,361,72Sweden0,790,641,441,78BC9Estonia0,820,672,202,70Finland0,790,651,902,30Sweden0,800,671,501,80BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacroalgae and Angiosperms Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated Country and TypeNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBC3EstoniaEPI – Estonian coastal water phytobenthos Index (macroalgae and angiosperms)0,980,86FinlandFucus depth limit (macroalgae)0,920,79BC4EstoniaEPI – Estonian Phytobenthos Index (macroalgae and angiosperms)0,910,70LatviaPEQI – Phytobenthos Ecological Quality Index0,900,75BC5LatviaMDFLD – Maximum depth of the red alga Furcellaria lumbricalis distribution (macroalgae)0,900,75LithuaniaMDFLD – Lithuanian maximum depth of the red alga Furcellaria lumbricalis distribution (macroalgae)0,840,68BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated Country and TypeNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBC1FinlandBBI – Finnish Brackish water Benthic Index0,960,56SwedenBQI – Swedish multimetric biological quality index (soft sediment infauna)0,770,31BC3EstoniaZKI – Estonian coastal water macrozoobenthos community index0,390,24FinlandBBI – Finnish Brackish water Benthic Index0,940,56BC5LatviaBQI – Benthic quality index0,870,61LithuaniaBQI – Benthic quality index0,940,81BC6DenmarkDanish Quality Index version 2 (DKI ver2)0,840,68SwedenBQI – Swedish multimetric biological quality index (soft sediment infauna)0,760,27BC7GermanyMarBIT- Marine Biotic Index Tool-0,60PolandB – Macrozoobenthos BQE assessment by multimetric index-0,58BC8DenmarkDanish Quality Index version 2 (DKI ver2)0,860,72GermanyMarBIT – Marine Biotic Index Tool0,800,60Water categoryCoastal watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupNorth East Atlantic Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeCharacterisation Salinity (psu) Tidal range (m) Depth (m) Current Velocity (knots) ExposureMixing Residence TimeType for opportunistic blooming macroalgae, seagrasses, saltmarshes, and benthic invertebrate fauna NEA 1/26Open oceanic or enclosed seas, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow < 30 Mesotidal 1-5 < 30 Medium 1 – 3 Exposed or sheltered Fully mixed Days (to weeks in the Wadden Sea) Subtypes for intertidal macroalgaeNEA 1/26 A2Open oceanic, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow, Temperate waters (mainly, > 13 °C) and high irradiance (mainly, PAR > 29 Mol/m2 day) 30 Mesotidal 1 – 5 < 30 Medium 1 – 3 Exposed or sheltered Fully mixed Days NEA 1/26 B21 Open oceanic or enclosed seas, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow Cool waters (mainly, < 13 °C) and medium irradiance (mainly, PAR < 29 Mol/m2 day) 30 Mainly mesotidal 1 – 5 < 30 Medium 1 – 3 Exposed or sheltered Fully mixed Days Subtypes for phytoplanktonNEA 1/26aOpen oceanic, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow 30 Mesotidal 1 – 5 < 30 Medium 1 -3 Exposed or sheltered Fully mixed Days NEA 1/26bEnclosed seas, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow 30 Mesotidal 1 – 5 < 30 Medium 1 – 3 Exposed or sheltered Fully mixed Days NEA 1/26cEnclosed seas, enclosed or sheltered, partly stratified 30 Microtidal/Mesotidal < 1 – 5 < 30 Medium 1 – 3 Exposed or sheltered Partly stratified Days to weeks NEA 1/26dScandinavian coast, exposed or sheltered, shallow 30 Microtidal < 1 < 30 Low < 1 Exposed or moderately exposed Partly stratified Days to weeks NEA 1/26eAreas of upwelling, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow 30 Mesotidal < 1 < 30 Medium 1 – 3 Exposed or sheltered Fully mixed Days Types for phytoplankton, macroalgae, seagrasses, saltmarshes, benthic invertebrate faunaNEA 5Helgoland (German Bight), rocky, exposed and partly stratified 30 Mesotidal < 30 Medium 1 – 3 Exposed Partly stratified Days NEA 3/4Polyhaline, Exposed or moderately exposed (Wadden Sea type)

