{"id":2202,"date":"2024-04-11T14:18:33","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T12:18:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/portfolio_page\/characterization-of-inland-water-quality\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T12:28:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T11:28:27","slug":"characterization-of-inland-water-quality","status":"publish","type":"portfolio_page","link":"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/portfolio_page\/characterization-of-inland-water-quality\/","title":{"rendered":"Characterization of inland water quality"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2202\" class=\"elementor elementor-2202 elementor-1242\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6db9d63 e-con-full e-flex parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6db9d63\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8b307a e-flex e-con-boxed parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c8b307a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4c7390 elementor-widget__width-inherit titolo_incarichi elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a4c7390\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1>Characterization of inland water quality<\/h1>\n<p>through the application of the STAR_ICMi index (macroinvertebrates), NISECI index (fish fauna), and IFF (River Functionality Index) in areas affected by the railway upgrade of the Hirpinia-Orsara-Bovino section.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4521781 e-flex e-con-boxed parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4521781\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d417337 e-con-full e-flex parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d417337\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11fae6c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"11fae6c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><nav aria-label=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"rank-math-breadcrumb\"><p><span class=\"last\">Home<\/span><\/p><\/nav><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3baa456 e-flex e-con-boxed parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3baa456\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9fe905 e-con-full e-flex parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d9fe905\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b80226b elementor-view-framed elementor-shape-circle elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"b80226b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-sun\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 160c-52.9 0-96 43.1-96 96s43.1 96 96 96 96-43.1 96-96-43.1-96-96-96zm246.4 80.5l-94.7-47.3 33.5-100.4c4.5-13.6-8.4-26.5-21.9-21.9l-100.4 33.5-47.4-94.8c-6.4-12.8-24.6-12.8-31 0l-47.3 94.7L92.7 70.8c-13.6-4.5-26.5 8.4-21.9 21.9l33.5 100.4-94.7 47.4c-12.8 6.4-12.8 24.6 0 31l94.7 47.3-33.5 100.5c-4.5 13.6 8.4 26.5 21.9 21.9l100.4-33.5 47.3 94.7c6.4 12.8 24.6 12.8 31 0l47.3-94.7 100.4 33.5c13.6 4.5 26.5-8.4 21.9-21.9l-33.5-100.4 94.7-47.3c13-6.5 13-24.7.2-31.1zm-155.9 106c-49.9 49.9-131.1 49.9-181 0-49.9-49.9-49.9-131.1 0-181 49.9-49.9 131.1-49.9 181 0 49.9 49.9 49.9 131.1 0 181z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39f5bcb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"39f5bcb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>LOCATION<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Puglia-Campania<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19e3293 e-con-full e-flex parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"19e3293\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73b0caa elementor-view-framed elementor-shape-circle elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"73b0caa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-tree\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M378.31 378.49L298.42 288h30.63c9.01 0 16.98-5 20.78-13.06 3.8-8.04 2.55-17.26-3.28-24.05L268.42 160h28.89c9.1 0 17.3-5.35 20.86-13.61 3.52-8.13 1.86-17.59-4.24-24.08L203.66 4.83c-6.03-6.45-17.28-6.45-23.32 0L70.06 122.31c-6.1 6.49-7.75 15.95-4.24 24.08C69.38 154.65 77.59 160 86.69 160h28.89l-78.14 90.91c-5.81 6.78-7.06 15.99-3.27 24.04C37.97 283 45.93 288 54.95 288h30.63L5.69 378.49c-6 6.79-7.36 16.09-3.56 24.26 3.75 8.05 12 13.25 21.01 13.25H160v24.45l-30.29 48.4c-5.32 10.64 2.42 23.16 14.31 23.16h95.96c11.89 0 19.63-12.52 14.31-23.16L224 440.45V416h136.86c9.01 0 17.26-5.2 21.01-13.25 3.8-8.17 2.44-17.47-3.56-24.26z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8f09b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a8f09b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>TYPE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Inland water monitoring<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34ba47d e-con-full e-flex parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"34ba47d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa1bb06 elementor-view-framed elementor-shape-circle elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"aa1bb06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-user\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M313.6 304c-28.7 0-42.5 16-89.6 16-47.1 0-60.8-16-89.6-16C60.2 304 0 364.2 0 438.4V464c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h352c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48v-25.6c0-74.2-60.2-134.4-134.4-134.4zM400 464H48v-25.6c0-47.6 38.8-86.4 86.4-86.4 14.6 0 38.3 16 89.6 16 51.7 0 74.9-16 89.6-16 47.6 0 86.4 38.8 86.4 86.4V464zM224 288c79.5 0 144-64.5 144-144S303.5 0 224 0 80 64.5 80 144s64.5 144 144 144zm0-240c52.9 0 96 43.1 96 96s-43.1 96-96 96-96-43.1-96-96 43.1-96 96-96z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69bf65e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"69bf65e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>CLIENT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>ambiente s.p.a.