The WFD establishes links to the ecosystem approach by adopting targets (subject to
various qualifications) for ecological protection of all surface water body types, including rivers, lakes, transitional waters and coastal waters. It recommends Member States to take action in order to achieve ‘good ecological status’ of the natural water bodies by 2015. Ecological status defined in Annex V of the WFD provides a detailed classification of quality elements describing both the biological community (including flora and fauna), as well as the hydrological and chemical characteristics of the ecosystem.