A spatially explicit risk approach to support marine spatial planning in the German EEZ

An ecosystem approach to marine spatial planning (MSP) promotes sustainable development by organizing human activities in a geo-spatial and temporal context. (1) This study develops and tests a spatially explicit risk assessment to support MSP. Using the German exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the North Sea as a case study area, current and future spatial management scenarios are assessed. (2) Different tools are linked in order to carry out a comprehensive spatial risk assessment of current and future spatial management scenarios for ecologic and economic ecosystem components, i.e. Pleuronectes platessa nursery grounds. With the identification of key inputs and outputs the suitability of each tool is tested. (3) Here, the procedure as well as the main findings of the spatially explicit risk approach are summarised to demonstrate the applicability of the framework and the need for an ecosystem approach to risk management techniques using geo-spatial tools.

► The risk approach facilitated the assessment of current and future management scenarios using spatially explicit tools.
► Six of 7 pressures affected the nursery grounds by a “high level of impact” and remained “high” within the future scenario.
► Approx. 20% of the study area was affected by the conflict level “mutually exclusive”, 30% within the future scenario.
► The outcomes demonstrated the need for an ecosystem approach to risk management techniques using geo-spatial tools.