Polyhaline 18 – 30 Mesotidal 1 – 5 < 30 Medium 1 – 3 Exposed or moderately exposed Fully mixed Days NEA 7Deep fjordic and sea loch systems 30 Mesotidal 1 -5 30 Low < 1 Sheltered Fully mixed Days NEA 8aSkagerrak Inner Arc Type, polyhaline, microtidal, moderately exposed, shallow Polyhaline 25 – 30 Microtidal < 1 30 Low < 1 Moderately exposed Fully mixed Days to weeks NEA 8bSkagerrak Inner Arc Type, polyhaline, microtidal, moderately sheltered, shallow Polyhaline 10 – 30 Microtidal < 1 < 30 Low < 1 Sheltered to moderately exposed Partly stratified Days to weeks NEA 9Fjord with a shallow sill at the mouth with a very deep maximum depth in the central basin with poor deepwater exchange Polyhaline 25 – 30 Microtidal < 1 30 Low < 1 Sheltered Partly stratified Weeks NEA 10Skagerrak Outer Arc Type, polyhaline, microtidal, exposed, deep Polyhaline 25 – 30 Microtidal < 1 30 Low < 1 Exposed Partly stratified Days Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: Type NEA1/26 opportunistic blooming macroalgae, seagrasses, saltmarshes, benthic invertebrate fauna: Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain Type NEA1/26 A2 intertidal macroalgae: France, Spain, Portugal Type NEA1/26 B21 intertidal macroalgae: France, Ireland, Norway Type NEA1/26a phytoplankton: Spain, France, Ireland, Norway Type NEA1/26b phytoplankton: Belgium, France, Netherlands Type NEA1/26c phytoplankton: Germany, Denmark Type NEA1/26d phytoplankton: Denmark Type NEA1/26e phytoplankton: Portugal, Spain Type NEA 5: Germany Type NEA3/4: Germany, Netherlands Type NEA7: Norway Type NEA8a: Norway, Sweden Type NEA8b: Denmark, Sweden Type NEA9: Norway, Sweden Type NEA10: Norway, Sweden NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementPhytoplanktonPhytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a) Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values Parameter values are expressed in μg/l as the 90 %ile value calculated over the defined growing season in a six-year period. Country and TypeEcological Quality RatiosValues (μg/l)High-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryNEA 1/26aFrance0,760,334,4010,00Ireland0,820,609,9015,00Norway0,670,332,505,00Spain (Eastern Cantabrian coast)0,670,331,503,00Spain (Western-Central Cantabrian Coast)0,670,333,006,00Spain (Gulf of Cadiz coast)0,670,335,0010,00NEA 1/26bBelgium0,800,6712,5015,00France0,670,4410,0015,00Netherlands0,670,4410,0015,00NEA 1/26cGermany0,670,445,07,5Denmark0,670,445,07,5NEA 1/26ePortugal (Iberian strong upwelling-A5)0,6700,4408,00012,000Portugal (upwelling-A6, A7)0,8800,4904,5008,200Spain (Western Iberian upwelling coast)0,670,446,009,00Spain (Western Iberian upwelling coast – rías)0,670,448,0012,00NEA 3/4Germany (Eems Dollard)0,800,607,0011,00 Germany (Wadden Sea)0,800,607,0011,00Netherlands (Eems Dollard)0,800,606,7510,13Netherlands (Wadden Sea)0,800,609,6014,40Netherlands (North Sea)0,800,6011,2516,88NEA 8aNorway0,790,573,955,53Sweden0,750,491,542,35NEA 8b (The Sound)Denmark0,790,591,221,63Sweden0,800,601,181,56NEA 8b (The Kattegat and Great Belt)Denmark0,830,641,221,58Sweden0,840,651,181,52NEA 9Norway0,760,433,926,90Sweden0,730,381,893,60NEA 10Norway0,730,493,535,26Sweden0,710,461,392,14NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae

Intertidal or subtidal macroalgae rocky bottom Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated Country and TypeNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryType NEA1/26 A2 intertidal macroalgaeFranceCCO – Cover, Characteristic species, Opportunistic species on intertidal rocky bottoms0,800,60PortugalPMarMAT – Marine Macroalgae Assessment Tool0,800,61 SpainCFR – Quality of Rocky Bottoms0,810,60SpainRICQI – Rocky Intertidal Community Quality Index0,820,60SpainRSL – Reduced Species List0,750,48Type NEA1/26 B21 intertidal macroalgaeIrelandRSL – Rocky Shore Reduced Species List0,800,60NorwayRSLA – Rocky Shore Reduced Species List with Abundance0,800,60Type NEA 7 intertidal macroalgaeNorwayRSLA – Rocky Shore Reduced Species List with Abundance0,800,60Type NEA8a/9/10 subtidal macroalgaeNorwayMSMDI – Multi Species Maximum Depth Index0,800,60SwedenMSMDI – Multi Species Maximum Depth Index0,800,60NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae Intertidal blooming macroalgae soft bottom, indicative of abundance Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated Country and TypeNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryType NEA 1/26GermanyOMAI – Opportunistic Macroalgae-cover/acreage on soft sediment intertidal in coastal waters0,780,59FranceCWOGA – Macroalgal Bloom Assessment0,8250,617IrelandOGA tool – Opportunistic Green Macroalgal Abundance0,800,60NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementAngiosperms Seagrasses Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated Country and TypeNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryType NEA 1/26GermanySG – Assessment tool for intertidal seagrass in coastal and transitional waters0,800,60FranceSBQ – Seagrass beds quality in coastal and transitional water bodies0,800,645IrelandIntertidal Seagrass tool0,800,61NetherlandsSG – Monitoring beds of SG per waterbody using aerial photographs, ground truth and specifying surface & density per species0,800,60PortugalSQI – Seagrass quality index0,800,60Type NEA 3/4GermanySG – Bewertungssystem für Makroalgen und Seegräser der Küsten- und Übergangsgewässer zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland0,800,60NetherlandsMonitoring beds of SG per waterbody using aerial photographs, ground truth and specifying surface and density per species0,800,60NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated Country and TypeNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryType NEA 1/26BelgiumBEQI – Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index0,800,60DenmarkDanish Quality Index (DKI)0,800,60GermanyM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index0,850,70FranceM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index0,770,53IrelandIQI – Infaunal Quality Index0,750,64NetherlandsBEQI2 -Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index 20,800,60NorwayNQI – Norwegian Quality Index0,720,63