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45404e7 e-flex e-con-boxed parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"45404e7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4573b8 e-con-full e-flex parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a4573b8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b544e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7b544e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The monitoring of the <strong>water quality<\/strong> in the Cervaro river and the Acquara and Vallone streams aimed to assess the potential environmental impacts due to the railway line upgrade in the municipalities of Montaguto (AV), Panni (FG), Orsara di Puglia (FG), and Bovino (FG). Ecological quality was assessed using the MacrOper system and the derivation of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/environmental-studies\/analysis-of-inland-waters\/#index_star_icmi\"><strong>STAR_ICMi index<\/strong><\/a> (EQB: benthic macroinvertebrates), the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/environmental-studies\/analysis-of-inland-waters\/#niseci-index\"><strong>NISECI index<\/strong><\/a> (EQB: fish fauna), and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/environmental-studies\/analysis-of-inland-waters\/#index_iff\"><strong>FFI<\/strong> <\/a>(Fluvial Functionality Index).<\/p><p>For each monitoring station, the analytical plan included:<\/p><ul><li><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); text-align: var(--text-align);\"><strong>observation and preliminary characterization of the sampling point<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); text-align: var(--text-align);\"><strong>multi-habitat proportional sampling<\/strong> according to the MacrOper methodology;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); text-align: var(--text-align);\"><strong>sorting<\/strong> and in-situ <strong>classification<\/strong> of <strong>macroinvertebrates<\/strong> up to the taxonomic rank required for the derivation of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/environmental-studies\/analysis-of-inland-waters\/#index_star_icmi\"><strong>STAR_ICMi index<\/strong><\/a>;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); text-align: var(--text-align);\">execution of the fish <strong>sampling transect<\/strong> using an <strong>electrofishing<\/strong> method for the derivation of the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/environmental-studies\/analysis-of-inland-waters\/#niseci-index\"> <strong>NISECI index<\/strong><\/a>, in-situ identification of fish species, and data collection on individual populations (for each fish, post-sedation: length, weight, morphological features, presence of lesions, signs of disease or stress); the method involved the release of all captured individuals once full recovery from sedation was verified through temporary holding in perforated tanks immersed in the river<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); text-align: var(--text-align);\"><strong>execution of the transect for the derivation of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/environmental-studies\/analysis-of-inland-waters\/#index_iff\">IFF index<\/a><\/strong>;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); text-align: var(--text-align);\">(in the laboratory) <strong>calculation of the metrics composing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/environmental-studies\/analysis-of-inland-waters\/#index_star_icmi\">STAR_ICMi index<\/a><\/strong> using the <strong>MacrOper software<\/strong>, and determination of the <strong>index value for each sampled site<\/strong>;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); text-align: var(--text-align);\">(in the laboratory) <strong>analysis of meristic data<\/strong> related to the sampled fish population and calculation of the metrics composing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/environmental-studies\/analysis-of-inland-waters\/#niseci-index\"><strong>NISECI index<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1cbd934 e-flex e-con-boxed parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1cbd934\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-178d7e6 e-con-full e-flex parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"178d7e6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72263ef e-con-full e-flex parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"72263ef\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cd5421 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6cd5421\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>MacrOper System and Derivation of the STAR_ICMi Index<\/h2><p>The <strong>MacrOper<\/strong> classification system enables the derivation of a quality class for benthic macroinvertebrates, used to define the ecological status of the watercourse.<br \/>This system allows for:<br \/>\u2022 classification of a water body according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mase.gov.it\/portale\/web\/guest\/direttiva-2000-60-ce\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EU Water Framework Directive (2000\/60\/EC<\/a>) and its national implementation,<br \/>\u2022 direct comparability with classifications from other European countries,<br \/>\u2022 derivation of additional information related to the benthic macroinvertebrate community.<\/p><p>The sampling methodology is based on Buffagni <em>et al<\/em>. (2007). Quantitative sampling of <strong>macroinvertebrates<\/strong> is conducted on a known surface area, proportional to the percentage of microhabitats present in the sampled stretch. The sampling involves identifying the riffle\/pool sequence in the monitored section, characterized by distinct turbulence, depth, substrate granulometry, and depositional\/erosional characteristics. Depending on the type of stream, biological samples are collected from either the pool or riffle area using a modified D-frame net. Each sample comprises 10 replicates distributed proportionally across microhabitats and flow types, with a total sampling area of 1m\u00b2.