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Compliance monitor ing
The MTR may potentially be used to assess the efficacy of eutrophication control measures and
hence monitor compliance with targets. The capacity of the macrophyte community to respond
to nutrient reduction measures, however, is poorly understood (2.3.3). Until such time as this
understanding is increased, best practice will be to continue MTR surveys after nutrient control
measures are in place. Guidance on sampling strategy is given in 3.2.4. All such post-nutrient
reduction survey data should be collated nationally to allow further method development.
2.4.5 Tempor al changes in tr ophic status
The MTR methodology is recommended for use to monitor temporal change in trophic status at
a site over a number of years. Temporal change may be either a deterioration due to a nutrient
input or an improvement in response to nutrient control measures. Although this application is
largely untried, due to insufficient data, it is assumed for the interim that the MTR will respond
to temporal changes in nutrient status in a similar fashion to changes on a spatial scale. The
timescale of response can only be established once sufficient adequate data are available.
The general principles of post phosphorus-removal monitoring, as outlined in 2.3.3, apply to
applications beyond the UWWTD.
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