PortugalBAT – Benthic Assessment Tool0,790,58SpainM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index0,770,63Type NEA 3/4GermanyM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index0,850,70NetherlandsBEQI2 – Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index 20,800,60Type NEA 7NorwayNQI – Norwegian Quality Index0,720,63Type NEA 8bDenmarkDanish Quality Index (DKI)0,840,68SwedenBQI – Swedish multimetric biological quality index (soft sediment infauna)0,710,54Type NEA 8a/9/10NorwayNQI – Norwegian Quality Index0,820,63SwedenBQI – Swedish multimetric biological quality index (soft sediment infauna)0,710,54Water categoryCoastal watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupMediterranean Sea Description of types that have been intercalibrated (for phytoplankton only) For benthic invertebrate fauna, macroalgae and seagrasses the intercalibration results apply to the entire Mediterranean Sea covered by the Country. TypeDescriptionDensity (kg/m3)Annual mean salinity (psu)Type IHighly influenced by freshwater input< 25< 34,5Type IIA, IIA AdriaticModerately influenced by freshwater input (continent influence)25 – 2734,5 – 37,5Type IIIWContinental coast, not influenced by freshwater input (Western Basin),> 27> 37,5Type IIIENot influenced by freshwater input (Eastern Basin)> 27> 37,5Type Island-WIsland coast (Western Basin)All rangeAll range Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: Type IFrance, ItalyType IIAFrance, Spain, ItalyType IIA AdriaticItaly, Croatia, Slovenia Type Island-W(no boundaries for this type and no possible the intercalibration due to justified reasons)France, Spain, ItalyType IIIWFrance, Spain, Italy, CroatiaType IIIEGreece, CyprusMEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a) Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values Parameter values are expressed in μg/l of Chlorophyll a, for the 90th percentile calculated over the year in at least a five-year period. Country and TypeEcological Quality RatiosValues (μg/l)High-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryType II AFrance0,670,371,923,50Spain0,670,371,923,50Type II A AdriaticCroatia0,820,611,704,00Italy0,820,611,704,00Slovenia0,820,611,704,00Type IIIWFrance0,670,421,181,89Spain0,670,421,181,89Type IIIECyprus0,660,370,290,53Greece0,660,370,290,53Malta0,660,370,290,53MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated The following results apply to the upper infralittoral zone (3,5-0,2 m depth) in a rocky coasts: CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryCyprusEEI-c – Ecological Evaluation Index0,760,48FranceCARLIT – Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities0,750,60GreeceEEI-c – Ecological Evaluation Index0,760,48CroatiaCARLIT – Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities0,750,60ItalyCARLIT – Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities0,750,60MaltaCARLIT – Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities0,750,60SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja obalnega morja na podlagi makroalg0,760,48SpainCARLIT – Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities0,750,60MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementAngiosperms

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryCroatiaPOMI – Posidonia oceanica Multivariate Index0,7750,55CyprusPREI – Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index0,7750,55FrancePREI – Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index0,7750,55GreeceWePOSI- Weighted Posidonia oceanica Index0,7750,55ItalyPREI – Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index0,7750,55MaltaPREI – Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index0,7750,55SpainPOMI – Posidonia oceanica Multivariate Index0,7750,55SpainValencian-CS0,7750,55MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna Biological Quality Element Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryItalyM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index0,810,61SloveniaMetodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja obalnega morja na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev0,830,62CroatiaM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index0,830,62CyprusBentix0,750,58FranceAMBI0,830,58GreeceBentix0,750,58MaltaBentix0,750,58SpainBOPA0,950,54SpainMEDOCC0,730,47Water categoryCoastal watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupBlack Sea Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeDescriptionCW-BL1Mesohaline, microtidal (< 1 m), shallow (< 30 m), moderately exposed to very exposed, mixed substratum (fine sand for zoobenthos) Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: Bulgaria and Romania BLACK SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBulgariaIBI0,800,63RomaniaIBI0,800,63 BLACK SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementMacroalgae and Angiosperms Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBulgariaEI-Ecological index0,8370,644RomaniaEI-Ecological index0,8370,644BLACK SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementBenthic Invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBulgariaM-AMBI(n) – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index Normalized0,900,68RomaniaM-AMBI(n) – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index Normalized0,900,68Water categoryTransitional watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupBaltic Sea GIG Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeSurface salinity psuBottom salinity (psu)ExposureIce daysOther CharacteristicsBT1

