Assessment method for the ecological status of Estonian coastal waters based on submerged aquatic vegetation

Abstract

In this paper water quality assessment system of Estonian coastal sea areas using submerged aquatic vegetation according to the Water Framework Directive of the European Community is described. Estonian coastal waters are divided to 6 national types covering 16 water bodies. The assessment system is based on three monitoring areas for each water body. Three metrics are used for water quality classification system based on phytobenthos: 1) the depth distribution of phytobenthos as the deepest occurrence of a single attached specimen; 2) the maximum depth distribution of Fucus vesiculosus as the deepest occurrence of singe plant specimens; 3) the proportion of perennial plant species in the observed community based on dry biomass of attached erect vegetation. © 2011 WIT Press.