Abstract The Water Framework Directive protects groundwater-dependent terrestrial ecosystems, but its concepts and definitions remain unclear. This paper aims to clarify the margin of discretion for the Member States, by applying a cross-disciplinary legal and biological analysis. We conclude that description of the protected ecosystems must include at least key components and processes and be based on a number of well-known groundwater-dependent habitats, but not restricted to habitats fed entirely by groundwater. We argue that the potential harm to terrestrial ecosystems by lowering the groundwater table should include the impact of both water abstraction and drainage, and, despite the discretion regarding scale, we recommend basing assessments and protection at a landscape-scale that aligns with the scale of bodies of groundwater, which typically includes a range of habitats in various ecological conditions.

Lasse Baaner

Helle Tegner Anker

Rasmus Ejrnæs

AMBIO

AMBIO 探索人为活动与环境之间的联系，鼓励多学科或跨学科的提交，并提供明确的管理或政策建议。 AMBIO 解决了影响人类环境状况的科学、社会、经济和文化因素。 AMBIO 特别鼓励具有明确管理或政策建议的多学科或跨学科提交。 45 多年来，AMBIO 为专家、通才、学生、决策者和感兴趣的外行的国际读者群体带来了环境研究、政策和相关活动的重要发展的国际视野。

The journal AMBIO explores the connections between human activities and the environment, encouraging multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary submissions while providing clear management or policy recommendations. It addresses the scientific, social, economic, and cultural factors that affect the state of the human environment. AMBIO particularly encourages multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary submissions that include explicit management or policy suggestions. For over 45 years, AMBIO has offered an international perspective on significant developments in environmental research, policy, and related activities for experts, generalists, students, decision-makers, and interested laypersons.

AMBIO 期刊探索人为活动与环境之间的联系，鼓励多学科或跨学科的研究提交，并提供明确的管理或政策建议。该期刊关注影响人类环境状况的科学、社会、经济和文化因素。AMBIO 特别鼓励具有明确管理或政策建议的多学科或跨学科研究。45 多年来，AMBIO 为专家、通才、学生、决策者和感兴趣的外行提供了环境研究、政策和相关活动的重要发展的国际视野。

Category	Quartile
环境科学与生态学	2
环境科学与生态学, 工程环境	2
环境科学与生态学, 环境科学	2

The Water Framework Directive’s protection of groundwater-dependent terrestrial ecosystems

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES	1