Marine Strategy Framework Directive Projects
A preliminary analysis of which monitoring programmes have the potential to provide data and information for the 11 Marine Strategy Framework Directive Descriptors has been completed to provide policy makers with an improved knowledge of the potential to meet the requirements of the directive.
To search by each descriptor choose the required one from the 'projects' drop-down menu on the search pane and click search. Each programme is displayed and further details may be got by clicking the '+' or 'show details' icon. Summary details for each programme may be exported into Microsoft excel by selecting the 'Export Selected' button beneath the map interface. To learn more and use other functions click 'How to Search'.
Please note there are limitations to this initial analysis and any user should acknowledge that when using UKDMOS. In particular the below outlines some of the problems that were encountered when selecting which UK monitoring programmes fell in which descriptors.
Descriptor 1, Biological diversity. See comments for 4
Descriptor 2, Alien Species. The primary purpose of the two programmes in this descriptor is not to identify alien species however they do have a significant component which consider alien species.
Descriptor 4, Foodwebs and Species. Difficult to separate this descripter from 1, but we have assumed that this descriptor is focused on foodwebs, species and their functioning and descripter 1 is focused on biological diversity. Monitoring in Special Areas is not currently included in this descriptor but could be in the future upon clarification.
Descriptor 6, Seafloor integrity. Just the MCA civil hydrography programme that is a regular programme that monitors the seafloor, however there is a large number of additional data that exist which could be used. These data collection exercises are coordinated under the UKMMAS Seabed Mapping sub group
Descriptor 7, Hydrography. Programmes included are those that monitor wave, currents, tide, temp and salinity routinely. It should be noted that there are other programmes that do monitor temperature and salinity but for other drivers such as WFD and also many fisheries programmes that do. Search UKDMOS by parameter group of temp and salinity and you will be able to discover these. For effects on hydrography from coastal structures then a coordinated programme as far as we are aware is not in existance as it is largely site specific and licenced under FEPA.
Descriptor 10, Litter. The offshore element is in the process of being coordinated by CEFAS under CSSEG
Descriptor 11, Noise. No existing programmes that we are aware of but we are investigating some leads
