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Title: Validation of Diatoms as Proxys for Phytobenthos When Assessing Ecological Status in Lakes
Author: M. Kelly
Author: L. King
Author: Environment Agency
Document Type: Monograph
Annotation: Environment Agency Project ID:EAPRJOUT_1428, Representation ID: 484, Object ID: 2583; Environment Agency Project ID:EAPRJOUT_1526, Representation ID: 529, Object ID: 2664
Abstract:
Research to develop tools to assess the ecological status of phytobenthos, as required in Annex V of the Water Framework Directive, is focussing on diatoms. Diatoms are often the most abundant and diverse group of algae within the phytobenthos and have been widely used for other monitoring purposes. However, few data at present justify the use of diatoms as proxies for the phytobenthos. This report re-examines a dataset compiled largely from littoral samples from standing waters in the Lake District and compares transfer functions for total phosphorus, dissolved inorganic carbon, conductivity and calcium concentration generated from diatoms and non-diatoms separately and together. The results show that transfer functions generated from diatoms alone are as powerful as transfer functions generated from diatoms and non-diatoms combined, while transfer functions generated from non-diatoms alone are less effective. These results provide support for the use of diatoms as proxies for phytobenthos when ecological status is being assessed.
Publisher: Environment Agency
Subject Keywords: PhytobenthosWater Framework DirectiveLakesMonitoringDiatomsMethodologyWater reservoirsWater quality
Taxonomic Keywords: Bacillariophyceae
Extent: 21
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:4708
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