0 – 8 Oligohaline 0 – 8Very sheltered-Polish Vistula lagoon and Lithuanian Curonian lagoon Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: Lithuania and Poland BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Results for parameter indicative of biomass (Chrophyll a) The following results refer to summer mean May/June – September CountryEcological Quality RatiosValues (μg/l)High-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryLithuania0,830,5731,7046,60Poland0,770,6133,4642,20Water categoryTransitional watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupNorth East Atlantic Description of types that have been intercalibrated TypeCharacterisation Salinity (psu), Tidal range (m), Depth (m) Current Velocity (knots), ExposureMixing Residence TimeNEA 11Transitional Waters 0 – 35 Micro to macrotidal < 30 Variable Sheltered or moderately exposed Partly permanently stratified Days to weeks Countries sharing type that have been intercalibrated: Belgium, Germany, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain Description of sub common intercalibration types for Biological quality element Benthic Invertebrate Fauna: Sub typeCharacterisationMS sharing sub-typeALagoonsIreland, SpainBFreshwater-oligohaline, medium river flowIreland, SpainCMesotidal estuary with irregular river flowPortugal, SpainDLarge estuariesGermany, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, SpainESmall-medium estuary with > 50 % intertidal areaFrance, Ireland, Germany, SpainFSmall-medium estuary with < 50 % intertidal areaFrance, Ireland, Portugal, SpainNORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality Element:Phytoplankton Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a) Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values Parameter values are expressed in μg/l measured as the national chlorophyll-a metric calculated in a six-year period. National metrics for France, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain typically use a measure of P90 Chl-a with salinity adjusted thresholds, Ireland uses a combination of P90 Chl-a and median values. Salinity ranges stablished by the median (P50) salinity as follows: Euhaline [30,1-34,4] PSU; Polyhaline [18,1-30,0] PSU; Mesohaline [5,1-18,0] PSU; Oligohaline [0,5-5,0] PSU. CountryEcological Quality RatiosValues (μg/l)High-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryFrance0,670,3975,338,88Ireland0,800,6012,9625,96Netherlands0,800,6012,0018,00Portugal-North0,6670,46710,00014,288Spain – Central Cantabrian and Galician estuaries – Mixing zone0,670,448,0012,00Spain – Central Cantabrian and Galician estuaries – Euhaline0,670,334,008,00Spain – East Cantabrian estuaries – Euhaline0,670,331,953,90Spain – East Cantabrian estuaries – Polyhaline0,670,333,306,60Spain – East Cantabrian estuaries – Mesohaline0,670,335,1010,20Spain – East Cantabrian estuaries – Oligohaline0,670,336,6013,20Spain – Gulf of Cádiz estuaries – Mixing zone0,670,333,757,50Spain – Gulf of Cádiz estuaries – Euhaline0,670,333,006,00NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality Element:Macroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae

Intertidal blooming macroalgae soft bottom, indicative of abundance Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryFranceTWOGA – Macroalgal Bloom Assessment0,800,60IrelandOGA Tool – Opportunistic Green Macroalgal Abundance0,800,60PortugalBMI-Blooming macroalgae Index0,7700,590NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality Element:Macroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementAngiosperms Seagrasses Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryGermanySG-Assessment tool for intertidal seagrass in coastal and transitional waters0,800,60FranceSBQ-Seagrass beds quality in coastal and transitional water bodies0,800,645IrelandIntertidal Seagrass tool0,800,61NetherlandsSG- Monitoring beds of SG per waterbody using aerial photographs, ground truth and specifying surface & density per species0,800,60PortugalSQI-Seagrass quality index0,8000,600NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality Element:Macroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementAngiosperms Saltmarshes Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryFranceSpain – CantabriaAQI – Angiosperm Quality Index0,880,73PortugalAQuA – Angiosperm Quality Assessment Index0,8000,600 Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundarySub type DFranceBEQI-FR0,8700,670GermanyM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index0,8500,700NetherlandsBEQI2 – Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index 20,8000,600SpainM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index0,7700,530PortugalBAT – Benthic Assessment Tool0,840,60Sub type EFranceBEQI-FR0,8300,620SpainM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index0,7700,530SpainQSB – Quality of Soft Bottoms0,8000,600Sub type FFranceBEQI-FR0,8400,630SpainM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index0,7700,530PortugalBAT- Benthic Assessment Tool0,790,580NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality Element:Fish fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBelgiumEBI – Zeeschelde Estuarine Biotic Index0,8500,615FranceELFI – Estuarine and Lagoon Fish Index0,9100,675GermanyFAT – TW – Fischbasiertes Bewertungswerkzeug für Übergangsgewässer der norddeutschen Ästuare0,8400,620IrelandTFCI – Transitional Fish Classification Index0,8100,580IrelandEMFI – Estuarine Multi-metric Fish Index0,9200,650NetherlandsFAT – TW – WFD Fish index for transitional waters. type O20,8000,600PortugalEFAI – Estuarine Fish Assessment Index0,8650,700SpainAFI – AZTI’s Fish Index0,7800,550SpainTFCI – Transitional Fish Classification Index0,9000,650Water categoryTransitional watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupMediterranean Sea

