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Hydromorphological Methodologies to Assess Ecological Status in Mediterranean Rivers: Applied Approach to the Catalan River Basin District

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Book cover Experiences from Surface Water Quality Monitoring

Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC,volume 42))

Abstract

Methodologies currently used to assess hydromorphological features in Mediterranean rivers are reviewed in this chapter. Most relevant methodologies developed across Europe in compliance with WFD (Water Framework Directive) are also analyzed, along with their adaptations to different spatial scales from European, national to regional scales. We also present those hydromorphological protocols that have been developed, used and tested in the Catalan River Basin District, within the framework of monitoring programmes under the requirements of the WFD. The Catalan Water Agency developed a comprehensive protocol to assess hydromorphological conditions in Catalan watersheds, named HIDRI, which assesses and combines hydrological alteration, river continuity and morphological conditions. HIDRI is a compiled protocol based on different metrics and includes large information at river catchment scale.

This chapter also introduces challenges and opportunities in using hydromorphological information for river management. Considerations for an extensive use of hydromorphology assessment in Mediterranean rivers are presented as well as those recommendations to be included in River Basin Management Plans and in the Programme of Measures to achieve good ecological status according to the WFD objectives.

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Abbreviations

ACA:

Catalan water agency (in Catalan: Agència Catalana de l’Aigua)

CEN:

A guidance standard for assessing the hydromorphological features of rivers (2002). CEN-TC 230/WG 2/TG 5: N32.

CRBD:

Catalan river basin district

EU:

European Union

HIDRI:

Hydromorphological quality index used in Catalonia (in Catalan: Protocol d’avaluació de la qualitat HIDromorfològica dels RIus)

HYMO:

Hydromorphology

IHA:

Index of hydrological alteration

IHF:

River habitat index (in Spanish: Índice del Hábitat Fluvial)

QBR:

Riparian forest quality index (in Catalan: Qualitat del Bosc de Ribera)

RBMP:

River basin management plan

WB:

Water body

WFD:

Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC)

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Acknowledgments

We really appreciate the help provided by all people involved in the Catalan Water Monitoring Program (from Catalan Water Agency). Special thanks to Gloria González who managed the Mediterranean river project [41], as well as Elvira Romans and other field technicians from URS company who work in this project. We also recognize the help provided by Carlos López and GIS technicians who assure databases and produce maps for this chapter. Finally, we are indebted to Fernando Gurrucharri and his team from the Spanish Ministry of Environment.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Catalan Water Agency (ACA), Provença 204-208, 08036, Barcelona, Spain

    Evelyn Garcia-Burgos, Mònica Bardina, Carolina Solà & Antoni Munné

  2. United Research Services España SLU, Urgell 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain

    Montserrat Real

  3. United Research Services Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited, 12 Regan Way, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 6RZ, UK

    Joana Capela

Authors
  1. Evelyn Garcia-Burgos
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  2. Mònica Bardina
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  3. Carolina Solà
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  4. Montserrat Real
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  5. Joana Capela
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  6. Antoni Munné
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Evelyn Garcia-Burgos .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Water Quality and Monitori, Catalan Water Agency (ACA), Barcelona, Spain

    Antoni Munné

  2. Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain

    Antoni Ginebreda

  3. Department of Ecology, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain

    Narcís Prat

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Garcia-Burgos, E., Bardina, M., Solà, C., Real, M., Capela, J., Munné, A. (2015). Hydromorphological Methodologies to Assess Ecological Status in Mediterranean Rivers: Applied Approach to the Catalan River Basin District. In: Munné, A., Ginebreda, A., Prat, N. (eds) Experiences from Surface Water Quality Monitoring. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 42. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2015_439

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