Abstract
Summary Objective: To develop quantitative measures of the ecological function of seabed sediments and apply these to map the sensitivity of sediment habitats which, when combined with maps of anthropogenic pressures, will enable evidence-based assessments of the health of the seabed. Key Customer Purpose: The project will not only inform the assessment of ‘sea-floor integrity’ to be made under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), but will provide metrics for use in setting environmental targets, and so will contribute to the development of the MSFD Monitoring Programme and the Programme of Measures designed to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES).
United Kingdom