WFD Cycle 2 TraC macroalgae classification

This dataset is a subset of “ WFD Classification Status Cycle 2” and contains classification data for the Macroalgae biological element in transitional and coastal water bodies. Macroalgae communities (seaweeds) can be used to indicate the ecological status of an estuary or coastal water body. A number of tools are used to measure metrics of composition and abundance for different types of macroalgae communities. Up to two tools used for assessing transitional water bodies are Opportunistic Macroalgae and Fucoid Extent. Up to two tools used for assessing coastal water bodies include Opportunistic Macroalgae and Rockshore Macroalgae. Each tool compares actual (observed) metric scores against reference conditions (reflecting a water body in pristine condition). The comparison of the observed to expected scores is known as an Ecological Quality Ratio (EQR). The EQRs score from the tool assessments are use to produce the Macroalgae classification (High, Good, Moderate, Poor, Bad) of the water body for Water Framework Directive (WFD) purposes.