Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6360533 | Marine Pollution Bulletin | 2012 | 9 Pages |
Abstract
This paper presents an overview of the main discussion and conclusions of a workshop, organised by the MeshAtlantic project, focusing upon the experience in using the EUNIS habitats classification across different countries and seas, together with case studies. The aims of the meeting were to: (i) bring together scientists with experience in the use of the EUNIS marine classification and representatives from the European Environment Agency (EEA); (ii) agree on enhancements to EUNIS that ensure an improved representation of the European marine habitats; and (iii) establish practices that make marine habitat maps produced by scientists more consistent with the needs of managers and decision-makers. During the workshop challenges for the future development of EUNIS were identified, which have been classified into five categories: (1) structure and hierarchy; (2) biology; (3) terminology; (4) mapping; and (5) future development. The workshop ended with a declaration from the attendees, with recommendations to the EEA and European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity, to take into account the outputs of the workshop, which identify weaknesses in the current classification and include proposals for its modification, and to devise a process to further develop the marine component of the EUNIS habitat classification.
Keywords
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Oceanography
Authors
Ibon Galparsoro, David W. Connor, Ángel Borja, Annabelle Aish, Patricia Amorim, Touria Bajjouk, Caroline Chambers, Roger Coggan, Guillaume Dirberg, Helen Ellwood, Douglas Evans, Kathleen L. Goodin, Anthony Grehan, Jannica Haldin, Kerry Howell,