Strengthening the Science-Policy interface in the …...Strengthening the Science-Policy interface in the field of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean

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Strengthening the Science-Policy interface in the field of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and marine

biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea

Workshop organized in the framework of the 2016 Forum of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean

Tangier, Morocco, 28 November 2016

Working document

Version: 21/11/2016

http://www.planbleu.org/

Working Document SPI Biodiversity and MPAs

Disclaimer This document has been prepared by Plan Bleu with the support of Ms. Laura Palomba, consultant under the supervision of Mr. Thierry Perez, research director at IMBE (Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d’Ecologie marine et continentale) Marseille, France, in view of this workshop. This document is intended to be reviewed and completed by the participants of the workshop. As such, the content of this document does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Plan Bleu nor of the UNEP/MAP.

Content

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 3

State of Play in matter of SPI regarding Mediterranean biodiversity and MPAs ............................... 4

The effective Science Policy Interface ............................................................................................ 4

SPI to achieve the Good Environmental Status in the EU marine waters ...................................... 5

Science Policy Interface for Mediterranean MPAs ......................................................................... 6

Preliminary analysis and results of the Inception SPI workshop .................................................... 7

Method to identify the scientific needs.............................................................................................. 9

Scientific needs analysis and proposed actions ................................................................................ 11

Table 1 Habitats ............................................................................................................................ 11

Table 2 Indicator species .............................................................................................................. 12

Table 3 Marine mammals ............................................................................................................. 13

Table 4 Invasive species ................................................................................................................ 14

Table 5 Marine food webs ............................................................................................................ 15

Table 6 MPA connectivity and representativity ........................................................................... 16

Table 7 MPA Database and socio economic aspects .................................................................... 17

State of play references .................................................................................................................... 18

Annexes............................................................................................................................................. 29

Annexe 1: List of EcAp Ecological Objectives and Common Indicators ........................................ 29

Annexe 2: Brief on the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) of UNEP/MAP .................................................................................................................................... 32

Annexe 3 Extract of the Pino-Diaz et al. 52014) article (in English only) ...................................... 34

Bibliography ...................................................................................................................................... 37

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Introduction

Pursuant to several decisions of the meetings of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, specific efforts were made during the past decade by UNEP/MAP to implement the ecosystem approach (EcAp) with the objective to achieve the good environmental status (GES) of the Mediterranean Sea and Coast. The GES has been defined through eleven Ecological Objectives (EOs), listed in Annex 1 and their achievement is being monitored with the help of 27 related indicators. These indicators are at the heart of the UNEP/MAP Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) Decision IG.22/7 - COP 19, February 2016, to be implemented in the Mediterranean (See brief presentation of IMAP in Annex 2). To enable the implementation of the IMAP, it is crucial to bridge existing gaps between the scientific and policy making spheres. Therefore, one of the key activities of the second phase of EcAp, the EcAp MED II project (2015-2018) supported by the European Union, focuses on the strengthening of the interface between science and policy. Plan Bleu is mandated by UNEP/MAP to coordinate this activity, so a first workshop was organized by Plan Bleu in December 2015. The objective was to bring together key stakeholders (scientists and managers) to discuss the implementation of science-policy interface (SPI) activities for IMAP. During this workshop, a first set of around 15 key cross-cutting and topic-specific knowledge gaps to be filled for the implementation of IMAP has been identified along with proposed actions to be taken to address these gaps. They are listed in the “State of play section” below. Participants convened by Plan Bleu have made it clear that SPI is currently a real issue perceived by scientists and decision makers. The workshop opened up perspectives to develop SPI for IMAP, namely by pointing out the need to formalize SPI along with its structure and processes and to identify dedicated resources to support it. Until 2018, several other thematic SPI workshops are planned following this model, aiming to further identify scientific needs in programmes that contribute to achieving the GES and detail solutions to fill them. A good coordination with the corresponding thematic UNEP/MAP regional activity centres (RACs), having to support IMAP implementation at regional and national scales, is essential to involve environmental policy makers beside scientists and the principle of SPI workshops joined to thematic events organised by RACs has been agreed. Thus the second SPI workshop focusing on IMAP pollution issues has been held as a specific session of a UNEP/MAP CORMON (Correspondence Group on Monitoring) on Pollution issues (19-21 October 2016, Marseille, France) The Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) is in charge of both supporting IMAP implementation with a specific expertise on the biodiversity aspects and implementing the UNEP/MAP Roadmap for a Comprehensive Coherent Network of Well-Managed MPAs to Achieve Aichi Target 11 in the Mediterranean. In consequence, it has been decided to hold a session on SPI with regard to biodiversity and MPAs jointly with the 2016 Forum of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean, co-organized by MedPAN, RAC/SPA and the Haut Commissariat aux Eaux et Forêts et à la Lutte Contre la Désertification (Morocco).

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This working document has been prepared to facilitate proposal of actions (scientific actions, arrangements to sustain SPI) by the participants to this workshop to respond to the science needs in order to support the full implementation of both: - IMAP at regional and national levels with regard to the component of IMAP addressing biodiversity, mostly EO1 Biodiversity and EO2 Non-indigenous species, and - the Roadmap for a Comprehensive Coherent Network of Well-Managed MPAs to Achieve Aichi Target 11 in the Mediterranean (the MPA Roadmap) Considering that the participants to the workshop will come from various horizons, this working document aims to provide them with basic information on the aspects which will be considered during the workshop. Following this introduction, the working document presents a short synthesis on the state of the play in science policy interface, focussing on recent works. Then the method used to identify the scientific needs is explained in the next section while the last one gives the results of the need analysis, as well as the proposed scientific actions, which will be discussed during the workshop.

State of Play in matter of SPI regarding Mediterranean biodiversity and MPAs

This section presents some useful information, in particular for those who are not familiar with the SPI concept applied to environmental issues and the conditions contributing to make some SPIs more effective than others or for those who have not followed up the recent developments in matter of SPI to support the implementation of the MPA Roadmap in the Mediterranean or the UNEP/MAP IMAP. Only synthesized information is provided here with links or references for further details. Plan Bleu has also edited a brief on the IMAP SPI action, available on line1.

The effective Science Policy Interface

Why is science important for Environment Policy? To be robust, environment policy needs to be based on sound evidence, which may be transposed in the environment field as scientific evidence on the state of the environment and trends in environmental indicators (Zamparutti et al., 2012). In an era of increasing environmental evolution as a result of human activity and climate change, policy responses for the future need to be based on a scientific foundation as strong as possible, particularly given increasing public demands for transparency and accountability. In parallel, environmental policy generally influences the evolution of biodiversity scientific and technical matters. This has been illustrated about biodiversity in the Mediterranean by Pino-Diaz et al. (2014) who showed that the period run since the adoption of the Strategic Action Plan on Biodiversity (SAP/BIO) in 2003 by the Parties to the Barcelona Convention has been characterised by a strong boosting of research topics relevant to the conservation of the Mediterranean. (See Annex 3, Extract of the Pino-Diaz article).

1 http://planbleu.org/sites/default/files/upload/files/EcAp_SPI_Brief_EN_WEB.pdf

http://planbleu.org/sites/default/files/upload/files/EcAp_SPI_Brief_EN_WEB.pdf

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What is a science-policy interface (SPI)? Science Policy Interfaces have been intensively studied in the EU funded SPIRAL2 FP7 project, that has analysed these “Science Policy Interfaces” between biodiversity research and policy to draw lessons and improve the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. According to the SPIRAL Resource book on science policy interface (Young et al., 2013), SPIs are the many ways in which scientists, policy makers and others link up to communicate, exchange ideas, and jointly develop knowledge for enriching policy and decision making processes and/or research. They involve exchange of information and knowledge leading to learning, and ultimately to changed behaviour that in turn represents the practical impact of SPIs. SPIs can be very formal structures, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), or the newly created Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Many research projects include a component specifically for improving the interactions between the project, the policy makers and other stakeholders and ways in which results are communicated to policy actors – this is also a SPI. Many SPIs, however, are less formal structures.

