D6

1.4 Habitat distribution

1.4.1 Distributional range

1.4.2 Distributional pattern

1.5 Habitat extent

1.5.1 Habitat area

1.6 Habitat condition

1.6.1 Condition typical species

1.6.2 Relative abundance

1.6.3 Habitat condition

6.1 Physical damage, having regard to substrate characteristics

6.1.1 Biogenic substrata

6.1.2 Extent of seabed affected

6.2 Condition of benthic community

6.2.1 Presence of sensitive species

6.2.2 Benthic multi-metric indexes

6.2.3 Proportion of individuals above specified size

6.2.4 Size spectrum of benthic community

ANS-BE-MS-1: Conform the Directive, GES and the environmental targets for the Belgian marine waters are defined on the basis of the eleven qualitative descriptors listed in Annex I of the Directive. The definition of GES is expressed in a qualitative description of what GES would look like when achieved for each of the descriptors. This is then underpinned by a set of more detailed quantitative environmental targets based on established environmental thresholds/limits for state, pressure or impact (Art. 10). Where quantitative environmental thresholds could not be set, trend-based or qualitative thresholds were used. The complete package of GES and environmental targets needs to give a complete and balanced overview.

ANS-BE-MS-1: Conform the Directive, GES and the environmental targets for the Belgian marine waters are defined on the basis of the eleven qualitative descriptors listed in Annex I of the Directive. The definition of GES is expressed in a qualitative description of what GES would look like when achieved for each of the descriptors. This is then underpinned by a set of more detailed quantitative environmental targets based on established environmental thresholds/limits for state, pressure or impact (Art. 10). Where quantitative environmental thresholds could not be set, trend-based or qualitative thresholds were used. The complete package of GES and environmental targets needs to give a complete and balanced overview.

ANS-BE-MS-1: Conform the Directive, GES and the environmental targets for the Belgian marine waters are defined on the basis of the eleven qualitative descriptors listed in Annex I of the Directive. The definition of GES is expressed in a qualitative description of what GES would look like when achieved for each of the descriptors. This is then underpinned by a set of more detailed quantitative environmental targets based on established environmental thresholds/limits for state, pressure or impact (Art. 10). Where quantitative environmental thresholds could not be set, trend-based or qualitative thresholds were used. The complete package of GES and environmental targets needs to give a complete and balanced overview.

ANS-BE-MS-1: Conform the Directive, GES and the environmental targets for the Belgian marine waters are defined on the basis of the eleven qualitative descriptors listed in Annex I of the Directive. The definition of GES is expressed in a qualitative description of what GES would look like when achieved for each of the descriptors. This is then underpinned by a set of more detailed quantitative environmental targets based on established environmental thresholds/limits for state, pressure or impact (Art. 10). Where quantitative environmental thresholds could not be set, trend-based or qualitative thresholds were used. The complete package of GES and environmental targets needs to give a complete and balanced overview.

ANS-BE-MS-1: Conform the Directive, GES and the environmental targets for the Belgian marine waters are defined on the basis of the eleven qualitative descriptors listed in Annex I of the Directive. The definition of GES is expressed in a qualitative description of what GES would look like when achieved for each of the descriptors. This is then underpinned by a set of more detailed quantitative environmental targets based on established environmental thresholds/limits for state, pressure or impact (Art. 10). Where quantitative environmental thresholds could not be set, trend-based or qualitative thresholds were used. The complete package of GES and environmental targets needs to give a complete and balanced overview.

• Belgian Part of the North Sea

• PhysDam
• PhysLoss
• SeabedHabitatsAll

• SeabedHabitatsAll
• WaterColumnHabitatsAll

• SeabedHabitatsAll
• WaterColumnHabitatsAll

• SeabedHabitatsAll
• WaterColumnHabitatsAll

• PhysDam
• SeabedHabitatsAll

• AllFunctional
• SeabedHabitatsAll

D6

1.4

1.4.1

1.4.2

1.5

1.5.1

1.6

1.6.1

1.6.2

1.6.3

6.1

6.1.1

6.1.2

6.2

6.2.1

6.2.2

6.2.3

6.2.4

Sea-floor integrity is at a level that ensures that the structure and functions of the ecosystems are safeguarded and benthic ecosystems, in particular, are not adversely affected.

1) Good conditions according to the Water Framework Directive (i.e. good ecological status), Habitats and Birds Directives (i.e. favourable conservation status) and OSPAR (i.e. ecological quality objectives) are attained. Rare and threatened habitat types and species, included in existing legislation and conventions, are protected to the level envisaged by that legislation or convention. 2) The habitat types and constituting species’ populations extent, distribution and condition minimally reflect the conditions described in the Initial Assessment of Belgian waters (2012).

1) Good conditions according to the Water Framework Directive (i.e. good ecological status), Habitats and Birds Directives (i.e. favourable conservation status) and OSPAR (i.e. ecological quality objectives) are attained. Rare and threatened habitat types and species, included in existing legislation and conventions, are protected to the level envisaged by that legislation or convention. 2) The habitat types and constituting species’ populations extent, distribution and condition minimally reflect the conditions described in the Initial Assessment of Belgian waters (2012).

1) Good conditions according to the Water Framework Directive (i.e. good ecological status), Habitats and Birds Directives (i.e. favourable conservation status) and OSPAR (i.e. ecological quality objectives) are attained. Rare and threatened habitat types and species, included in existing legislation and conventions, are protected to the level envisaged by that legislation or convention. 2) Viable species populations are maintained for the key long-lived, slowly reproducing species, as well as for the top predator species in all habitat types. 3) The habitat types and constituting species’ populations extent, distribution and condition minimally reflect the conditions described in the Initial Assessment of Belgian waters (2012).

Physical disturbance of the seafloor is minimised to a sustainable level, taking account of the relative sensitivity of habitat types.

Good conditions according to the Water Framework Directive (i.e. good ecological status), Habitats and Birds Directives (i.e. favourable conservation status) and OSPAR (i.e. ecological quality objectives) are attained. Rare and threatened habitat types and species, included in existing legislation and conventions, are protected to the level envisaged by that legislation or convention.

Initial Assessment 2012, Good environmental status (MSFD), Good ecological status (WFD) and Favourable conservation status (Birds and Habitat Directive)

Initial Assessment 2012, Good environmental status (MSFD), Good ecological status (WFD) and Favourable conservation status (Birds and Habitat Directive)

Initial Assessment 2012, Good environmental status (MSFD), Good ecological status (WFD) and Favourable conservation status (Birds and Habitat Directive)

Good ecological status (WFD), Favourable conservation status (Birds and Habitat Directive) and OSPAR