Background Document for Zostera beds, Seagrass beds Biodiversity Series 2009 OSPAR Convention Convention OSPAR The Convention for the Protection of the La Convention pour la protection du milieu Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic marin de l'Atlantique du Nord-Est, dite (the “OSPAR Convention”) was opened for Convention OSPAR, a été ouverte à la signature at the Ministerial Meeting of the signature à la réunion ministérielle des former Oslo and Paris Commissions in Paris anciennes Commissions d'Oslo et de Paris, on 22 September 1992. The Convention à Paris le 22 septembre 1992. La Convention entered into force on 25 March 1998. It has est entrée en vigueur le 25 mars 1998. been ratified by Belgium, Denmark, Finland, La Convention a été ratifiée par l'Allemagne, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, la Belgique, le Danemark, la Finlande, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, la France, l’Irlande, l’Islande, le Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom la Norvège, les Pays-Bas, le Portugal, and approved by the European Community le Royaume-Uni de Grande Bretagne and Spain. et d’Irlande du Nord, la Suède et la Suisse et approuvée par la Communauté européenne et l’Espagne. Acknowledgement This document has been prepared by Dr. Anita Tullrot, University of Gothenburg, on behalf of Sweden, as lead country for Zostera beds. Photo acknowledgement: Cover page: Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Ireland Contents Background document for Zostera beds, Seagrass beds .................................................................3 Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................3 Récapitulatif .......................................................................................................................................3 1. Background Information..........................................................................................................3 Nomination..............................................................................................................................3 Definition for habitat mapping.................................................................................................4 2. Original Evaluation against the Texel-Faial selection criteria .................................................4 OSPAR Regions and Dinter biogeographic zones where the habitat occurs ........................4 OSPAR Regions where the habitat is under threat and/or decline ........................................4 Original evaluation against the Texel-Faial criteria for which the habitat was included on the OSPAR List .................................................................................................................4 Relevant additional considerations.........................................................................................5 3. Current status of the habitat....................................................................................................6 Distribution in the OSPAR maritime area...............................................................................6 Extent of the habitats (current/trends/future prospects) .........................................................6 Condition (current/trends/future prospects)............................................................................7 Limitations in knowledge ........................................................................................................8 4. Evaluation of threats and impacts...........................................................................................8 5. Existing Management Measures.............................................................................................8 6. Conclusion on overall status ...................................................................................................9 7. What action should be taken at an OSPAR level? ...............................................................10 Action/measures that OSPAR could take, subject to OSPAR agreement ...........................10 Recommendation for further measures and activities:.........................................................11 Brief Summary of the proposed monitoring system .............................................................12 Annex 1: Overview of data and information provided by Contracting Parties ..............................13 Summaries of country-specific information provided.................................................................14 National overview of the distribution and extent of Zostera marina .....................................14 National information on the status and trends in condition of Zostera beds ........................15 National information on the existing management measures in OSPAR Contracting Party .....................................................................................................................................17 Annex 2: Description of the proposed monitoring and assessment strategy...............................19 Rationale for the proposed monitoring .................................................................................19 Use of existing monitoring programmes...............................................................................19 Synergies with monitoring of other species or habitats........................................................20 Proposed assessment criteria ..............................................................................................21 Techniques/approaches .......................................................................................................24 Baseline monitoring programme .....................................................................................24 Enhanced monitoring programme...................................................................................28 Timing and Frequency of monitoring....................................................................................30 Timing...................................................................................................................................30 Frequency.............................................................................................................................31 Data collection and reporting...........................................................................................31 Quality assurance............................................................................................................33 Annex 3: References............................................................................................................................34 2 OSPAR Commission 2009 Background document for Zostera beds, Seagrass beds Executive Summary This background document on Zostera beds has been developed by OSPAR following the inclusion of this habitat on the OSPAR List of threatened and/or declining species and habitats (OSPAR agreement 2008-6). The document provides a compilation of the reviews and assessments that have been prepared concerning this habitat since the agreement to include it in the OSPAR List in 2003. The original evaluation used to justify the inclusion of Zostera beds reefs in the OSPAR List is followed by an assessment of the most recent information on its status (distribution, extent, condition) and key threats prepared during 2008-2009. Chapter 7 provides recommendations for the actions and measures that could be taken to improve the conservation status of the habitat. In agreeing to the publication of this document, Contracting Parties have indicated the need to further review these proposals. Publication of this background document does not, therefore, imply any formal endorsement of these proposals by the OSPAR Commission. On the basis of the further review of these proposals, OSPAR will continue its work to ensure the protection of Zostera beds, where necessary in cooperation with other competent organisations. This background document may be updated to reflect further developments or further information on the status of the habitat which becomes available. Récapitulatif Le présent document de fond sur les herbiers de Zostera a été élaboré par OSPAR à la suite de l’inclusion de cet habitat dans la liste OSPAR des espèces et habitats menacés et/ou en déclin (Accord OSPAR 2008- 6). Ce document comporte une compilation des revues et des évaluations concernant cet habitat qui ont été préparées depuis qu’il a été convenu de l’inclure dans la Liste OSPAR en 2003. L’évaluation d’origine permettant de justifier l’inclusion des herbiers de Zostera dans la Liste OSPAR est suivie d’une évaluation des informations les plus récentes sur son statut (distribution, étendue et condition) et des menaces clés, préparée en 2008-2009. Le chapitre 7 fournit des propositions d’actions et de mesures qui pourraient être prises afin d’améliorer l’état de conservation de l’habitat. En se mettant d’accord sur la publication de ce document, les Parties contractantes ont indiqué la nécessité de réviser de nouveau ces propositions. La publication de ce document ne signifie pas, par conséquent que la Commission OSPAR entérine ces propositions de manière formelle. A partir de la nouvelle révision de ces propositions, OSPAR poursuivra ses travaux afin de s’assurer de la protection des herbiers de Zostera le cas échéant avec la coopération d’autres organisations compétentes. Ce document de fond pourra être actualisé