HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2012
HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific r... more HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L'archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés.
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2012
HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific r... more HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L'archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés.
Bioturbation by benthic infauna has important implications for the fate of contaminants as well a... more Bioturbation by benthic infauna has important implications for the fate of contaminants as well as for changes to the sediment structure, chemistry and transport characteristics. There is an extensive literature dealing with the influence of sedimentary variables on the structure and function of infaunal marine and estuarine organisms but less is known of the converse, the influence of biota on sedimentary structure. Although some work has been carried out regarding spatial and temporal patterns of bioturbation, little attention has been given to the effects of pollution. The paper gives a framework of animal sediment relationships in an intertidal environment and discusses the general role of macrofauna in structuring and modifying sedimentary features. A brief outline of the various techniques used for quantifying the degree of bioturbation is given and some of these techniques have then been used to demonstrate the effect of a petrochemical discharge on the bioturbation potential of intertidal communities in the Humber estuary, eastern England. These studies indicate an increase in bioturbation with increasing distance from the source of pollution, not only because of differences in abundance, animal size and depth of activity but also because of the difference in species composition between the communities. As a means of interpreting the responses, the species present have been broadly classified in terms of their feeding strategy and sediment modification potential. The paper concludes by discussing the potential impact, in terms of effect on sediment transport, of selectively removing the different guilds (by pollution).
A table of values of the weights from the input layer to the hidden layer and from the hidden lay... more A table of values of the weights from the input layer to the hidden layer and from the hidden layer to the output layer of the model of the ratio of gross primary production to community respiration (GPP:CR) developed in this study based on an artificial neural network (ANN).
This research is concerned with the following environmental research questions: socio-ecological ... more This research is concerned with the following environmental research questions: socio-ecological system complexity, especially when valuing ecosystem services; ecosystems stock and services flow sustainability and valuation; the incorporation of scale issues when valuing ecosystem services; and the integration of knowledge from diverse disciplines for governance and decision making. In this case study, we focused on ecosystem services that can be jointly supplied but independently valued in economic terms: healthy climate (via carbon sequestration and storage), food (via fisheries production in nursery grounds), and nature recreation (nature watching and enjoyment). We also explored the issue of ecosystem stock and services flow, and we provide recommendations on how to value stock and flows of ecosystem services via accounting and economic values respectively. We considered broadly comparable estuarine systems located on the English North Sea coast: the Blackwater estuary and the Humber estuary. In the past, these two estuaries have undergone major land-claim. Managed realignment is a policy through which previously claimed intertidal habitats are recreated allowing the enhancement of the ecosystem services provided by saltmarshes. In this context, we investigated ecosystem service values, through biophysical estimates and welfare value estimates. Using an optimistic (extended conservation of coastal ecosystems) and a pessimistic (loss of coastal ecosystems because of, for example, European policy reversal) scenario, we find that context dependency, and hence value transfer possibilities, vary among ecosystem services and benefits. As a result, careful consideration in the use and application of value transfer, both in biophysical estimates and welfare value estimates, is advocated to supply reliable information for policy making.
This chapter provides a study of two managed realignment cases in comparable estuarine systems lo... more This chapter provides a study of two managed realignment cases in comparable estuarine systems located on the English North Sea coast: the Blackwater estuary and the Humber estuary. Two scenarios of salt marsh expansion and reduction in these estuaries are used to analyse the multiple research challenges that arise, including value transfer and stock and flow issues. The coastal ecosystems are complex and require a thorough natural science understanding of conflicting ecosystem services changes. Moreover, net economic benefits of managed realignment can be demonstrated, but they are context and scale dependent and valuation practices and results should reflect this. The chapter offers some solutions and suggestions for further research on these generic research challenges for coastal ecosystem management.
Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 and A. presbyter Cuvier, 1829 show similar morphology and anatomy, wh... more Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 and A. presbyter Cuvier, 1829 show similar morphology and anatomy, which makes difficult the species identification by conventional tools. The ecological behaviour and biological features are markedly distinct in both species. In the Ria de Aveiro, a typical coastal estuarine lagoon, A. boyeri and A. presbyter are among the four most abundant species. Ecology, age and growth of both species were compared from sampling carried out from November 1998 to November 1999 at nine sites covering all the lagoon area. A. boyeri, a resident species, occurred in different stages of the lifespan in the entire lagoon area. Juveniles occurred dispersedly in space, with no apparent abiotic preference. In winter, older adults (2+-3+) occurred with high abundance at the edges of the lagoon, in deep regions with low temperature, salinity and transparency, and high dissolved oxygen and pH. During autumn, the juveniles of marine juvenile migrant species, A. presbyter, were co...
