Member State report / Art11 / 2020 / D4 / Cyprus / Mediterranean: Aegean-Levantine Sea
Report type | Member State report to Commission |
MSFD Article | Art. 11 Monitoring programmes (and Art. 17 updates) |
Report due | 2020-10-15 |
GES Descriptor | D4 Food webs/D1 Ecosystems |
Member State | Cyprus |
Region/subregion | Mediterranean: Aegean-Levantine Sea |
Reported by | Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environm |
Report date | 2020-12-14 |
Report access |
Descriptor |
D4/D1 |
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Monitoring strategy description |
Cyprus implemented the program code MALCY-D04 in the geographical area of MAL-CY-MS. This monitoring program is listed as inactive and included the data collection of food webs in the water column.
Michailidis et al. (2019) developed a trophic mass-balance Ecopath model to describe the structure and functioning of the insular shelf ecosystem of the Republic of Cyprus and assess the impact of fishing and alien species during the mid-2010s. A total of 40 functional groups were defined, ranging from producers and detritus to top predators and when possible, alien species were included in exclusively alien groups. Biomass of each functional group was estimated using data from visual surveys for depths from 0 to 50 m, and bottom trawl surveys for depths from 50 to 200 m, as well as from available literature. |
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Coverage of GES criteria |
Adequate monitoring will be in place by 2024 |
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Gaps and plans |
A long-term monitoring plan using methodologies and rationale described in Michailidis et al. (2019) should be implemented to bring Program D4 – Food Webs into GES. Additionally, sediment should be collected at various locations within Cypriot territorial waters so that a stable isotope analysis may be conducted to better understand the trophic structure of the marine system. Stable isotopes can be used to determine food web linkages between trophic levels within and among various project areas. Stable isotopes can be used in this manner because the biochemical signature of consumers reflects what they are eating and the food sources at the base of the food web. By using stable isotope analysis, it is possible to develop qualitative assessments about energy flows throughout the food web and across trophic transfers (Middelburg 2011, Parzanini et al. 2019). |
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Related targets |
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Coverage of targets |
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Related measures |
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Coverage of measures |
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Related monitoring programmes |
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Programme code |
D04 |
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Programme name |
Food Webs |
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Update type |
New programme |
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Old programme codes |
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Programme description |
Cyprus implemented the program code MALCY-D04 in the geographical area of MAL-CY-MS. This monitoring program involves data collection of food webs in the water column. |
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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 |
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Monitoring details |
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Features |
Demersal shelf fish
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Elements |
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GES criteria |
D1C2 |
D1C3 |
Parameters |
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Parameter Other |
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Spatial scope |
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Marine reporting units |
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Temporal scope (start date - end date) |
2014-9999 |
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Monitoring frequency |
Yearly |
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Monitoring type |
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Monitoring method |
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Monitoring method other |
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Quality control |
Monitoring Quality Control according to monitoring manuals. |
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Data management |
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Data access |
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Related indicator/name |
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Contact |
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References |