This European Standard specifies a method for surveying aquatic macrophytes in running waters for the purpose of assessing ecological status, using these organisms as elements of biological quality. The information provided by this method includes the composition and abundance of the aquatic macrophyte flora.
The general principles of the approach described in this European Standard may also be applied when
monitoring water bodies in the fluvial corridor of a river, such as side channels and oxbows.
It is recognised that for a complete assessment of ecological status, other elements of biological quality should also be assessed.