Member State report / Art11 / 2014-2020 / D1-P / Belgium / NE Atlantic: Greater North Sea
Report type | Member State report to Commission |
MSFD Article | Art. 11 Monitoring programmes (and Art. 17 updates) |
Report due | 2014-10-15; 2020-10-15 |
GES Descriptor | D1 Pelagic habitats |
Member State | Belgium |
Region/subregion | NE Atlantic: Greater North Sea |
Reported by | Reporter not found |
Report date | Date not found; 2020-10-29 |
Report access |
2014 data
2020 data
Monitoring programme | Monitoring programme name | MP_D1_4_6_SeabedHabitats |
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Monitoring programme | Reference existing programme | |
Monitoring programme | Marine Unit ID | |
Q4e - Programme ID | ANSBE-D1, 4, 6 Seabed habitats |
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Q4f - Programme description | The Belgian MSFD monitoring programme ‘Biodiversity - seabed habitats’ aims at assessing the following ETs:
• ET7 : The spatial extent and distribution of the EUNIS level 3 habitats (sandy mud to mud, muddy sands to sands and coarse grained sediments), as well as that of gravel beds fluctuate - relative to the reference state as described in Initial Assessment - within a margin limited to the accuracy of the current distribution maps
• ET10: The Ecological Quality Ratio as determined by BEQI, indicative for benthic ecosystem structure and quality, has a minimum value of 0,60 in each of the habitat types
• ET11: Positive trend in median adult density (or frequency of occurrence) of at least one species within the long-lived and/or slowly reproducing and key engineering benthic species groups in both mud to muddy sands and pure fine to coarse sands
• ET12: Spring median benthic bioturbation potential (BPc) in the Abra alba habitat type is higher than 100
• ET13: Positive trend in median colony/body size of the sessile, long-lived and/or larger benthic species Buccinum undatum, Mytilus edulis, Flustra foliacea, Haliclona oculata and Alcyonium digitatum
• ET14 – Positive trend in frequency of occurrence and median adult density of at least half of the key and long-lived species Ostrea edulis, Sabellaria spinulosa, Mytilus edulis, Buccinum undatum, Haliclona oculata, Alcyonium digitatum and Alcyonidium spp
• ET15 – No loss or positive trend in species richness within all key hard substrate taxa, i.e. Porifera, Cnidaria, Bryozoa, Polychaeta, Malacostraca, Maxillopoda, Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Echinodermata and Ascidiacea
• ET16 – Decreasing relative frequency of occurrence of damaged Asterias rubens (2+ cm arm length) and tube clusters of Pomatoceros triqueter, indicative for physical disturbance of the bottom (= pressure indicator), as to enhance natural development of the gravel bed ecosystem (= desired state)
• ET17: For each of the scavenging seabirds species, are the mean densities over 5 consecutive years not below the minimum defined by the Birds Directive favourable conservation status
Six sub-programmes can be discerned:
• ANSBE-D1, 4, 6 Seabed-SP5 (delivering data to assess ET7), targeting a full-coverage seabed and transect seabed mapping of selected areas at EUNIS level 3;
• ANSBE-D1, 4, 6 Seabed-SP6 (delivering data to assess ET10), targeting the quantification of a composite index based on density, biomass, species richness and species composition of the macrobenthos at selected stations in the BPNS;
• ANSBE-D1, 4, 6 Seabed-SP7 (delivering data to assess ET11), targeting the quantification of long-lived and key engineering benthic species density at selected stations in the BPNS;
• ANSBE-D1, 4, 6 Seabed-SP8 (delivering data to assess ET12), targeting the quantification of the macrobenthic community bioturbation potential at selected stations in the BPNS;
• ANSBE-D1, 4, 6 Seabed-SP9 (delivering data to assess ET13 to 16), targeting body/colony size of characteristic hard substrate species, frequency of occurrence and densities in a non-bottom fisheries-impacted, a low impacted and regular fisheries-impacted area;
• ANSBE-D1, 4, 6 Seabed-SP10 (delivering data to assess ET17), targeting multibeam bathymetry and backscatter measurements in combination with visual observations and seabed sampling in a gravel bed in the Hinder Banks region and a gravel bed in the Flemish Banks region |
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Q5e - Natural variability |
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Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES | Q5d - Adequate data | N |
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES | Q5d - Established methods | Y |
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES | Q5d - Adequate understanding of GES | Y |
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES | Q5d - Adequate capacity | Y |
Q5f - Description of programme for GES assessment | ||
Q5g - Gap-filling date for GES assessment | By2018 |
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Q5h - Plans to implement monitoring for GES assessment | A research proposal has been submitted to the Belgian Science Policy Office to strengthen capacity to develop improved methods and strategies for the acoustic mapping of seabed/habitat types in a monitoring context, hence emphasising on quantifying uncertainties in the mapping process needed for accurate change detection |
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Q6a -Relevant targets | Q6a - Environmental target | Target 7 Target 10 Target 11 Target 12 Target 13 Target 14 Target 15 Target 16 Target 17 |
Q6a -Relevant targets | Q6a - Associated indicator | Target 7 Target 10 Target 11 Target 12 Target 13 Target 14 Target 15 Target 16 Target 17 |
Q6b - Adequacy for assessment of targets | Q6b_SuitableData | Y |
Q6b - Adequacy for assessment of targets | Q6b_EstablishedMethods | N |
Q6b - Adequacy for assessment of targets | Q6d_AdequateCapacity | N |
Q6c - Target updating | N |
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Q6d - Description of programme for targets assessment |
N.A.