Description of types that have been intercalibrated Spain and France do not consider distinction between restricted or chocked lagoons. Common IC typeType characteristicsMS sharing IC common typeCL-OligohalineCoastal lagoons (Salinity < 5 psu)Spain, France, ItalyCL-Mesohaline chocked and restrictedCoastal lagoons (Salinity 5 – 18 psu)Spain, France, Italy, GreeceCL-Polyhaline chocked and restrictedCoastal lagoons (Salinity 18 – 40 psu)Spain, France, Italy, GreeceHyperhalines (Salinity > 40 psu),Hyperhalines (Salinity > 40 psu)SpainEstuariesEstuaries (salt wedge type)Spain, CroatiaMEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality Element:Phytoplankton Phytoplankton: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated Country and typeNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryCoastal lagoons Polyhaline chockedFrancePhIL – Phytoplankton index for Mediterranean polyhaline lagoons0,7100,390GreeceMPI – Multimetric Phytoplankton Index0,7800,510ItalyMPI – Multimetric Phytoplankton Index0,7800,510Coastal lagoons Polyhaline restrictedFrancePhIL – Phytoplankton index for Mediterranean polyhaline lagoons0,7100,390GreeceMPI – Multimetric Phytoplankton Index0,8200,540ItalyMPI – Multimetric Phytoplankton Index0,8200,540MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality Element:Macroalgae and Angiosperms Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated Country and TypeNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryMeso. poly and euhaline coastal lagoons (> 5 ‰) either chocked or restrictedFranceExclame0,80,6GreeceEEI-c – Ecological Evaluation Index0,70,4ItalyMaQI – Macrophyte Quality Index0,80,6MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSBiological Quality Element:Benthic invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated Country and TypeNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryCoastal lagoons Polyhaline restrictedFranceM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index0,840,63ItalyM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index0,960,71GreeceM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index0,830,62Coastal lagoons-Mesohaline chocked and restrictedItalyM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index-0,71GreeceM-AMBI – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index-0,62 Part 2 Water categoryRiversGeographical Intercalibration GroupCross-GIGBiological Quality ElementFish fauna Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryDanubian groupHungaryHungarian Multimetric Fish Index HMMFI0,800,60Mediterranean groupBulgariaTsBRI (Type Specific Bulgarian Fish Index)0,8600,650ItalyNISECI index (New Index of Ecological Status of Fish Communities)0,800,60Water categoryRiversGeographical Intercalibration GroupCross-GIG Very Large RiversBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-biological Quality ElementPhytobenthos

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated – Type R-L2 CountryNational classification systems intercalibratedEcological Quality RatiosHigh-Good boundaryGood-Moderate boundaryBelgium (Flanders)PISIAD index (Proportions of Impact-Sensitive and Impact-Associated Diatoms)0,800,60Water categoryLakesGeographical Intercalibration GroupAlpine lakesBiological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrates Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods CountryNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryItalyBQIES (Benthic Quality Index Expected Species number)0,880,76Biological Quality ElementFish fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods CountryNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryFranceELFI (European Lake Fish Index): Indice Ichtyofaune Lacustre (IIL)0,730,49Water categoryLakesGeographical Intercalibration GroupCentral-Baltic lakesBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods CountryNational classification methodsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryFrancePhytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustre0,800,60Biological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-biological Quality ElementMacrophytes Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods CountryNational classification methodsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryFranceFrench Macrophyte Index for Lakes (IBML): Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Lacs0,800,60Biological Quality ElementFish fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods CountryNational classification methodsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBelgium (Flanders)Fish-based index for lakes and reservoirs in Flanders (Belgium)0,800,60Water categoryLakesGeographical Intercalibration GroupMediterranean lakesBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods CountryNational classification methodsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryCroatiaHungarian lake phytoplankton index (HLPI)0,800,60FrancePhytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustre0,800,60GreeceHeLPhy – Hellenic Lake Phytoplankton Assessment Method0,800,60ItalyItalian phytoplankton assessment method (IPAM)0,800,60Biological Quality ElementMacrophytes and PhytobenthosSub-biological Quality ElementMacrophytes Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods CountryNational classification methodsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryCroatiaBiocenological index (BMHR)0,900,70FranceFrench Macrophyte Index for Lakes (IBML): Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Lacs0,800,60GreeceHeLM – Hellenic Lake Macrophytes Assessment Method0,800,60ItalyVLMMI – Volcanic Lakes Multimetric Macrophyte Index0,700,50Spain