As shown throughout this volume, fish use estuarine habitats for part or all of their life cycle, ... more As shown throughout this volume, fish use estuarine habitats for part or all of their life cycle, or migrate through estuaries between their feeding and breeding areas. The young of many marine fish use estuaries and shallow coastal waters as nursery grounds, and some freshwater fish use estuarine habitats as feeding areas (eg sea trout, Salmo trutta). The concentration of cities, industry and rivers has resulted in estuaries being amongst the most polluted and threatened marine habitats in Europe (see Chapters 6 and 7). The reduction ...
There is an increasing need in assessing ecological quality and integrity of estuaries and lagoon... more There is an increasing need in assessing ecological quality and integrity of estuaries and lagoons. This chapter shows the most recent efforts in assessing individual biological elements (from phytoplankton to fishes), together with the integrative tools developed in different geographical areas worldwide. However, reducing complex information from multiple ecosystem elements to a single color or value is a substantial challenge to marine scientists, and requires the integration of different disciplines (chemists, engineers, biologists, ecologists, physics, managers, etc.), to reach agreement on the final assignment of ecological status. Hence, in the near future, emphasis needs to be directed at understanding the complexities of estuarine system functioning rather than simplifying and scaling down the system into smaller components.
Page 6/71 when significant, the effect of pressures on fish metrics was generally very weak, prob... more Page 6/71 when significant, the effect of pressures on fish metrics was generally very weak, probably reflecting the use of too-generic pressure indicators (such as land cover data instead of more relevant estuarine proxies such as dredging, port development, waterborne pollutants, etc). The best explanatory models included sampling factors and natural characteristics considered important discriminant features in the definition of water body types. In particular, the present work argues for considering not only estuaries and lagoons as different typologies but also other natural and design characteristic such as the gear type, the sampling season and the salinity class. Furthermore, a relevant reference needs to account for survey design bias, including rare species contribution to assessment datasets, patchiness, choice of pressure proxies or sampling gear. The modelling approach of fish metrics against the physicochemical variables has proved useful to derive Reference Conditions. This is important for the computation of relevant EQRs in Europe where there is a general lack of pristine areas or historical data on fish BQE and it provides an alternative to best professional judgment. Taking all WP analysis and case studies together, the work conducted has highlighted the following key messages and linked research needs necessary to optimize BQE fish for the quality assessment of transitional waters: Key Message 01: Harmonization of BQE fish methodologies across Europe (common metrics) is unlikely by adapting or creating new fish indices but inter-comparison assessments are possible and valid using a common pressure index to harmonise different indices on a common scale. Research needs to be focused on more widely-applicable fish indices will require the formulation of completely new indices based on a more flexible use of fish metrics according to system typologies, relevance and, probably, an increased use of functional traits. For current indices, further research on a method of intercalibration is needed. Key Message 02: BQE Fish in TW respond consistently to human pressure gradients across transitional waters providing the means to assess Ecological Status (ES). Further work will be needed to identify those specific pressures affecting fish assemblages providing targets for minimising the effects of stress in mitigation and restoration plans. Key Message 03 Although the interpretation of outcomes is still difficult, more recent transitional fish indices are leading in the use of comprehensive appraisal and validation exercises to test the performance of BQEs in the assessment of Ecological Status (ES). Further appraisal of fish indices behaviour is needed to understand the meaning of the quality outcomes, to set realistic management targets and also to identify the aspects of the indices that are more likely to affect the outcomes leading to more robust and responsive indices Key Message 04 Uncertainty levels associated with metric variability in multi-metric fish indices can be managed to increase the confidence in Ecological Status (ES) class assignment. Further research is needed to include knowledge of habitat partition within systems, to understand metrics behaviour and precision, to test new combination rules allowing metric weighting by robustness and importantly to evaluate more robust sampling tools and methods. Deliverable D4.4-5: Precision and behaviour of fish-based ecological quality metrics in relation to natural and anthropogenic pressure gradients in European estuaries and lagoons Page 7/71 Key Message 05 Reference conditions for BQE fish-based