Aquatic Ecosystems and Climate Changes: Data Gaps in Relation to Flooding Events

Abstract

At European level the strategy on adaptation to climate changes promoted adaptation plans at all levels and has recommended the need to bridge the gaps through applications of actions at local level. In the paper has been remarked that there are some gaps in the European legislation that should be solved through the funding of more research projects and pilot studies; for example the use of microbiological monitoring, not foreseen by the water framework directive, can help to identify and prevent effect adverse on human health. In this study we propose an operative methodology to be applied at local level with the aim to support the institutional requirements for risk management before and after flooding events, based on a multi-criteria approach. This integrated monitoring plan could represent a shared methodology with the aim to give a contribution for the management of the risks of extreme weather events such as flooding for human health and ecosystem protection.