Overview of eutrophication indicators to assess environmental status within the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive

• Published in: Estuarine, coastal and shelf science Vol. 93; no. 2; pp. 117 - 131
• Main Authors: Ferreira, João G., Andersen, Jesper H., Borja, Angel, Bricker, Suzanne B., Camp, Jordi, Cardoso da Silva, Margarida, Garcés, Esther, Heiskanen, Anna-Stiina, Humborg, Christoph, Ignatiades, Lydia, Lancelot, Christiane, Menesguen, Alain, Tett, Paul, Hoepffner, Nicolas, Claussen, Ulrich
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; assessment methods; Biological and medical sciences; Brackish water ecosystems; chlorophyll; coastal; dissolved oxygen; Europe; eutrophication; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; harmful algae; Life Sciences; Marine; marine Strategy Framework Directive; Sciences of the Universe; Sea water ecosystems; Synecology; water Framework Directive; Europe; dissolved oxygen; harmful algae; Marine; eutrophication; water Framework Directive; Europe; assessment methods; chlorophyll; marine Strategy Framework Directive; coastal; Status; Chlorophyll; Brackish water environment; Water Framework Directive; Algae; Review; Method; Indicator; Eutrophication; Marine environment; Environment; Strategy; Dissolved oxygen; Harmful alga
• ISSN: 0272-7714; 1096-0015; 1096-0015
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2011.03.014

In 2009, following approval of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC), the European Commission (EC) created task groups to develop guidance for eleven quality descriptors that form the basis for evaluating ecosystem function. The objective was to provide European countries with practical guidelines for implementing the MSFD, and to produce a Commission Decision that encapsulated key points of the work in a legal framework. This paper presents a review of work carried out by the eutrophication task group, and reports our main findings to the scientific community. On the basis of an operational, management-oriented definition, we discuss the main methodologies that could be used for coastal and marine eutrophication assessment. Emphasis is placed on integrated approaches that account for physico–chemical and biological components, and combine both pelagic and benthic symptoms of eutrophication, in keeping with the holistic nature of the MSFD. We highlight general features that any marine eutrophication model should possess, rather than making specific recommendations. European seas range from highly eutrophic systems such as the Baltic to nutrient-poor environments such as the Aegean Sea. From a physical perspective, marine waters range from high energy environments of the north east Atlantic to the permanent vertical stratification of the Black Sea. This review aimed to encapsulate that variability, recognizing that meaningful guidance should be flexible enough to accommodate the widely differing characteristics of European seas, and that this information is potentially relevant in marine ecosystems worldwide. Given the spatial extent of the MSFD, innovative approaches are required to allow meaningful monitoring and assessment. Consequently, substantial logistic and financial challenges will drive research in areas such as remote sensing of harmful algal blooms, in situ sensor development, and mathematical models. Our review takes into account related legislation, and in particular the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD – 2000/60/EC), which deals with river basins, including estuaries and a narrow coastal strip, in order to examine these issues within the framework of integrated coastal zone management. ► Eutrophication guidance for the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). ► Operational, management-oriented definition of eutrophication. ► Integrated assessment of physico-chemical and biological components. ► Assessment models combine both pelagic and benthic symptoms of eutrophication. ► Innovative approaches required for meaningful monitoring and assessment.