quality assessments can be objectively estimated using predictive modelling. Further refinements will require the use of better pressure proxies, robust metrics amenable to modelling and to account for survey design bias (effort & choice of sampling gear) at the relevant scales used in monitoring programmes. Deliverable D4.4-5: Precision and behaviour of fish-based ecological quality metrics in relation to natural and anthropogenic pressure gradients in European estuaries and lagoons Deliverable D4.4-5: Precision and behaviour of fish-based ecological quality metrics in relation to natural and anthropogenic pressure gradients in European estuaries and lagoons Deliverable D4.4-5: Precision and behaviour of fish-based ecological quality metrics in relation to natural and anthropogenic pressure gradients in European estuaries and lagoons
The history of monitoring transitional water fish in Scotland is briefly outlined. The requiremen... more The history of monitoring transitional water fish in Scotland is briefly outlined. The requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive are explained and how this applies to the monitoring of transitional water fish communities in Scotland is described. The development of a monitoring programme for Scotland is outlined, including sampling methods and strategies. Six transitional waters were selected as representative for Scotland covering three different types of transitional water. A multi-metric tool, the Transitional Water Fish Classification Index was used to assess the ecological status of the fish communities in these waters and the operation of the different metrics and the creation of appropriate reference conditions is explained. The assessment tool was applied to survey data from 2005 to 2018, although only the more recent data fully met the tool requirements. The species composition and abundances in the respective transitional waters were compared. The fully valid survey...
In considering the use of estuarine habitats by fish assemblages, alternative views of the assemb... more In considering the use of estuarine habitats by fish assemblages, alternative views of the assemblage are increasingly being explored, based on functional rather than taxonomic aspects. The allocation of all taxa to a number of functional guilds allows a description of fish assemblages in terms of vertical zonation, habitat preferences, including the substratum preference of benthic/demersal species, and dietary preferences. This paper presents the first comparison of the structure of the fish assemblages in the tidal marshes of 6 European estuaries (Bay of Cadiz,
The main goal of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is to achieve good ecological status acro... more The main goal of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is to achieve good ecological status across European surface waters by 2015 and as such, it offers the opportunity and thus the challenge to improve the protection of our coastal systems. It is the main example for Europe's increasing desire to conserve aquatic ecosystems. Ironically, since c. 1975 the increasing adoption of EU directives has been accompanied by a decreasing interest of, for example, the Dutch government to assess the quality of its coastal and marine ecosystems. The surveillance and monitoring started in NL in 1971 has declined since the 1980s resulting in a 35% reduction of sampling stations. Given this and interruptions the remaining data series is considered to be insufficient for purposes other than trend analysis and compliance. The Dutch marine managers have apparently chosen a minimal (cost-effective) approach despite the WFD implicitly requiring the incorporation of the system's 'ecological complexity' in indices used to evaluate the ecological status of highly variable systems such as transitional and coastal waters. These indices should include both the community structure and system functioning and to make this really cost-effective a new monitoring strategy is required with a tailor-made programme. Since the adoption of the WFD in 2000 and the launching of the European Marine Strategy in 2002 (and the recently proposed Marine Framework Directive) we suggest reviewing national monitoring programmes in order to integrate water quality monitoring and biological monitoring and change from 'station oriented monitoring' to 'basin or system oriented monitoring' in combination with specific 'cause-effect' studies for highly dynamic coastal systems. Progress will be made if the collected information is integrated and aggregated in valuable tools such as structure-and functioning-oriented computer simulation models and Decision Support Systems. The development of ecological indices integrating community structure and system functioning, such as in Ecological Network Analysis, are proposed to meet a cost-effective approach at the national level and full assessment of the ecosystem status at the EU level. The WFD offers the opportunity to reconsider and reinvest in environmental research and monitoring. Using examples from the Netherlands and, to a lesser extent, the United Kingdom, the present paper therefore reviews marine monitoring and marine environmental research in combination and in the light of such major policy initiatives such as the WFD.