What makes SPIs effective? Following the SPIRAL Resource book, some forms of communication are unlikely to result in effective knowledge exchange and learning. One-way communication, for example writing a scientific paper or giving a talk at a conference, is usually not enough on its own and they need to be backed up with opportunities for exchange and learning. Similarly, planning research without considering the needs of policy, or setting questions for research without involving scientists are unlikely to be successful. Effective SPI communication is best seen as an on-going deliberate process. This can involve spending time on developing common language, building trust, and developing capacities to understand others’ positions, views, needs and constraints. People working in SPIs should remain conscious of these dynamic links and learn from them – for this, formal review and updating procedures may help. It is also important to acknowledge possible pitfalls of SPIs. Common pitfalls can include unclear or poorly thought-through SPIs, power influences, negative interactions with the media, over-reliance on key individuals, and lack of necessary resources. These aspects and what are the key features of a deliberate SPI are developed in the SPIRAL Resource book (Young et al., 2013)

SPI to achieve the Good Environmental Status in the EU marine waters

The EU FP7 Science and Technology Advancing Governance on Good Environmental Status project or STAGES3 aimed to connect science to policy to help achieve GES in the EU marine waters. The project worked towards bridging the MSFD4 science-policy gap and improving the availability of scientific knowledge to allow EU Member States to achieve GES (Le Moigne et al, 2014). One of the main objectives of the project was to establish where further research needs to be conducted to improve the scientific knowledge underpinning implementation of the MSFD. This was performed through a consultative process with a broad range of marine stakeholders including European / International organisations involved in the MSFD Process and national organisations

2 http://www.spiral-project.eu/content/about-spiral 3 http://www.stagesproject.eu/ 4 EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive

http://www.spiral-project.eu/content/about-spiral

http://www.stagesproject.eu/

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with responsibility to support research and provide advice on the MSFD at EU Member State level. Three main workshops were organised, one of which being on the identification of research needs with regard to the implementation of monitoring programmes (STAGES, 2013). The knowledge gaps identified in the field of biodiversity and related descriptors of the MSFD are listed for information in the State of play section of this document.

Objectives and methodologies of the IMAP SPI action and those of the STAGES project are similar, justifying considering the STAGES results. However, the difference in scope of the two actions should be kept in mind, IMAP covering the whole Mediterranean Sea (all the countries that are Party to the Barcelona Convention), including coasts, and the STAGES project being for the marine part of the European Seas, covering EU Member States only.

Science Policy Interface for Mediterranean MPAs

Despite some progresses, science and management in the Mediterranean are still largely disconnected. Much of the scientific outputs produced are inaccessible to MPA managers, whom often operate without a solid scientific underpinning. On the other hand, research projects conducted in MPAs may produce outputs of no help to practitioners because they do not satisfy management needs. To bridge the needs of managers in Mediterranean MPAs with regional scientists and scientific institutions, a workshop was hosted by WWF and MedPAN on 5-6 March 2013 at Plemmirio MPA in Syracuse, Italy. The workshop was intended to guide a network of managers and scientists to answer key questions focused both on ecosystem health and socio-economic conditions, to achieve effective science-based management. The workshop highlighted the lack of on-site MPA managers in several countries as a major issue making cooperation with research institutions difficult. It also stressed that there is a need for greater efforts from MPA managers and scientists to further cooperate. Creation of a permanent platform at regional level was proposed in order to enhance the collaboration, dialogue and cooperation among managers and scientists, and to develop joint research projects. It was also suggested that NGOs could put more effort into digesting existing scientific information (Di Carlo et al., 2013). Following this workshop, MedPAN has launched in 2014 a new service, called “Science for MPA management” with regular editions providing a scientific overview of a specific topic, presenting the most significant scientific works in a language accessible to all. In addition, MedPAN maintains a scientific news watch section in its web edited journal. Both initiatives contribute and feed the MedPAN scientific strategy. Worth reporting is also the PISCO (Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans, USA) and the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis (UNS, France) booklet in preparation entitled “The science of marine protected areas in the Mediterranean”. The second edition of this international series, regarding European MPAs has been published in 2011 and is available on the web5, with a focus on the connectivity of MPAs.

5 http://www.piscoweb.org/files/file/science_of_marine_reserves/SMR_EU-web-FINAL.pdf

http://www.piscoweb.org/files/file/science_of_marine_reserves/SMR_EU-web-FINAL.pdf

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Preliminary analysis and results of the Inception SPI workshop

The preliminary analysis of the IMAP science needs has been prepared by Plan Bleu. The resulting table was presented as a working document of the SPI inception workshop held in December 2015 in Sophia Antipolis, France. This analysis has been reviewed by the scientific experts and environmental managers participating to this workshop. During working sessions in both, thematic sub-groups and plenary discussions, the workshop participants have identified a number of knowledge gaps that need to be filled for the full implementation of UNEP/MAP’s IMAP. The participants’ comments have been listed in three categories: general, transversal and thematic, the latter according to the MAP EcAp clusters (biodiversity, pollution and eutrophication, hydrography and coasts). Only comments on the biodiversity objectives are reported here, in line with the focus of this workshop. It should be noted that some of the recommendations issued by participants go beyond the current IMAP definition as agreed by the Decision IG.22/7 - COP 19, February 2016. The full results of the IMAP inception workshop are available in the meeting report (Plan Bleu, 2016), available on the Plan Bleu web site6. General comments

A recognized lack of knowledge. The workshop acknowledges that scientists are not in all areas currently able to provide necessary knowledge to policymakers to support the goal of achieving GES. Participants also recognize that additional efforts for identification, hierarchizing and synthesis of knowledge gaps are currently required.

Heterogeneous spatial distribution of knowledge availability. It is highlighted that knowledge availability differs along Contracting Parties. Generally, a gap between Northern and Southern Mediterranean countries can be observed, which can impact the robustness of models and knowledge.

Monitoring versus obtaining new knowledge. Workshop participants point out the difference between routine activity with the purpose of monitoring and scientific activities for obtaining new original knowledge. Furthermore, if new knowledge is considered GES relevant, a sustainable monitoring process should be developed.

Scientific results to inform different processes. It is pointed out that the scientific research results produced need to be suitable to cater different purposes integrated in IMAP: (i) monitoring, (ii) integrated environmental assessment and (iii) IMAP further revisions.

Ecosystem functioning. Workshop participants consider that currently available knowledge about the functioning of Mediterranean marine and coastal ecosystems is still lacking, although they also acknowledge that the mobilization around EcAp and the MSFD has so far succeeded in developing new knowledge.

Transversal issues:

Mapping results. It is recommended that outputs of the integrated assessments be mapped under a GIS using a harmonized grid resolution for a better understanding of environmental processes.

6 http://planbleu.org/sites/default/files/upload/files/Rapport_atelier_EcAp-SPI_EN.pdf

http://planbleu.org/sites/default/files/upload/files/Rapport_atelier_EcAp-SPI_EN.pdf

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Cost-benefit analysis. Workshop participants bring forward the interest of conducting cost-benefit analyses of monitoring.

Scales. The workshop recommends that relevant scales and timelines for the integrated assessment need to be clearly defined for the implementation of the integrated assessment.

Aggregation rules. Aggregation rules for the results of monitoring if the GES has been achieved or not need to be clarified.

Guidelines for risk-based approach. The IMAP document recommends applying the risk-based approach for the definition of monitoring procedures. The workshop approves this recommendation but calls for the development of guidelines to apply such an approach.

Empowerment of national task forces. It is recommended to develop a mechanism for expertise and capacity building aiming at establishing operational national task forces to support IMAP.

Filling knowledge gaps with remote sensing. The workshop recommends making use of the results of remote sensing for monitoring physical elements, especially for establishing baseline data for coast and hydrography issues, where no field data is available. However, in some cases, more detailed data will require field work.

Thematic comments on IMAP Biodiversity Ecological Objectives

Knowledge need: List of species per ecosystem. It is put forward that a list of species per ecosystem is still to be completed. In general, a description of the species’ interactions under “good environmental status” should be established.

o Proposed action: Strengthening the marine station network. The workshop recommends that the network of marine stations be reactivated and further developed in order to provide knowledge regarding taxonomy/list of and functional role of species (allowing shifts or extinctions identification), gene banks for species identification, ecosystems functioning, non-indigenous species, able to develop monographs of each group of species and more generally, promoting a shift from a habitat logic to an ecosystem logic. The development of the marine station network needs to be animated by a taxonomist. Capacity building and funding for equipment is required for non-European countries.

o Proposed action: Include pelagic and benthic realms into monitoring and assessment. It is recommended to move to a more holistic approach of the marine environment and include pelagic and benthic realms (not only large-top food chain predators), along with linked threats and pressures into IMAP.

Knowledge need: Baseline/ reference conditions for biodiversity.

o Proposed action: Identify reference conditions on the basis of the existing MPAs network. The workshop suggests that the marine stations use well managed MPAs to contribute to the definition of baseline conditions with regard to the different elements mentioned in the above points.

