Manual for the Application of the AQEM System: A Comprehensive Method to Assess European Streams Using Benthic Macroinvertebrates, Developed for the Purpose of the Water Framework Directive

Title:

Resource Type:

document --> training / education --> manuals

Country:

EU Projects

Year of publication:

2003

Availability:

AQEM Guideline G1. Contract No: EVK1-CT1999-00027

Author 1/Producer:

AQEM Consortium

Author / Producer Type:

EC Project

Report / download web link (=direct link):

http://www.aqem.de/ftp/aqem_manual.zip

Format (e.g. PDF):

Zipped File

Size: (e.g. 20mb)

EUGRIS Keyword(s):

Contaminated land-->Risk assessment-->Receptor: Ecological
Contaminated land-->Risk assessment-->Receptor: Water
Groundwater protection-->Groundwater protection overview
Water and sanitation-->Water and sanitation Overview
Water resources and their management -->Water resources and their management Overview

Short description:

AQEM enables water managers in eight European countries to assess the Ecologi-cal Quality of streams with benthic macroinvertebrates using a system, which fulfils the demands of the Water Framework Directive. Presently AQEM covers 28 Euro-pean stream types, future updates will further extend its applicability. Aims of the AQEM system are: • to classify a stream reach into an Ecological Quality Class from 5 (high) to 1 (bad) based on a macroinvertebrate taxa list, which has been obtained using a harmonised sampling method • to give information about the cause of a possible degradation to help direct fu-ture management practices.

Link to Project(s):

AQEM Development and Testing of an Integrated Assessment System for the Ecological Quality of Streams and Rivers Throughout Europe Using Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Submitted By:

Martin Bittens WhoDoesWhat? Last update: 03/01/2007