Response of biodiversity indicators to management measures (test of indicators): BIO-C3 Deliverable, D5.1 . EU Bonusproject BIO-C3

Executive summary: 

Identification and quantification of pressure‐state links of biodiversity indicators is one of the majorscientific challenges ahead. This task aimed at identifying and quantifying the pressure-state links of selected biodiversity indicators, their relevance and response to management measures. Relevant indicators have been selected based on their relevance to: (i) the important anthropogenic pressures in the Baltic Sea and the climate change; (ii) major biodiversity components (i.e. phyto- and zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, fish and NIS); (iii) HELCOM policies, current trends in marine research and methodological developments. The selected indicators/groups of indicators included:

•  Predator fish indicators

•  NIS indicators

•  Benthic inverstebrate indicators

•  Zooplankton indicators

• Food web and phytoplankton indicators

• Trait-based and functional diversity indicators

•  Metabarcoding-based indicators

• Genetic diversity indicators

The selection was based on the analysis of the comprehensive catalogue of biodiversity indicators, developed in collaboration with the recent DEVOTES project. In this catalogue, over 600 indicators were compiled, which were developed and used in the framework of different initiatives (e.g., EU policies, research projects) and in national and international contexts (e.g., Regional Seas Conventions, and assessments in non-European seas). Out of these, nearly 200 indicators were reported for the Baltic Sea, representing different pressures, DPSIR stages and target biodiversity groups.

The selected indicators were tested for their performance (incl. stability and sensitivity), based on the outcomes of the Bio-C3 case studies, modelling results and literature reviews, as well as high-level expert knowledge represented by the project consortium. Along with the generalized summary, Deliverable 5.1 provides practical observations, recommendations and precautions for using the existing and newly developed biodiversity indicators.

The summarized management advice resulting from this task includes (but not limited to):

• Wider employment of ecosystem-based approaches in monitoring and environmental status assessment
•  Development of adaptive and flexible management frameworks

•  Continued and consistent monitoring of all biodiversity components across Baltic sub-regions

• Uptake and further development of emerging molecular methods for routine monitoring

• Switching from simplistic biodiversity metrics towards complex, function-focused multi-

  trophic indicators, involving tiered assessment approaches

• Work toward filling the existing gaps in knowledge on the synergetic effects of multiple

  pressures and relevant biodiversity response

More detailed information on the considered indicators/groups of indicators is presented in the form of individual factsheet within the Core Activity section, as well as numerous publication resulting from the Bio-C3 activities and referred to in the text of the Deliverable 5.1.