ABSTRACT
Ecological eld data are dened in the following as data, generated from real ecosystem sampling, that allow the description of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the aquatic ecosystems of concern. In the following, these data are referred to as “ecological data.” Ecological data aim at providing a picture of the properties of aquatic ecosystems or water bodies that we intend to protect by the risk assessment performed. As an example, knowledge of typical assemblages of benthic macroinvertebrates in small streams resembling the streams to be encountered close to treated elds can make an evaluation of higher-tier tests far easier to the risk assessor. The reasoning is also valuable for sh and plants.