Spanish Macrophyte method to assess the ecological status of Lakes OFALAM 1: Coverage of eutrophic macrophytes National lake types: L-T01, L-T02, L-T03, L-T04, L-T05, L-T06, L-T07, L-T08, L-T10, L-T11, L-T12, L-T14, L-T15, L-T16, L-T17, L-T18, L-T19, L-T20, L-T21, L-T22, L-T23, L-T24, L-T25, L-T26, L-T2, L-T28, L-T29 0,990,90Spain Spanish Macrophyte method to assess the ecological status of Lakes OFALAM 2: Exotic macrophytes coverage National lake types: L-T01, L-T02, L-T03, L-T04, L-T05, L-T06, L-T07, L-T08, L-T10, L-T11, L-T12, L-T14, L-T15, L-T16, L-T17, L-T18, L-T19, L-T20, L-T21, L-T22, L-T23, L-T24, L-T25, L-T26, L-T2, L-T28, L-T29 1,000,95Spain Spanish Macrophyte method to assess the ecological status of Lakes OFALAM 3 National lake types (specifying the applied metric) Total cover of hydrophytesL-T10, L-T14, L-T15, L-T16, L-T250,830,55L-T110,860,57L-T180,880,62L-T20, L-T21, L-T22, L-T23, L-T290,920,61L-T12, L-T24, L-T26, L-T27, L-T280,940,62Presence/absence of hydrophytesL-T01, L-T02, L-T03, L-T04, L-T05, L-T06, L-T07, L-T08PresenceAbsence Spain Spanish Macrophyte method to assess the ecological status of Lakes OFALAM 4 National lake types (specifying the applied metric): Helophytes coverageL-T20, L-T21, L-T22, L-T230,860,50L-T12, L-T14, L-T15, L-T25, L-T290,880,75L-T10, L-T11, L-T16, L-T18, L-T24, L-T26, L-T27, L-T280,900,75Total coverage of macrophytesL-T170,900,75L-T190,830,55Spain Spanish Macrophyte method to assess the ecological status of Lakes OFALAM 5: Macrophytes richness National lake types: L-T18; L-T25-0,48L-T16, L-T17, L-T19-0,50L-T27, L-T28-0,53L-T29-0,56L-T24-0,60L-T11; L-T26-0,62L-T10-0,64L-T12-0,70L-T14, L-T15-0,78Biological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrates Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods CountryNational classification methodsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryCroatiaCroatian lake benthic macroinvertebrates classification method0,800,60GreeceGLBiI – Greek Lake Benthic invertebrate Index0,800,60GreeceHeLLBI – Hellenic assessment method for Lake Littoral Benthic invertebrate fauna0,800,60 ItalyBQIES (Benthic Quality Index Expected Species number)0,880,76SpainSpanish Invertebrates Index for Lakes IBCAEL National lake typesL-T01, L-T02, L-T03, L-T04, L-T05, L-T090,920,69L-T06, L-T07, L-T08, L-T10, L-T11, L-T120,930,69L-T13, L-T17, L-T300,890,68L-T14, L-T15, L-T24, L-T25, L-T26, L-T27, L-T290,780,59L-T16, L-T180,860,58L-T19, L-T210,800,60L-T20, L-T280,800,60L-T220,90,67L-T230,840,63SpainQAELS2010 indexshallow permanent ponds0,860,58shallow temporary ponds0,890,68Biological Quality ElementFish fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods CountryNational classification methodsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryCroatiaCroatian fish index for natural lakes (CFIL)0,800,60FranceELFI (European Lake Fish Index): Indice Ichtyofaune Lacustre (IIL)0,730,49GreeceGLFI – Greek Lake Fish Index0,800,60ItalyLake Fish Index (LFI)0,820,64Water categoryLakesGeographical Intercalibration GroupEastern Continental lakesBiological Quality ElementMacrophytes and phytobenthosSub-biological Quality ElementPhytobenthos

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods CountryNational classification methodsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryRomaniaRO-AMLP – Romanian Assessment Method for Natural Lakes Ecological Status based on Phytobenthos (Diatoms)0,800,60Biological Quality ElementFish fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods CountryNational classification methodsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBulgariaBulgarian fish based method for ecological classification and monitoring of lakes0,760,52HungaryHungarian Multimetric Fish Index for Oxbow lakes (HMMFIfO)0,800,60HungaryThe Balaton fish index (BFI)0,800,60Water categoryCoastal watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupBaltic SeaBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a) Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values Country and TypeEcological Quality RatiosValues (μg/l)High-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBC2 (including German national types B1. B2a. B2b)Germany (B1)0,910,679,3012,70Germany (B2a)0,890,671,802,40Germany (B2b)0,930,671,401,95 Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae and Angiosperms Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems Country and TypeNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBC2GermanyPHYBIBCO – PHYtoBenthic Index for Baltic inner coastal waters0,800,60BC1FinlandFucus depth limit(macroalgae)0,900,74SwedenMSMDI (macroalgae and angiosperms)0,600,40BC6DenmarkDepth limit of angiosperms0,900,74SwedenMSMDI (macroalgae and angiosperms)0,600,40BC7GermanyBalcosis – Baltic ALgae COmmunity AnalySIs System (macroalgae and angiosperms)0,800,60PolandMQAI – Macrophyte Quality Assessment Index0,900,70BC8GermanyBalcosis – Baltic ALgae COmmunity AnalySIs System (macroalgae and angiosperms)0,800,60DenmarkDepth limit of angiosperms0,900,74Biological Quality ElementBenthic Invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems Country and TypeNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBC2GermanyMarBIT- Marine Biotic Index Tool0,800,60BC4EstoniaZKI – Estonian coastal water macrozoobenthos community index0,390,24LatviaBQI – Benthic quality index0,880,75 Water categoryCoastal watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupNorth East AtlanticBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a) Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values Parameter values are expressed in μg/l as the 90 %ile value calculated over the defined growing season in a six-year period. Country and TypeEcological Quality RatiosValues (μg/l)High-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryNEA 1/26dDenmark0,660,503,004,00NEA 5Germany0,670,445,007,50NEA 7Norway0,670,332,505,00Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae

