PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES IN THE SELECTION OF TYPE-SPECIFIC REFERENCE CONDITIONS FOR IRISH RIVERS AND LAKES

The Water Framework Directive requires the selection of type-specific reference conditions. Typological classification has resulted in twelve river types based on geological and slope categories. Thirteen lake types have been defined using altitude, alkalinity, depth and area. However, a number of distinct river and lake types, Such as those in karst areas, do not fill within the current classification. Challenges associated with the selection of reference sites and the limitations of the typological classification are discussed.