D7

7.1 Spatial characterisation of permanent alterations

7.1.1 Extent of area affected

7.2 Impact of permanent hydrographical changes

7.2.1 Extent of habitats affected

7.2.2 Change in habitats

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

• ChangeHydrology
• TopographyBathymetry
• Turbidity (silt/sediment loads)

• ChangeHydrology
• TopographyBathymetry
• Turbidity (silt/sediment loads)

D7

7.1

7.1.1

7.2

7.2.1

7.2.2

Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions does not adversely affect marine ecosystems.

The nature and scale of any long-term changes to the prevailing hydrographical conditions from anthropogenic activities (individual and cumulative) in the marine environment do not lead to significant negative impacts at a species, population or ecosystem level.

This at least implies that the changes in flow patterns resulting from concerned human activities are in such a way that erosion and sedimentation remain balanced.