scholarly journals Indicators for the Sea-floor Integrity of the Hellenic Seas under the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive: establishing the thresholds and standards for Good Environmental Status

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. SIMBOURA ◽  
A. ZENETOS ◽  
M.A. PANCUCCI-PAPADOPOULOU ◽  
S. REIZOPOULOU ◽  
N. STREFTARIS
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Sensitive Species ◽  
Marine Strategy Framework Directive ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Tolerant Species ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
Good Environmental Status

A data set of 625 samples of benthic macroinvertebrates collected from the Hellenic Seas (Ionian and Aegean) was used to establish thresholds and reference standards for two of the indicators addressing the descriptors of Sea-floor Integrity under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD): species diversity and richness and the ratio of sensitive species to tolerant species. The dataset was categorised according to the baseline ecological status assessment of the respective water bodies under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Species diversity and richness were characterised using the Shannon diversity and species richness indices, respectively, and were analysed for three pre-defined substrate types, three depth zones and three sample-size categories, and the significant categories were statistically validated. Good Environmental Status (GEnS) threshold and reference values were established for the valid combinations of categories denoted as ‘ecotypes’ through the use of a boxplot and an analysis of variance. The limitations and specifications for an overall GEnS assessment using the above indices are highlighted based on the WFD experience. For the ratio of sensitive species to tolerant species, the BENTIX index classification scale is proposed for GEnS assessment, and an integrated approach to the assessment of diversity and species richness is suggested. Finally, the regionality of the tested indices in relation to the two Mediterranean sub-regions, including the Hellenic area, was tested.

scholarly journals Tracking changes to a microplankton community in a North Atlantic sea loch using the microplankton index PI(mp)

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 311-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Callum Whyte ◽  
Keith Davidson ◽  
Linda Gilpin ◽  
Elaine Mitchell ◽  
Grigorios Moschonas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Underlying Structure ◽  
Marine Strategy Framework Directive ◽  
Data Set ◽  
European Water ◽  
Regulatory Frameworks ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
Local Patterns ◽  
Substantial Drop

Microplankton plays a vital part in marine ecosystems, and its importance has been recognized by the inclusion of microplankton community composition in regulatory frameworks such as the European Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive as an indicator of ecological status. Quantitative techniques are therefore required to assess the environmental status of the microplankton in a water body. Here we demonstrate the use of a method known as the microplankton index PI(mp) to evaluate changes in the microplankton community of the west coast Scottish Sea Loch Creran. Microplankton in this fjord has been studied since the 1970s, providing a data set spanning four decades. Our analysis compares an arbitrarily chosen reference period between 1979 and 1981 with a period between 2011 and 2013 and demonstrates that between these two periods community structure has changed considerably with a substantial drop in the numbers of observed diatoms accompanied by a rise in the number of autotrophic/mixotrophic dinoflagellates as well as an increase in the potentially toxin producing genus Pseudo-nitzschia and that these are related to changes in both the intensity and timing of local patterns of precipitation. The PI(mp) is shown to be a useful and robust method to visualize and quantify changes in the underlying structure of the microplankton community and is a powerful addition to the toolbox of techniques needed to determine the health of our seas.

Programmes of measures of the marine strategy framework directive: Are they contributing to achieving good environmental status in the Mediterranean?

2020 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 111715
Author(s):  
Arantza Murillas-Maza ◽  
María C. Uyarra ◽  
K. Nadia Papadopoulou ◽  
Chris J. Smith ◽  
Saso Gorjanc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Strategy Framework Directive ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
Good Environmental Status ◽  
The Mediterranean

Sequential Decision Plans in Monitoring Benthic Macroinvertebrates: Cost Savings, Classification Accuracy, and Development of Plans

1988 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
John K. Jackson ◽  
Vincent H. Resh
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Benthic Macroinvertebrates ◽  
Sampling Error ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Classification Error ◽  
Sequential Decision ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Acceptable Risks

