CNR-IRSA activities related to INHABIT

Morphological and hydraulic features in water streams concur to define biological communities habitat. Such aspects define the physical habitats of freshwater fauna. For example, the interaction between flow types and stream bottom sediment determines the variation of several parameters  characterizing habitats in terms of nutrient dynamic, gas exchange, erosional stress and creating a variety of conditions supporting the interactions between biocoenosis and habitat. Also, the Water Framework Directive specifies that hydromorphology should underpin ‘good ecological status’, although ecological status of water bodies has to be assessed according to biological quality elements (BQE). The WFD also establishes three kind of monitoring, each with a specific objective. The evaluation of habitat and hydromorphological elements is required  in order to distinct ‘high’ from ‘good’ status and is also considered as mandatory for the definition of type specific reference conditions.

• The CARAVAGGIO Method
  
• Habitat classification for the WFD