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2012
HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific r... more HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L'archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés.
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2012
HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific r... more HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L'archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés.
Bioturbation by benthic infauna has important implications for the fate of contaminants as well a... more Bioturbation by benthic infauna has important implications for the fate of contaminants as well as for changes to the sediment structure, chemistry and transport characteristics. There is an extensive literature dealing with the influence of sedimentary variables on the structure and function of infaunal marine and estuarine organisms but less is known of the converse, the influence of biota on sedimentary structure. Although some work has been carried out regarding spatial and temporal patterns of bioturbation, little attention has been given to the effects of pollution. The paper gives a framework of animal sediment relationships in an intertidal environment and discusses the general role of macrofauna in structuring and modifying sedimentary features. A brief outline of the various techniques used for quantifying the degree of bioturbation is given and some of these techniques have then been used to demonstrate the effect of a petrochemical discharge on the bioturbation potential of intertidal communities in the Humber estuary, eastern England. These studies indicate an increase in bioturbation with increasing distance from the source of pollution, not only because of differences in abundance, animal size and depth of activity but also because of the difference in species composition between the communities. As a means of interpreting the responses, the species present have been broadly classified in terms of their feeding strategy and sediment modification potential. The paper concludes by discussing the potential impact, in terms of effect on sediment transport, of selectively removing the different guilds (by pollution).
A table of values of the weights from the input layer to the hidden layer and from the hidden lay... more A table of values of the weights from the input layer to the hidden layer and from the hidden layer to the output layer of the model of the ratio of gross primary production to community respiration (GPP:CR) developed in this study based on an artificial neural network (ANN).
This research is concerned with the following environmental research questions: socio-ecological ... more This research is concerned with the following environmental research questions: socio-ecological system complexity, especially when valuing ecosystem services; ecosystems stock and services flow sustainability and valuation; the incorporation of scale issues when valuing ecosystem services; and the integration of knowledge from diverse disciplines for governance and decision making. In this case study, we focused on ecosystem services that can be jointly supplied but independently valued in economic terms: healthy climate (via carbon sequestration and storage), food (via fisheries production in nursery grounds), and nature recreation (nature watching and enjoyment). We also explored the issue of ecosystem stock and services flow, and we provide recommendations on how to value stock and flows of ecosystem services via accounting and economic values respectively. We considered broadly comparable estuarine systems located on the English North Sea coast: the Blackwater estuary and the Humber estuary. In the past, these two estuaries have undergone major land-claim. Managed realignment is a policy through which previously claimed intertidal habitats are recreated allowing the enhancement of the ecosystem services provided by saltmarshes. In this context, we investigated ecosystem service values, through biophysical estimates and welfare value estimates. Using an optimistic (extended conservation of coastal ecosystems) and a pessimistic (loss of coastal ecosystems because of, for example, European policy reversal) scenario, we find that context dependency, and hence value transfer possibilities, vary among ecosystem services and benefits. As a result, careful consideration in the use and application of value transfer, both in biophysical estimates and welfare value estimates, is advocated to supply reliable information for policy making.
This chapter provides a study of two managed realignment cases in comparable estuarine systems lo... more This chapter provides a study of two managed realignment cases in comparable estuarine systems located on the English North Sea coast: the Blackwater estuary and the Humber estuary. Two scenarios of salt marsh expansion and reduction in these estuaries are used to analyse the multiple research challenges that arise, including value transfer and stock and flow issues. The coastal ecosystems are complex and require a thorough natural science understanding of conflicting ecosystem services changes. Moreover, net economic benefits of managed realignment can be demonstrated, but they are context and scale dependent and valuation practices and results should reflect this. The chapter offers some solutions and suggestions for further research on these generic research challenges for coastal ecosystem management.
Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 and A. presbyter Cuvier, 1829 show similar morphology and anatomy, wh... more Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 and A. presbyter Cuvier, 1829 show similar morphology and anatomy, which makes difficult the species identification by conventional tools. The ecological behaviour and biological features are markedly distinct in both species. In the Ria de Aveiro, a typical coastal estuarine lagoon, A. boyeri and A. presbyter are among the four most abundant species. Ecology, age and growth of both species were compared from sampling carried out from November 1998 to November 1999 at nine sites covering all the lagoon area. A. boyeri, a resident species, occurred in different stages of the lifespan in the entire lagoon area. Juveniles occurred dispersedly in space, with no apparent abiotic preference. In winter, older adults (2+-3+) occurred with high abundance at the edges of the lagoon, in deep regions with low temperature, salinity and transparency, and high dissolved oxygen and pH. During autumn, the juveniles of marine juvenile migrant species, A. presbyter, were co...
