1. Morning session: discussion on spatial scales
What spatial scales?
How to define scales?
What scales needed for assessments?
Short introduction
Key questions
Conclusions, issues for guidance document
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

2. Spatial scales MSFD requirements
23 October 2013
Spatial scales
MSFD requirements
Determine GES at level of marine region or subregion
What is the largest scale for GES assessment?
Baltic Sea, Black Sea: REGION
NE Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea: SUBREGION
(4 in NEA, 4 in MED)
Compatible with Art. 3(5)
The subregions of the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean are of comparable scales to the regions of the Baltic and Black Sea.
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013
GES SCALES workshop

3. Spatial scales to determine GES
Conclusion
Determination of GES
regional level for Baltic Sea, Black Sea
subregional level for NE Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

4. Definition of assessment areas
These can be:
Regions (Baltic, Black)
Subregions (of NE Atlantic, Mediterranean)
Subdivisions (where formally defined)
Other informal areas
Should allow, where possible, ecosystem-based assessments:
“are determined taking into account hydrological, oceanographic and biogeographic features” (Art. 3(2)).
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

5. Spatial scales How to carry out GES assessment at (sub)region level
Various options:
Across descriptors
Combine some/all descriptors
Each descriptor separately
Split up (some) descriptors
e.g. D1
Species groups (birds, fish, mammals, reptiles)
Habitats (pelagic, benthic)
At what level should GES assessment be done?
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

6. Spatial scales to assess GES
Conclusion
Assessment of GES at (sub)region level …
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

7. Spatial scales for assessments
Assessments within a (sub)region
Various spatial scales possible
Smaller than MS marine waters
Larger than MS marine waters
Sub(region)
Scale to be applied depending on the topic?
Different for various descriptors/indicators, e.g.
‘state‘ descriptors/indicators
‘pressure’ descriptors/indicators
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

8. Spatial scales for ‘pressure’ descriptors
Assessments within a (sub)region
Smaller spatial scale than (sub)region relevant for some topics?
‘pressure’ descriptors/indicators?
What is the lower limit?
Small enough to provide a link between P-S-I
Small enough to link with measures
Not too small: level of effort for monitoring and assessment
Common approach possible for all ‘ pressure’ descriptors?
Or distinguish between descriptors
Localized pressures?
Wide-spread pressures?
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

9. Spatial scales for ‘state’ descriptors
Assessments within a (sub)region
Larger spatial scale than MS relevant for some topics
‘state’ descriptors/indicators?
Subregion scale or smaller scale needed?
Densities of harbour porpoise
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

10. Spatial scales for ‘state’ descriptors
Assessments within a (sub)region
Larger spatial scale than MS relevant for some topics
‘state’ descriptors/indicators?
Subregion scale or smaller scale needed?
Assessment areas for commercial fish stocks
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

11. Spatial scales for ‘state’ descriptors
Assessments within a (sub)region
Larger spatial scale than MS relevant for some topics
‘state’ descriptors/indicators?
Subregion scale or smaller scale needed?
Split up descriptors?
Pelagic, benthic habitats (reflect hydrographical, biogeographical characteristics)
Mobile species (marine mammals, birds, reptiles, etc.)
Food webs
Can common principles be identified?
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

12. Spatial scales for ‘state’ descriptors
What spatial resolution is necessary for assessments?
Common principles or case-by-case approach?
Habitats
How fine should the scale be?
Species
Population level when distinct population can be identified?
Subregion level otherwise?
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

13. Definition of assessment scales
Conclusion …
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

14. How to combine approaches
Variety of spatial scales needed
Is it possible to combine this in one, comprehensive approach?
Spatial scales needed:
MS or smaller
MS or larger
Subregion/Region
Would a HELCOM type approach for spatial scales work:
Small national units nested within larger transnational units
Is this a workable approach?
What are the requirements for such an approach in other regional seas?
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

15. Definition of assessment scales
Conclusion
Assessment areas can consist of a mixture of smaller and larger scale areas, nested within each other, to provide a balance between appropriate spatial resolution and workable number of areas,
provided that …
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

16. Scaling up assessments
MSFD requirement
Determine GES at level of marine region or subregion
Scaling up from assesment areas to subregion
Various options:
Assessments per descriptor and per assessment area
One-out all-out?
% of area not at GES?
patchwork of areas at GES / not at GES
Combine descriptors?
Other methods?
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

17. Scaling up assessments
Conclusion …
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

18. Spatial scales Any remaining issues? GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

19. Afternoon session: aggregation rules
What aggregation is needed?
How to aggregate?
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

20. Aggregation
How to go from indicators -> criteria -> descriptors -> GES
Which level of aggregation
Within indicators
Within descriptors (across criteria)
Across descriptors
At what spatial scale?
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

21. Aggregation rules When should one-out all-out be applied?
Indicator/criterion/descriptor etc.
When should one-out all-out not be applied?
Differentiate between types of descriptors?
Different aggregation rules within descriptors?
Weighting across descriptors?
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

22. Aggregation within descriptors
Aggregation among criteria?
Aggregation within indicators
When to apply one-out all-out?
Can common principles be identified?
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

23. Aggregation
Conclusion ..
GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013

24. Spatial scales Any remaining issues? GES SCALES workshop
23 October 2013