River water quality in Ireland has traditionally been assessed on the basis of macroinvertebrate community composition in association with aquatic plants (macrophytes and algae) and water chemistry. The EPA quality rating system (Q-values) facilitates rapid and effective assessment of the water quality of rivers and streams. Good quality is indicated by Q5, Q4-5 and Q4. While some impairment is evident at Q4, the ecological conditions at such locations are considered to be acceptable to salmonids. However, this is an assumed relationship based on visual observations. One of the aims of this project is to test this hypothesis and produce a robust statistical model correlating the existing quality rating system, fish community structure and physical factors (depth, streambed type etc.). The Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires the inclusion of fish as a biological element in the assessment of ecological quality. The objectives of the project delivers a protocol to assess the status of riverine fish stocks, test the relationship between fish and water quality, develop an increased understanding of eutrophication impacts and explore the delivery of a predictive model to assist with the monitoring requirements of the WFD. Potential sampling protocols for the assessment of fish populations in lakes were also investigated.The development of a standard fish stock sampling protocol for rivers was discussed. The project examined temporal influences in four core rivers one of which is located in Northern Ireland. The database includes sites demonstrating each grade of water quality in accordance with the EPA classification system. The influence of eutrophication on diurnal oxygen variation was investigated using in situ intrumentation and telemetry.

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This resource has SEMI-PUBLIC availability. This means that the metadata for the resource is available to the public but the data files and information objects connected to the resource are not. There are currently 2 data files and/or information objects connected to this resource. You will need to contact the owners of this resourceto seek their consent to access the files. Contact information for the owners of this resource can be found in the Responsible Parties information section of the metadata.

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SAFER-Data Display URL	https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=9
Resource Keywords	Q-values, environmental factors and degree of eutrophication
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Code	none
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Theme	Water Quality
Resource Availability:	Semi-Private
Limitations on the use of this Resource	The dataset is currently being used as the basis for published journal papers and as such usage of the data is restricted to the data owners until these have been accepted for publication. These papers have not been submitted for publication to date but will be in 2006.
Number of Attached Files (Publicly and Openly Available for Download):	2
Project Start Date	Thursday 1st March 2001 (01-03-2001)
Earliest Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Thursday 1st March 2001 (01-03-2001)
Most Recent Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Wednesday 1st March 2006 (01-03-2006)
Published on SAFER	Wednesday 28th March 2007 (28-03-2007)
Date of Last Edit	Wednesday 28th March 2007 at 14:28:15 (28-03-2007)
Datasets or Files Updated On	Wednesday 28th March 2007 at 14:27:36 (28-03-2007)

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Description of Geographical Characteristics of This Project or Dataset
none

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In this section some supplementary information about this resource is outlined. Lineage information helps us to understand why this project was carried out, what policy or research requirements did it fulfil, etc. Lineage is important in understanding the rationale behind the carrying out of a project or the collection of a specific dataset etc. Links to web sites, applications, papers, etc are outlined to provide you with additional information or supplementary reading about the project or dataset

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The following is a list of similiar projects and resources on SAFER. Usually these resources share a similiar thematic area to the resource Investigation of the relationship between fish stocks, ecological quality ratings you are currently viewing. You can view the full description for these projects and resources by using the links supplied.

• Water Quality and the Aquatic Environment View Full Metadata Description
• Development of an ecohydrology framework for setting environmental flow standards for Irish rivers View Full Metadata Description
• Water Framework Directive: Recharge and Groundwater Vulnerability View Full Metadata Description
• Benefit Transfer for Irish Water View Full Metadata Description
• A Framework for the Assessment of Groundwater - Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems under the Water Framework Directive View Full Metadata Description

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