Sequential decision plans provide a statistical approach that can reduce the number of benthic sample units needed to classify a site as impacted or unimpacted, thus reducing the cost of using benthic macroinvertebrates in water quality assessment programs. These plans require information about unimpacted and impacted conditions, the mathematical distribution of the data, and acceptable risks of classification error. A large benthic data set (n = 55) was used for simulations that created and tested sequential decision plans. Using 10–60% reductions in species richness, mayfly (Cinygmula) population density, and species diversity as definitions of impact in the simulations, the average number of sample units processed for identification of the unimpacted reference site was reduced (compared with fixed sample-size methods that are commonly used) by 50–64% for species richness, 59–79% for density estimates, and 51–55% for species diversity. Unimpacted data sets were initially classified as representing impacted conditions in 0–5% of the cases. If classifications are to be interpreted properly, sampling error and spatial and temporal variation in biological parameters must be considered when sequential decision plans are created.

scholarly journals Demersal fish biodiversity: species-level indicators and trends-based targets for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (10) ◽  
pp. 1789-1801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon P. R. Greenstreet ◽  
Axel G. Rossberg ◽  
Clive J. Fox ◽  
William J. F. Le Quesne ◽  
Tom Blasdale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Demersal Fish ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Marine Strategy Framework Directive ◽  
The North ◽  
Fish Biodiversity ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Good Environmental Status ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract Greenstreet, S. P. R., Rossberg, A. G., Fox, C. J., Le Quesne, W. J. F., Blasdale, T., Boulcott, P., Mitchell, I., Millar, C., and Moffat, C. F. 2012. Demersal fish biodiversity: species-level indicators and trends-based targets for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 1789–1801. The maintenance of biodiversity is a fundamental theme of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Appropriate indicators to monitor change in biodiversity, along with associated targets representing “good environmental status” (GES), are required to be in place by July 2012. A method for selecting species-specific metrics to fulfil various specified indicator roles is proposed for demersal fish communities. Available data frequently do not extend far enough back in time to allow GES to be defined empirically. In such situations, trends-based targets offer a pragmatic solution. A method is proposed for setting indicator-level targets for the number of species-specific metrics required to meet their trends-based metric-level targets. This is based on demonstrating significant departures from the binomial distribution. The procedure is trialled using North Sea demersal fish survey data. Although fisheries management in the North Sea has improved in recent decades, management goals to stop further decline in biodiversity, and to initiate recovery, are yet to be met.

Changing the Base: Legal Implications of Scientific Criteria and Methodological Standards on what Constitutes Good Marine Environmental Status

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Till Markus
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Marine Waters ◽  
Marine Strategy Framework Directive ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Legal Implications ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
Good Environmental Status ◽  
Marine Environmental ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThe Decision on Criteria and Methodological Standards on Good Environmental Status of Marine Waters provides the conceptual framework for the assessment and valuation of the marine waters of EU Member States. In particular, it provides concepts for defining what constitutes good marine environmental status – a status which Member States are obligated to achieve by the year 2020 under the 2008 Marine Strategy Framework Directive. This article aims to elucidate the epistemic and normative dimensions of scientific criteria and methodological standards, as well as their importance in the legal treatment of the marine environment of the EU. The article also assesses how and to what extent the transnational process leading up to the Decision was structured, surveying existing ideas and perspectives as to what exactly constitutes good environmental status, and examining whether the structure of the Decision ensures that those affected by it would want to accept it.

scholarly journals Science for MPA Management: Understanding the UN/EU Ecosystem Approach and the Role of MPAs

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Kersting ◽  
C. Webster
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Marine Strategy Framework Directive ◽  
Ecap Process ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
Good Environmental Status ◽  
Barcelona Convention

The objective of this issue of «Science for MPA Management» is to explore the process of the ecosystem approach adopted in 2008 by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive of the European Union. In this context, Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are identified as a key element in the implementation of monitoring that aims to report on the progress made towards the achievement of the Good Environmental Status of the Mediterranean. Their role must nevertheless be strengthened, with in particular a potential support from the MedPAN network to coordinate monitoring in MPAs on different components related to the EcAP process on a Mediterranean scale.

scholarly journals Water Quality of Some Lakes in Dolj County

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 370-376
Author(s):  
Elena GAVRILESCU ◽  
Gilda Diana BUZATU
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Natural Waters ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
The Third ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
Good Environmental Status ◽  
Good Ecological Status

