Scientific approach
The scientific objectives of the ASSESS-HKH research activity will be achieved through several reports, methods, databases and others. The most important are:
- a simple operative stream typology for the HKH region based on river morphology, geochemistry, altitude, river size and hydrology
- a list of reference criteria for the individual stream types
- a manual for sampling and sorting benthic invertebrates in the HKH region
- an ASSESS-HKH methodological manual
- a HKH macroinvertebrate taxa catalogue
- a HKH eco-data management tool
this tool will consist of: - a catalogue of macroinvertebrate taxa of the HKH region and ecological information needed for data analysis
- an analysis software and database for processing the ecological assessment data to produce status calculations and graphical presentations of the results
- five water quality maps for five representative river sections in the HKH region
- recommendations for restoration strategies
Workpackages
The different fields within ASSESS-HKH were combined into eight individual workpackages.
These workpackages are:
- WP 1 - Consortium management
- WP 2 - Stream typology and reference site criteria
- WP 3 - Pressures and impacts
- WP 4 - Sampling design, field and laboratory work
- WP 5 - "ASSESS-HKH methodology" development
- WP 6 - HKH eco-data management tool (ECODAT)
- WP 7 - Analysis/evaluation and sustainable management strategies
- WP 8 - Dissemination