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Marine Strategy Framework Directive Indicators for Biogenic Reefs formed by Modiolus modiolus, Mytilus edulis and Sabellaria spinulosa. Part 1: Defining and validating the indicators 2014

Abstract

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) (Directive 2008/56/EC) was formally adopted by the European Union in July 2008. It forms the environmental pillar of the EU’s Integrated European Maritime Policy and compliments the economic and social aspects of this policy. The MSFD outlines a legislative framework for an ecosystem-based approach to the management of human activities that supports the sustainable use of marine goods and services. The overarching goal of the Directive is to achieve ‘Good Environmental Status’ (GES) by 2020 across Europe’s marine environment.

This report considered methods used to assess the density and community composition of horse mussels, blue mussels and ross worms. The different monitoring and survey methods were evaluated to test the responses of the ensuing metrics to inherent temporal and spatial variation as well as the known response to anthropogenic pressures. Sources of variance were evaluated and the statistical power to detect change was tested. Recommendations for monitoring methods and metrics for horse mussel, blue mussel and ross worm dominated habitats are therefore made in this report, as are recommendations for further research and development.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2014·09·01

Citation
Fariñas-Franco, J.M., Pearce, B., Porter, J., Harries, D., Mair, J.M., Woolmer, A.S. & Sanderson, W.G. 2014. Marine Strategy Framework Directive Indicators for Biogenic Reefs formed by Modiolus modiolus, Mytilus edulis and Sabellaria spinulosa. Part 1: Defining and validating the indicators, JNCC Report No. 523, JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This report aims to define and validate the indicators for biogenic reef habitats formed by the horse mussel Modiolus modiolus, the blue mussel Mytilus edulis and the ross worm Sabellaria spinulosa, as identified by Cochrane et al (2010).

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2019·12·11

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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