D4

1.7 Ecosystem structure

1.7 Ecosystem structure

1.7.1 Composition ecosystem

1.7.1 Composition ecosystem

4.1 Productivity (production per unit biomass) of key species or trophic groups

4.1.1 Productivity of key predators

4.2 Proportion of selected species at the top of food webs

4.2.1 Large fish by weight

4.3 Abundance/distribution of key trophic groups/species

4.3.1 Abundance trends of selected groups/species

Ireland has utilised the information sharing facilitated by OSPAR on existing methodologies and future developments for determining GES and environmental targets and indicators. The non-binding OSPAR ‘Advice Documents’ use the benefit of OSPAR expertise to set out common approaches for expressing GES and potential methodologies for developing targets and indicators. The OSPAR countries implementing the MSFD have collectively analysed and shared their emerging GES determinations and associated targets and indicators through the creation of an inventory of emerging national proposals. For the biodiversity Descriptors (including 1, 2, 4 and 6) OSPAR countries are sharing expertise on common approaches. An intensive programme of work is still continuing to coordinate national approaches to biodiversity targets and indicators, including the ongoing development of a proposed set of common OSPAR biodiversity indicators for MSFD. Ireland has also participated in EU coordination through the EU CIS process.

• Irish Assesment Area

• Irish Assesment Area

• Irish Assesment Area

• Irish Assesment Area

• Irish Assesment Area

• Irish Assesment Area

• Irish Assesment Area

• Irish Assesment Area

• Irish Assesment Area

• Irish Assesment Area

• Irish Assesment Area

• All birds
• All fish
• AllFunctional
• CephalopodsAll
• MammalsAll
• ReptilesAll

D4

1.7

1.7

1.7.1

1.7.1

4.1

4.1.1

4.2

4.2.1

4.3

4.3.1

The characteristics of GES for food webs for Ireland are as follows: • Abundance, distribution, extent and condition of key species is in line with prevailing physiographic, geographic and climate conditions or are indicative of sustainable exploitation. • Age and size structure of key species is in line with prevailing physiographic, geographic and climate conditions or are indicative of sustainable exploitation. • Vulnerable (long-lived, slowly reproducing) species populations are maintained in line with prevailing physiographic, geographic and climate conditions or are indicative of sustainable exploitation.

• Irish Assesment Area = Not relevant

GES has not been quantitatively defined/agreed

Further development needed (expected to be operational by 2018 if adopted)