Knowledge need: Develop a cross cutting perspective.

o Proposed action: The working group mentions that it would be useful to develop links between (i) physicochemical oceanology, (ii) ecosystems functioning

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knowledge and (iii) threats and pressures considering connectivity effects and processes, not areas but volumes, and overcoming political barriers.

Method to identify the scientific needs

The general method has been based on the analysis of the reference documents regarding the two considered UNEP/MAP Decisions:

- Decision IG.22/7 “Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Mediterranean Sea and Coast and Related Assessment Criteria” (IMAP).

- Decision IG.22/13 “Roadmap for a Comprehensive Coherent Network of Well-Managed MPAs to Achieve Aichi Target 11 in the Mediterranean” (MPA Roadmap).

The corresponding documents are listed in the bibliography section, respectively as UNEP/MAP, 2015a for IMAP and UNEP/MAP, 2015c for the MPA Roadmap. In practice, the method consisted in selecting sections in the reference documents mentioning further scientific developments required for the implementations of IMAP and of the MPA Roadmap. Each selected section was analysed in order to formulate and characterise the needs. Then these needs were synthesized and sorted according to the main thematic challenges providing both the needs and the proposed actions to meet these needs in the next tables, displaying the following items:

Identified needs from the analysis of the reference documents.

State of play, making reference when possible to specific recent scientific project outputs or specific scientific results. They are detailed by alphabetic order in the following section “State of play references”.

Characterization of the need, following these categories:

- Needs in research to improve scientific knowledge and better understand processes. - Needs in expertise to disseminate, transfer, transpose existing scientific knowledge. - Needs in methodology (to define scales, selection of sites, aggregation) and

guidelines. - Needs in monitoring to acquire data regarding the ecosystem status or the pressures,

including mapping. - Need in database development, including GIS to store, manage and make available

environmental data, including geo-referenced data and maps. - Need in models.

Proposed action formulation.

Estimated action duration: Short (less than 2 years), Medium (2-4 years), Long (more than 4 years).

Comments, opportunities column to provide information on outputs of research specific project, partnership with UNEP/MAP, resources of a specific scientific centre that could facilitate the scientific actions in response to the identified need.

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The resulting tables will be used as a working document to be reviewed, completed, amended and finally approved by the participants during the workshop. A report of the workshop will be issued by Plan Bleu and submitted for participant approval before to be published. The workshop recommendations will be considered with attention by UNEP/MAP and its partners such as MedPAN, in order to be put into concrete actions.

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Scientific needs analysis and proposed actions

Notice: The state of play focuses on scientific projects and institutions having provided or providing inputs relevant for the implementation of the biodiversity

component of IMAP and for the MPA Roadmap. It has been voluntarily omitted to mention the UNEP/MAP RAC/SPA directly in charge to implement these

programmes, as well MedPAN, a key partner for the MPA Roadmap implementation, in order to avoid multiple repetitions of their names in the tables.

Table 1 Habitats

Identified science needs for IMAP and the

MPA Roadmap Category

State of play (see Reference

list) Proposed actions Duration

Comments and opportunities to develop the proposed actions

Improve the knowledge of main Mediterranean habitats

Research / expertise

EUNIS UNEP/MAP - RAC/SPA (Mediterranean Habitats Reference List and toolbox), Natura 2000, HABREF and ZNIEFF (France) BIOMARE MedDiversa MALTA SEABIRD PROJETC

1. Develop a common typology of main representative habitats, based on existing typologies

Short

Disseminate the Natura 2000 network principles into non-EU Mediterranean waters, building on the experience in the Emerald Network for non-EU countries, to increase the MPA complementarity and representability.

2. Strengthen the habitat inventory (and species inventory) to produce reliable data with the support of scientific research programmes

Medium to Long

Develop chairs between scientific institutions and MPAs (exchanges of scientists and MPA managers, funding of thesis or co-supervised internships, etc.) on specific projects

Monitoring, mapping / Database

MedBiodivSDI MAPAMED MedKeyHabitats CoCoNet CYBELLE

3. Map a significant part of selected representative habitat

Long

4. Develop a GIS database to archive and make available results of Mediterranean habitat mapping

Medium to Long

Could be inspired by EMODNet Seabed Habitats and SeaDataNet To be linked to MedBiodivSDI and MAPAMED

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Table 2 Indicator species

Identified science needs for IMAP and the MPA Roadmap

Category State of play

(see Reference list) Proposed actions Duration


Improve the knowledge regarding

Mediterranean indicator species to

quantify GES

Research / Expertise

CIESM tropical signals Program DEVOTES STAGES

1. Select common indicator species of major environment disturbances, including climate change (may include NIS) to be monitored at regional scale, to document IMAP common indicators 1 to 5

Short to Medium

Existing network of marine stations to be used as a basis. Capacity building and funding for equipment would be required for non-European countries.

Expertise / monitoring

MedBiodivSDI CoCoNet BIOMARE CYBELLE

2. Develop monitoring strategy of common indicator species at national scale and implement monitoring.

Medium to Long

Database

3. Develop a common regional GIS data base to store observation and monitoring data about indicator species distribution in the Mediterranean.

Medium To be linked to regional databases such as MAMIAS, MedBiodivSDI, MAPAMED

Monitoring / mapping

4. Cartography of these indicator species distribution (including bathymetric range at the Mediterranean scale) and report results in the regional data base

Medium to Long

Use the common indicators 1 to 5 to quantify the GES. Some list exist but may be simplify or complete

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Table 3 Marine mammals





Improve the collection of reliable information about the diversity, the density, the distribution and the habitats of marine mammals

Research

SAMM PACOMM ACCOBAMS Survey initiative GREC GIS3M

1. Identify a minimum of two species (e.g. toothed whales, Baleen whale) of two different functional groups to be included in national monitoring programs based on the specificity of their marine environment and biodiversity

Short

Expertise / Monitoring

2. Based on existing large scale observations giving recurrent patterns, develop national monitoring programmes (coherent and standardised operational method using at sea or aerial observations, physiology, epidemiology) in a coherent way to get a regional perspective of the status of marine mammals.

Medium to Long

Database / Mapping

3. Improve and sustain existing data bases and GIS for marine mammals distribution

Medium to Long

To be linked to regional geo-referenced databases like MedBiodivSDI and MAPAMED, and the regional cetacean stranding database MEDACES

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Table 4 Invasive species





Increase knowledge on marine NIS (Non Indigenous species) distribution

Research/ Monitoring

EASIN CIESM: Atlas of Exotic Species in the Mediterranean GISD MMIS

1. Improve the inventory and mapping of NIS presence in the Mediterranean by including a selected list of NIS in national monitoring programs.

Medium to Long

Database / mapping

2. Develop a regional GIS database on the NIS in the Mediterranean

Short to Medium

To be linked to MAMIAS, MedMIS and MedBiodivSDI.

Implement monitoring on NIS and IAS (Invasive Alien Species) "Hot spots"

Monitoring REDMEDIND STAGES

3. Implement Rapid Assessment Survey (RAS), at least yearly at national scale, in IAS hot spots areas.

Medium

During the IMAP initial phase, develop guidance for NIS citizen survey, as an additional cost-efficient method strengthening public awareness. Promote the risk based approach to get an overview of the NIS presence at large spatial scale from scattered data.

Research STAGES VECTORS

4. Improve our knowledge on the major vectors and filters acting on introduction processes

Long

Measure impacts of IAS, their impacts and their evolution

Research/ Expertise / Monitoring

GISD MMIS VECTORS CoCoNet

5. Define reference baselines, implement assessments of IAS impacts, including impacts on ecosystem services

Medium to Long

MPAs can be used as reference sites, at least where they are not close from introduction sources.

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Table 5 Marine food webs





Improve knowledge on trophic networks as part of the ecosystem functioning

Research/ Expertise/ Monitoring

Personnic et al. (2014) Rastorgueff et al. (2015)

1. Extend applications of the Ecosystem-Based Quality Index (EBQI) applied to a few number of Mediterranean ecosystems (Posidonia beds, Coralligenous, Caves and other dark habitats) to other significant Mediterranean ecosystems.

