Member State report / Art11 / 2014-2020 / D4 / Latvia / Baltic Sea

Report type Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article Art. 11 Monitoring programmes (and Art. 17 updates)
Report due 2014-10-15; 2020-10-15
GES Descriptor D4 Food webs/D1 Ecosystems
Member State Latvia
Region/subregion Baltic Sea
Reported by Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology
Report date 2014-12-05; 2021-06-09
Report access
2014 data
2020 data
Monitoring programme Monitoring programme name
MP_D2
Reference existing programme
Marine Unit ID
Q4e - Programme ID
BAL-LV-2014
Q4f - Programme description
Q5e - Natural variability
  • ExpertOpinion
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES Q5d - Adequate data
N
Q5d - Established methods
N
Q5d - Adequate understanding of GES
N
Q5d - Adequate capacity
N
Q5f - Description of programme for GES assessment
Q5g - Gap-filling date for GES assessment
After2020
Q5h - Plans to implement monitoring for GES assessment
Q6a -Relevant targets Q6a - Environmental target
Target 1 Target 6
Q6a - Associated indicator
Q6b - Adequacy for assessment of targets Q6b_SuitableData
N
Q6b_EstablishedMethods
N
Q6d_AdequateCapacity
N
Q6c - Target updating
Q6d - Description of programme for targets assessment
Q6e - Gap-filling date for targets assessment
After2020
Q6f - Plans to implement monitoring for targets assessment
Q7a - Relevant activities
  • Aquaculture
  • Shipping
Q7b - Description of monitoring of activities
Q7c - Relevant measures
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures Q7d - Adequate data
Q7d - Established methods
Q7d - Adequate understanding of GES
Q7d - Adequate capacity
Q7d - Addresses activities and pressures
Q7d - Addresses effectiveness of measures
Q7d - Description of monitoring for measures
Q7f - Gap-filling date for activities and measures
After2020
Q8a - Links to existing Monitoring Programmes
  • Habitats
Reference sub-programme Sub-programme ID
Sub-programme name
Pelagic habitats - community characteristics
Plankton blooms (biomass, frequency)
Seabed habitats - community characteristics
Benthic species - abundance and/or biomass
Seabed habitats - distribution and extent
Non-indigenous species - abundance and/or biomass
Non-indigenous species inputs - from specific sources
Q4g - Sub-programmes Sub-programme ID
Sub-programme name
Pelagic habitats - community characteristics
Plankton blooms (biomass, frequency)
Seabed habitats - community characteristics
Benthic species - abundance and/or biomass
Seabed habitats - distribution and extent
Non-indigenous species - abundance and/or biomass
Non-indigenous species inputs - from specific sources
Q4k - Monitoring purpose
Q4l - Links of monitoring programmes of other Directives and Conventions
Q5c - Features Q5c - Habitats
  • ShallRock ShallMud ShelfMud VarSalinity MarineCoast MarineShelf
Q5c - Species list
  • FishDemersal
  • FishPelagic
  • FunctionalGroupOther
  • Zoobentoss, Zooplanktons
Q5c - Physical/Chemical features
Q5c - Pressures
  • BioDisturb_other
  • IntroNIS
Q9a - Elements
Q5a - GES criteria Relevant GES criteria
  • 1.1
  • 1.2
  • 1.4
  • 1.5
  • 1.6
  • 1.7
  • 2.1
  • 2.2
  • 3.1
  • 3.2
  • 3.3
  • 4.1
  • 4.3
  • 5.2
  • 6.1
  • 6.2
  • 7.2
Q5b - GES indicators Relevant GES indicators
  • 1.6.1
  • 1.6.2
  • 2.2.2
  • 5.2.4
  • 6.1.2
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Species distribution
Species population size
Species population characteristics
Species impacts
Habitat distribution
Habitat extent
Habitat condition (physical-chemical)
Habitat condition (biological)
Habitat impacts
Q9b - Parameters monitored (pressures) Pressure input
Pressure output
Q9b - Parameters monitored (activity) Activity
Q9b Parameters monitored (other) Other
Q41 Spatial scope
Q4j - Description of spatial scope
Marine Unit IDs
  • BAL-LV-SD-006
Q4h - Temporal scope Start date- End date
-
Q9h - Temporal resolution of sampling
Q9c - Monitoring method
Q9d - Description of alteration to method
Q9e - Quality assurance
Q9f - Quality control
Q9g - Spatial resolution of sampling Q9g - Proportion of area covered %
Q9g - No. of samples
Q9i - Description of sample representivity
Q10a - Scale for aggregation of data
Q10b - Other scale for aggregation of data
Q10c - Access to monitoring data Q10c - Data type
Q10c - Data access mechanism
Q10c - Data access rights
Q10c - INSPIRE standard
Q10c Date data are available
Q10c - Data update frequency
Q10d - Description of data access
Descriptor
D4/D1
Monitoring strategy description
1. At this stage the program relies on zooplankton as an intermedia component linking primary producers (phytoplankton) with consumers (fish). 2. The monitoring sub-program shall be based on balanced guilds. However, at present the program is underdeveloped due to knowledge gaps. Only one component, zooplankton, has been fully developed.
