Report on Harmonisation of freshwater biological methods

12. Table 2 shows that sampling methods and metrics often differ between countriesat GIG level, and that apart from biomass as indicated from chlorophyllconcentrations, for a specific lake or lake type each country uses different metrics.Also, there are no countries that completely fulfill the WFD metric requirements.Table 2. Phytoplankton sampling device and metrics used in different countries within theGIGs.GIG/ Sampling methodMetricCountryALPINEATabundance, biomass, group ratios, indicator taxaITabundanceAT point samples abundance, biomass, indicator taxa, group ratiosSI single depth samples temporal and spatial distribution of different speciesDE integrated samples species composition and abundance or abundance and biomassof single speciesFR net on secchi depth or onintegrated sampling from 0to 50mabundanceATLANTICIE standard net or aliquot of relative abundance, indicator taxa and group ratios, annual cycle,GBPLLVEEPLNLDEROintegrated sampleRutner water sampler everymetre from surfacecomposited, supplementedby phytoplankton net towover lake surface.Composite tube sampling.abundance estimated by analysis of the pigment chlorophyllabundance and identification of algal speciesBALTIC15 l of water filtered by dominance structure, indicator taxa.plankton net No25 from thedepth of 1m and 5m.with Ruttner bathometer, biomass, indicator taxa, relative contribution of Cyanophyta,from 0,5 m depth other Chrysophyta, Bacillariophyta etc, saprobic index, number offrom 0.2-0.3 m depth and 5-species10mRuttner sampler or VanDorn sampler Utermöhl's(1958) technique1l and qualitative drawnsample from photic zone.plankton-net no 25.abundance, frequency of occurrence, indicator taxa, group ratios,percentages of larger taxonomic groups, community structure,chlorophyll a concentrationCENTRALdominance structure, indicator taxa.cell counting (from colonies cells are estimated), identification tospecies or to genera level, share of groups (diatoms-blue – greenotheralgae)surface sample or standard No information availablewater sampler in a depth of1 m, or 5-liter integralsampler, sampling theepilimnetic layersamples takes with bucket,Knopp method SR ISOspecies density, abundance, wet biomass, biomass onsystematical gr, probic index52