Integration methods for Marine Strategy Framework Directive’s biodiversity assessments

• This report reviews the integration methods for MSFD biodiversity assessments under Descriptor 1 for species that are not covered by the Habitats Directive and are not commercial fish assessed under Descriptor 3 and used in Descriptor 1 assessments. It was carried out by experts from the MSFD Biodiversity expert network, which is coordinated by the JRC. It constitutes a knowledge base to support MSFD Article 8 assessments by evaluating the methods to integrate assessments of species at different levels: i) criteria to species, ii) species to species group, and iii) species groups/species to ecosystem component. Real data and realistic estimates were used to provide a robust evaluation of the main MSFD integration approaches, i.e. one out all out, proportional method, averages, weighted averages, and conditional rules. Results show that integration methods have advantages and disadvantages depending on the level of integration, the species group (including threatened species), and the available indicators for primary and secondary criteria. Therefore, different scenarios are proposed and evaluated from criteria to ecosystem components, for fish and bird species groups. To conclude, a common integration approach is feasible, when it is based on the commonly agreed ecological impact of each D1 criterion to the species groups, and can be used in all regions.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Oceanografi, hydrologi och vattenresurser (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Oceanography, Hydrology and Water Resources (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Annan geovetenskap och miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Other Earth and Related Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

rap (subject category)