Ecology

Our ecology team provides expert analysis and reporting on biological communities, such as that required to assess the ecological quality of surface waters, habitats and species.

Ecological classification systems are developed based on robust responses of biological communities to environmental pressures. For example, for the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), SEPA's ecology team:

• co-ordinates, reviews and supports the development of ecological methods for the implementation of the directive
  
• provides expert scientific advice, information and interpretation on ecological issues related to new duties
  
• contributes to the development and management of an adequate and appropriate monitoring network
  
• participates in and contributes to various UK and European technical groups with responsibilities for achieving common understanding of the implications of the WFD
  
• co-ordinates the provision of ecological data for UK projects and European initiatives, such as intercalibration
  
• co-ordinates the provision and interpretation of ecological data for waterbody characterisation and risk assessment.

SEPA operates a fully comprehensive, year-round microbiology monitoring programme. Coastal waters, sea lochs, estuarine waters, rivers and freshwater lochs are all included in the overall strategy. Surveys can be:

1. single or multi-station
2. shoreline, near shore, offshore or, in the case of rivers, bank or mid-channel
3. carried out taking into account a combination of physical parameters, eg tidal state, wind and rainfall, after a pollution event/complaint or the time of year.

From 1 June to 15 September (Scotland's bathing water season), the microbiological quality of Scotland's Bathing Waters are intensively monitored in accordance with the EU Bathing Water Directive.