We presented the results of our three-year project of “Sampling, Sample Analysis, and Evaluation of Biological Quality Elements (Rivers) – Implementation of Article 8 of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC” to officials from the Water Development Department.
The primary objective of the project was the fulfilment of requirements of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC with respect to monitoring of Biological Quality Elements (aquatic flora -macrophytes & phytobenthos (diatoms), benthic invertebrate fauna and fish fauna). A secondary objective was to contribute to the surveillance system of invasive alien species that is required under Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, while a tertiary objective was to collect information about the spatial distribution of few selected species of Cyprus’ freshwater fauna.
The results included, a. The biological status of the three biological quality elements at the sampled monitoring sites in Cyprus rivers, b. Quantitative data on the biological quality element fish fauna at the sampled monitoring sites in Cyprus rivers, c. Data on the occurrence and distribution of invasive alien species in the Cyprus environment at the monitoring sites in Cyprus rivers that were sampled, and d. Data on the occurrence and distribution of few selected species of Cyprus’ freshwater fauna at the monitoring sites of Cyprus.
In line with the above, the results of our EUROSTARS/0519/0005 «WAT-DIMON Novel DNA -Βased test for the identification of benthic diatoms of European Freshwater bodies» project were also discussed, along with ways on how these could be used by the competent authorities to address the different challenges and needs of assessing the ecological status of water and the determination of its quality. The main objective of the WATDIMON project is the application of new molecular methods based on DNA for the determination of the composition of the diatom community in fresh water of southern Europe, for ecological evaluations based on the Biological Quality Elements defined in the Water Framework Directive.