Medium to Long

Research/ Expertise/ Monitoring

2. To provide an assessment of the pan-Mediterranean biogeographic variability, transpose few (2-3) selected case studies of well-studied networks dealing to harvested species (molluscs, fishes, ...) to 4 distinct biogeographic areas

Medium to Long

Research

3. Develop research projects on orphan bentho-pelagic couplings - e.g. short food webs including microbial loops, role of suspension feeders (sponges, gorgons) in the ecosystem functioning

Long

Would provide better knowledge on the overall functioning of the ecosystem, the potential consequences of the global change, especially on services

Research STAGES

4. Develop research projects on other networks of interactions (e.g. chemical ecology) explaining some behaviour leading to habitat selection, recruitment, etc.

Long

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Table 6 MPA connectivity and representativity

Identified science needs for IMAP and the MPA

Roadmap Category




Improve knowledge to better assess and increase the connectivity of the Mediterranean MPAs

Research/ Methodology

STAGES CoCoNet PERSEUS MediSeH

1. Select model species after defining the good criteria of selection on population dynamics and genetics (baseline knowledge, molecular tools availability, biological traits). Develop guidelines for MPA managers.

Medium to Long

Develop scientist chairs between MPA and scientific institutions (exchanges of scientists and MPA managers, financing for thesis or internships co-supervised, etc.) on specific projects

Analyse the gaps of the current MPA system in matter of representativity and connectivity at national level

Research / Expertise/ Methodology

COCONET

2. Define the methodology for the national gap analysis in matter of representativity and connectivity of the Mediterranean MPAs, including consultation of all the involved stakeholder categories. Develop Guidelines. Test in selected sub-regions. Extend to the whole Mediterranean basin.

Medium

Scientific contribution to the elaboration of measures aiming to increase representativity and connectivity of the Mediterranean MPAs at national level.

Research/ Expertise/ Methodology

3. Develop conceptual model and indicators regarding MPA representativity (R) and connectivity (C) in a given coherent sub region. Elaborate a list of possible measures to improve R and C, including methods to prioritise these measures, including socioeconomic impact assessment, involving relevant stakeholders. Develop guidelines. Test in selected sub regions.

Medium to Long

Expertise 4. Extend to the Mediterranean basin

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Table 7 MPA Database and socio economic aspects

Identified science needs for IMAP and the MPA

Roadmap Category




Improve the MAPAMED database

Expertise/ Database

1. Promote the use of MAPAMED database and publish it on the web; Link the MAPAMED with the MedBiodivSDI overall Mediterranean biodiversity portal.

Short to Medium

Ecosystem services assessments in MPAs

Expertise PERSEUS Plan Bleu

2. Develop a robust methodology and assess the main socio economic benefits provided by the ecosystem services at MPA scale and apply it to some selected cases.

Medium

Research PERSEUS COCONET

3. Assess the impact of the main change in biodiversity within each MPA.

Long

Improve the sustainable funding of MPAs in the Mediterranean

Expertise Plan Bleu

4. Analyse the different possibilities of sustainable funding of Mediterranean MPAs, including public-private partnerships. Details the pro and cons of each possibility.

Short The Mediterranean trust fund for MPAs.

Improve the assessment of socio economic benefits

provided by MPAs Expertise

EMPAFISH Plan Bleu

5. From the various assessments made in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, elaborate a robust methodology and develop guidelines enabling to most of the Mediterranean MPAs to perform these socioeconomic assessments in routine, including considerations on impact equity.

Short

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State of play references

ACCOBAMS - Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea

and contiguous Atlantic area, Regional agreement.

ACCOBAMS is a cooperative tool for the conservation of marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean

and Black Seas. Its purpose is to reduce threats to cetaceans in Mediterranean and Black Sea

waters and improve our knowledge of these animals. Areas of special importance for cetacean,

cetacean critical habitats, a map of MPAs, guidelines and recommendation were defined

(http://accobams.org/).

BIOMARE - Implementation and networking of large-scale long-term MARine BIOdiversity

research in Europe EU Research project, 2013

One of the objectives of the BIOMARE project was to identify a network of Research Sites to

provide a basis for long-term and large-scale marine biodiversity research in Europe.

Among the 100 European Marine Biodiversity Research Sites that provide the geographical

skeleton for the implementation of large-scale long-term research in Europe, a small subset of

Reference Sites was selected. Twelve sites are Reference sites where conditions are as near to

pristine as one can hope for in European waters. Focal sites were also identified form the basis for

future intensive surveys to assess the status and long-term development of marine biodiversity in

Europe. Biodiversity indicators were presented with a state of the E.U. politics on biodiversity

indicators, a strategy to choose indicators and to monitor biodiversity within the framework of

the BIOMARE and catalogue of indicators (http://www.biomareweb.org).

CIESM - Atlas of Exotic Species in the Mediterranean, Regional programme

The CIESM Atlas of Exotic Species was the first attempt to provide a comprehensive, group by

group, survey of recent marine "immigrants" in the Mediterranean, which is undergoing drastic

and rapid changes to its biota. The Atlas is a guide for researchers, environmental planners and

non-specialists who are interested in or likely to encounter marine species that are not native to

the basin. The Atlas consists of four volumes, each written by a group of specialists in their

respective field (http://www.ciesm.org/online/atlas/index.html).

CIESM - Tropical Signals Program, Regional programme

The programme Tropical Signals aims to track and evaluate the effects of tropicalization of the

Mediterranean Sea using reliable and representative biological macro-descriptors of climate

warming. To this end an international network of 21 research teams from 15 different countries

has been established to monitor over the long term of geographic shifts and changes of

temperature-sensitive species across the Basin and neighbouring areas. The main scientific

objectives of the programme are to:

http://accobams.org/

http://www.biomareweb.org/

http://www.ciesm.org/online/atlas/index.html

19


Monitor the geographic expansion of native and alien “warm-water” species, and range

contraction and decline of native “cold-water” species;

Detect shifts in species depth distribution; Record frequency and extent of mass

mortalities of marine organisms and individual species outbreaks;

Relate the observed distributional changes to variability and trends of the hydro-climatic

environment (temperature, salinity and currents) using satellite data and in situ sea

measurements (http://www.ciesm.org/marine/programs/tropicalization.htm).

CoCoNET - Towards COast to COast NETworks of marine protected areas, EU FP7 Research

project (2012-2016)

The Project has identified groups of putatively interconnected MPAs in the Mediterranean and

the Black Seas, shifting from local (single MPA) to regional (Networks of MPAs) and basin

(network of networks) scales. A map for Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean and Black

Sea was created. The coastal focus has been be widened to off shore and deep sea habitats,

comprising them in MPAs Networks. The COCONET WebGIS publishes data stored in the

Geodatabases with all information available for the Mediterranean and Black Sea. The WebGIS

system provides access and integration of all types of data and information produced by different

partners. They are:

- Protected sites

- Habitats and biotopes (Geographical areas, lines or points characterized by specific

ecological conditions, processes, structure, and functions that physically support the

organisms that live there.)

- Biodiversity (species occurrences, species distribution, mammals, birds and turtles at sea

and about nesting sites at land.)

- Socioeconomics: Units of administration at land, dividing areas where States have

and/or exercise jurisdictional rights, for local, regional and national governance, separated by

administrative boundaries. The land uses, the land cover, information about

socioeconomic parameters and stakeholder’s positions.

- Threats: Natural and anthropogenic activities and impacts: invasive species, outfalls, marine

litter, fishing, navigation routes.

(http://www.coconet-fp7.eu/ ).

CYBELLE Méditerranée, Scientific NGO, France

The CYBELLE Mediterranean is a citizen science program for boaters and users of the sea in order

to maintain maps about abundance of a group or species. CYBELLE Mediterranean program is to

follow the evolution over time of different indicators: species richness and / or abundance of

species. More than 35 pelagic species in 4 groups are studied: whales, fish, sea turtles and

jellyfish. A collective database, OBSenMer, in access free regroups all marine observations

contributing at the CYBELLE program (http://www.cybellemediterranee.org/choix-des-especes/).

http://www.ciesm.org/marine/programs/tropicalization.htm

http://www.coconet-fp7.eu/

http://www.cybellemediterranee.org/choix-des-especes/

20


DEVOTES – Development Of innovative Tools for understanding marine biodiversity and

assessing good Environmental Status EU FP7 Research project (2012-2016)

DEVOTES Project (2012-2016) aimed at improving understanding of human activities impacts

(cumulative, synergistic, antagonistic) and variations due to climate change on marine

biodiversity, using long-term series (pelagic and benthic).

A major aim of DEVOTES was to test the indicators proposed by the EC, and develop new ones for

assessment at species, habitats and ecosystems level, for the status classification of marine

waters, integrating the indicators into a unified assessment of the biodiversity and the cost-

effective implementation of the indicators (i.e. by defining monitoring and assessment strategies).

