Member State report / Art9 / 2012 / D4 / Malta / Mediterranean: Ionian Sea & Central Mediterranean Sea
Report type | Member State report to Commission |
MSFD Article | Art. 9 Determination of GES (and Art. 17 updates) |
Report due | 2012-10-15 |
GES Descriptor | D4 Food webs/D1 Ecosystems |
Member State | Malta |
Region/subregion | Mediterranean: Ionian Sea & Central Mediterranean Sea |
Reported by | Malta Environment and Planning Authority |
Report date | - |
Report access | MSFD9GES_20131105_121546.xml |
GES component |
D4
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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 |
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Method used |
MIC-MT-MS: The Good Environmental Status identified for each descriptor constitutes a qualitative description of the desired status. For some descriptors, more than one statement is being proposed, to reflect the MSFD criteria and indicators. Reference to existing environmental thresholds/limits was made in relation to Descriptor 8 (contaminants) and Descriptor 9 (contaminants in fish and seafood), however no quantitative GES is being put forward for the first reporting cycle. |
MIC-MT-MS: The Good Environmental Status identified for each descriptor constitutes a qualitative description of the desired status. For some descriptors, more than one statement is being proposed, to reflect the MSFD criteria and indicators. Reference to existing environmental thresholds/limits was made in relation to Descriptor 8 (contaminants) and Descriptor 9 (contaminants in fish and seafood), however no quantitative GES is being put forward for the first reporting cycle. |
MIC-MT-MS: The Good Environmental Status identified for each descriptor constitutes a qualitative description of the desired status. For some descriptors, more than one statement is being proposed, to reflect the MSFD criteria and indicators. Reference to existing environmental thresholds/limits was made in relation to Descriptor 8 (contaminants) and Descriptor 9 (contaminants in fish and seafood), however no quantitative GES is being put forward for the first reporting cycle. |
MIC-MT-MS: The Good Environmental Status identified for each descriptor constitutes a qualitative description of the desired status. For some descriptors, more than one statement is being proposed, to reflect the MSFD criteria and indicators. Reference to existing environmental thresholds/limits was made in relation to Descriptor 8 (contaminants) and Descriptor 9 (contaminants in fish and seafood), however no quantitative GES is being put forward for the first reporting cycle. |
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Marine reporting units |
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Feature |
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Criterion/indicator |
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 |
GES description |
Not determined
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Threshold values |
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Threshold value unit |
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Proportion of area to achieve threshold value |
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Reference point type |
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Baseline |
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Assessment method |
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Development status |
Indicators associated with Descriptor 4 could not be applied at this stage due to the dearth of information and knowledge with respect to ecosystem functioning. Although indicator species could have been selected, these would not necessarily reflect the ecosystem as a whole. In this regard, definition of GES specifically for Descriptor 4 is deemed premature at this stage. Further knowledge is required with respect to key species of which assessment would represent the overall functioning of the ecosystems and this will be addressed through the MSFD monitoring programme. |
Indicators associated with Descriptor 4 could not be applied at this stage due to the dearth of information and knowledge with respect to ecosystem functioning. Although indicator species could have been selected, these would not necessarily reflect the ecosystem as a whole. In this regard, definition of GES specifically for Descriptor 4 is deemed premature at this stage. Further knowledge is required with respect to key species of which assessment would represent the overall functioning of the ecosystems and this will be addressed through the MSFD monitoring programme. |
Indicators associated with Descriptor 4 could not be applied at this stage due to the dearth of information and knowledge with respect to ecosystem functioning. Although indicator species could have been selected, these would not necessarily reflect the ecosystem as a whole. In this regard, definition of GES specifically for Descriptor 4 is deemed premature at this stage. Further knowledge is required with respect to key species of which assessment would represent the overall functioning of the ecosystems and this will be addressed through the MSFD monitoring programme. |
Indicators associated with Descriptor 4 could not be applied at this stage due to the dearth of information and knowledge with respect to ecosystem functioning. Although indicator species could have been selected, these would not necessarily reflect the ecosystem as a whole. In this regard, definition of GES specifically for Descriptor 4 is deemed premature at this stage. Further knowledge is required with respect to key species of which assessment would represent the overall functioning of the ecosystems and this will be addressed through the MSFD monitoring programme. |