DEMNA : Monitoring the biological quality of water bodies in Wallonia through Macrophytes diversity (Since 2005)
Citation
DEVRIESE J, Coupremanne M, Cherot F (2017). DEMNA : Monitoring the biological quality of water bodies in Wallonia through Macrophytes diversity (Since 2005). Version 1.3. Service Public de Wallonie – Département d’Etude du Milieu Naturel et Agricole (SPW – DEMNA). Metadata dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/cumtkq accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-09-20.Description
WARNING: SOME ERRORS WHERE SPOTED WITHIN THE DATASET. USE IS NOT RECOMMENDED BEFORE 2018 UPDATE. The dataset includes occurrences from the macrophytic inventories carried out by the hydrobiological unit at the department for the study of the natural and argicultural environment (DEMNA-DGO3-public service of Wallonia) within a network for monitoring the quality of surface water masses in Wallonia, since 2005 (monitoring biological, physico-chemical, hydromorphological aspects of the water bodies). Macrophytic inventories arise from assignments related to the Water Framework directive on water (FWD - 2000/60/CE). Macrophytes consitute one of the 4 biological indicator groups used to estimate and follow the biological quality of surface water bodies, with macroinvertebrates, diatoms and fishes (doi:10.15468/jgddny). The monitoring network on which they are based is composed of more than 440 sites, distributed among the hydrographic districts of the Meuse, the Scheldt, the Rhine and the Seine (Wallonia). Sampling is usually performed along a 100 meters section of the water stream. Field observations are supplemented by laboratory identification of taken specimens. More information, or quality evaluation results are available upon request adressed to the DEMNA, and we intend to increase the amount of information available through the dataset in the upcoming updates, which will be done annually. This dataset does not replace any official convention on the provision of biological data delivered by the department.Purpose
The curent network supports EU Water Framework Directive relative tasks, for the southern Belgium. The biological quality of surface water bodies is determined by 4 biological indicators groups (macrophytes, macroinvertebrates, diatoms and fishes). The reporting to Europe for macrophytes is done through the biological macrophytic index in river (IBMR). Even if the data can be used for other activites, the monitoring and sampling designs highly rely on the guidelines provided by the FWD.Sampling Description
Study Extent
The monitoring at the basis of this dataset started in 2005 and is focused on surface water bodies from Wallonia. The current permanent monitoring network is composed of more than 440 control stations, distributed among the hydrographic districts of the Meuse, the Scheldt, the Rhine, and the Seine.Sampling
Survey protocol is based on the document from the European Comittee for Standardization : CEN 230165. Sampling period extends from may to september. A section of the river of about 100 meters long is determined to include both slow and fast flowing areas. The GPS position is recorded at the most downstream point of this sampling station. The transect is traveled a first time by operators to position milestones every 25 meters, using a decameter, which will serve as visual benchmarks for sampling. This first run is done from the river banks, but if there is no other choice to cross it through the river bed, and a few minutes break will be observed so that the turbidity of the water does not affect the sampling. Prospecting the transect is usually performed by two operators, each one sampling his own side of the water bed, and going upstream. For larger rivers (river bed higher 8 meters), the operators will walk together, crossing to the other bank when the ending point of the station is reached. During the prospecting, operators pick up macrophytes samples (by hand or using a knife for substrate scraping). Samples are taken in the river bed, on the bottom or any other substrate (rocks, deadwood, etc.) located in the bed. Samples are also taken within the river banks, when not overpassing more than 30 cm above the water level. Smaller specimens are stored into Small pots of formaldehyde (35-40%) or water (hydrophytes, helophytes). Plastic bags are used for larger specimens. A preliminary field identification is done by the operators with the help of a magnifying glass (x12 or x20).The pre-identifications are noted, as are their abundance, the croqui of the facies of the river and the substrates encountered.Quality Control
Back to the laboratory, samples of algae and bryophytes are examined with a binocular (magnification 0 to 100X). Cellular examination of the samples can be done under a microscope (magnification 40x, 100x, 250x, 400x, 1000X). Cross-sections in the stems and leaves allow observation of the cells, of the walls, pores, the possible presence of oil bodies and any other elements that are part of the determination keys. 108/5000 The list of taxa established in the field is compared and verified with laboratory identification.Method steps
- Implantation or identification of the segment to be inventoried.
