The influence of hydromorphological variables on benthic invertebrate (BI) assemblages was studied in Slovenian rivers and ecoregions Alps, Dinaric western Balkan and Pannonian Lowland. Data on BI assemblages were obtained from 302 sampling sites between the years 2005 and 2011. For each sampling site data on 49 environmental variables were collected and were assigned to four environmental variable groups: regional natural characteristics (typology), land use, river habitat quality variables (RHQ), and river habitat modification variables (RHM). The relation of environmental variables on BI assemblages was analyzed using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). In general, RHQ variables explained higher share of BI assemblages% variability than RHM variables. The importance of environmental variables was dependent on ecoregion. The explained variability of BI assemblages was devided among groups of environmental variables using partial CCA. The effects of tipological variables and RHQ or RHM variables were well discerned. Tipological variables constrain the processes on smaller scales, but a considerable part of BI assemblage composition is dependent on habitat quality features irrespective of typological characteristics. pCCA between land use variables and other environmental variable groups showed the highest joint effects of explained variability of BI assemblages with tipological variables. We have well discerned among land use effects and RHQ or RHM variables on BI assemblages. Using ecologically relevant morphological variables the guiding images of river habitats of four major European regions were defined. Significant differences were observed among river habitats of alpine, lowland, mediterranean and karst region, and guidance for river management was presented. The relationship between BI assemblages and different combinations of previously used morphological variables was also analysed and generally more variability of BI assemblages was explained than with individual morphological variables.
D.09 Tutoring for postgraduate students
COBISS.SI-ID: 4214438For river basin management ecological status assessment methods should be developed for each of biological quality elements (BQE). Ecological status assessment methods, implemented in Slovenia by Decree on surface water status and Rules on surface water status monitoring, were upgraded and numerous new methods were developed that were still missing. Conclusion of 2. intercalibration phase of ecological status assessment methods based on BQE on european level resulted in gazzete of Commission Decision from 20. September 2013, implementing the upgraded ecological status assessment methods and boundary values between ecological status classes, harmonized in the intercalibration process. In 2015 we harmonized a proposition on upgrading of ecological assessment methods based on Proposition of upgrading the Decree and Rules from 2013, the results of 2. intercalibration phase and upgrading of existing methods, developed and harmonized in Slovenia till the end of 2015.
F.17 Transfer of existing technologies, know-how, methods and procedures into practice
COBISS.SI-ID: 3757135In accordance with the Annex II of Water Framework Directive each water body should be differentiated according to type, also artificial (AWB) and heavily modified (HMWB) water bodies. In the Rules on determing and classification for water bodies on surface water (Ur. l. RS 63/05, 26/06, 32/11) 19 HMWB and 4 AWB are defined in Slovenia. We classified HMWB and AWB into already existing (ecological) types or into new (ecological) types, using the existing or additional descriptors according to Water Framework Directive. The differentiation of HMWB and AWB was tested with data of biological elements, used for ecological status or potential assessment in accordance with Water Framework Directive. The developed typology will be a basis for development of ecelogical potential assessment methods and definition of mitigation measures on HMWB and AWB.
F.12 Improvements to an existing service
COBISS.SI-ID: 3756879Ecologically acceptable flow (Qes) is one of the measures for the achievement of good ecological status required by Water Framework Directive (WFD). However, the development of methods used for setting Qes rarely considered the aims of WFD – good ecological status. The objective of our research is to test whether the existing criteria for setting Qes in Slovenia are enough for good ecological status achievement and provide guidelines for the improvement of the Qes definition method in Slovenia. The links between flow characteristics (hydrological characteristics) and ecological characteristics of small rivers in ecoregion Alps will be assessed. The data has been gathered and the appropriateness of »f« factors for Qes definition is being assessed. Besides »f« factor testing, the influence of water abstraction on river hydrological characteristics is being tested and defined which of those characteristics are most important in structuring fish, phytobenthos and benthic invertebrate assemblages. 10 sampling sites on rivers in ecoregion Alps with catchment area 10-100 km2 were selected, where small hydropower plants with reversible water abstraction exist. On selected sampling sites hydrological and physico-chemical parameters were measured, hydromorphological surveys were made and fish, phytobenthos and benthic invertebrates were sampled. The collected data will be used for ecological status assessment and other biological and abiotic characteristics description. Besides newly gathered data also data gathered as a part of ecological status monitoring and assessment system development programs in Slovenia will be used. For new and old data hydromorphological parameters will be calculated. Data will be used for testing the relationship between ecological status parameters and hydrological parameters. Based on understanding the relationship between river flow alterations and ecological response the guidelines for sustainable water use will be provided.
F.18 Transfer of new know-how to direct users (seminars, fora, conferences)
COBISS.SI-ID: 3758671A textbook for subject Advanced Biology for students of the undergraduate program Bionics in Technics was prepared. A textbook is a primary study literature for the students.
D.10 Educational activities
COBISS.SI-ID: 3348303