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Q6e - Gap-filling date for targets assessment | By2018 |
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Q6f - Plans to implement monitoring for targets assessment | A research proposal has been submitted to the Belgian Science Policy Office to strengthen capacity to develop improved methods and strategies for the acoustic mapping of seabed/habitat types in a monitoring context, hence emphasising on quantifying uncertainties in the mapping process needed for accurate change detection |
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Q7a - Relevant activities | ||
Q7b - Description of monitoring of activities | ||
Q7c - Relevant measures | ||
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures | Q7d - Adequate data | |
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures | Q7d - Established methods | |
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures | Q7d - Adequate understanding of GES | |
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures | Q7d - Adequate capacity | |
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures | Q7d - Addresses activities and pressures | |
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures | Q7d - Addresses effectiveness of measures | |
Q7d - Description of monitoring for measures | ||
Q7f - Gap-filling date for activities and measures | By2014 |
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Q8a - Links to existing Monitoring Programmes |
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Reference sub-programme | Sub-programme ID | |
Reference sub-programme | Sub-programme name | Seabed habitats - distribution and extent |
Q4g - Sub-programmes | Sub-programme ID | |
Q4g - Sub-programmes | Sub-programme name | Seabed habitats - distribution and extent |
Q4k - Monitoring purpose | ||
Q4l - Links of monitoring programmes of other Directives and Conventions | ||
Q5c - Features | Q5c - Habitats | |
Q5c - Features | Q5c - Species list | |
Q5c - Features | Q5c - Physical/Chemical features |
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Q5c - Features | Q5c - Pressures | |
Q9a - Elements | ||
Q5a - GES criteria | Relevant GES criteria |
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Q5b - GES indicators | Relevant GES indicators |
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Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) | Species distribution | |
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) | Species population size | |
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) | Species population characteristics | |
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) | Species impacts | |
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) | Habitat distribution | |
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) | Habitat extent | |
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) | Habitat condition (physical-chemical) | |
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) | Habitat condition (biological) | |
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) | Habitat impacts | |
Q9b - Parameters monitored (pressures) | Pressure input | |
Q9b - Parameters monitored (pressures) | Pressure output | |
Q9b - Parameters monitored (activity) | Activity | |
Q9b Parameters monitored (other) | Other | |
Q41 Spatial scope | ||
Q4j - Description of spatial scope | ||
Marine Unit IDs |
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Q4h - Temporal scope | Start date- End date | - |
Q9h - Temporal resolution of sampling | ||
Q9c - Monitoring method | ||
Q9d - Description of alteration to method | ||
Q9e - Quality assurance | ||
Q9f - Quality control | ||
Q9g - Spatial resolution of sampling | Q9g - Proportion of area covered % | |
Q9g - Spatial resolution of sampling | Q9g - No. of samples | |
Q9i - Description of sample representivity | ||
Q10a - Scale for aggregation of data | ||
Q10b - Other scale for aggregation of data | ||
Q10c - Access to monitoring data | Q10c - Data type | |
Q10c - Access to monitoring data | Q10c - Data access mechanism | |
Q10c - Access to monitoring data | Q10c - Data access rights | |
Q10c - Access to monitoring data | Q10c - INSPIRE standard | |
Q10c - Access to monitoring data | Q10c Date data are available | |
Q10c - Access to monitoring data | Q10c - Data update frequency | |
Q10d - Description of data access | ||
Descriptor |
D1.6 |
D1.6 |
D1.6 |
D1.6 |
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Monitoring strategy description |
Plankton biomass and abundance, as well as general biogeochemical characteristics in the water column, are being monitored. In addition, plankton composition (with a varying level of identification) will be included in the monitoring. It is expected that these data will increase the knowledge of the functioning of the pelagic habitat. |
Plankton biomass and abundance, as well as general biogeochemical characteristics in the water column, are being monitored. In addition, plankton composition (with a varying level of identification) will be included in the monitoring. It is expected that these data will increase the knowledge of the functioning of the pelagic habitat. |
