1. Geographic Assessment Scales
Common Understanding
Geographic Assessment Scales
Discussion paper for WG GES
7 February 2012
Uli Claussen

2. Geographic Assessment Scales
Marine Directors adopted Common Understanding as „living document“
Proposals for further work in 2012/2013 inter alia on
Temporal and spatial scales
OSPAR ICG MSFD (December 2011): Initial thoughts on geographic assessment scales (Germany as WG GES co-lead and UK)

3. Geographic Assessment Scales

4. Geographic Assessment Scales
Ecologically-relevant scales for biodiversity components
Spatial variability of pressures and their impacts on biodiversity
Linking of pressures (e.g. hot spots) and measures
Using a risk based approach through the screening of environmental state
Opportunities for scaling up to larger areas and for incorporating areas

5. Geographic Assessment Scales
North Sea: Uses & Nature Conservation

6. Geographic Assessment Scales
Questions to MS:
What advice do MS need?
Are there any specific/generic issues not covered?
What are MS approaches to reporting IA?
What are MS approaches to reporting GES?
What are MS approaches to reporting ET?
What opportunities do MS see for scaling up assessment areas (region, subregion)?

7. Geographic Assessment Scales
Priority for common understanding on rules for:
scaling-up status assessments
providing a route back to local scales
determining GES in light of local impacts, taking into account cumulative and synergetic effects
integrating WFD, HD and other assessments at different scales

8. Geographic Assessment Scales
Further questions to MS:
Are these the right priority questions?
Is there specific scientific support?
Best use of the Regional Seas Conventions?
Please respond to the questions and the discussion paper until 29 February 2012

9. Thank you!