Can a priori defined reference criteria be used to select reference sites in Danish streams? Implications for implementing the Water Framework Directive

An important step in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive is to define and characterize the natural status, designated as the reference condition (RC). Here we present the results of a type-specific screening for reference stream sites in Denmark using two different approaches. First, we performed a screening applying physicochemical, hydro-morphological and pressure criteria at the catchment, reach and site level of a total of 128 sites a priori selected by the regional water authorities as representing the best sites in Denmark. Second, we performed a GIS screening of all mapped streams in Denmark (26,000 km representing app. 90% of all Danish streams) using solely land use characteristics in the catchment area to target the search for larger stream sites to comply with the WFD requirements of type-specificity. Among the 128 sites we did not find any that fulfilled all criteria applied at the catchment, reach and site level using recommended RC threshold values and only three sites using threshold values that were less strict. Similarly very few km (< 1%) of the GIS screened streams fulfilled catchment land use criteria, suggesting that the potential of identifying RC sites in Denmark is very limited. The lack of success in the screening process clearly demonstrates a need for alternative methods to establish RC for Danish streams. We propose a combined approach that includes the development of a guiding image for RC for all the stream biota needed to evaluate the ecological quality. This guiding image should be based on historical data, expert knowledge and investigations in streams situated in countries that are subjected to less intense land use and, at the same time, share both topographical and climatic similarities with Denmark, e.g. the Baltic countries.