Plankton biomass and abundance, as well as general biogeochemical characteristics in the water column, are being monitored. In addition, plankton composition (with a varying level of identification) will be included in the monitoring. It is expected that these data will increase the knowledge of the functioning of the pelagic habitat. |
Plankton biomass and abundance, as well as general biogeochemical characteristics in the water column, are being monitored. In addition, plankton composition (with a varying level of identification) will be included in the monitoring. It is expected that these data will increase the knowledge of the functioning of the pelagic habitat. |
Coverage of GES criteria |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Gaps and plans |
Indicators and targets need to be developed in a regional context. New technologies to improve the cost-effectiveness of monitoring need to be implemented and evaluated. Ecological models are needed to derive information on the good environmental status (and as such environmental targets) and information for the continuum of the Belgian Marine Waters. Budget requests for these developments are foreseen and thus dependent on budget availability and approval. |
Indicators and targets need to be developed in a regional context. New technologies to improve the cost-effectiveness of monitoring need to be implemented and evaluated. Ecological models are needed to derive information on the good environmental status (and as such environmental targets) and information for the continuum of the Belgian Marine Waters. Budget requests for these developments are foreseen and thus dependent on budget availability and approval. |
Indicators and targets need to be developed in a regional context. New technologies to improve the cost-effectiveness of monitoring need to be implemented and evaluated. Ecological models are needed to derive information on the good environmental status (and as such environmental targets) and information for the continuum of the Belgian Marine Waters. Budget requests for these developments are foreseen and thus dependent on budget availability and approval. |
Indicators and targets need to be developed in a regional context. New technologies to improve the cost-effectiveness of monitoring need to be implemented and evaluated. Ecological models are needed to derive information on the good environmental status (and as such environmental targets) and information for the continuum of the Belgian Marine Waters. Budget requests for these developments are foreseen and thus dependent on budget availability and approval. |
Related targets |
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Coverage of targets |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Related measures |
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Coverage of measures |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Related monitoring programmes |
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Programme code |
ANSBE-P12-Plankton-1-chla |
ANSBE-P13-Plankton-2-phyto |
ANSBE-P14-Plankton-3-zoo |
ANSBE-P15-Nutrients |
Programme name |
Chlorophyll a |
Phytoplankton observations in the Belgian part of the North Sea – LifeWatch observatory data |
Zooplankton observations in the Belgian part of the North Sea - LifeWatch observatory data |
Nutrients and physico-chemical characteristics in the water column |
Update type |
Modified from 2014 |
New programme |
New programme |
Modified from 2014 |
Old programme codes |
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Programme description |
This programme includes monitoring based on satellite detection (EODataBee) and in-situ data.
The purpose of the EODataBee Water Quality Monitoring service is to provide satellite-based support for the water quality assessment of chlorophyll a concentration in the framework of Belgium's obligations in the context of the Eutrophication Strategy of the Oslo and Paris Commissions for the Prevention of Marine Pollution (OSPAR-EUC) and the eutrophication-related elements of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
In-situ chlorophyll a measurements are taken simultaneously with the water samples for nutrients (ANSBE-P15- Nutrients), allowing long-term monitoring of processes in the water column.
This programme covers the environmental target D5.3. |
The abundance of phytoplankton groups is monitored based on automated recognition and manual validation. |
The abundance of zooplankton groups is monitored based on automated recognition and manual validation. |
Monitoring, in the form of repeated measurements of key aspects of the state of the marine environment at key locations, provides the basis for assessing progress towards good environmental status and the evaluation of the effectiveness of actions being taken to protect the sea.
The core marine environmental monitoring activity under the JAMP is the OSPAR CEMP. The CEMP is focused on monitoring of the concentrations and effects of selected contaminants and nutrients in the marine environment. The Eutrophication Monitoring Programme is a self-standing component of the CEMP focusing on nutrients and eutrophication effects. Monitoring by Contracting Parties under the CEMP is coordinated through adherence to jointly agreed guidance on monitoring and quality assurance procedures, which provides a basis for the collection of comparable and quality-assured data throughout the OSPAR maritime area.
