Nature conservation activities require knowledge about the condition of ecosystems and how they change. This knowledge is gathered by long-term systematic monitoring of species and habitats.
A good marine monitoring programme can quickly and reliably detect negative trends in marine biodiversity and trigger appropriate action. Monitoring data can often be used to show how specific human activities have specific impacts on marine biodiversity.
Monitoring of marine species and habitats produces data on the conservation status of habitats and flora and fauna populations, their distribution and abundance, habitat quality, trends and threats. Conservation status is assessed using prescribed criteria – see Assessment matrices for Habitats Directive species and marine habitat types . Such assessments form the basis for taking any measures, the success of which is also measured using monitoring data (see figure).
For some conservation measures and programmes promoting ecosystem-friendly sustainable use of the seas, success monitoring is done using indicators specially designed for the purpose. An example is the set of ecological quality objectives (EcoQOs) developed under OSPAR as status indicators for the system as a whole.
In German coastal waters, nature conservation is the responsibility of the country’s coastal 'Länder'. In the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), between 12 and 200 miles from the coastal baseline, sovereignty restrictions under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) mean that responsibility for marine nature conservation lies with the German federal government. This responsibility is assigned to the Federal Environment Ministry and BfN. Alongside other nature conservation obligations, a vital part of the work involved consists of monitoring and assessing the conservation status of protected species and habitats.
Downloads
RECENT
MONITORING REPORTS:
Benthic characteristic
species of habitats
Sea birds
Harbour porpoise
