Member State report / Art9 / 2012 / D5 / 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 | D5 Eutrophication |
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 |
D5
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5.1 Nutrients level |
5.1.1 Nutrient concentration |
5.2 Direct effects of nutrient enrichment |
5.2.1 Chlorophyll concentration |
5.2.2 Water transparency |
5.2.3 Abundance of macroalgae |
5.2.4 Shift in floristic species composition |
5.3 Indirect effects of nutrient enrichment |
5.3.1 Abundance of seaweeds and seagrasses |
5.3.2 Dissolved oxygen |
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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 |
D5 |
5.1 |
5.1.1 |
5.2 |
5.2.1 |
5.2.2 |
5.2.3 |
5.2.4 |
5.3 |
5.3.1 |
5.3.2 |
GES description |
The proposed GES attempts to address the criteria/indicators collectively, with the broad aim of safeguarding functions of marine ecosystems from the adverse effects of eutrophication. Parameters or indicators which will be used for assessing progress towards achieving this GES should be selected on the basis of a risk-based approach. |
Nutrient levels (or ratios as applicable) and chlorophyll-a levels in the marine environment do not depart significantly from natural levels of the Mediterranean Sea. |
Biological communities (assessed at relevant scales) are indicative of either undisturbed conditions or of slight or localised changes associated with nutrient enrichment. |
Biological communities (assessed at relevant scales) are indicative of either undisturbed conditions or of slight or localised changes associated with nutrient enrichment. |
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Threshold values |
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Threshold value unit |
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Proportion of area to achieve threshold value |
Assessment Area |
Assessment Area |
Assessment Area |
Assessment Area |
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Reference point type |
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Baseline |
WFD Baseline Surveys (2012)
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WFD Baseline Surveys (2012)
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Baseline or reference conditions still need to be established |
Baseline or reference conditions still need to be established |
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Assessment method |
To be established through the MSFD monitoring programme |
Levels of nutrients and chlorophyll-a within assessment areas |
To be established through the MSFD monitoring programme |
To be established through the MSFD monitoring programme |
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Development status |
Proposed indicator for GES is deemed to be operational by 2014 following the development of the MSFD monitoring programme |
Knowledge on type-specific conditions based on which the effects of nutrient enrichment can be assessed is very limited at this stage. Therefore this GES and associated indicators requires further development and is expected to be operational by 2018 if adopted. |
Knowledge on type-specific conditions based on which the effects of nutrient enrichment can be assessed is very limited at this stage. Therefore this GES and associated indicators requires further development and is expected to be operational by 2018 if adopted. |