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The 21th intercalibration of invertebrates in the ICP Waters programme had contribution from four laboratories. The biological intercalibration is important for harmonizing taxonomic work across countries and will be of high value for programmes where community analyses are in focus, such as classification of ecological status according to EU’s Water Framework Directive. The biological intercalibration under the ICP Waters programme was the first regular test comprising identification of organisms down to the level of individual species. The laboratories identified a high proportion of the individuals in the test samples, 89.2 % of the total number of species was correctly identified. Few faults were recorded on genus level. The mean Quality assurance index ranged between 77.4 and 100. Only one laboratory had a value below 80 – the limit for acceptable taxonomic work, while one other laboratory had all identifications correct. Norwegian Environment Agency, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

This is a study of the international impact of acid emission reductions on vulnerable freshwater biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates. In order to properly attribute impacts it is necessary to also incorporate the potential effects of changes in temperature and precipitation. Most sites show an increasing number of species towards the present. This can be attributed to a decrease in acidification, while temperature has a secondary influence on diversity. We expect that the biodiversity will continue to increase in the future as acid deposition decreases. The widespread response of aquatic diversity resulting from emission reductions of acidifying components to the atmosphere demonstrates the potential of international policy for achieving positive effects on the state of the environment. Norwegian Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet) United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

Two European laboratories participated in the 20th ICP Waters biological intercalibration, which took place in 2016. The laboratories identified a high proportion of the individuals in the test samples, 93 % of the total number of species was correctly identified. On the genus level, few faults were recorded. The mean Quality assurance index ranged between 86.1 and 96.2, well above the value 80 - indicating acceptable taxonomic work. Norwegian Environment Agency United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)