`Assessing the biological quality of fresh waters: RIVPACS and other techniques', edited by John F. Wright, David W. Sutcliffe and Mike T. Furse.
`Assessing the biological quality of fresh waters: RIVPACS and other techniques', edited by John F. Wright, David W. Sutcliffe and Mike T. Furse. Published by the Freshwater Biological Association, Ambleside, June 2000. ISBN 0 900386 62 2. 400 pages. Price £40 softback, £60 hardback (including p. & p.).

RIVPACS - Europe

Prior to the publication of the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD) in 2000, water quality legislation in Europe consisted of many regulations, directives and decisions that had been introduced over the previous 30 years. The WFD united these separate bits of legislation into a powerful, integrated framework of common principles for the protection and improvement of water quality. Indeed the WFD sets an ambitious target that all waters meet "good status" by 2015.

The RIVPACS type approach had considerable influence on the drafting of the Directive. The core concept of the WFD, that an ecological status target is set for each site, is essentially derived from the RIVPACS type approach. These targets are based on a fundamental knowledge of the relationship between the biota and the physicochemical environment and involve the definition of the ‘Reference Condition’ for each test site. The WFD requires that all water bodies are classified into groups of similar type, based on a range of environmental variables. This is also adapted from the RIVPACS methodology. Logan & Furse (2002) provide a detailed interpretation of the WFD and the important role of the RIVPACS-type approach in its development and application.

For the text of the WFD, please click here (external link).

 

 

Sweden has recently developed bioassessment tools for streams (SWEPACSRI) and lakes (SWEPACLLI) based on the RIVPACS modelling approach. Separate SWEPAC models were developed for the three different ecoregions within Sweden. The macroinvertebrate community is sampled from the stony littoral zone in lakes and from riffles in streams. 

In the Czech Republic a RIVPACS type approach was used for the development of a national bioassessment system. The PERLA model is based on 350 reference sites across the four ecoregions within the Czech Republic.

In Spain there have been recent and continuing developments towards a RIVPACS type system for the Mediterranean rivers of the Castellón, València and Alicante provinces through the Project GUADALMED.