A Proposal to Classify and Assess Ecological Status in Mediterranean Temporary Rivers: Research Insights to Solve Management Needs

The biomonitoring methods implemented by water authorities are mostly developed for perennial rivers, and do not apply to temporary rivers (TRs). We propose a new classification TRs better assess their ecological status. It arises from the LIFE+ TRivers project, which was conducted in Catalan Júcar Mediterranean river basin districts (RBD). European Water Framework Directive (WFD) provided two systems set types (systems A or B Annex II), have been officially used across Europe “national types” (NRTs). However, essential hydrological variables largely omitted. NRTs established according WFD were compared with TR categories obtained using rainfall-runoff model, “natural flows prescribed regimes” (NFPRs), “aquatic phases (APRs) calculated TREHS software. biological quality indices currently Spain, based on macroinvertebrates diatoms (IBMWP, IMMI-T, IPS), “general degradation” gradient order analyze procedures (NFPR APR). results showed that did properly classify TRs, APR identified ecologically meaningful categories, especially those related stagnant phases. Four “management categories” APRs proposed be managers status of TRs.