CARATTERE LENTICO-LOTICO DEI FIUMI MEDITERRANEI E CLASSIFICAZIONE BIOLOGICA DI QUALITÀ

The relationships between selected abiotic and biotic variables were investigated, with the aim of assessing if differences in the lentic-lotic character of rivers can influence the ecological classification of sites. In particular, we observed that the dependence of the IBE method on local hydraulic conditions can resolve in an incorrect interpretation of the ecological status of a river site. The natural variability of benthic communities in Mediterranean rivers, resulting from hydrological characteristics, can add up to the human-induced alterations, if the classification methods do not take this aspect into account. This can lead to inaccurate quality judgment. The need for restructured methods to assess ecological quality for the WFD dedicated to Mediterranean rivers, which show a highly dynamic flow, is emphasized. Finally, some general conclusions related to the issues of the present Quaderno are also presented.