This programme covers the environmental targets D5.1 and D5.2. |
Monitoring purpose |
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Other policies and conventions |
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Regional cooperation - coordinating body |
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Regional cooperation - countries involved |
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Regional cooperation - implementation level |
Agreed data collection methods |
Agreed data collection methods |
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Monitoring details |
1) Satellite based chlorofyl a:
- Frequency of sampling: daily, provided that cloud cover and quality flagging allow measurements.
- Geographic scope: 100% satellite coverage (e.g. SeaWifs, MERIS, MODIS, Sentinel-3).
- Approximate number of samples: number of samples varies per region and is dependent on cloud cover, quality flagging, etc. For the Belgian coastal zone, there are between 25 and 50 samples per growing season (March-October).
Methodology based on satellite data as elaborated in regional context in the frame of JMP Eunosat (https://www.informatiehuismarien.nl/projecten/algaeevaluated/information/results/ ) and in review by OSPAR. Joint data collection, satellite and in-situ, with the Netherlands.
2) Chlorophyll a monitoring based on in situ data: monthly sampling at fixed measuring stations, simultaneously with the nutrients (ANSBE-P15- Nutrients). Additional sampling at time of satellite overpass. |
A total 17 stations in the Belgian part of the North Sea are being sampled since May 2017. On a monthly basis, 9 stations are sampled in near-shore areas. Additionally, 8 offshore stations are sampled on a seasonal basis.
Essential ocean variable: Phytoplankton Biomass and Diversity (http://goosocean.org/index.php?option=com_oe&task=viewDocumentRecord&docID=17507).
This monitoring programme is dependant on the continuation of funding starting from 2021. |
A total 17 stations in the Belgian part of the North Sea are being sampled since 2012. On a monthly basis, 9 stations are sampled in near-shore areas. Additionally, 8 offshore stations are sampled on a seasonal basis.
Essential ocean variable: Zooplankton Biomass and Diversity (http://goosocean.org/index.php?option=com_oe&task=viewDocumentRecord&docID=17509)
This monitoring programme is dependant on the continuation of funding starting from 2021. |
Other parameters measured include a.o. salinity as covariable, pH, organic carbon and dissolved oxygen. |
Features |
Eutrophication
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Pelagic broad habitats
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Pelagic broad habitats
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Eutrophication
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Eutrophication
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Pelagic broad habitats
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Pelagic broad habitats
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Eutrophication
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Eutrophication
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Pelagic broad habitats
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Pelagic broad habitats
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Eutrophication
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Eutrophication
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Pelagic broad habitats
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Pelagic broad habitats
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Eutrophication
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Elements |
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GES criteria |
D5C2 |
D1C6 |
D1C6 |
D5C1 |
Parameters |
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Parameter Other |
community composition, diversity & total biomass |
total abundance, functional group abundance |
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Spatial scope |
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Marine reporting units |
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Temporal scope (start date - end date) |
2010-9999 |
2017-9999 |
2012-9999 |
1992-9999 |
Monitoring frequency |
Daily |
Monthly |
Monthly |
Monthly |
Monitoring type |
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Monitoring method |
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Monitoring method other |
Chlorophyll a concentration is generated from daily Ocean Colour data provided by the SeaWifs (1998-2003), the MERIS (2003 to 2011), the MODIS (2003 to 2017) and Sentinel-3 (2017 to current) satellite sensors. The algorithms used to derive data from the satellite sensors correspond to the best available algorithms given a water type and satellite sensor. Data is supplied at approximately 1 km resolution for the period 1998-2017 and 300m for the period 2017-current on a geographical equidistant grid covering the described region. The quality control and algorithm merging procedure applied was developed during the JMP-EUNOSAT project. The suitability of the satellite-based Chlorophyll a product for eutrophication assessment was evaluated by a comparison analysis with in-situ datasets for all assessment areas in the Greater North Sea. A validation of the yearly mean and P90 chlorophyll a products using the national monitoring chlorophyll a data obtained using different analytical techniques (i.e. HPLC, spectrophotometry, fluorometry) yielded a median error of 35.19% and 39.05% respectively. This shows a good general agreement between in-situ and satellite observations. More details are available in: https://www.informatiehuismarien.nl/publish/pages/162863/2_chlorophyll_satellite_data.pdf