Intertidal or subtidal macroalgae rocky bottom Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems Country and TypeNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryType NEA 5GermanyHPI – Helgoland Phytobenthic Index0,800,60Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae Intertidal blooming macroalgae soft bottom, indicative of abundance Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems CountryNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryNEA 3/4GermanyOMAI – Opportunistic Macroalgae-cover/acreage on soft sediment intertidal in coastal waters0,800,60Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementAngiosperms Saltmarshes Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems CountryNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryGermanyEM – Assessment of saltmarsh vegetation in coastal and transitional waters0,800,60IrelandSMAATIE – Saltmarsh Angiosperm Assessment Tool for Ireland0,800,60NetherlandsTSM – WFD-metrics for natural watertypes: tidal salt marsh0,800,60Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae and Angiosperms Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems Country and TypeNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryType NEA 8bSwedenMSMDI (macroalgae and angiosperms)0,800,60DenmarkDepth limit of angiosperms0,900,74Biological Quality ElementBenthic Invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems Country and TypeNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryType NEA 1/26PortugalRAT – Rocky Shore Assessment Tool0,8000,600SpainBO2A – Benthic Opportunistic polychaetes/amphipods index0,830,50Type NEA 5GermanyMarBIT – Marine Biotic Index Tool0,800,60Water categoryCoastal watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupMediterranean SeaBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a) Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values Parameter values are expressed in μg/l of Chlorophyll a, for the 90th percentile calculated over the year in at least a five-year period. The values are not national boundaries but threshold values. Country and TypeEcological Quality RatiosValues (μg/l)High-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryType IFrance0,6700,3304,92510,000Italy0,8500,6205,60014,100Type II A TyrrhenianItaly0,840,621,172,90Type III W AdriaticItaly1,7Croatia1,7Type III W TyrrhenianItaly1,17Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementAngiosperms Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems CountryNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryGreeceCymoSkew0,750,50Water categoryTransitional watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupBaltic SeaBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton

Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a) Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values The following results refer to summer mean June – September CountryEcological Quality RatiosValues (μg/l)High-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryLatvia0,830,672,43,0Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementAngiosperms Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems CountryNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryLatviaNot applicablePolandESMIz-Ecological State Macrophyte index for lagoon0,680,41Biological Quality ElementBenthic Invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems CountryNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryLatviaBQI-Benthic Quality Index0,7840,588PolandB-Macrozoobenthos BQE assessment by multimetric index0,7650,647Biological Quality ElementFish fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems CountryNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryPolandPMFI-Polish Multimetric Fish Index0,800,60Water categoryTransitional watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupNorth East AtlanticBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a) Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values Parameter values are expressed in μg/l as the 90 %ile value calculated over the defined growing season CountryEcological Quality RatiosValues (μg/l)High-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBelgium1,000,60100200Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementAngiosperms Saltmarshes Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems CountryNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBelgiumTMQI -Tidal Marsh Quality Index0,850,75GermanyEM – Assessment of saltmarsh vegetation in coastal and transitional waters0,800,60IrelandSMAATIE – Saltmarsh Angiosperm Assessment Tool for Ireland0,800,60NetherlandsTSM – WFD-metrics for natural watertypes: tidal salt marsh0,800,60Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae and AngiospermsSub-Biological Quality ElementAngiosperms Seagrasses Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems CountryNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundarySpain – CantabriaAQI – Angiosperms Quality Index0,8500,700Biological Quality ElementBenthic Invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems Country and TypeNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryBelgiumBEQI – Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index0,750,5Sub type DGermanyAeTV – Aestuar Type Verfahren0,800,60IrelandIQI – Infaunal Quality Index0,750,64SpainTasBEM – Taxonomically Sufficient Benthic Multimetric0,790,66

