Biomass ratio of opportunistic and annual and perennial macroalgae - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Biomass ratio of opportunistic and annual and perennial macroalgae

• based on the assumption that higher ratio of perennial algae or lower

ration of opportunistic species indicates the better status of the environment

• proportion of opportunistic and perennial macrovegetation is

calculated using dry biomass collected by diver-operated frame or bottom grab-sampler

• candidate indicator
• under development

Primary importance Secondary importance BSAP Segment and Objective Thriving and balanced communities of plants and animals Natural marine landscapes none stated MSFD Descriptors and Criteria 5.3. Indirect effects of nutrient enrichment (5.3.1.)Abundance of perennial seaweeds and seagrasses adversely impacted by decrease in water transparency 1.6. Habitat condition (1.6.2. Relative abundance and/or biomass, as appropriate) 1.7. Ecosystem structure (1.7.1. Composition and relative proportions of ecosystem components (habitats and species)) Other relevant legislation: (e.g. WFD) Ecological status indicator for WFD in

• ne HELCOM countries

Policy relevance of the pre-core indicator

GES-boundary concept

• the reference value to be applied throughout the Baltic Sea due to

the biogeographic and ecological differences between assessment units

• WFD coastal types and water bodies are smallest assessment units
• GES-boundary is proposed as 25% acceptable deviation from

reference value

Applicability

• applicable in all coastal areas
• usable in soft, hard and mixed bottoms
• in all cases specific reference conditions needed

Questions?

• proportion of perennials or opportunistic species?
• determination of annual/perennial or opportunistic species?
• based on biomass or coverage data?

Existent biomass data

• Estonia - ok
• Latvia - ok
• Poland- ok
• Germany - ok
• Sweden - partly
• Finland ?
• Russia ?
• Denmark ?