1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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 – km2
26 September 2013

6. 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 – km2
26 September 2013

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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. 15 May 2012

16. 15 May 2012

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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