In particular, the project has developed the NEAT tool, validated for the integrated, consistent

and comparative assessment of biodiversity status and GES across regional seas and the

uncertainties related to this assessment (http://www.devotes-project.eu/).

EASIN European Alien Species Information Network, EU Programme

EASIN is a platform developed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre which

enables easy access to data on Alien Species reported in Europe. It contents:

The EASIN catalogues the information needed to efficiently link EASIN to existing

databases and retrieve spatial information for Alien Species distribution in Europe. The

Catalogue currently includes information on more than 14,000 alien taxa.

EASIN-Lit contributes to enriching the Geodatabase through screening the scientific

literature and retrieving geo-referenced data

(http://easin.jrc.ec.europa.eu/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1).

EcAp MED - Ecosystem Approach Project in the Mediterranean, UNEP/MAP project (2012-2018)

EcAp MED’s objective is to support UNEP/MAP in implementing the 2008 COP decisions regarding

the application of the EcAp in the Mediterranean in full synergy and coherence with the

implementation of the EU’s MSFD. To achieve this objective, EcAp MED assesses the state of play

in the Mediterranean through developing cooperation between the different actors involved. The

overall aims is to assist the achievement of the EcAp Roadmap’s next steps, such as establishing

an Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme in the Mediterranean (IMAP), carrying out

socio-economic assessment, developing assessment fact sheets, testing EcAp Indicators/targets

feasibility, next to reviewing relevant measures for the implementation of the EcAp

(http://planbleu.org/en/activites/marine-environment).

Emerald network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest, International initiative

The Emerald Network is an ecological network made up of Areas of Special Conservation Interest.

Its implementation was launched by the Council of Europe as part of its work under the Bern

Convention, with the adoption of Recommendation No. 16 (1989) of the Standing Committee to

the Bern Convention. The Network is to be set up in each Contracting Party or observer state to

the Convention. It thus involves all the European Union states, some non-Community states and a

number of African states. In order to fulfil its obligations arising from the Convention, particularly

http://www.devotes-project.eu/

http://easin.jrc.ec.europa.eu/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

http://planbleu.org/en/activites/marine-environment

21


in respect of habitat protection, the European Commission produced the Habitats Directive in

1992, and subsequently set up the Natura 2000 network. The Natura 2000 sites are therefore

considered as the contribution from the EU member states to the Emerald Network

(http://www.coe.int/en/web/bern-convention/emerald-network).

EMIBIOS End-to-end Modelling and Indicators for BIOdiversity Scenarios, France, Research

project (2008-2013)

Develop models "end to end" to predict the consequences of resource exploitation and climate

change on biodiversity. New models, called "end-to-end", based on existing models couplings

(physicochemical models of the oceans, plankton and fish models, business models ...) are

currently under development. These innovative techniques will help to refine the predictions of

biodiversity and the indicators used by decision makers. This project aims to develop such an

approach called innovative modelling "end-to-end" that will be used to project plausible future

trajectories of marine biodiversity and associated ecosystem services through the combination of

IPCC SRES scenarios and fisheries management in six coastal marine ecosystems (Gulf of Lion,

Channel, Adriatic Sea, Gulf of Gabes, South Benguela, North Humboldt). Taking into account the

existing feedbacks in the marine system, modelling end-to-end integrates key components of the

marine ecosystems, physical activity and to the fisheries management, through the

biogeochemistry and dynamics of exploited fish communities.

(http://www.emibios.org/category/about-embios/description-of-activities/).

EMODnet, EU programme

The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) consists of more than

160 organisations assembling marine data, products and metadata to make these fragmented

resources more available to public and private users relying on quality-assured, standardised and

harmonised marine data which are interoperable and free of restrictions on use. EMODnet is

currently in its second development phase with the target to be fully deployed by 2020. Seabed

Habitats was initiated in EMODnet Phase I (2009-2013) through the EUSeaMap project. During

the current Phase II (2013-2016), Seabed Habitats will extend the work carried out during the

preparatory Phase 1 to move from a prototype to an operational service delivering full coverage

of a broad-scale map for all European sea-basins. (http://www.emodnet.eu/).

EUNIS, EU programme

The European Nature Information System (EUNIS) gives access information about the EUNIS

habitat classification, the EU Habitats Directive Annex I habitat types, species and protected sites

across Europe (http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/species.jsp - http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/habitats.jsp -

http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites.jsp)

http://www.coe.int/en/web/bern-convention/emerald-network

http://www.emibios.org/category/about-embios/description-of-activities/

http://www.emodnet.eu/

http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/species.jsp

http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/habitats.jsp

http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites.jsp

22


GIS3M, Scientific NGO, France

GIS3M (Scientific Interest Group for Marine Mammals in the Mediterranean and their

environment) is a French NGO created in 2007 with the support of the National Park of Port-Cros,

leader of the French part of the Pelagos Sanctuary. The purpose of GIS3M is to support research

and develop expertise on Mediterranean marine mammals and their environment, including:

- Expertise in the field of the study, protection, environmental management, training and

awareness on the Mediterranean marine mammals and their environment

- Collaboration between the different actors of the research on marine mammals in the

Mediterranean

- Research projects in common and international partnerships

- Expertise: responding to public or private building owners and managers

(https://www.gis3m.org/).

Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) International initiative

The Global Invasive Species Database is a free, online searchable source of information about

alien and invasive species that negatively impact biodiversity. GISD is aimed at developing

country-wise validated, verified and annotated inventories of introduced and invasive species.

The results of this study will provide with a global inventory of known invasive species. Once these

results are available the GISD will feature at least basic information on each of these species. For

each species, general comments, distribution, impacts and management issues are given.

(http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/?st=100ss&fr=1&sts)

GREC - Research groups on cetaceans, Scientific NGO, France

The GREC is an NGO making and coordinating scientific research on the cetaceans, mostly in

France. In partnership with ACCOBAMS and Pelagos Sanctuary / Many scientific articles have been

produced since the 90’ about density, habitat suitability, distribution (e.g., Drouot-Dulau and

Gannier, 2007; Laran and Gannier, 2008; Laran, Joiris, Gannier and Kenney, 2010 (see more on

http://www.cetaces.org/publications/). A map of frequentation of cetaceans in the

Mediterranean Sea is maintained (http://www.cetaces.org/guide-observateur/carte-cetaces-

mediterranee/).

HABREF - Referential of habitats for France, National initiative, France

National referential gathering official versions of references of habitat or vegetal typologies in

marine and/or continental environment for French territories. Nationals and internationals

typologies take it into account when they concern France.

(https://inpn.mnhn.fr/programme/referentiel-habitats).

ISOZOO Isotopes of Zooplankton to measure climate and human impacts on pelagic food webs,

EU FP7 research project (2012-2014)

The ISOZOO project is designed to make a significant contribution to our understanding of

zooplankton food-web processes, and how climate change and anthropogenic impacts affect

https://www.gis3m.org/

http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/?st=100ss&fr=1&sts

http://www.cetaces.org/publications/

http://www.cetaces.org/guide-observateur/carte-cetaces-mediterranee/

http://www.cetaces.org/guide-observateur/carte-cetaces-mediterranee/

https://inpn.mnhn.fr/programme/referentiel-habitats

23


these. This work was effected essentially in the Gulf of Lion. Through collaboration beyond the

time frame of this project we aim to develop world-wide application of the Food-Web Index (1)

and model parameters (2) through networks of international collaborators for climate change

monitoring and research (http://www.isozoo.org/).

MALTA SEABIRD PROJECT, National initiative, Malta (2011-2016)

Project aiming to create an inventory of Marine IBAs (Important Birds Areas) for Puffinus

Yelkouan, Calonectris diomedea and Hydrobates pelagicus in Malta.

(https://maltaseabirdproject.org/).

MAMIAS - Marine Mediterranean Invasive Alien Species Database

The Marine Mediterranean Invasive Alien Species Database (MAMIAS) is a free, online searchable

source of information about NIS at regional level managed by RAC/SPA in order to prevent the

introduction of alien species, control the spread of those already introduced, raise awareness

about the risk associated with alien species and endeavour to mitigate the damage they cause to

the marine ecosystem (http://www.mamias.org/ ).

