Benthic algae assessments in the EU and the US: striving for consistency in the face of great ecological diversity

Freshwaters face multiple environmental problems including eutrophication, acidification, salinization, and climate-change, all of which can lead to impairment of ecosystem structure and function. Furthermore, these stressors often act in combination. Benthic algal-based assessments to quantify impairment are used in both the EU and USA. In this review, we use case studies, experience, and the literature to compare concepts, approaches, and methods between the EU and USA to offer an updated picture of benthic algal-based assessments. Both the USA and EU are composed of numerous constituent states having considerable flexibility to adopt individual methods. The goal of this work is to synthesize the various approaches that are used across the EU and US. Specifically, we compare and contrast the benthic algal assessment performed in response to core legislation - the Water Framework Directive in the EU and the Clean Water Act in the US, with a particular focus on the steps taken to ensure consistency at different stages of the process. This includes consideration of approaches to sampling design and field methods, taxonomic resolution and laboratory harmonization, metric selection and choice of algal groups, assessment of stressors and stressor/response relationships. A number of commonalities emerged during this process, particularly the focus on diatoms over other algal groups. However, there are also a number of key differences, including more widespread use of multimetric indices in the US compared with the EU. Finally, we consider emerging opportunities, including the potential for using metagenomic approaches for bioassessment in the future.

CHARLES Donald;  KELLY Martyn;  STEVENSON Jan R;  POIKANE Sandra;  THEROUX Susanne;  ZGRUNDO Alexandra;  CANTONATI Marco; 

2021-01-11

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

JRC121748

1470-160X (online),   

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X20310219?via%3Dihub,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC121748,   

10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107082 (online),