david connor, jncc, uk helcom red list habitat workshop, 25-26 march 2010, stockholm

David Connor, JNCC, UKHELCOM Red List habitat workshop,

25-26 March 2010, Stockholm

Introduction

Policy context – MSFD, MPAs, MSPEUNIS context: past considerationsEMODNet & EUSeaMap objectivesHabitat modelling and data layersPotential to validate and update EUNISSummary

Why map the seabed?

Effective management of the Effective management of the marine environment requires marine environment requires

information on the spatial information on the spatial distribution and the quality of distribution and the quality of

seabed habitatsseabed habitats

Broad-scale seabed maps can…

Contribute to quality assessmentsRegional conventions e.g. HELCOM Status ReportingEU Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Support Marine Protected Area designationEC Habitats, Birds & Marine Strategy Framework

DirectivesRegional conventions e.g. HELCOM MPAsNational programmes

Contribute to Marine Spatial PlanningEU Integrated Maritime PolicyNational initiatives

Background

EUSeaMap Objectives

Project Details

Methods Progress

Summary

Spatial habitat data for MSFDArticle 8 – initial assessment 2012“Member States shall make an initial assessment of their marine

waters, taking account of existing data where available and comprising … an analysis of the essential features and characteristics … covering the physical and chemical features, the habitat types, the biological features and the hydro-morphology”

Annex III – habitat elements of assessments“the predominant seabed and water column habitat type(s)

with a description of the characteristic physical and chemical features, such as depth, water temperature regime, currents and other water movements, salinity, structure and substrata composition of the seabed”

“identification and mapping of special habitat types, especially those recognised or identified under Community legislation (the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive) or international conventions as being of special scientific or biodiversity interest”

Background

EUSeaMap Objectives

Project Details

Methods Progress

Summary

EUSeaMap

HELCOM Red List,

Habitats Dire

ctive

EUNIS in the BalticCurrent EUNIS classification reflects last

HELCOM red list (1998)Not comprehensive, limited biology, structure

not fully compatible with rest of EUNIS MarineProgress in recent years to update and improve:Workshop in March 2008

Proposed restructuring of upper levels in EUNISComplimentary work at community level in

number of projects and countriesAimed to further develop with HELCOM support

March 2008 – Parameters/classesSubstrate

Hard – Rock (inc. clay, till), BiogenicSoft – Gravel/coarse sand, Sand, Mud, Mixed,

Vegetated sedimentsSalinity

Variable (30-18ppt – Kattegat)Reduced (18-7.5, 7.5-4, 4-0.5)

Zone/depthLittoral (hydrolittoral), Infralittoral,

Circalittoral, Deep circalittoralOther factors: Ice, Deoxygenated habitats

EMODNetEC DG-MARE initiativeSupports EU Integrated Maritime PolicyPreparatory phase – 2009-2011:

HydrographyGeologyChemistryBiologySeabed habitat maps - EUSeaMap

Deliver harmonised datasets for selected regional seas

Web-portal dissemination – interoperable data

EUSeaMap aim

To provide broad-scale maps of seabed habitats, using common functional mapping

methods, for theBaltic Sea

Greater North SeaCeltic Seas and

Western Mediterraneanand to determine what further steps are required to improve their usefulness and

coverageBackgroun

dEUSeaMap

ObjectivesProject

DetailsMethods Progres

sSummary

Background

EUSeaMap Objectives

Project Details

Methods Progress

Summary

Preparatory Action for development and assessment of a European broad-scale seabed

habitat map

EUSeaMap partners

Background

EUSeaMap Objectives

Project Details

Methods Progress

Summary

Previous broadscale mapping

MESHINTERREG IIIB-fundedCovered north-west

EuropeProduced EUNIS map

BALANCEINTERREG IIIB-fundedCovered Baltic sea

regionProduced marine

landscape map

Background

EUSeaMap Objectives

Project Details

Methods Progress

Summary

MESH broadscale EUNIS map

Biologically relevant?Represented in EUNIS?

e.g.Depth

e.g.Seabed salinity

e.g.Sediment type

Modelling approach

Background

EUSeaMap Objectives

Project Details Methods

Results Summary

www.searchMESH.net

Primary data sets:Sediments

Example:Baltic Sea marine habitat modelling

www.searchMESH.net

Primary data sets:SedimentsBenthic

salinity

Example:Baltic Sea marine habitat modelling

www.searchMESH.net

Primary data sets:SedimentsBenthic

salinityPhotic zone

Example:Baltic Sea marine habitat modelling

Sweden

GermanyPoland

Den

mar

k

Non-photic sand, 11-18psu

Non-photic mud, >30psuBalance broad-

scale habitat map

Physical input data layers

Background

EUSeaMap Objectives

Project Details Methods

Progress

Summary

Data type Baltic North Celtic W Med

Sediment Bathymetry Light Wave energy at seabed

Tidal energy at seabed

Salinity at seabed Temperature at seabed

O2/POC/Chl Ice cover Stratification

Ecologically relevant thresholds

Background

EUSeaMap Objectives

Project Details Methods

Progress

Summary

Data type Baltic North Celtic W Med

Sediment Bathymetry Light Wave energy at seabed

Tidal energy at seabed

Salinity at seabed Temperature at seabed

O2/POC/Chl Ice cover Stratification

Data preparation progress

Background

EUSeaMap Objectives

Project Details Methods Progress

Summary

Sediment: EMODNET

Data preparation progress

Background

EUSeaMap Objectives

Project Details Methods Progress

Summary

Sediment: EMODNET, data collation in W Med

Bathymetry: EMODNET, improvements to BALANCE outputs

Light: 1km MERIS data, improvements to BALANCE Secchi disc data, thresholds

Light

Background

EUSeaMap Objectives

Project Details Methods Progress

Summary

EUNIS & EUSeaMap- Potential linksEUSeaMap

Provide broad-scale coverage for BalticBuild upon BALANCE – similar scale of outputImproved data layers and modellingBiological validation of thresholds in physical dataLeads to EUNIS-compatible habitat classes and mapEUNIS level 2-4 – new structure/classes

Biological analyses within HELCOM frameConsistent biotopes/community types for BalticEUNIS levels 4-6Further validate EUSeaMap

EUSeaMap + HELCOM = Baltic proposal for EUNIS

Summary

Common seabed data for Europe Common seabed data for Europe are emergingare emerging

These data will contribute to These data will contribute to initial assessments for MSFDinitial assessments for MSFD

EUSeaMap and HELCOM biotope EUSeaMap and HELCOM biotope work can lead to proposals for work can lead to proposals for

EUNIS classificationEUNIS classification

Find out more…

Background

EUSeaMap Objectives

Project Details Methods Progress

Summary

EC websitehttp://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/

emodnet/ preparatory/home.html

JNCC websitewww.jncc.gov.uk/EUSeaMap

Get in touchnatalie.coltman@jncc.gov.uk