MAPAMED - Database of Marine Protected Areas in Mediterranean (and their characteristics)

MAPAMED is a GIS database that gathers information on marine protected areas of the

Mediterranean, and more generally on sites of interest to the conservation of the marine

environment. It is developed and jointly administered by MedPAN and RAC/SPA. The database is

structured as follows:

Specifications

Governance

Objectives

Staff, equipment and budget

Uses and pressures

Regulations

Studies and monitoring

Habitats and species

Education

It should be noted that not all Mediterranean MPAs have fully documented the database.

Moreover the web version has not been updated since 2012. However, an up-to-date version of

MAPAMED dataset has been maintained and is available upon request from RAC/SPA and

MedPAN (http://www.mapamed.org/ ).

MEDACES - Mediterranean Database of Cetacean Strandings, Regional initiative

The MEDACES database has been set-up to co-ordinate all national and regional efforts for

riparian countries. The project was created under the Barcelona Convention and extended to the

ACCOBAMS area. It is currently supported by the Spanish Ministry of the Environment, and Rural

http://www.isozoo.org/

https://maltaseabirdproject.org/

http://www.mamias.org/

http://www.mapamed.org/

24


and Marine Affairs. Cetacean stranding data will be organized into a spatially referenced database

of public access (http://medaces.uv.es/home_eng.htm).

MedBiodivSDI, Regional initiative

It is a GIS portal on Mediterranean biodiversity under development by RAC/SPA, that will be

launched in 2017. For further information, refer to www.rac-spa.org.

MedDiversa, National research project, Spain

Marine biodiversity is a dynamic entity and is widely recognised as a critical factor for ecosystem

maintenance. The aim of medDiversa (Global change on highly diverse Mediterranean

coralligenous communities: Consequences for biodiversity conservation) is to investigate the

current extent of biodiversity of the high diverse coralligenous outcrops of the Mediterranean

Sea, detect its changes, and create a scientific platform in developing future scenarios of

biodiversity response to global change across large spatial and mid- to long-term temporal scales.

This quantitative information has been largely documented in several terrestrial and tropical

marine ecosystems but has never been assessed in coralligenous outcrops on a true

multidisciplinary platform.

(http://www.meddiversa.medrecover.org)

MEDISEH – Mediterranean Sensitive Habitats, EU research project (2011-2013)

MEDISEH focuses on Mediterranean Sensitive Habitats and particularly on gathering and

disseminating, though a Geographic Information System (GIS), dispersed information useful to

integrate the environment dimension into fisheries management. More specifically the project

seeks to compile information on historical and current data on the locations and status of

seagrass bed, coralligenous and mäerl beds all over the Mediterranean basin and to identify and

map suitable areas for Posidonia, coralligenous and mäerl communities by developing habitat

distribution models at compiled on existing MPAs and Fishing Restricted Areas (FRAs) in the

Mediterranean, particularly in relation to the location of nursery and spamning aggregation of

several small-pelagic and demersal fish species (http://mareaproject.net/contracts/5/reporting/).

MMIS - Monitoring Marine Invasive Species in Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas, Regional

initiative

A strategy and practical guide for managers, from MedPAN. The effects of invasive species,

climate change and invasive species interactions, origin and dispersal of marine invasive species,

management strategy, a priority list of species with the greatest potential impacts, monitoring

programme design are developed in this report (https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/10377).

Natura 2000 network, EU Natura 2000 is a network of core breeding and resting sites for rare and

threatened species, and some rare natural habitat types which are protected in their own right. It

stretches across all 28 EU countries, both on land and at sea. The aim of the network is to ensure

http://medaces.uv.es/home_eng.htm

http://www.rac-spa.org/

http://www.meddiversa.medrecover.org/

http://mareaproject.net/contracts/5/reporting/

https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/10377

25


the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats, listed

under both the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive

(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm)

PACOMM - Acquisition of Knowledge program on Birds and Marine Mammals, National

programme, France

This French national program (Programme d'Acquisition de Connaissances sur les Oiseaux et les

Mammifères Marins) aims to collect new data and supplement existing data to establish effective

monitoring systems to respond to French obligations in the framework of NATURA 2000 and the

MSFD. The different components of actions are:

The SAMM (Suivi Aérien de la Mégafaune Marine) for the aerial monitoring of Marine

Megafauna, Telemetric monitoring of puffins and acoustical monitoring of the common

porpoises – MARSAC

Oceanographic ship based observation campaigns "EVHOE", "IBTS” and “PELGAS”

(http://cartographie.aires-marines.fr/?q=node/45)

Personnic, S., Boudouresque, C. F., Astruch, P., Ballesteros, E., Blouet, S., Bellan-Santini, D., and

Pergent, G. (2014). An ecosystem-based approach to assess the status of a Mediterranean

ecosystem, the Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadow. PloS one. Scientific article

A key point of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is the ecosystem-based approach.

Here, on the basis of a simplified conceptual model of the P. oceanica ecosystem, an ecosystem-

based index of the quality of its functioning was proposed compliant with the MSFD

requirements. This index (EBQI) is based upon a set of representative functional compartments,

the weighting of these compartments and the assessment of the quality of each compartment by

comparison of a supposed baseline.

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0098994

PERSEUS - Policy-oriented marine Environmental Research for the Southern European Seas, EU

FP7 Research project (2012-2015)

PERSEUS’s work involves designing an effective framework to assess, in line with the MSFD, the

dual, long-term impact of human activities and natural pressures on the Mediterranean and Black

Seas, with an emphasis on non-European areas. The results of this assessment aim to support

policymakers’ efforts to introduce an ecosystem-based approach to management and meet the

2020 Clean Seas objective. PERSEUS is directly linked to the EcAp, since it builds on existing or

develops new monitoring and modelling capabilities, while applying a results-based approach

using specific quantitative/qualitative MSFD descriptors to identify the most efficient strategy of

achieving GES (http://www.perseus-net.eu/site/content.php).

Rastorgueff, P. A., Bellan-Santini, D., Bianchi, C. N., Bussotti, S., Chevaldonné, P., Guidetti, P., ...

and Ruitton, S. (2015). An ecosystem-based approach to evaluate the ecological quality of

Mediterranean undersea caves. Ecological Indicators, 54, 137-152.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm

http://cartographie.aires-marines.fr/?q=node/45

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0098994

http://www.perseus-net.eu/site/content.php

26


A theoretical model of structure and functioning was constructed for the Mediterranean undersea

cave ecosystem. This model integrates almost all representative components of the cave

ecosystem and gives an idea of their faunal compositions, characteristics and related interactions.

This model constitutes the basis of the Ecosystem-Based Quality Index (EBQI) of the European

Union’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which aims at evaluating the ecological quality of

an ecosystem. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pierre-Alexandre_Rastorgueff/publication/273756540_An_ecosystem-

based_approach_to_evaluate_the_ecological_quality_of_Mediterranean_undersea_caves/links/550a6ab00cf26198a63ab72a.pdf

REDMEDINV - Red-Med Marine Bioinvasion, EU Research project FP7 (2012 – 2016)

This program studies the invasion of Red Sea species into the Mediterranean Seas. The project

aims to I) develop an early detection monitoring system for sessile introduced species in the

Mediterranean and Red Sea, II) develop models of the dispersal patterns of non-indigenous

species based on field and experimental data investigating the salinity and temperature

thresholds of introduced species, and III) enhance regional sharing of information by establishing

a database of marine introduced species, and by contributing scientific data to open-access

databases such as The World Register of Marine Species and the Open Biogeographic Information

System (http://www.kg.eurocean.org/proj.jsp?load=100423).

SAMM - Aerial monitoring of Marine Megafauna for one part of north Mediterranean, National

programme, France

Linked to the PACOMM programme, this French national program (Suivi Aérien de la Mégafaune

Marine) aims to produce an inventory of the spatial distribution of Marine Megafauna in France

waters, estimate the abundance and identify preferred habitat of cetaceans and seabirds and

more broadly of the pelagic megafauna. Scientists were also able to collect information on human

activities at sea (fishing, shipping, waste) to provide elements to assess the areas of interaction

with human activities. These findings are used to feed the process of designating new Natura

2000 offshore sites and contribute to the assessment of the existing coastal network and its

consistency with the overall distribution of species

(http://www.observatoire-pelagis.cnrs.fr/observatoire/Suivi-en-mer/suivi-aerien/samm/article/samm).

