Coherent geographic scales and aggregation rules in assessment and monitoring of Good Environmental Status Theo Prins, Myra van der Meulen, Arjen Boon (Deltares) Nomiki Simboura, Catherine Tsangaris (HCMR) Angel Borja, Iratxe Menchaca (AZTI) Alison Gilbert (IVM) 26 September 2013

Objectives Analyse and compare national approaches per descriptor regarding geographic scales Analyse which aggregation rules have been applied Develop broad EU guidance for coherent geographic scales in assessment and monitoring of GES and for sets of aggregation rules and organize a debate with MS on this. 26 September 2013

Main questions Definition of spatial assessment scales Rules for scaling up from assessment units to subregional scale Aggregation of indicators/criteria/descriptors GES subregion indicators criteria descriptors GES 26 September 2013

Analysis Analysis MS approaches Information available from: Electronic reporting Relevant parts from national expert reviews National reports (limited) Additional information sources RSC reports WFD Guidances Research projects Scientific publications 26 September 2013

MS approaches Definition of assessment areas: 8 MS: 1 assessment area within a subregion 11 MS: >1 assessment area 3 MS missing (BG, MT, PL) Some MS >10 assessment areas per subregion: ES (large subdivisions and informal smaller assessment units) IT (large number of assessment units) SE (large subdivisions and informal smaller assessment units) informal use of smaller assessment areas, depending on descriptor pressures data availability Etc Range in surface area: 400 – 600000 km2 26 September 2013

MS approaches Assessment areas Surface area national marine waters (within subregion) (BE, EL, LT, SI) (DE, DK, EE, FR, LV, NL, RO, SE) (EL, ES, FI, FR, IE, IT, UK) Surface area assessment areas: 400 – 600000 km2 26 September 2013

MS approaches Scaling up of assessment areas: No approaches reported 26 September 2013

MS approaches Aggregation of assessments: In many cases, MS use existing assessment methods (indicators) WFD RSCs Aggregation rules applied based on existing methods Aggregation limited to within descriptor integration (mainly at indicator level) No aggregation across descriptors 26 September 2013

Building blocks for a Guidance Definition of spatial scales: Basic approaches have already been developed (e.g. RSCs, TG reports, OSPAR advice documents, etc.), e.g. risk-based approach definition of scales based on hydrographical, physical, chemical characteristics, biogeography, existing assessment areas, etc. large differences between MS in application not clear how MS have dealt with differences between descriptors Issues for discussion: Difference between MS approaches and RSC approaches Need for management information at MS scale <-> need for integrated information at EU scale 26 September 2013

Building blocks for a Guidance Scaling up: Some methods have been developed and applied, using e.g. One-out all-out approach Weighted integration methods To be developed in guidance… Issues for discussion: Scaling up requires comparability between MS assessments (but at what level?) How to deal with gaps in knowledge (e.g. marine areas where data are lacking) 26 September 2013

Building blocks for a Guidance Aggregation: Methods have been developed and applied Methodology is focused on indicator / descriptor level Few examples of aggregation across descriptors Various methods available, e.g.: One-out all-out approach Weighted integration methods Multimetric tools Decision trees Issues for discussion: Methods based on precautionary principle (e.g.OOAO) <-> less strict methods Distinction between descriptors (e.g. state/pressure) Hierarchy in descriptors 26 September 2013

Workshop WG GES Objective of the workshop: conclude on a priority list of issues to be treated in the Guidance inform the participants on the results of the project identify the major items of discussion exchange best practices, commonalities, major gaps prioritize issues for guidance Program: One-day workshop Limited time Focus on most urgent issues 26 September 2013

Workshop WG GES Issues for discussion: Spatial scaling Develop a methodology for a standardized approach to limit case-by-case approaches Upscaling Requirement for comparability between assessment areas/MS Indicator/criterion/descriptor/GES level Avoid cross-border differences in assessments Develop criteria for application of aggregation rules One-out all-out / alternative approaches 26 September 2013

Workshop WG GES Issues for discussion: Aggregation Develop criteria for application of aggregation rules When to use one-out all-out, when to use other methods Pros and cons of various alternatives Differentiate between descriptors Aggregation methods Weights for contribution to overall GES 26 September 2013

15 May 2012

15 May 2012

Draft analytical report Comparison MS-RSC approach (table + text) Synthesis Overview methods and pros/cons (table + text) Discussion: Assessment units – reporting units Availability of information in electronic reporting Comments by 2 Oct Draft report 9 Oct 15 May 2012

scales detail general SPATIAL SCALE <MS level SPATIAL SCALE EU RSC ASSESSMENT metric ASSESSMENT GES Indicators criteria descriptor COMMUNICATION science COMMUNICATION Politicians, general public managers 15 May 2012

Program workshop Spatial scales Short introduction Results analysis MS approaches Overview methods, pros and cons Discussion on: What scales and information needs can be identified? E.g. EU, subregion, subdivisions (RSC), MS and lower What does that mean for the way scales are defined (May differ between descriptors) What criteria to apply (risk-based, ecosystem, ..) Upscaling Different methods at different levels What topics need to be in Guidance 15 May 2012

Program workshop Aggregation Short introduction Overview methods, pros and cons Discussion on: What levels, purposes and information needs can be identified? EU, RSC, MS Science, management, politics, general public What does that mean for the way information is presented aggregated What methods/alternatives can be applied at the different levels What needs to be in Guidance 15 May 2012

Time schedule 9:00 Welcome, Introduction, objectives of the workshop 9:30 PART 1: Spatial scales – introduction (analytical report) 9:45 Comments from MS 10:00 Discussion (30 min per item) - levels of spatial scales & information needs - criteria and methods to define scales - methods for upscaling - outline Guidance 12:00-13:00 lunch 13:00 PART 2: Aggregation rules – introduction (analytical report) 13:45 Comments from MS 14:00 Discussion (30 min per item) - what information needed at which level? - methods for aggregation 15:30 Wrap-up, conclusions 16:00 End 15 May 2012