The integrity of the seabed is such that the structure and functions of the ecosystems are ensured and that benthic ecosystems in particular are not disproportionately affected.

Permanent changes to the seabed (km² or per cent relative to the natural size of the habitat) due to different human activities (including permanent changes to the seabed substrate or natural seabed morphology through physical restructuring, infrastructure development and loss of substrate through the extraction of seabed raw materials). Physical loss shall be understood as a permanent change to the seabed which has lasted or is expected to last for a period of two reporting cycles (12 years) or more. The assessment includes quantification of the lost area compared to the total natural size of all benthic habitats in the area under assessment (e.g. due to the magnitude of the anthropogenic change).

Physical disturbances (km² or per cent relative to the natural size of the habitat) due to different human activities (such as seabed disturbances) which change the seabed, but whose seabed can recover if the activities causing disturbances are eliminated.

The spatial extent of each habitat type (km² or % relative to the natural size of the habitat) that has been harmed by changes in the biotic and abiotic structure and its functions (e.g. due to changes in species composition and their relative density, non-habitat occurrence of particularly sensitive or vulnerable species or species having an essential function, the size composition of species), due to physical disturbances. Member States should set thresholds for the harmful effects of physical disruptions through regional or sub-regional cooperation.

The extent of the loss of the habitat type as a result of anthropogenic loads is no greater than a determined part of the natural size of the habitat type in the area under assessment. Member States shall determine the maximum allowable extent of habitat loss as part of the total natural size of the habitat type, through cooperation at Union level, taking into account regional or sub-regional specificities.

The extent of the harmful effects of anthropogenic loads on the state of the habitat type, including modification of the biotic and abiotic structure and its functions (eg their characteristic species composition and their relative density, the non-occurrence of particularly sensitive or vulnerable species or species that have an essential function, the size composition of species), is no greater than a fixed proportion of the natural size of the habitat type in the area under assessment.