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93a9950 e-flex e-con-boxed parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"93a9950\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b09362a e-con-full e-flex parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b09362a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cac335 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9cac335\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Calculation of the STAR_ICMi Index<\/h2><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/environmental-studies\/analysis-of-inland-waters\/#index_star_icmi\"><strong>STAR_ICMi<\/strong> <\/a>(<em>STAndardisation of River classifications_Intercalibration Common Metric index<\/em>) is used to derive a quality class using <strong>benthic macroinvertebrates as indicators<\/strong>, defining the ecological status of the sampled section in compliance with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mase.gov.it\/portale\/web\/guest\/direttiva-2000-60-ce\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Water Framework Directive (2000\/60\/EC<\/a>).<br \/>The ecological quality class is divided into five main quality classes: high, good, moderate, poor, and bad.<br \/>Metrics for the STAR_ICMi Index were calculated using the MacrOper software, with results from individual investigations at different stations (upstream\/downstream) on the same section being directly compared to provide a unified picture of overall quality, facilitating future monitoring stages.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0a304a e-flex e-con-boxed parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b0a304a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50e610a e-con-full e-flex parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"50e610a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1637936 e-con-full e-flex parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1637936\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-262afd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"262afd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>New Index of Ecological Status of Fish Communities (NISECI)<\/h2><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/environmental-studies\/analysis-of-inland-waters\/#niseci-index\"><strong>NISECI<\/strong> index<\/a> assesses the ecological status of a watercourse based on the <strong>naturalness of the fish community<\/strong> (defined by the completeness of the native species composition expected in relation to the zoogeographic and ecological context) and the <strong>biological condition of the populations<\/strong> (quantified positively for native species and negatively for non-native species), considering abundance and population structure that support self-reproduction and normal ecological-evolutionary dynamics.<br \/>These criteria are aligned with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mase.gov.it\/portale\/web\/guest\/direttiva-2000-60-ce\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Water Framework Directive (2000\/60\/EC)<\/a>, which mandates the consideration of the biological quality element \u201cfish fauna,\u201d evaluating composition, abundance, and age structure.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f69c5e3 e-flex e-con-boxed parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f69c5e3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9352d75 e-con-full e-flex parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9352d75\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f07afa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8f07afa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>River Functionality Index (IFF)<\/h2><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/environmental-studies\/analysis-of-inland-waters\/#index_iff\"><strong>Fluvial Functionality Index (FFI)<\/strong><\/a> is designed to assess the functionality of a watercourse, understood as its self-purification capacity, by observing the environment through a 14-question checklist. This evaluation, based on real observations, can be compared with the potential functionality value derived from the maximum possible scores for each parameter required by the IFF method, considering the specific type of watercourse. This helps determine the relative river functionality.<br \/>The reference methodology is outlined in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.isprambiente.gov.it\/it\/pubblicazioni\/manuali-e-linee-guida\/iff-2007-indice-di-funzionalita-fluviale\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">APAT-APPA Manual, 2007: IFF 2007 \u2013 River Functionality Index \u2013 Revised and Updated Version<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9ac540 e-con-full e-flex parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c9ac540\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bdb2d0c e-flex e-con-boxed parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bdb2d0c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dae9b06 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dae9b06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Related projects<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb5a4a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-bridge_portfolio_list\" data-id=\"eb5a4a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bridge_portfolio_list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='projects_holder_outer v3 portfolio_with_space portfolio_standard'>\n        <div class='projects_holder portfolio_main_holder clearfix v3 standard portfolio_full_image portfolio_one_by_one'>\n        \n        <article class='mix portfolio_category_27 portfolio_category_26 default' style=''>\n    \n    \n    \n                <div class='image_holder'>\n                <a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"portfolio_link_for_touch\" href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/portfolio_page\/natura-2000-management-plans\/\" target=\"_self\">\n                    \n<span class='image'><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/redazione-piani-gestione.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/redazione-piani-gestione.