| Abstract | Shortcomings of river typology, river water body network and water body assessment grouping were identified to impede the Water Framework Directive’s (WFD) implementation in Cyprus. A new spatial basis for river monitoring and management was elaborated to alleviate these problems.
A stream definition threshold determined from topographical maps and a 20x20m DEM were used for the stream definition process. Consistent quantitative and WFD compliant criteria were applied to identify the new WFD stream network. A new river typology based on the Temporary Stream Regimes of Gallart et al. (2012) was elaborated and comprises four types covering the entire flow permanence gradient (perennial – intermittent - ephemeral/episodic). The applicability of biological monitoring for WFD purposes is exactly specified for each type. For mapping the types onto the stream network, a tiered approach allowed employing the most reliable stream type predictor for each river reach. For ungauged stream reaches, relationships between stream types and catchment characteristics were established and a multi-criteria methodology for assigning types to reaches was developed and applied. The resulting stream network comprises 14% perennial and 86% temporary stream reaches. It represents the first mapping of temporary flow regimes onto a Cyprus-wide river network. Subsequently, water bodies were delineated considering location and spatial extent of pressures, differences in water status and protected areas. Monitoring sites’ ecological status was related to pressures, and thresholds for three pressure levels (negligible, minor, significant) were determined and used to develop an indicator allowing the prediction of pressure levels and related ecological status in water bodies.
The new scheme is already being utilized for the elaboration of the second Cyprus River Basin Management Plan.
In parallel to the elaboration of the new scheme, anticipated benefits and potential negative effects of the new scheme’s adoption were collected through a stakeholder consultation process, carried out in two action research loops with a total of five consultation sessions. The stakeholders present in the sessions included all significantly involved Government Departments, a contractor and, in the last session, environmental organizations, local Authorities and the general public. Identified benefits are few but significant and refer to improved monitoring, the benefits of the new typology, identified gaps and the developed reusable methodologies.
Identified causes for potential negative effects of an adoption of the technical proposal, anticipated mainly in the form of opposition of the European Commission, are the treatment of HMWBs in the assessment groups scheme, the compatibility of the new types with the results of the intercalibration exercise and the fact that the river network is completely new, in comparison to the first RBMP. All these do not bear but small or minimal chances to entail negative effects in practice.
Differing views amongst stakeholders about several areas of WFD implementation were also identified. They exist between the stakeholders but also within Governmental Departments and refer e.g. to the “ideal” density of the stream network and the treatment of ephemeral/episodic rivers under the WFD. |
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