ASSESMENT OF ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF DANUBE DELTA LAKES USING INDICATOR MACROPHYTES SPECIES

Implementation of European Water Framework Directive (WFD) legislation requires valuation of chemical and ecological status of surface water bodies. One of the biological indicators prescribes for such assessment is aquatic macrophytes taxonomic composition and abundance. In many member states the trophic status of the lakes is asses by calculating trophic index. This paper show the results of applying Schaumburg reference index for 39 water bodies in Danube Delta . Total P, secchi depth, connectivity and substrate type were the main environmental variables calculated versus index values. As lakes differs little in tot. P content, distribution of aquatic vegetation seems to be mainly determined by connectivity type, substrate and lake morphology.