OpenLegislation

Annex III Indicative lists of ecosystem elements, anthropogenic pressures and human activities relevant to the marine watersF1

United Kingdom

Original text. Later amendments are not shown.

Table 1

Structure, functions and processes of marine ecosystems

with particular relevance for point (a) of Article 8(1), and Articles 9 and 11

Theme Ecosystem elements Possible parameters and characteristics (Note 1) Relevant qualitative descriptors laid down in Annex I (Notes 2 and 3)
Species Species groups (Note 4) of marine birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and cephalopods of the marine region or subregion

Spatial and temporal variation per species or population:

  • distribution, abundance and/or biomass

  • size, age and sex structure

  • fecundity, survival and mortality/injury rates

  • behaviour including movement and migration

  • habitat for the species (extent, suitability)

Species composition of the group

(1); (3)
Habitats Broad habitat types of the water column (pelagic) and seabed (benthic) (Note 5), or other habitat types, including their associated biological communities throughout the marine region or subregion

Per habitat type:

  • habitat distribution and extent (and volume, if appropriate)

  • species composition, abundance and/or biomass (spatial and temporal variation)

  • size and age structure of species (if appropriate)

  • physical, hydrological and chemical characteristics

Additionally for pelagic habitats:

  • chlorophyll a concentration

  • plankton bloom frequencies and spatial extent

(1); (6)
Ecosystems, including food webs

Ecosystem structure, functions and processes, comprising:

  • physical and hydrological characteristics

  • chemical characteristics

  • biological characteristics

  • functions and processes

Spatial and temporal variation in:

  • temperature and ice

  • hydrology (wave and current regimes; upwelling, mixing, residence time, freshwater input; sea level)

  • bathymetry

  • turbidity (silt/sediment loads), transparency, sound

  • seabed substrate and morphology

  • salinity, nutrients (N, P), organic carbon, dissolved gases (pCO 2 , O 2 ) and pH

  • links between habitats and species of marine birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and cephalopods

  • pelagic-benthic community structure

  • productivity

(1); (4)

Table 2

Anthropogenic pressures, uses and human activities in or affecting the marine environment

2a. Anthropogenic pressures on the marine environment with particular relevance for points (a) and (b) of Article 8(1), and Articles 9, 10 and 11
Theme Pressure (Note 1) Possible parameters Relevant qualitative descriptors laid down in Annex I (Notes 2 and 3)
Biological Input or spread of non-indigenous species

Intensity of, and spatial and temporal variation in, the pressure in the marine environment and, where relevant, at source

For assessment of environmental impacts of the pressure, select relevant ecosystem elements and parameters from Table 1

(2)
Input of microbial pathogens
Input of genetically modified species and translocation of native species
Loss of, or change to, natural biological communities due to cultivation of animal or plant species
Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence
Extraction of, or mortality/injury to, wild species (by commercial and recreational fishing and other activities) (3)
Physical Physical disturbance to seabed (temporary or reversible) (6); (7)
Physical loss (due to permanent change of seabed substrate or morphology and to extraction of seabed substrate)
Changes to hydrological conditions
Substances, litter and energy Input of nutrients — diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition (5)
Input of organic matter — diffuse sources and point sources
Input of other substances (e.g. synthetic substances, non-synthetic substances, radionuclides) — diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition, acute events (8); (9)
Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter) (10)
Input of anthropogenic sound (impulsive, continuous) (11)
Input of other forms of energy (including electromagnetic fields, light and heat)
Input of water — point sources (e.g. brine)
2b. Uses and human activities in or affecting the marine environment with particular relevance for points (b) and (c) of Article 8(1) (only activities marked * are relevant for point (c) of Article 8(1)), and Articles 10 and 13
Theme Activity
Physical restructuring of rivers, coastline or seabed (water management) Land claim
Canalisation and other watercourse modifications
Coastal defence and flood protection*
Offshore structures (other than for oil/gas/renewables)*
Restructuring of seabed morphology, including dredging and depositing of materials*
Extraction of non-living resources Extraction of minerals (rock, metal ores, gravel, sand, shell)*
Extraction of oil and gas, including infrastructure*
Extraction of salt*
Extraction of water*
Production of energy Renewable energy generation (wind, wave and tidal power), including infrastructure*
Non-renewable energy generation
Transmission of electricity and communications (cables)*
Extraction of living resources Fish and shellfish harvesting (professional, recreational)*
Fish and shellfish processing*
Marine plant harvesting*
Hunting and collecting for other purposes*
Cultivation of living resources Aquaculture — marine, including infrastructure*
Aquaculture — freshwater
Agriculture
Forestry
Transport Transport infrastructure*
Transport — shipping*
Transport — air
Transport — land
Urban and industrial uses Urban uses
Industrial uses
Waste treatment and disposal*
Tourism and leisure Tourism and leisure infrastructure*
Tourism and leisure activities*
Security/defence Military operations (subject to Article 2(2))
Education and research Research, survey and educational activities*
  1. Notes related to Table 1
  2. Notes related to Table 2

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1

Substituted by Commission Directive (EU) 2017/845 of 17 May 2017 amending Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the indicative lists of elements to be taken into account for the preparation of marine strategies (Text with EEA relevance).