Joint Methodology for the Identification and Assessment of Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems in Estonia and Latvia

Dynamic interactions between ground- and surface water are widely known, but the role of groundwater in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is often poorly understood and documented due to the spatiotemporal complexity. Many countries have not yet completed the assessment of groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs). GDEs are valuable ecosystems that depend on groundwater input and can not be considered and assessed separately. Changes in the quantity and chemical composition of groundwater recharge may result in significant and permanent damage on GDE flora and fauna. Aquifers are dynamic systems which are not subject to administrative boundaries and borders, therefore should be managed in close cooperation between neighbouring countries. According to the European Union’s Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC, a groundwater body is considered to be in “poor status” if environmentally negative pressure on groundwater causes significant damage to related GDEs. The identification of GDEs in Estonia is currently underway. A theoretical approach on how to identify, assess, and monitor the groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems (GDTEs) has been developed. Similar climatic and hydrogeological conditions allow to adapt the methodology to Latvia and develop it jointly further. The first step in this joint methodology is to (i) find indicators and (ii) define criteria for (i) the evaluation of quantitative and qualitative effects of groundwater bodies on GDTEs and (ii) assessment of ecosystems. Subsequently, the quantitative and qualitative effects on GDTEs using assessment schemes must be identified. In this chapter, we are presenting a methodology for GDTE identification and assessment which could be used in similar situation in other countries.