The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats

The Benthic Habitats (HB) monitoring strategy would provide the necessary parameters for: • Assessment of the environmental status of HBs in the area of application of the MSFD: Descriptor 1-Biodiversity-HB and Descriptor 6. In relation to HB, a total of 9 indicators are proposed, plus the existing indicators derived from the WFD that are constructed with a limited number of parameters, which represents an advantage in optimising PdS. these parameters in a simplified way relate to (1) habitat distribution (area), (2) Composition and quantification of species associated with the habitat, and (3) Morphology, Quantification of status or condition of the structuring species, forming the habitat, and should respond to the different criteria set by the European Commission Decision 2017/848: D6C1, D6C2, D6C3, D6C4 and D6C5, as well as D7C2, which are mainly related to the effect of human activities on HB. The conformation of the programmes is based on the ecological domains (bathymetric, biological) which are used in both the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) and the Spanish Reference Register (LPRE) classification. The reason why a PdS has been established for each stratum or domain is due to the fact that the methodologies to be applied in each case vary depending on the accessibility of that habitat (e.g. the need for oceanographic vessels, the option of prospecting it with autonomous scafander, etc.) and also the type of substrate (sedimentary substrates allow sampling of sediment, which is not applicable to rocky bottoms). In addition to one PdS for ecological domain, it has specific PdS for marine phanerogams, protected species and human activity. • Evaluation of compliance with the environmental objectives and programme of measures related to Descriptor 1-HB and Descriptor 6. Furthermore, according to Annex I to Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, the aim is to obtain the necessary information to assess the main impacts and pressures in relation to HB. The HB Monitoring Strategy comprises 8 Monitoring Programmes: Infralittoral rocky background habitats (HB-1), Infralittoral sedimentary and intertidal seabed habitats (HB-2_7), circalittoral seabed habitats and rocky bathland habitats (HB-3), circalittoral and sedimentary bathland habitats