The Umweltbundesamt GmbH / Environmental Agency Austria organized in the framework of the EUWI+ a Workshop on Ecological classification of surface water bodies in EUWI+ pilot areas of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia which was held in Tbilisi, Georgia, on July 24 -25, 2018.

The workshop:

provided a repetition of the WFD principles in the light of practical implications, as the requirements for equipment depending on sampling methods and site selection; gave an overview of approaches and methods in other countries with examples from Austria, Bulgaria and very large rivers in Europe; enabled the participants to participate in practical exercises, included presentations by international experts and group exercises with special focus on ecological status classification systems and the interlinkage between ecological, chemical and hydro-morphological classification.

Group discussions gave a detailed insight in the current monitoring situations in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and provided an outlook of the next steps.

Additionally the topics of statistical analysis, WFD compliance as well as the role of physic-chemical parameters in the WFD process, as well as were tackled. The role of hydromorphology in the WFDs context and its relation to biology was discussed. Hydromorphological alterations and survey methods were presented before a practical group work was done, to ensure that the information given was applicable for the participants. Heavily modified water bodies (HMWBs) and their correct application and handling were presented with a focus on the difference between the ecological status and ecological potential. Participants were particularly interested in practical exercises in sub-groups on the different steps of Ecological classification.

All presentations can be found under this link: https://docs.umweltbundesamt.at/s/y3QTdCCioani9Bk