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/redazione-piani-gestione-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/redazione-piani-gestione-1024x768.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/redazione-piani-gestione-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/redazione-piani-gestione-800x600.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/redazione-piani-gestione-700x525.webp 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"><\/span>                <\/a>\n\n                <span class='text_holder'>\n    <span class='text_outer'>\n        <span class='text_inner'>\n            <span class='feature_holder'>\n                        <\/span>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/span>\n<\/span>            <\/div>\n                <div class='portfolio_description ' >\n\n        \n    <h5 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"portfolio_title entry_title\"><a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/portfolio_page\/natura-2000-management-plans\/\" target=\"_self\"> NATURA 2000 Management plans<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n        \n            <span class=\"project_category\"  >\n    Management \/ Action plans, Natura2000 network    <\/span>\n\n    <\/div>\n        \n<\/article>\n<article class='mix portfolio_category_26 default' style=''>\n    \n    \n    \n                <div class='image_holder'>\n                <a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"portfolio_link_for_touch\" href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/portfolio_page\/paf-development-for-natura-2000-in-tuscany\/\" target=\"_self\">\n                    \n<span class='image'><\/span>                <\/a>\n\n                <span class='text_holder'>\n    <span class='text_outer'>\n        <span class='text_inner'>\n            <span class='feature_holder'>\n                        <\/span>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/span>\n<\/span>            <\/div>\n                <div class='portfolio_description ' >\n\n        \n    <h5 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"portfolio_title entry_title\"><a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/portfolio_page\/paf-development-for-natura-2000-in-tuscany\/\" target=\"_self\"> PAF development for Natura 2000 in Tuscany<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n        \n            <span class=\"project_category\"  >\n    Natura2000 network    <\/span>\n\n    <\/div>\n        \n<\/article>\n<article class='mix portfolio_category_28 default' style=''>\n    \n    \n    \n                <div class='image_holder'>\n                <a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"portfolio_link_for_touch\" href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/portfolio_page\/impact-study-of-the-extraordinary-maintenance-of-the-power-lines-in-some-municipalities-of-the-belluno-province\/\" target=\"_self\">\n                    \n<span class='image'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/belluno.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/belluno.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/belluno-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/belluno-1024x768.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/belluno-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/belluno-800x600.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/belluno-700x525.webp 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"><\/span>                <\/a>\n\n                <span class='text_holder'>\n    <span class='text_outer'>\n        <span class='text_inner'>\n            <span class='feature_holder'>\n                        <\/span>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/span>\n<\/span>            <\/div>\n                <div class='portfolio_description ' >\n\n        \n    <h5 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"portfolio_title entry_title\"><a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/portfolio_page\/impact-study-of-the-extraordinary-maintenance-of-the-power-lines-in-some-municipalities-of-the-belluno-province\/\" target=\"_self\"> Impact study of the Extraordinary Maintenance of the Power Lines in the Belluno Province<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n        \n            <span class=\"project_category\"  >\n    Assessment of environmental impact    <\/span>\n\n    <\/div>\n        \n<\/article>\n        <div class='filler'><\/div>\n            <div class='filler'><\/div>\n            <div class='filler'><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n    \n    <\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Characterization of inland water quality through the application of the STAR_ICMi index (macroinvertebrates), NISECI index (fish fauna), and IFF (River Functionality Index) in areas affected by the railway upgrade of the Hirpinia-Orsara-Bovino section. LOCATION Puglia-Campania TYPE Inland water monitoring CLIENT ambiente s.p.a. The monitoring of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","portfolio_category":[22],"portfolio_tag":[],"class_list":["post-2202","portfolio_page","type-portfolio_page","status-publish","hentry","portfolio_category-analysis-of-inland-waters"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio_page\/2202","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio_page"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/portfolio_page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2202"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio_page\/2202\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2823,"href":"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio_page\/2202\/revisions\/2823"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2202"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"portfolio_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio_category?post=2202"},{"taxonomy":"portfolio_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.erseambiente.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio_tag?post=2202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}