Abstract: The RECOVER: 2010 project was designed to assess the current and future
anthropogenic pressures on sensitive European freshwater ecosystems. This
pan–European assessment utilised a standardised predictive modelling approach
to evaluate the degree of compliance with respect to the restoration of
acidified waters by 2016, as specified under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD),
and evaluated the environmental benefits of proposed UN-ECE protocols on
emissions control. Between 1970 and 2000, observations and model simulations
show a significant decline in acidic surface water in all regions of Europe.
This demonstrated the success of policies aimed at reducing emission of
acidifying compounds. The nature and extent of future regional recovery from
acidification is, however, dependent upon the historical pattern of deposition,
regional ecosystem characteristics and the role of confounding factors, which
may delay the onset of recovery or the magnitude of response. Model predictions
to 2010 and beyond emphasise the continued benefit of currently proposed
reductions, as reflected by the degree of recovery of freshwater ecosystems. A
key component was to link such hydrochemical recovery with ecological response,
and the project aimed to evaluate this against current WFD criteria of “good
status" and “reference conditions". The RECOVER: 2010 project research has
also played a major role in defining the dynamic modelling outputs which will be
required to support the review of the Gothenburg Protocol within the work of the
UN-ECE CLRTAP Working Group on Effects (WGE), and model outputs have been made
available to a range of national agencies throughout Europe.
Keyword: recovery, acidification, modelling, policy, good status, reference conditions |