Programmeringsstudie voor de ecologische consequenties van normoverschrijding (ECN)

This reports deals with the definition of a research program for ecological consequences of exceedance of quality objectives. Methods are available for estimating the Potentially Affected Fraction (PAF) of species, the 'thermometer' for toxic stress. Translating the PAF to ecologically relevant effects is illustrated by comparing NOEC exceedance with acute mortality in laboratory experiments. The calibration of potential effects on structure of the ecosystem, is illustrated by analysis of ecological effects at two contaminated sites. A research program is defined to underpin the calibration in terms of ecosystem processses and Life Support Functions.