Coverage of GES criteria
Adequate monitoring will be in place by 2024
Gaps and plans
1. The spatial and temporal coverage is insufficient. This will be remedied after additional funding will be made available. 2. Knowledge gaps on guilds.
Related targets
  • JVM1
Coverage of targets
Adequate monitoring will be in place by 2024
Related measures
Coverage of measures
Related monitoring programmes
  • LV-4.1.4. (D1C6)
  • LV-4.4.1. (D4C1)
Programme code
LV-4.1.4. (D1C6)
LV-4.4.1. (D4C1)
Programme name
Ecosystems, including food webs (zooplankton)
Pelagic habitats community characteristics; Mobile species distribution, abundance and/or biomass (diversity of trophic guild zooplankton)
Update type
New programme
New programme
Old programme codes
Programme description
The purpose of the monitoring is to assess the ecological status of the Baltic Sea, including one of the environmental status indicators biodiversity by the state of one of the key elements in marine food webs zooplankton (species composition, abundance and biomass of zooplankton is determined) and changes in these parameters to assess the impact on environment caused by eutrophication and other kinds of anthropogenic pressures. Monitoring is carried out within the framework of the HELCOM monitoring program, in cooperation with the other Member States. Corresponding HELCOM monitoring programme topic Zooplankton and programme Zooplankton species composition, abundance and biomass. The monitoring of this programme is partially coordinated among HELCOM countries. Missing component(s): common quality assurance programme; common database. Corresponding document in HELCOM COMBINE manual is Guidelines for monitoring of mesozooplankton. The requirements for the marine waters of Latvia and the relationship of the specified environmental objectives with the qualitative characteristics characterizing the state of the marine environment are included in Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers of Republic of Latvia No. 1071 of 23 November 2010, Requirements for the Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, the Determination of Good Environmental State of the Sea and Development of Marine Environmental Goals.
The purpose of the monitoring is to assess the ecological status of the Baltic Sea, including one of the environmental status indicators state of food web by the determination of state of one of the main elements in marine food webs zooplankton (species composition, abundance and biomass is determined) and changes of these parameters to assess the impact on environment caused by eutrophication and other kinds of anthropogenic pressures. Monitoring is carried out within the framework of the HELCOM monitoring program, in cooperation with the other Member States. Corresponding HELCOM monitoring programme topic is Zooplankton and programme Zooplankton species composition, abundance and biomass. The monitoring of this programme is partially coordinated among HELCOM countries common quality assurance programme and common database is missing. The requirements for the marine waters of Latvia and the relationship of the specified environmental objectives with the qualitative characteristics characterizing the state of the marine environment are included in Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers of Republic of Latvia No. 1071 of 23 November 2010, Requirements for the Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, the Determination of Good Environmental State of the Sea and Development of Marine Environmental Goals.
Monitoring purpose
  • Environmental state and impacts
  • Environmental state and impacts
Other policies and conventions
  • HELCOM Monitoring programmes
  • HELCOM Monitoring programmes
Regional cooperation - coordinating body
  • HELCOM
  • HELCOM
Regional cooperation - countries involved
Regional cooperation - implementation level
Coordinated data collection
Coordinated data collection
Monitoring details
Observations are made at fixed stations, the coordinates of which have been determined in advance. Values of the parameters are measured on certain depths. Frequency of sampling - up to 9 times per year. Core indicator Zooplankton mean size and total stock (MSTS) is used. In the calculations only holoplankton organisms which are not predators are used (meroplankton and predators such as Cladocera species are excluded). MSTS indicator is used for the summer season since it directly describe the feeding conditions for herring, as well as the ability to control primary production.