Van der Zande, D., Lavigne, H., Blauw, A., Prins, T., Desmit, X., Eleveld, M., Gohin, F., Pardo, S, Tilstone, G., Cardoso Dos Santos, J. (2019). Coherence in assessment framework of chlorophyll a and nutrients as part of the EU project ‘Joint monitoring programme of the eutrophication of the North Sea with satellite data’ (Ref: DG ENV/MSFD Second Cycle/2016). Activity 2 Report. 106 pp. |
Phytoplankton for the lifeWatch phytoplankton observation in the Belgian part of the North Sea (https://doi.org/10.14284/330) are sampled by a 55µm mesh size Apstein plankton net deployed at the surface of each station. The 55µm mesh size Apstein net is a commonly net used for phytoplankton sampling. The samples are fixed with lugol and stored in dark conditions at 4°C at the Marine Station in Ostende. The samples are then filtered with a 300 µm mesh size net (to remove large particles and organisms) and processed with a FlowCAM VS-4 at 4X magnification, using a FC300 flow cell, at a flow rate of 1.7mL/min. The analysis combines the technologies of flow cytometry, microscopy and image analysis, and the produced images are processed with the software VisualSpreadsheet (improvements of the software are ongoing at Marine Observation Center in Ostende , and the software will be updated in the coming years) allowing a semi-autonomous characterization of phytoplankton at the genus or species level. This semi-automatic classification requires a further validation by an experienced operator (performed at the Marine Observation Center in Ostende). |
Zooplankton for the lifeWatch zooplankton observation in the Belgian part of the North Sea (https://doi.org/10.14284/394) are sampled by a 200µm mesh size WP2 plankton net (57 cm diameter opening ring) deployed vertically from bottom to surface in order to sample the whole water column at each station. The 200µm mesh size WP2 plankton net is the most commonly used and recognized method to sample mesozooplankon. The samples are then with fixed with formaldehyde and stored at the Marine Station in Ostende. The samples are processed with a ZooScan imaging system. The produced images are processed with the ZooProcess software allowing a semi-autonomous characterization of zooplankton into 22 validated taxonomic groups. This semi-automatic classification requires a further validation by an experienced operator (performed at the Marine Observation Center in Ostende). |
Sampling by Niskin bottles on board RV Belgica.
Laboratory analyses according to accredited method (ISO 17025) on the basis of SKALAR (RBINS, Ostend). |
Quality control |
Data for calibration of the sensors are ground-truthed by grab sample analysis, coinciding with satellite overpass, and subsequent analysis in the ISO17025:2017 certified lab ECOCHEM. |
The output of the Auto Classification is manually validated by an experienced taxonomist to remove the errors of the automatic prediction. |
The output of the automated classification is manually validated by an experienced taxonomist to remove the errors of the automatic prediction. |
ISO 17025
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Data management |
The in-situ data are registered in LIMS (Ecochem) and transferred to BMDC, which centralises them and makes them publicly accessible via the RBINS metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be). The data are reported to ICES (DOME) in the frame of OSPAR and transferred to Emodnet Chemistry. |
Data management is organised by the VLIZ data center. Data is contributed to European integrative data systems, among others EurOBIS and EMODNet Biology. Metadata is described in the IMIS dataset catalogue and long-term data preservation is facilitated by the Marine Data Archive.
One must include a citation to the dataset in the bibliography of all presentations or publications which involve the use of the phytoplankton Lifewatch observatory data in accordance with the outline below and journal style:
Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Belgium (2019): LifeWatch observatory data: phytoplankton observations by imaging flow cytometry (FlowCam) in the Belgian part of the North Sea. https://doi.org/10.14284/330. The data is reported annually to BMDC. |
Data management is organised by the VLIZ datacenter. Data is contributed to European integrative data systems, among others EurOBIS and EMODNet Biology. Metadata is described in the IMIS dataset catalogue and long-term data preservation is facilitated by the Marine Data Archive. One must include a citation to the dataset in the bibliography of all presentations or publications which involve the use of the phytoplankton Lifewatch observatory data in accordance with the outline below and journal style:
Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Belgium (2019): LifeWatch observatory data: zooplankton observations in the Belgian part of the North Sea. https://doi.org/10.14284/394 |
The in-situ data are registered in LIMS (Ecochem) and transferred to BMDC, which centralises them and makes them publicly accessible via the RBINS metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be). The data are reported to ICES (DOME) in the frame of OSPAR and transferred to Emodnet Chemistry. |
Data access |
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Related indicator/name |
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Contact |
Dimitry Van der Zande, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS) |
Klaas Deneudt, Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) |
Klaas Deneudt, Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) |
Koen Parmentier, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS) |
References |