European Rivers' Ecological Quality Improves But Falls Short of Targets
A study reveals that the ecological quality of European rivers has improved since the 1990s, but the positive trend stalled around 2010. On average, rivers have not yet achieved the required "good" ecological status.
Frankfurt, Germany – An international research team led by scientists from the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment has published a comprehensive analysis of the ecological status of Europe's rivers.
The study, which analyzed data from 1,365 sites across 23 European countries, indicates an overall improvement in river ecological quality since the 1990s. However, this positive trend appears to have stagnated since approximately 2010. Researchers warn that, on average, rivers have not yet reached the "good" ecological condition stipulated by the EU Water Framework Directive.
Led by Dr. James Sinclair and Professor Peter Haase, the research team examined invertebrate data to track changes in ecological quality over time. The findings suggest that around 60 percent of European rivers are currently not in good ecological condition, with Germany showing particularly low levels at approximately 90 percent. Improvements are likely attributable to measures implemented since the 1980s, such as enhanced wastewater treatment.
Scientists attribute the stagnation since 2010 to persistent and emerging stressors, including pollution, habitat alteration, climate change, and the introduction of new substances like pesticides and pharmaceuticals. The study also highlights complexities in measuring biodiversity, concluding that overall species diversity is a relatively reliable indicator of ecological water quality change over the long term.
The research, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, underscores the necessity of long-term data collection and carefully selected metrics for accurate assessment of ecological trends in aquatic environments.