SeaDataNet - Pan-European Infrastructure for Ocean & Marine Data Management (2012-2015)

SeaDataNet has developed an efficient distributed Marine Data Management Infrastructure for

the management of large and diverse sets of data deriving from in situ and remote observation of

the seas and oceans. Professional data centres, active in data collection, constitute a Pan-

European network providing on-line integrated databases of standardized quality. Access to

marine data is of vital importance for marine research and a key issue for various studies, from

the climate change prediction to off shore engineering. They collect data by using various sensors

on board of research vessels, submarines, fixed and drifting platforms, airplanes and satellites, to

measure physical, geophysical, geological, biological and chemical parameters, biological species

etc. The collected data are neither easily accessible, nor standardized. They are not always

http://www.kg.eurocean.org/proj.jsp?load=100423

http://www.observatoire-pelagis.cnrs.fr/observatoire/Suivi-en-mer/suivi-aerien/samm/article/samm

27


validated and their security and availability have to be insured in the future

(www.seadatanet.org).

STAGES, EU FP7 Research project (2012-2014)

The STAGES project (Science and Technology Advancing Governance on Good Environmental

Status) has performed assessment of monitoring gaps and formulation of research monitoring

needs (including definition of sampling/ monitoring variables and parameters) at the long-mid-

short term, using a participative approach, for the implementation of the MSFD cycle.

In particular the following knowledge gaps have been identified in the field of biodiversity and

related descriptors of the MSFD:

Biodiversity

- Lack of basic understanding of ‘responsiveness’ of the biological indicators

- Lack of taking into account of nano and microbiology

- Lack of knowledge on the processes and functional relationships in the marine environment,

taking into account differences in temporal and spatial scales

- Lack of information on the causes of long-term changes identified with monitoring

Non-indigenous species

- Lack of information on mechanisms of introduction and spread, including natural dispersal

mechanisms of introduced species after arrival and establishment in a new area - Loss of

taxonomic expertise

- Lack of information on distribution of marine non indigenous species in relation to

environment for many areas, bottom types and organism groups

- Lack of information on the range of natural variability in spatial and temporal distribution and abundance of most species and communities

Commercially exploited fish and shellfish - Lack of data for some stocks: there are available primary or secondary indicators only for few

stocks

- Lack of reference points and targets, consistent with Spawning Stock Biomass Maximum

Sustainable Yield (SSBMSY), for stocks with only secondary indicators.

- Small number of species considered in the assessments

- Data on by-catch not available or insufficient

Marine food web

- Difficulty in obtaining the productivity of the top predators (such as sharks or marine

mammals)

- Difficulty in interpreting the productivity of a few species, by themselves

- Difficulty in extending the evaluation to the medium and lower trophic levels (http://www.stagesproject.eu/images/STAGES/deliverables/STAGES_Monitoring%20WorkshopReport_v3_04%2002%2013.pdf)

http://www.seadatanet.org/

http://www.stagesproject.eu/images/STAGES/deliverables/STAGES_Monitoring%20WorkshopReport_v3_04%2002%2013.pdf

28


UNEP/MAP - RAC/SPA Tools for the elaboration of national inventories of natural sites of

conservation interest, Regional programme

List of major Mediterranean habitats, distributed according to their bathymetric position (floors)

and the type of substrate PNUE‐PAM‐CAR/ASP, 2002-2010 (http://rac-

spa.org/sites/default/files/doc_fsd/lrhm_en.pdf ).

VECTORS, EU FP7 Research Project (2011-2015)

VECTORS (Vectors of Change in European Marine Ecosystems and their Environmental and Socio-

Economic Impacts) is an integrated, multi-disciplinary project investigating the increasing and

diversify human use of the European marine environment. In the Mediterranean, VECTORS was

particularly focused on the study of biological invasions and outbreaks including development of

large databases for alien invasive species and their vectors of introduction and the creation of a

DNA/tissue data bank for populations’ genetics. (http://www.marine-vectors.eu/).

ZNIEFF - Natural Areas of Flora and Fauna Ecological Interest, National programme France

Launched in 1982, the purpose of the inventory of Natural Areas of Ecological Fauna and Flora

Interest (ZNIEFF) is to identify and describe areas with strong biological capabilities and a good

state of conservation. There are 2 ZNIEFF types:

ZNIEFF type I: areas of great biological or ecological interest;

ZNIEFF type II: large, rich and slightly modified natural landscapes, providing significant

biological potential.

(https://inpn.mnhn.fr/programme/inventaire-znieff/presentation).

http://rac-spa.org/sites/default/files/doc_fsd/lrhm_en.pdf

http://rac-spa.org/sites/default/files/doc_fsd/lrhm_en.pdf

http://www.marine-vectors.eu/

https://inpn.mnhn.fr/programme/inventaire-znieff/presentation

29


Annexes

Annexe 1: List of EcAp Ecological Objectives and Common Indicators

This working document focus on the Biodiversity related Ecological objectives: EO1, EO2, EO3 and EO4.

Ecological Objective IMAP Indicators

EO 1 Biodiversity

Biological diversity is maintained or enhanced. The quality and occurrence of coastal and marine habitats and the distribution and abundance of coastal and marine species are in line with prevailing physiographic, hydrographic, geographic and climatic conditions.

Common Indicator 1: Habitat distributional range (EO1) to also consider habitat extent as a relevant attribute

Common Indicator 2: Condition of the habitat’s typical species and communities (EO1)

Common Indicator 3: Species distributional range (EO1 related to marine mammals, seabirds, marine reptiles)

Common Indicator 4: Population abundance of selected species (EO1, related to marine mammals, seabirds, marine reptiles)

Common indicator 5: Population demographic characteristics (EO1, e.g. body size or age class structure, sex ratio, fecundity rates, survival/mortality rates related to marine mammals, seabirds, marine reptiles)

EO 2 Non-indigenous species

Non-indigenous species introduced by human activities are at levels that do not adversely alter the ecosystem

Common Indicator 6: Trends in abundance, temporal occurrence, and spatial distribution of non-indigenous species, particularly invasive, non-indigenous species, notably in risk areas (EO2, in relation to the main vectors and pathways of spreading of such species)

EO 3 Harvest of commercially exploited fish and shellfish

Populations of selected commercially exploited fish and shellfish are within biologically safe limits, exhibiting a population age and size distribution that is indicative of a healthy stock (To be further developed in partnership with GFCM)

Common Indicator 7: Spawning stock Biomass (EO3);

Common Indicator 8: Total landings (EO3);

Common Indicator 9: Fishing Mortality (EO3);

Common Indicator 10: Fishing effort (EO3);

Common Indicator 11: Catch per unit of effort (CPUE) or Landing per unit of effort (LPUE) as a proxy (EO3)

30


Common Indicator 12: Bycatch of vulnerable and non-target species (EO1 and EO3)

EO 4 Marine food webs

Alterations to components of marine food webs caused by resource extraction or human-induced environmental changes do not have long-term adverse effects on food web dynamics and related viability

To be further developed

EO 5 Eutrophication

Human-induced eutrophication is prevented, especially adverse effects thereof, such as losses in biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, harmful algal blooms and oxygen deficiency in bottom waters.

Common Indicator 13: Concentration of key nutrients in water column (EO5);

Common Indicator 14: Chlorophyll-a concentration in water column (EO5)

EO 6 Sea-floor integrity

Sea-floor integrity is maintained, especially in priority benthic habitats

To be further developed

EO7 Hydrography

Alteration of hydrographic conditions does not adversely affect coastal and marine ecosystems.

Common Indicator 15: Location and extent of the habitats impacted directly by hydrographic alterations (EO7) to also feed the assessment of EO1 on habitat extent

EO 8 Coastal ecosystems and landscapes

The natural dynamics of coastal areas are maintained and coastal ecosystems and landscapes are preserved

Common Indicator 16: Length of coastline subject to physical disturbance due to the influence of man-made structures (EO8);

Candidate Indicator 25: Land use change (EO8)

EO 9 Pollution

Contaminants cause no significant impact on coastal and marine ecosystems and human health

Common Indicator 17: Concentration of key harmful contaminants measured in the relevant matrix (EO9, related to biota, sediment, seawater)

Common Indicator 18: Level of pollution effects of key contaminants where a cause and effect relationship has been established (EO9)

Common Indicator 19: Occurrence, origin (where possible),

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extent of acute pollution events (e.g. slicks from oil, oil products and hazardous substances), and their impact on biota affected by this pollution (EO9);

Common Indicator 20: Actual levels of contaminants that have been detected and number of contaminants which have exceeded maximum regulatory levels in commonly consumed seafood (EO9);

Common Indicator 21: Percentage of intestinal enterococci concentration measurements within established standards (EO9)