Observations are made at fixed stations, the coordinates of which have been determined in advance. Values of the parameters are measured on certain depths. Frequency of sampling - up to 9 times per year. Samples are collected with standard net construction with opening 57 cm and mesh size 100 microns. Species composition and biomass is determined according to the HELCOM recommendations in COMBINE manual in Guidelines for monitoring of mesozooplankton. The method is suitable for qualitative (species composition) and quantitative (biomass) detection of zooplankton organisms in nature water samples. Core indicator Zooplankton mean size and total stock (MSTS) is used. In the calculations only holoplankton organisms which are not predators are used (meroplankton and predators such as Cladocera species are excluded). MSTS indicator is used for the summer season since it directly describe the feeding conditions for herring, as well as the ability to control primary production.
Features
Other pelagic habitats
Pelagic broad habitats
Other pelagic habitats
Pelagic broad habitats
Other pelagic habitats
Pelagic broad habitats
Other pelagic habitats
Pelagic broad habitats
Elements
  • Coastal pelagic habitat
  • Shelf pelagic habitat
  • Coastal pelagic habitat
  • Shelf pelagic habitat
GES criteria
D1C6
NotRelevan
Parameters
  • Other
  • Abundance (number of individuals)
  • Biomass
  • Species composition
Parameter Other
Abundance, biomass, species compostion
Spatial scope
  • Coastal waters (WFD)
  • Territorial waters
  • Transitional waters (WFD)
  • Coastal waters (WFD)
  • Territorial waters
  • Transitional waters (WFD)
Marine reporting units
  • BAL-LV-AAA-007
  • BAL-LV-AAA-009
  • BAL-LV-AAA-007
  • BAL-LV-AAA-009
Temporal scope (start date - end date)
2021-2026
2021-2026
Monitoring frequency
Other
Other
Monitoring type
  • In-situ sampling coastal
  • In-situ sampling offshore
  • In-situ sampling coastal
  • In-situ sampling offshore
Monitoring method
  • HELCOM Guidelines for monitoring of mesozooplankton
  • HELCOM Manual for monitoring in COMBINE programme
  • HELCOM Guidelines for monitoring of mesozooplankton
  • HELCOM Manual for monitoring in COMBINE programme
Monitoring method other
Quality control
QA procedures according to Manual for Marine Monitoring in the COMBINE Programme of HELCOM. Part B. General Guidelines on Quality Assurance for Monitoring in the Baltic Sea" and in Guidelines for monitoring of mesozooplankton in this Manual. QC procedures: R - control charts based on agreed quality criterion, participation in ring-testing activities in line with HELCOM recommendations.
QA procedures according to Manual for Marine Monitoring in the COMBINE Programme of HELCOM. Part B. General Guidelines on Quality Assurance for Monitoring in the Baltic Sea" and in Guidelines for monitoring of mesozooplankton in this Manual. QC procedures: R - control charts based on agreed quality criterion, participation in ring-testing activities in line with HELCOM recommendations.
Data management
Data holder is Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology (LIAE). QC on data according to the Manual for Marine Monitoring in the COMBINE Programme of HELCOM. Part B. General Guidelines on Quality Assurance for Monitoring in the Baltic Sea and in Guidelines for monitoring of mesozooplankton in this Manual. Data are available in LIAE, ICES, EMODNET.
Data holder is Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology (LIAE). QC on data according to the Manual for Marine Monitoring in the COMBINE Programme of HELCOM. Part B. General Guidelines on Quality Assurance for Monitoring in the Baltic Sea and in Guidelines for monitoring of mesozooplankton in this Manual. Data are available in LIAE, ICES, EMODNET.
Data access
Related indicator/name
  • ABU
  • BIOM
  • SPP-C
  • ABU
  • BIOM
  • HabPelBHT
  • HabPelOther
  • SPP-C
Contact
Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology e-mail: juris.aigars@lhei.lv
Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology e-mail: juris.aigars@lhei.lv
References