IL SOFTWARE CARAVAGGIOSOFT: UNO STRUMENTO PER L'ARCHIVIAZIONE E LA GESTIONE DI DATI DI IDROMORFOLOGIA E HABITAT FLUVIALE

In order to perform an ecological classification for the Water Framework Directive (WFD, EC 2000/60) a definition of regional frameworks and river typologies is a central issue. In the present paper an approach for the regionalization process at European scale is presented and the obtained results are briefly illustrated. This approach is based on the definition of classes for the main factors influencing aquatic ecosystem at global scale that are geology, relief and climate. Once defined the Hydro-Ecoregions a classification in river types should be developed considering the most important factors that influence the ecosystem functioning and the biological assemblage. The approach used in France to define the fluvial typology is presented and is based on Hydro-Ecoregions, stream size and idrological and idro-chemical effects of upstream areas. The definition of Hydro-Ecoregions and stream types here described can provide a guideline for the development of similar systems for the implementation of the WFD in others Member States.