Sub type EGermanyAeTV – Aestuar Type Verfahren0,800,60GermanyM-AMBI0,850,70IrelandIQI – Infaunal Quality Index0,750,64SpainTasBEM – Taxonomically Sufficient Benthic Multimetric0,790,66Sub type FIrelandIQI – Infaunal Quality Index0,750,64SpainTasBEM – Taxonomically Sufficient Benthic Multimetric0,790,66Water categoryTransitional watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupMediterranean SeaBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems Country and TypeNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryCoastal lagoons oligohaline and mesohalineSpain (Balearic Islands)FITOHMIB0,930,73EstuariesSpain (Southern Coast)TWIf – Phytoplankton index for transitional waters0,500,36CroatiaMPI – Multimetric Phytoplankton Index0,800,60Biological Quality ElementMacroalgae and AngiospermsSub Biological Quality ElementAngiosperms Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems Country and TypeNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryEstuariesCroatiaZonoMI index – Zostera noltei multivariate index0,7750,550Biological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems Country and TypeNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryCoastal lagoons Oligohaline. Mesohaline and PolyhalineSpain (Balearic Islands)INVHMIB0,930,73Coastal lagoons OligohalineSpain (Northeastern Coast)QAELS0,860,58Coastal lagoons MesohalineSpain (Northeastern Coast)QAELS0,720,62EstuariesCroatiaAMBI0,800,60Spain (without salt wedge – Southern Coast)BO2A0,870,45Spain (with salt wedge – Southern Coast)BO2A0,870,52Biological Quality ElementFish fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems CountryNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryCoastal lagoons Mesohaline and Polyhaline chocked and restrictedItalyHFBI – Habitat Fish Bio-Indicator0,940,55EstuariesCroatiaM-EFI – Modified Estuarine Fish Index0,800,60 Water categoryTransitional watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupBlack SeaBiological Quality ElementPhytoplankton Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems CountryNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryRomaniaIBI – Integrated Biological Index0,700,42Biological Quality ElementBenthic invertebrate fauna Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems CountryNational classification systemsEcological Quality RatiosHigh-good boundaryGood-moderate boundaryRomaniaM-AMBI(n) – Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index Normalized0,900,68 Part 3 Water categoryRiversGeographical Intercalibration GroupAlpineCountryTypeBiological Quality ElementAustriaR-A1 and R-A2MacrophytesFranceMacrophytesGermanyMacrophytesItalyMacrophytesSloveniaMacrophytesSpainMacrophytesWater categoryRiversGeographical Intercalibration GroupsMediterraneanCountryTypeBiological Quality ElementCyprusNational river typesFish faunaWater CategoryRiversGeographical Intercalibration GroupsVery Large RiversCountryTypeBiological Quality ElementFinlandR-L1PhytoplanktonItalyR-L2PhytoplanktonNorwayR-L1PhytoplanktonSwedenR-L1PhytoplanktonWater CategoryLakesGeographical Intercalibration GroupsCross-GIG

CountryTypeBiological Quality ElementAustriaAll national lake typesPhytobenthosEstoniaPhytobenthosLatviaPhytobenthosNetherlandsPhytobenthosNorwayPhytobenthosSpainPhytobenthosWater categoryLakesGeographical Intercalibration GroupsMediterraneanCountryTypeBiological Quality ElementCyprusNational lake typesFish faunaSpainFish faunaWater categoryCoastal watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupBaltic SeaCountryTypeBiological Quality ElementFinlandBC1, BC3Sub-Biological Quality element AngiospermsPolandBC5Macroalgae and angiospermsWater categoryTransitional watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupBaltic SeaCountryTypeBiological Quality ElementLatviaNational typesMacroalgae and angiospermsWater categoryTransitional watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupNorth East Atlantic CountryTypeBiological Quality ElementGermanyNEA 11PhytoplanktonWater categoryTransitional watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupMediterranean seaCountryTypeBiological Quality ElementCroatiaEstuariesSub-Biological Quality element MacroalgaeWater categoryTransitional watersGeographical Intercalibration GroupBlack SeaCountryTypeBiological Quality ElementRomaniaNational typesMacroalgae and angiosperms

Annex

ANNEX 2 The following tables list the EU Member States and EEA EFTA States (hereafter Countries) participating in the indicated Geographical Intercalibration Group (established for each surface water category, i.e. rivers, lakes, coastal waters and transitional waters).

1. RIVERS Name of the Geographical Intercalibration GroupCountries participating in Geographical IntercalibrationNorthernFinlandIrelandNorwaySwedenCentral/BalticAustriaBelgiumCzechiacDenmarkEstoniaFranceGermanyIrelandItalyLatviaLithuaniaLuxembourgNetherlandsPolandSpainSwedenAlpineAustriaFranceGermanyItalySloveniaSpainEastern ContinentalAustriaBulgariaCroatiaCzechia GreeceHungaryRomaniaSlovakiaSloveniaMediterraneanBulgariaCroatiaCyprusFranceGreeceItalyMaltaPortugalSloveniaSpain
2. LAKES Name of the Geographical Intercalibration GroupCountries participating in Geographical IntercalibrationNorthernFinlandIrelandNorwaySwedenCentral/BalticBelgiumCzechiaDenmarkEstoniaFranceGermanyIrelandLatviaLithuaniaNetherlandsPolandAlpineAustriaFranceGermany ItalySloveniaEastern ContinentalBulgariaHungaryRomaniaMediterraneanCroatiaCyprusFranceGreeceItalyPortugalSpain
3. COASTAL WATERS Name of the Geographical Intercalibration GroupCountries participating in Geographical IntercalibrationBalticDenmarkEstoniaFinlandGermanyLatviaLithuaniaPolandSwedenNorth AtlanticBelgiumDenmarkFranceGermanyIrelandNetherlandsNorwayPortugalSpainSwedenMediterraneanCroatia CyprusFranceGreeceItalyMaltaSloveniaSpainBlack SeaBulgariaRomania
4. TRANSITIONAL WATERS Name of the Geographical Intercalibration GroupCountries participating in Geographical IntercalibrationBalticLatviaLithuaniaPolandSwedenNorth AtlanticBelgiumFranceGermanyIrelandNetherlandsPortugalSpainSwedenMediterraneanCroatiaFranceGreeceItalySpainBlack SeaBulgariaRomania