# Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) (Text with EEA relevance), Annex III: Indicative lists of ecosystem elements, anthropogenic pressures and human activities relevant to the marine waters Extent: E+W+S+N.I. 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* --- Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudr/2008/56/annex/III (the official version) Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-directive-2008-56/annex-III Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.