1. BalticBOOST Theme 3 WS, Copenhagen, 2-3 June 2016
BalticBOOST WP 3.1 Development of joint principles to define environmental targets for pressures affecting the seabed habitats
Nygård, Korpinen, Hoppe + BalticBOOST 3.1 partners SYKE, IOW, ICES, DTU Aqua, SLU, HELCOM
BalticBOOST Theme 3 WS, Copenhagen, 2-3 June 2016

2. Objective of WP 3.1: Develop joint HELCOM principles and good practices for defining environmental targets for the anthropogenic pressures affecting seabed habitats
Tasks:
Identify the pressures having a major impact on the seabed habitats in the Baltic
Identify the sectorial activities that are linked to the pressures
Explore ways to determine how much disturbance the seafloor can tolerate while remaining in GES.
Test the relationship between GES and pressures in desk case studies
Prepare background documentation and carry out 2 workshops
Prepare a final report of the proposed HELCOM principles and good practices for defining environmental targets for the seabed habitats

3. Approach to tackle the tasks
Pressures & activities identified. Discussed at the HELCOM TAPAS Pressure index WS
Literature survey to quantify impacts on benthic habitats caused by activities/pressures
Case studies to test relations between pressures and GES  how much pressure can habitats tolerate while remaining in GES
Based on results from the literature survey and case studies, develop joint guidance for how to set environmental targets

4. Understanding of environmental targets
Environmental targets are set for pressures
 targets for how much pressures can be allowed and still remain in GES

5. Activities, pressures and impacts

6. Physical loss vs. Physical damage (disturbance)
Permanent loss of habitat
Temporary loss or damage of habitat
Typical pressures:
Sealing
Abrasion
Extraction
Smothering
Siltation

7. Factors to take into account when quantifying impacts
Activity and pressure
Spatial and temporal extent
Intensity and frequencyof pressures
Habitat type and important features
A catalogue, based on scientific literature, has been produced (contains ~270 pressure impacts on habitats/species)

8. Recommendations from GEAR 13-2016
Look at pressures also from status point of view
In the test cases, look for relationships between GES indicators and pressures
Consider the applicability at different spatial scales

9. Guidelines for a common approach to define environmental targets
Are marine areas under heavy cumulative impacts?
Are there increasing trends of any anthropogenic pressures?
Does any MSFD descriptor indicate sub-GES or is there a high risk to that direction?
Screening phase
Analyze the linkage framework
Which human activities are behind the pressure?
Which pressures cause the concern?
Linkage framework
Which benthic elements are impacted?
Choose a pressure or activity
How much activity or pressure there is in the area?
Which biotopes or species are affected by the pressure or activity?
Correlate activity-pressure data and GES assessment in the impacted area
Link to GES
Analysis phase
Find tresholds
Define environmental targets for human activities or pressures
Processing
Maximum Allowable Pressure, i.e. how much pressure is allowed and still be in GES

10. Links to other processes
ICES advice on fishery impacts
BalticBOOST WP 3.2
Fishing impacts
HELCOM TAPAS SEA work
BalticBOOST WP 3.1 Environmental targets
MSFD environ-mental targets
HELCOM TAPAS BSII work
COM DEC habitat criterion
Core indicator on Benthic impacts
STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT
OSPAR common indicator BH3

11. Thank you!