EO 10 Marine litter

Marine and coastal litter do not adversely affect coastal and marine environment

Common Indicator 22: Trends in the amount of litter washed ashore and/or deposited on coastlines (EO10);

Common Indicator 23: Trends in the amount of litter in the water column including microplastics and on the seafloor (EO10);

Candidate Indicator 24: Trends in the amount of litter ingested by or entangling marine organisms focusing on selected mammals, marine birds, and marine turtles (EO10)

EO 11 Energy including underwater noise

Noise from human activities cause no significant impact on marine and coastal ecosystems

Candidate Indicator 26: Proportion of days and geographical distribution where loud, low, and mid-frequency impulsive sounds exceed levels that are likely to entail significant impact on marine animal

Candidate Indicator 27: Levels of continuous low frequency sounds with the use of models as appropriate

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Annexe 2: Brief on the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) of UNEP/MAP

Monitoring and assessment, based on scientific knowledge, of the sea and coast is the indispensable basis for the management of human activities, in view of promoting sustainable use of the seas and coasts and conserving marine ecosystems and their sustainable development. The Decision IG.22/7 Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Mediterranean Sea and Coast and Related Assessment Criteria (UNEP/MAP, 2015a), adopted during the COP 19, describes the strategy, themes, and products that the Barcelona Convention Contracting Parties are aiming to deliver, through collaborative efforts inside the UNEP/MAP Barcelona Convention, over the second cycle of the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach Process (EcAp process), i.e. over 2016-2021, in order to assess the status of the Mediterranean sea and coast, as a basis for further and/or strengthened measures.

Background

IMAP builds on the monitoring and assessment related provisions of the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols, previous Decisions of the Contracting Parties related to monitoring and assessment, and to the EcAp process, including on Decision IG. 21/3 and the expert level discussions mobilized based on this Decision, such as the ones taking place in the Correspondence Groups on Good Environmental Status (COR GEST) and Monitoring (CORMON), the On line Working Groups (Eutrophication, Contaminants, Marine litter, Biodiversity and Non-invasive species and Coast and hydrography) as well as the EcAp Coordination Group. In addition, the development of IMAP took due account of the Contracting Parties‟ existing monitoring and assessment programmes, practices of other Regional Sea Conventions and other Regional bodies, such as GFCM7 and ACCOBAMS8.

Timeline

IMAP is aiming to deliver its objectives over 2016-2021. It is introduced first however in an initial phase (in line with Decision IG. 21/3, in between 2016-2019), during which the existing national monitoring and assessment programmes will be integrated, according to the IMAP structure and principles and based on the agreed common indicators. This implies in practice that the existing national monitoring and assessment programmes will be reviewed and revised as appropriate so that national implementation of IMAP can be fulfilled in a sufficient manner. The main outputs during the initial phase of IMAP will include the update of GES definitions, further refinement of assessment criteria and development of national level integrated monitoring and assessment programmes. Furthermore, the Quality Status Report in 2017 and the State of Environment and Development Report in 2019 will build on the structure, objectives and data collected under IMAP. The validity of IMAP should be reviewed once at the end of every EcAp six year cycle, and in addition it should be updated and revised as necessary on a biennial basis, based on lessons learnt of the implementation of IMAP and on new scientific and policy developments.

7 General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) 8 Accord sur la Conservation des Cétacés de la Mer Noire, de la Méditerranée et de la zone Atlantique adjacente (ACCOBAMS)

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The SPI for IMAP definition phase

As any UNEP/MAP programme, IMAP has been built using available scientific basis. As presented above, IMAP elaboration has been supported by expert advice issued from the Correspondence Groups, themselves complemented by those of the On-line working groups, under the supervision of the EcAp coordination groups. These multidisciplinary groups were composed of technical and scientific experts designated by the Parties to the Barcelona Convention. Their works were facilitated by the dedicated MAP components, supported by contracted experts. Moreover scientific expertise issued from ongoing research projects were also mobilized for specific question regarding biodiversity. A workshop was co-organized by UNEP/MAP and the EU PERSEUS9 project to follow up the recommendations of February 2014, asking the Secretariat to consult international experts for developing IMAP, especially in relation to biodiversity. This workshop was held on the 28-30April 2014 in Anavissos HCMR10 premises, Greece, with contribution of several on-going research and pilot EU projects, namely PERSEUS, CoCoNet11, DEVOTES12 and IRIS SES13 and was attended by scientific working in the field of biodiversity. The workshop has resulted in some general and some specific biodiversity and NIS common indicators related scientific recommendations and addressed both overall status or aspects of biodiversity in the Mediterranean, monitoring needs, challenges, methodologies, cost efficiency and feasibility in light of recent scientific developments. As such it provided a key contribution to the development of IMAP.

9 http://www.perseus-net.eu/ 10 Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, coordinator of the PERSEUS and IRIS SES projects 11 http://www.coconet-fp7.eu/ 12 http://www.devotes-project.eu/ 13 http://iris-ses.eu/

http://www.perseus-net.eu/

http://www.coconet-fp7.eu/

http://www.devotes-project.eu/

http://iris-ses.eu/

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Annexe 3 Extract of the Pino-Diaz et al. 52014) article (in English only)

Full citation: Pino-Díaz, L. Chiadmi-García, D. Cebrián-Menchero and R. Bailón-Moreno, 2014, Text Mining Scientific Big Data for Decision Making in Mediterranean Conservation. Journées d'Intelligence Économique - BIG DATA MINING, Workshop Report. Tanger, Maroc. 22- 23 May 2014.

As showed by the analysis undertaken by Pino-Díaz et al. (2014) the environmental policy of the countries influences the evolution of biodiversity scientific and technical matters. This fact has been demonstrated by the theories developed by the Innovation Sociology Centre of Paris during the 80s, among others. According to those authors, the period run since the adoption of SAP BIO in 2003 by the Parties to the Barcelona Convention has been benefitted by a strong boosting of research topics relevant to the conservation of the Mediterranean. Both the implementation of this environmental strategy and the Mediterranean research community might have mutually benefitted along the last decade. Their quantitative analysis done by RAC/SPA of the historic scientific production up to 2012 on marine and coastal biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean allows assessing the potential relation between the trends of scientific production and the main milestones of the Barcelona Convention and the Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity (SAP/BD). These main milestones are presented in Table 1. Table 1.- Milestones of the Barcelona Convention and the SAP/BD Protocol (Pino-Díaz et al. 2014)

Year Milestone

1976 Signature of the Barcelona Convention

1982 Adoption of the Protocol Concerning Mediterranean Specially Protected Areas

1995 Revision of the Barcelona Convention and of the SPA/DB Protocol

2003 Adoption of the SAP BIO

End 2012 End of the study

Table 2 shows the scientific production according to the periods between milestones. Table 2.- Number of scientific articles on Mediterranean biodiversity published in each period between milestones of the Barcelona Convention and the SAP/BD Protocol (Pino-Díaz et al. 2014)

Milestone Period Num. years

Num. scientific articles Accumulated num.

scientific articles

Until 1976

109 109

1976 1976-1981 6 150 259

1982 1982-1994 13 1087 1346

1995 1995-2002 7 4613 5959

2003 2003-2012 10 17311 23270

TOTAL 36 23270 23270

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As shown in Figure 1, scientific production on Mediterranean marine biodiversity follows strong increase close to an exponential growing. The milestones are marked in the graph.

Figure 1.-Evolution of accumulated scientific production on the Mediterranean marine biodiversity and display of policy milestone dates (Pino-Díaz et al. 2014)

Figure 2 shows a change in the behaviour of scientific production, which is in line with a change in the scientific focusing in the Mediterranean marine research.

Figure 2.-Change in the accumulated scientific documents production occurred since the 90s (Pino-Díaz et al. 2014)

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The relevant topics were identified through Text Mining techniques (Coword Analysis) of the corpus of keywords from the scientific production. This type of analysis applied in the periods between the milestones allows visualising the change produced in the number and features of relevant research topics. This dynamic analysis shows that relevant topics on Mediterranean marine biodiversity were triggered after four key milestones related to marine policy implementation in the region (Figure 3). Also related topics from one period to another change in complexity and main focus of research, for example: further detailing in such analysis techniques done by RAC/SPA showed that the 2005-2006 algae research topic was strongly focused later on densities issues, to evolve finally into works related to growth rate and shift to phanerogams meadows. All those trends showed a parallelism with the policy needs relate to the conservation of those taxa.

Figure 3- Increase in main relevant topics along time and temporal framing with Barcelona Convention policy milestones (Pino-Díaz et al. 2014)

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