Good Environmental Status of marine ecosystems: What is it and how do we know when we have attained it?

Abstract

The European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) requires EU Member States (MS) to achieve Good Environmental Status (GEnS) of their seas by 2020. We address the question of what GEnS entails especially with regard to the level at which targets are set (descriptors, criteria, indicators), to scales for assessments (regional, sub-divisions, site-specific), and to difficulties in putting into practice the GEnS concept. We propose a refined and operational definition of GEnS, indicating the data and information needed to all parts of that definition. We indicate the options for determining when GEnS has been met, acknowledge the data and information needs for each option, and recommend a combination of existing quantitative targets and expert judgement. We think that the MSFD implementation needs to be less complex than shown for other similar directives, can be based largely on existing data and can be centred on the activities of the Regional Seas Conventions.

Indicator-Based Assessment of Marine Biological Diversity–Lessons from 10 Case Studies across the European Seas

“…This is interesting since some authors (e.g., Borja et al, 2013) have supported the use of pressures instead of assessing the environmental status, if there are not enough indicators. This should be done under the premise that if an area has no obvious pressures then any changes in the area must be due to natural changes which are outside the control of management and vice versa.…”

“…The need to maintain biodiversity is also recognized by international legislation (e.g., Convention of Biological Diversity; UNEP, 1992); to European Union (EU) level, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD; European Union, 2008) requires its member states to assess the status of marine biodiversity and take action to guarantee that it remains at, or is restored to, Good Environmental Status (GES). A definition of what can be interpreted as good status can be consulted in Borja et al (2013).…”

Kualitas Perairan di Daerah Fishing Ground Nelayan Kerang di Pesisir Timur Kota Semarang

“…Beberapa penelitian telah dilaporkan bahwa dengan adanya perubahan iklim akan menyebabkan degradasi terhadap kualitas air yang akhirnya berdampak pada keberadaan organisme (Rizzi et al, 2016,). Beberapa penelitian terdahulu di banyak negara terfokus pada status lingkungan perairan laut (Borja et al, 2011;HELCOM, 2010) namun beberapa penelitian tersebut masih belum menjelaskan bagaimana respon ekosistem laut terhadap aktivitas manusia dan perubahan iklim (Borja et al, 2013).…”

The Role of Economics in Ecosystem Based Management: The Case of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive; First Lessons Learnt and Way Forward.

“…The overall GES assessment for the MSFD is further complicated by hierarchical linkages between the descriptors. For example, increased eutrophication (D5) can have undesirable impacts on food web functioning (D4) (Borja et al 2013). …”