Overview

The importance of ecology in new legislation such as the EC Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) requires that ecological data from aquatic environments shall be of a known and verifiable quality. European Standards recognise the need for ecologists to use reliable and up-to-date taxonomic keys when performing their assessments. However, determining the most appropriate literature to use for any particular analysis is not always straightforward. This guidance standard is designed to provide an overview of the characteristics of a taxonomic key appropriate to applied ecological analyses. This has two goals: first, to help end-users to determine the most suitable taxonomic literature to use for a particular analysis. Second, to help those commissioning new identification guides to produce "fit-for-purpose" specifications, and those writing keys to meet such specifications. It is important to state very clearly at the outset that the role of this document is not to replace but rather to complement the guidance on nomenclature and taxonomy given by ICBN and ICZN. Identification materials are increasingly being presented using electronic, rather than conventional printed, media. The general principles are the same, regardless of the media. This guidance standard defines standard principles for the design of taxonomic keys to ensure proper use of nomenclatural rules and reproducible and traceable identification. These principles also allow for the selection of the best key available. This European Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 230 "Water Analysis". The responsible German committee is Working Group NA 119-01-03-05-06 AK "Biologisch-ökologische Gewässeruntersuchung" ("Biological-ecological water examination") of Working Committee NA 119-01-03 AA "Wasseruntersuchung" ("Water Analysis") at the Water Practice Standards Committee (NAW). The national revision of this project has been funded by the Länderfinanzierungsprogramm "Wasser, Boden und Abfall" (federal funding programme "Water, soil and waste").

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

NA 119-01-03-05-06 AK - Biological-ecological water examination  

Responsible european committee

CEN/TC 230/WG 2 - Biological methods co-ordination group