Quality classification of İzmir bay coastal waters with macroflora

Macro algae and angiosperms are specified as one of the biological quality elements within the scope of European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EC) and Marine Strategy Directive (WSFD, 2008/56/EC). This study covers the ecological status assessment of coastal waters from 6 stations (Mordoğan, Urla, Inciraltı, Bayraklı, Karşıyaka and Foça) in Izmir Bay (AegeanSea, Turkey) using macro flora and macrophyte indices. The relationship between EEI and MA-LUSI wastested. Sampling was done using a 625 cm² (25x25 cm) quadrat from 0-3 m depth in summer and autumn seasons. Samples were first grouped and determined in thelaboratory. The "Ecological Evaluatıon Index" was applied to determine the ecological quality class. The physico-chemical variables (pH, temperature, oxygen, turbidity, conductivity, salinityvalues) of each station were determined. According to the Ecological Assessment Index, macrophyte samples were divided into two ecological status groups (ESG I and ESG II). ESG I and ESG II absolute abundance, average percent age cover value of macrophyte samples and EEI values ​​were calculated. Ecological Assessment Index values ​​were converted to ecological quality ratio between 0 and 1 specified by the European UnionWater Framework Directive. Each study area was classified into five ecological statuses. As a result of the study, it was determined that three stations [Foça (0,85 EEIeco), Urla (0,83 EEIeco) and Karaburun (0,81 EEIeco)] were in the "Very Good" ecological status class, one station [İnciraltı 0,32 EEIeco] was in the "Medium" ecological status class, one station [Bayraklı 0,16 EEIeco] was in the "Poor" ecological status class and one station [Bostanlı 0,04 EEIeco] was in the"Bad" ecological status class.