XVI International Botanical Congess

A review of river monitoring in Europe using algae will be presented. B.A. Whitton initiated the 1991 European workshop in Germany followed by workshops in Austria (1995) and France (1997). Phytoplankton methods in large rivers were found to be comparable between countries, while appropriate periphyton methodology needed development. Field sampling techniques and taxonomic approaches became the focus of controversies, since no single standard method could be adapted to the diverse rivers in Europe. Mainly diatoms are used for monitoring of organic pollution (mainly E-Europe), acidification (Central and N-Europe) and eutrophication (in recent years only, Central and W-Europe). The use of algae for river and ecoregion specific evaluations and ecosystem health remain questions for future European river monitoring.