REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND MARINE RESEARCH Initial Assessment of the Marine Environment of Cyprus Part I – Characteristics Nicosia, Cyprus July 2012 Implementation of Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework-Directive (2008/56/EC) Table of contents 1. Physical and chemical features ...................................................................................... 1 1.1 Topography and bathymetry of the seabed .............................................................. 1 1.1.1 Seafloor morphology .......................................................................................... 1 1.1.2 Bathymetry ........................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Annual and seasonal temperature regime and ice cover, current velocity, upwelling, wave exposure, mixing characteristics, turbidity, residence time ....................................... 4 1.2.1 Temperature ...................................................................................................... 4 1.2.1.1 Spatial distribution ....................................................................................... 4 1.2.1.2 Annual and seasonal evolution .................................................................... 7 1.2.1.3 Decadal and inter-decadal changes ............................................................. 8 1.2.2 Circulation and currents (including upwelling) .................................................... 8 1.2.2.1 Spatial distributions ...................................................................................... 8 1.2.2.2 Annual and seasonal evolution .................................................................. 10 1.2.3 Surface gravity waves ...................................................................................... 11 1.2.3.1 Spatial distributions .................................................................................... 11 1.2.3.2 Annual and seasonal evolution .................................................................. 12 1.2.4 Sea surface tides ............................................................................................. 12 1.2.5 Sea level .......................................................................................................... 12 1.2.5.1 Spatial distributions .................................................................................... 12 1.2.5.2 Annual and seasonal evolution .................................................................. 13 1.3 Spatial and temporal distribution of salinity ............................................................. 14 1.3.1 Spatial distribution ........................................................................................... 14 1.3.2 Annual and seasonal evolution ........................................................................ 14 1.3.3 Decadal and inter-decadal changes ................................................................. 15 1.4 Spatial and temporal distribution of nutrients (DIN, TN, DIP, TP, TOC) and oxygen 16 1.4.1 Inorganic nutrients and organic matter ............................................................. 16 1.4.1.1 Spatial distribution and temporal variations ................................................ 16 1.4.1.1.1 Regional phenomena .......................................................................... 16 1.4.1.1.2 Coastal waters..................................................................................... 21 1.4.1.2 Natural sources.......................................................................................... 22 1.4.1.2.1 Atmospheric sources ........................................................................... 22 1.4.1.2.2 Fluvial sources .................................................................................... 24 1.4.1.2.3 In situ processes ................................................................................. 25 1.4.1.3 Future trends ............................................................................................. 25 1.4.2 Oxygen ............................................................................................................ 26 1.4.2.1 Regional patterns ....................................................................................... 26 1.4.2.2 Coastal concentrations .............................................................................. 29 1.4.2.3 Future trends ............................................................................................. 30 1.5 pH, pCO2 profiles or equivalent information used to measure marine acidification . 31 1.5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 31 1.5.2 Existing data and status ................................................................................... 31 1.5.3 Future trends ................................................................................................... 35 2. Habitat types ................................................................................................................ 37 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 37 2.1.1 Rationale ......................................................................................................... 37 2.1.2 Methodology .................................................................................................... 37 2.2 The predominant seabed and water column habitat type(s) with a description of the characteristic physical and chemical features, such as depth, water temperature regime, - i - currents and other water movements, salinity, structure and substrata composition of the seabed ............................................................................................................................ 38 2.2.1 Temperature .................................................................................................... 38 2.2.2 Salinity ............................................................................................................. 38 2.2.3 Substrate ......................................................................................................... 39 2.2.4 Light ................................................................................................................ 39 2.2.5 Dissolved oxygen............................................................................................. 39 2.2.6 Waves and tidal currents ................................................................................. 40 2.2.7 Biological zonation ........................................................................................... 40 2.3 Identification and mapping of special habitat types, especially those recognised or identified under Community legislation (the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive) or international conventions as being of special scientific or biodiversity interest ................. 40 2.3.1 Classification approach .................................................................................... 40 2.3.2 Determination of probable benthic and water column habitat types ................. 41 2.3.3 Identification of special habitat types ............................................................... 43 2.4 Habitats in areas which by virtue of their characteristics, location or strategic importance merit a particular reference, including areas subject to intense or specific pressures or areas which merit a specific protection regime ........................................... 49 2.4.1 Polis-Yialia (Natura 2000 site) ......................................................................... 50 2.4.2 Akamas Peninsula (Natura 2000 site) .............................................................. 50 2.4.2.1 Eastern Akamas ........................................................................................ 50 2.4.2.2 Western Akamas ....................................................................................... 50 2.4.3 Moulia Rocks (Natura 2000 site) ...................................................................... 51 2.4.4 Cape Aspro – Petra tou Romiou (Natura 2000 site) ......................................... 51 2.4.5 Cape Greco (Natura 2000 site) ........................................................................ 51 2.4.6 Nisia (Natura 2000 site) ................................................................................... 52 2.4.7 Lara/Toxeftra (Turtle reserve) .......................................................................... 52 2.4.8 Limassol Bay (including Vasilikos bay, Moni and Vasilicos area) ..................... 53 3. Biological features ........................................................................................................ 56 3.1 A description of the biological communities associated with the predominant seabed and water column habitats, including information on the phytoplankton and zooplankton communities and species and seasonal and geographical variability .............................. 56 3.1.1 Phytoplankton .................................................................................................. 56 3.1.2 Zooplankton ..................................................................................................... 59 3.2 Information on angiosperms, macro-algae and invertebrate bottom fauna, including species