In Dolj County there are a number of lakes that are particularly important, because they have a large quantity of water, some of them originating from hydrotechnical accumulations, and other from natural waters. In the present study, it was performed the monitoring of the water quality of the lakes in Dolj County, in the year of 2012, namely: Victoria - Geormane, Bistreţ and Caraula. The ecological conditions of the natural and artificial lakes was established based on the state of acidification, of the oxygen regime (dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand), the degree of eutrophication (biogenic substances, phytoplankton biomass and chlorophyll “a”) and also based on transparency. The water samples were taken from three points: tail, middle and upstream of the lake and were analyzed using high performance equipment, namely: pH-meter, spectrophotometer DR 2010, Sechi disc, BOD5 system. In terms of the degree of eutrophication, the water from the studied lakes belongs to the third category of water quality. Geormane is a natural lake which has a very good ecological status, except regarding the eutrophication, which is considerably visible. Bistret lake has a good environmental status and is visible eutrophic. Caraula lake’s water belongs to the third category of water quality, being heavily eutrophic.

scholarly journals Carbon Stocks, Species Diversity and Their Spatial Relationships in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 3179
Author(s):  
José Luis Hernández-Stefanoni ◽  
Miguel Ángel Castillo-Santiago ◽  
Juan Andres-Mauricio ◽  
Carlos A. Portillo-Quintero ◽  
Fernando Tun-Dzul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Yucatan Peninsula ◽  
Carbon Stocks ◽  
Carbon Density ◽  
Radar Backscatter ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Yucatán Peninsula

Integrating information about the spatial distribution of carbon stocks and species diversity in tropical forests over large areas is fundamental for climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. In this study, spatial models showing the distribution of carbon stocks and the number of species were produced in order to identify areas that maximize carbon storage and biodiversity in the tropical forests of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. We mapped carbon density and species richness of trees using L-band radar backscatter data as well as radar texture metrics, climatic and field data with the random forest regression algorithm. We reduced sources of errors in plot data of the national forest inventory by using correction factors to account for carbon stocks of small trees (<7.5 cm DBH) and for the temporal difference between field data collection and imagery acquisition. We created bivariate maps to assess the spatial relationship between carbon stocks and diversity. Model validation of the regional maps obtained herein using an independent data set of plots resulted in a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.28 and 0.31 and a relative mean square error of 38.5% and 33.0% for aboveground biomass and species richness, respectively, at pixel level. Estimates of carbon density were influenced mostly by radar backscatter and climatic data, while those of species richness were influenced mostly by radar texture and climatic variables. Correlation between carbon density and species richness was positive in 79.3% of the peninsula, while bivariate maps showed that 39.6% of the area in the peninsula had high carbon stocks and species richness. Our results highlight the importance of combining carbon and diversity maps to identify areas that are critical—both for maintaining carbon stocks and for conserving biodiversity.

scholarly journals The role of EMODnet Chemistry in the European challenge for Good Environmental Status

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Vinci ◽  
Alessandra Giorgetti ◽  
Marina Lipizer
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Data ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Marine Strategy Framework Directive ◽  
Distributed Approach ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
Legislative Framework ◽  
Good Environmental Status ◽  
Data Collections ◽  
Marine Environmental

Abstract. the European Union set the ambitious objective to reach within 2020 the goal of Good Environmental Status. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008) represents the legislative framework that drives Member States efforts to reach it. The Integrated Maritime Policy supported the need to provide a European knowledge base able to drive sustainable development by launching in 2009 a new European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). Through a stepwise approach, EMODnet Chemistry aims to provide high quality marine environmental data and related products at the scale of regions and sub-regions defined by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The Chemistry Lot takes advantage and further develops the SeaDataNet pan-European infrastructure and the distributed approach, linking together a network of more than 100 National Oceanographic Data Centres providing data from more than 500 data originators. The close interaction with EEA, RSCs, ICES and EMODnet-MSFD coordination group allows to assess the most proper set of information necessary for the MSFD process. EMODnet Chemistry provides aggregated and validated regional data collections for nutrients, dissolved gasses, chlorophyll and contaminants, properly visualised with OGC WMS and WPS viewing services. Concentration maps with 10-year moving window from 1960 to 2014, by season and for selected vertical layers are computed and made available.

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