As shown throughout this volume, fish use estuarine habitats for part or all of their life cycle, ... more As shown throughout this volume, fish use estuarine habitats for part or all of their life cycle, or migrate through estuaries between their feeding and breeding areas. The young of many marine fish use estuaries and shallow coastal waters as nursery grounds, and some freshwater fish use estuarine habitats as feeding areas (eg sea trout, Salmo trutta). The concentration of cities, industry and rivers has resulted in estuaries being amongst the most polluted and threatened marine habitats in Europe (see Chapters 6 and 7). The reduction ...
There is an increasing need in assessing ecological quality and integrity of estuaries and lagoon... more There is an increasing need in assessing ecological quality and integrity of estuaries and lagoons. This chapter shows the most recent efforts in assessing individual biological elements (from phytoplankton to fishes), together with the integrative tools developed in different geographical areas worldwide. However, reducing complex information from multiple ecosystem elements to a single color or value is a substantial challenge to marine scientists, and requires the integration of different disciplines (chemists, engineers, biologists, ecologists, physics, managers, etc.), to reach agreement on the final assignment of ecological status. Hence, in the near future, emphasis needs to be directed at understanding the complexities of estuarine system functioning rather than simplifying and scaling down the system into smaller components.
Page 6/71 when significant, the effect of pressures on fish metrics was generally very weak, prob... more Page 6/71 when significant, the effect of pressures on fish metrics was generally very weak, probably reflecting the use of too-generic pressure indicators (such as land cover data instead of more relevant estuarine proxies such as dredging, port development, waterborne pollutants, etc). The best explanatory models included sampling factors and natural characteristics considered important discriminant features in the definition of water body types. In particular, the present work argues for considering not only estuaries and lagoons as different typologies but also other natural and design characteristic such as the gear type, the sampling season and the salinity class. Furthermore, a relevant reference needs to account for survey design bias, including rare species contribution to assessment datasets, patchiness, choice of pressure proxies or sampling gear. The modelling approach of fish metrics against the physicochemical variables has proved useful to derive Reference Conditions. This is important for the computation of relevant EQRs in Europe where there is a general lack of pristine areas or historical data on fish BQE and it provides an alternative to best professional judgment. Taking all WP analysis and case studies together, the work conducted has highlighted the following key messages and linked research needs necessary to optimize BQE fish for the quality assessment of transitional waters: Key Message 01: Harmonization of BQE fish methodologies across Europe (common metrics) is unlikely by adapting or creating new fish indices but inter-comparison assessments are possible and valid using a common pressure index to harmonise different indices on a common scale. Research needs to be focused on more widely-applicable fish indices will require the formulation of completely new indices based on a more flexible use of fish metrics according to system typologies, relevance and, probably, an increased use of functional traits. For current indices, further research on a method of intercalibration is needed. Key Message 02: BQE Fish in TW respond consistently to human pressure gradients across transitional waters providing the means to assess Ecological Status (ES). Further work will be needed to identify those specific pressures affecting fish assemblages providing targets for minimising the effects of stress in mitigation and restoration plans. Key Message 03 Although the interpretation of outcomes is still difficult, more recent transitional fish indices are leading in the use of comprehensive appraisal and validation exercises to test the performance of BQEs in the assessment of Ecological Status (ES). Further appraisal of fish indices behaviour is needed to understand the meaning of the quality outcomes, to set realistic management targets and also to identify the aspects of the indices that are more likely to affect the outcomes leading to more robust and responsive indices Key Message 04 Uncertainty levels associated with metric variability in multi-metric fish indices can be managed to increase the confidence in Ecological Status (ES) class assignment. Further research is needed to include knowledge of habitat partition within systems, to understand metrics behaviour and precision, to test new combination rules allowing metric weighting by robustness and importantly to evaluate more robust sampling tools and methods. Deliverable D4.4-5: Precision and behaviour of fish-based ecological quality metrics in relation to natural and anthropogenic pressure gradients in European estuaries and lagoons Page 7/71 Key Message 05 Reference conditions for BQE fish-based quality assessments can be