Articles
Microalgae, sentinels of the ecological status of water bodies: key steps in the development and transfer of a biological indicator
Received : 12 August 2025;
Published : 10 March 2026
References
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Abstract
Lake ecosystems are particularly affected by global changes. The microalgae they host, due to their short life cycle and their position at the base of the food web, respond very quickly to these changes. They have therefore been particularly mobilized by scientists and policymakers around the world to develop indicators for monitoring the ecological status of lake ecosystems, particularly eutrophication (Stevenson and Rollins, 2017). In the early 2000s, the Water Framework Directive (WFD, European Union, 2000) required all EU Member States to implement such indicators. Although France had already developed an index based on phytoplankton, the IPLAC, in 2020, it still needed to develop an index based on phytobenthos. This article reviews these two indices, highlighting the various steps required to implement these tools, from their creation to their practical transfer to managers, not to mention their necessary regular updating.