- Prospection of the station, Observation of facies and substrate
- Sampling and preliminary identification.
- Packaging and labeling of the samples.
- Laboratory identifications, validation of field observations.
- Importing results into the DEMNA hydrobiology unit's database : AQUABIO
Additional info
We expect to implement the data completeness with other informations (such as substrates, relative coverages, etc.) into the upcoming updates (expected for early 2018 and following republications).Taxonomic Coverages
Macrophyes from southern Belgium. The dataset includes more than 200 taxa with a taxonomic resolution ranging from the family to variety/subspecies, but consisting mostly in species (more than 160) or genus (more than 30).
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Plantaecommon name: Plants rank: kingdom
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Chromistacommon name: Chromists rank: kingdom
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Fungicommon name: mycetes rank: kingdom
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Bacteriacommon name: bacterium rank: kingdom
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Ascomycotacommon name: Ascomycetes rank: phylum
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Bryophytacommon name: Mosses rank: phylum
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Charophytacommon name: Charophytes -Green algae rank: phylum
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Chlorophytacommon name: Clorophytes -Green algae rank: phylum
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Cyanobacteriacommon name: Cyanophytes rank: phylum
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Marchantiophytacommon name: Liverworts rank: phylum
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Ochrophytacommon name: Golden and brown algae rank: phylum
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Rhodophytacommon name: Red algae rank: phylum
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Tracheophytacommon name: Vascular plants rank: phylum
Geographic Coverages
Wallonia, southern belgium
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Jonathan DEVRIESEoriginator
position: Principal adjoint
Department d'étude du milieu naturel et agricole
Avenue Maréchal Juin 23
Gembloux
5030
Namur
BE
email: jonathan.devriese@spw.wallonie.be
Maxime Coupremanne
metadata author
position: Data Liaison officer
Department d'étude du milieu naturel et agricole
22 Avenue de la faculté
Gembloux
5030
Namur
BE
email: mcouprem@gmail.com
Frédéric Cherot
metadata author
position: Biodiversity experty
Department d'étude du milieu naturel et agricole
Avenue Maréchal Juin 23
Gembloux
5030
Namur
BE
email: frederic.cherot@spw.wallonie.be
Jonathan DEVRIESE
metadata author
position: Principal adjoint
Department d'étude du milieu naturel et agricole
Avenue Maréchal Juin 23
Gembloux
5030
Namur
email: jonathan.devriese@spw.wallonie.be
François Darchambeau
principal investigator
position: Adjunct
Department d'étude du milieu naturel et agricole
Avenue Maréchal Juin 23
Gembloux
5030
Namur
BE
email: francois.darchambeau@spw.wallonie.be
Jonathan DEVRIESE
originator
position: Principal adjunct
Department d'étude du milieu naturel et agricole
Avenue Maréchal Juin 23
Gembloux
5030
Namur
BE
email: jonathan.devriese@spw.wallonie.be
Maxime Coupremanne
curator
Belgian Biodiversity Platform
22 Avenue de la faculté
Gembloux
5030
Namur
BE
email: mcouprem@gmail.com
Coupremanne Maxime
administrative point of contact
position: Data liaison officer
Belgian Biodiversity Platform
22 Avenue de la faculté
Gembloux
5030
Namur
BE
email: mcouprem@gmail.com
Jonathan DEVRIESE
administrative point of contact
position: Principal adjoint
Department d'étude du milieu naturel et agricole
Avenue Maréchal Juin 23
Gembloux
5030
Namur
BE
email: jonathan.devriese@spw.wallonie.be