objectively estimated using predictive modelling. Further refinements will require the use of better pressure proxies, robust metrics amenable to modelling and to account for survey design bias (effort & choice of sampling gear) at the relevant scales used in monitoring programmes. Deliverable D4.4-5: Precision and behaviour of fish-based ecological quality metrics in relation to natural and anthropogenic pressure gradients in European estuaries and lagoons Deliverable D4.4-5: Precision and behaviour of fish-based ecological quality metrics in relation to natural and anthropogenic pressure gradients in European estuaries and lagoons Deliverable D4.4-5: Precision and behaviour of fish-based ecological quality metrics in relation to natural and anthropogenic pressure gradients in European estuaries and lagoons
The history of monitoring transitional water fish in Scotland is briefly outlined. The requiremen... more The history of monitoring transitional water fish in Scotland is briefly outlined. The requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive are explained and how this applies to the monitoring of transitional water fish communities in Scotland is described. The development of a monitoring programme for Scotland is outlined, including sampling methods and strategies. Six transitional waters were selected as representative for Scotland covering three different types of transitional water. A multi-metric tool, the Transitional Water Fish Classification Index was used to assess the ecological status of the fish communities in these waters and the operation of the different metrics and the creation of appropriate reference conditions is explained. The assessment tool was applied to survey data from 2005 to 2018, although only the more recent data fully met the tool requirements. The species composition and abundances in the respective transitional waters were compared. The fully valid survey...
In considering the use of estuarine habitats by fish assemblages, alternative views of the assemb... more In considering the use of estuarine habitats by fish assemblages, alternative views of the assemblage are increasingly being explored, based on functional rather than taxonomic aspects. The allocation of all taxa to a number of functional guilds allows a description of fish assemblages in terms of vertical zonation, habitat preferences, including the substratum preference of benthic/demersal species, and dietary preferences. This paper presents the first comparison of the structure of the fish assemblages in the tidal marshes of 6 European estuaries (Bay of Cadiz,
The main goal of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is to achieve good ecological status acro... more The main goal of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is to achieve good ecological status across European surface waters by 2015 and as such, it offers the opportunity and thus the challenge to improve the protection of our coastal systems. It is the main example for Europe's increasing desire to conserve aquatic ecosystems. Ironically, since c. 1975 the increasing adoption of EU directives has been accompanied by a decreasing interest of, for example, the Dutch government to assess the quality of its coastal and marine ecosystems. The surveillance and monitoring started in NL in 1971 has declined since the 1980s resulting in a 35% reduction of sampling stations. Given this and interruptions the remaining data series is considered to be insufficient for purposes other than trend analysis and compliance. The Dutch marine managers have apparently chosen a minimal (cost-effective) approach despite the WFD implicitly requiring the incorporation of the system's 'ecological complexity' in indices used to evaluate the ecological status of highly variable systems such as transitional and coastal waters. These indices should include both the community structure and system functioning and to make this really cost-effective a new monitoring strategy is required with a tailor-made programme. Since the adoption of the WFD in 2000 and the launching of the European Marine Strategy in 2002 (and the recently proposed Marine Framework Directive) we suggest reviewing national monitoring programmes in order to integrate water quality monitoring and biological monitoring and change from 'station oriented monitoring' to 'basin or system oriented monitoring' in combination with specific 'cause-effect' studies for highly dynamic coastal systems. Progress will be made if the collected information is integrated and aggregated in valuable tools such as structure-and functioning-oriented computer simulation models and Decision Support Systems. The development of ecological indices integrating community structure and system functioning, such as in Ecological Network Analysis, are proposed to meet a cost-effective approach at the national level and full assessment of the ecosystem status at the EU level. The WFD offers the opportunity to reconsider and reinvest in environmental research and monitoring. Using examples from the Netherlands and, to a lesser extent, the United Kingdom, the present paper therefore reviews marine monitoring and marine environmental research in combination and in the light of such major policy initiatives such as the WFD.
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