FOUR PARTS Part 1: Habitat Directive, Annex 1: habitat types Part 2: Habitat Directive, Annex 2:...

FOUR PARTS

• Part 1: Habitat Directive, Annex 1: habitat types• Part 2: Habitat Directive, Annex 2: marine mammals• Part 3: Habitat Directive, Annex 2: non-marine mammals• Part 4: Integration

DELINEATING HABITAT DIRECTIVE AREAS IN THE BPNS

REPORT

Degraer, S., U. Braeckman, J. Haelters, K. Hostens, T. Jacques, F. Kerckhof, B. Merckx, M. Rabaut, E. Stienen, G. Van Hoey, V. Van Lancker & M. Vincx (2009). Studie betreffende het opstellen van een lijst van potentiële Habitatrichtlijngebieden in het Belgische deel van de Noordzee. Final report by order of FSP Environment, Marine Environment. 93 pp.

20 to 60 % important habitat assigned as N2000 area

Habitat types Annex I, HA1110

RATIONALE

HA1110 = structurally and functionally coherent

unit of sandbank tops and associated gullies

Delineating 24 sandbanks based on DTM and BPI (= basic

building blocks)

Differentiation 4 biotopes:

Habitat suitabilityBiological value

Surface area

Differentiation sandbanks:(per biotope)

Biological valueDensity macrobenthos

Number of biotopesShare in surface area

Scenario testingPreferential & additional biotope

4 scenario’s


24 sandbanks




RATIONALE



Delineating 24 sandbanks based on

DTM and BPI (= basic building blocks)



Surface area





4 scenario’s


Macoma balthicacommunity

Abra albacommunity

Nephtys cirrosacommunity

Ophelia limacinacommunity

Increasing sediment mud content

Increasing (median) grain size

Degraer et al., 2003Van Hoey et al., 2004

Habitat types Annex I, HA1110 – 4 biotopes




Macrobenthic density Species richness

Abra alba biotope Abra alba biotope

Coastal and near coastal area


RATIONALE







Surface area





4 scenario’s


24 sandbanksX

4 biotopes

Macoma balthica Abra alba Nephtys cirrosa Ophelia limacinaMacoma balthica Abra alba Nephtys cirrosa Ophelia limacina



Abra alba biotopeRanking

of sandbanks


RATIONALE







Surface area





4 scenario’s


Scenario 15% preferential biotope






RATIONALE

Ecological importance ?

Two candidates HA1170Lanice conchilega aggregations

Gravel beds Actual threats?Bottom disturbing activities

HD as instrument for protection?HA1170

HA1170 associated with HA1110« special feature » under HA1110

Lanice conchilega aggregations

MaxEntAggregations: min. 500 ind./m²

Gravel bedsMaximum data explorationMin. 20% gravel; > 2 mm


Habitat types Annex I, HA1110 (HA1170)

Lanice conchilega aggregations(~ Abra alba biotope) Gravel beds


Habitat types Annex I, HA1110 (HA1170)

RATIONALE

Potential target species in BDNZBottlenose dolphinHarbour porpoise

Common sealGrey seal

Available dataData RBINSData INBO

MappingAt species level

EvaluationPopulation size

Conservation statusInternational importance


Species Annex II, marine mammals

Harbour porpoise(March-April)

April 2008: 2700 ind. (~ 2% NS population)Extinct

Bottlenose dolphin(Recent observations)



Common seal

Grey seal:

Only anecdotic observations



CONCLUSION MARINE MAMMALS

None of the Annex II species allow identifying areas of community importance (cf. internationally low numbers and/or no concentration areas).

Potential target species in BPNSSea lamprey, River lamprey, Sturgeon, Twait shad, shad,

Houting, SalmonLoggerhead sea turtle, Green sea

turtle

RATIONALE

Evaluation potential target speciesSea lamprey, River lamprey, Sturgeon, Twait shad, Shad

Available dataData ILVO

(Data RBINS, Data Natuurpunt)

EvaluationPopulation size

Conservation statusRelative importance BPNS


Species Annex II, non-marine mammals

Twait shadRiver lamprey



CONCLUSION NON-MARINE MAMMALS

It is impossible to identify concentration areas, nor is it possible to take site-specific conservation measures.

The importance of coastal zone for migrating fish up and down the Scheldt estuary however is acknowledged.



FOUR PARTS

• Part 1: Habitat Directive, Annex 1: habitat types• Part 2: Habitat Directive, Annex 2: marine mammals• Part 3: Habitat Directive, Annex 2: non-marine mammals• Part 4: Integration


REPORT

Degraer, S., U. Braeckman, J. Haelters, K. Hostens, T. Jacques, F. Kerckhof, B. Merckx, M. Rabaut, E. Stienen, G. Van Hoey, V. Van Lancker & M. Vincx (2009). Studie betreffende het opstellen van een lijst van potentiële Habitatrichtlijngebieden in het Belgische deel van de Noordzee. Final report by order of FSP Environment, Marine Environment. 93 pp.

20 to 60 % important habitat assigned as N2000 area

X

X

X

X

X XX

X

XX

X

X

X

X

X

X

Integration


Facts

Habitatttype / Biotoop Oppervlakte Habitattype 1110 1107 km² Macoma balthica biotoop 24 km² Abra alba biotoop 245 km² Nephtys cirrosa biotoop 521 km² Ophelia limacina biotoop 292 km² Lanice conchilega aggregaties ± 285 km² Grindbedden 221 km²

29%

8%19%28%46%

35%

38%


FOUR PARTS Part 1: Habitat Directive, Annex 1: habitat types Part 2: Habitat Directive, Annex 2:...

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