title: A new methodology based on littoral community cartography dominated by macroalgae for the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive.
abstract: Macroalgae is a biological key element for the assessment of the ecological status in coastal waters in the frame of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EC). Here we propose a methodology for monitoring water quality based on the cartography of littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities (CARLIT, in short). With the use of spatial databases, GIS, and available information about the value of rocky-shore communities as indicators of water quality, it is possible to obtain an environmental quality index representative of the ecological status of rocky coasts. This index, which completely fulfils the requirements of the WFD, is expressed as a ratio between the observed values in the sector of shore that is being assessed and the expected value in a reference condition zone with the same substrate and coastal morphology (Ecological Quality Ratio, EQR). The application of this index to the coast of Catalonia (North-Western Mediterranean) is presented.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes-CSIC, Acc. Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300 Blanes, Spain. kike@ceab.csic.es
authors.forename: Enric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ballesteros
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Torras
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pinedo
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mangialajo
authors.forename: Mariona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Torres
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000254:growth & development*; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D005843:Geography; D007391:International Cooperation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D011156:Population Density; D012015:Reference Standards; D013030:Spain