D1.5

D1-C

• Marine waters of the Republic of Cyprus, as part of the marine subregion "Agean-Levantine sea" (MAL-CY-MS)

Indicators which were developed in the process of GES determination are accompanied by specific Quantitative targets, most commonly relating to values at reference stations, were developed to accompany the Indicators developed in the process of GES determination. Specifically: (i) In the case of univariate biotic indices or simple parameters, where the observed variability was high, the target was set at 50 % divergence from reference conditions or at a Coefficient of Variance < 0.50, (ii) In the case of multivariate biotic indices or qualitative indices, the target was set at 25 % divergence from reference conditions, and (iii) In the case of abiotic parameters, pigments, pollutants etc., the target was set at 25 % divergence from reference conditions. In several cases, associated indicators were listed without targets, due to the lack of adequate quantitative information. Instead, recommendations were made on how to estimate and use these indicators for the period 2012-2018, so that another attempt at setting targets, if this is deemed necessary, is met with more success at the next round of assessments. Where neither targets nor recommendations were made, the authorities were encouraged to pursue research opportunities, as these arise, to fill the formidable gaps that exist in knowledge on many aspects of the marine environment of Cyprus.

Target 1: The marine environment of Cyprus is considered to be in good environmental status by the year 2020 if biological diversity is maintained. The quality and occurrence of habitats and the distribution and abundance of species are in line with prevailing physiographic, geographic and climatic conditions. Quantitative target, calculated from 19 indicators (see Assessment method). This target and its indicators correspond to Descriptor 1 and relevant criteria and indicators.

TargetReferencePoint

NotReported

Based on 19 indicators, weighted as follows (for a total of 1.0):
0.01 - Macroalgae - Species number
0.01 - Macroalgae - H’
0.01 - Macroalgae - J’
0.01 - Zoobenthos - Species number
0.01 - Zoobenthos - H’
0.01 - Zoobenthos - J’
0.1 - Fishes - Species number
0.05 - Fishes - H’
0.05 - Fishes - J’
0.02 - Macroalgae abundance (% coverage)
0.02 - Zoobenthos abundance (individuals/sample)
0.1 - Fishes abundance (individuals/km2)
0.1 - Extent and distribution of important, meadow-forming angiosperms (Posidonia, Cymodocea)
0.1 - Abundance of perennial seaweeds (ESG IA)
0.05 - Abundance of shade-adapted, slow growing calcareous species (ESG IC)
0.05 - Abundance of opportunistic macroalgae (ESG IIA)
0.1 - EEI-c (macroalgae)
0.1 - PREI (Posidonia)
0.1 - BENTIX (zoobenthos)

Not relevant

State

2018-12

GES

• Current velocity
• Mixing
• Residence time
• Salinity
• SeaSurfaceTemperature
• TopographyBathymetry
• Transparency
• Turbidity (silt/sediment loads)
• Upwelling
• WaveExposure

• LitRock
• LitSed
• MarineCoast
• MarineShelf
• ShallCoarseSed
• ShallMud
• ShallMxdSed
• ShallRock
• ShallSand
• ShelfCoarseSed
• ShelfMud
• ShelfMxdSed
• ShelfRock
• ShelfSand

• Coastal fish
• FishDemersal
• FishDemersalElasmobranchs
• FishPelagic
• FishPelagicElasmobranchs

• ChangeHydrology
• ExtractSpeciesFishShellfish
• IntroNIS
• Litter [macro]
• Noise
• NutrientOrgEnrich
• PhysDam
• PhysLoss