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Making BAP criteria ‘work’ for
marine conservation
Keith Hiscock
Marine Biological Association
Plymouth
“Making BAP criteria ‘work’ for marine
conservation”
means that the criteria identify species
and habitats that:
1. Are scientifically credible to scientists (so that they can
support the resulting lists of species and habitats).
2. Are understandable/sensible for decision makers (so that
they can accept the constraints on development).
3. Help to achieve the objectives/requirements of directives,
conventions and statutes.
It is a bonus if the criteria identify species
and habitats that:
1. We can take action to improve their status.
As well as BAP, now:
NIMF – Nationally Important Marine
Features, which are:
• Areas that best represent the range of seascapes, habitats
and species present in the UK – the UK’s marine biodiversity
heritage.
• Seascapes, habitats and species for which we have a
special responsibility in a national, regional or global context.
• Seascapes, habitats and species that have suffered
significant decline in their extent or quality, or are threatened
with such decline, and can thus be defined as being in poor
status.
See: Connor et al. 2002. Rationale and criteria for the identification of nationally
important marine nature conservation features and areas in the UK. Version 02.11.
Unpublished. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. (Available from:
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/PDF/sg341.pdf)
So, the presentation:
1. Recent imperatives for marine – OSPAR, Johannesburg,
Marine Bill.
2. Context – how many marine species and habitats?
3. Credibility - new tools for marine biodiversity conservation
since the mid-90’s.
4. Applying Nationally Important Marine Features (NIMF) and
Degree of Threat criteria to identify candidate biotopes and
species – experience from doing it.
5. Incorporating NIMF and BAP species and habitats into
decision making for marine environmental management
and protection.
6. On the horizon – new approaches that include NIMF and
BAP species and habitats to identify ‘marine biodiversity
hotspots’.
7. Information and skills gaps to be filled – what we need to
do – and what we need not to do.
Recent imperatives:
ANNEX V
On the Protection and Conservation of the Ecosystems and
Biological Diversity of the Maritime Area
(OSPAR has generated criteria for the identification of marine
protected areas and lists of threatened habitats and species)
(OSPAR has recommended the establishment by 2010 of an
ecologically coherent network of well-managed marine
protected areas )
Recent imperatives:
32. … promote the conservation and management of the
oceans through …:
(c) … the establishment of marine protected areas
consistent with international law and based on scientific
information, including representative networks by 2012 …
(d) … develop national regional and international
programmes for halting the loss of marine biodiversity…
Recent imperatives:
How many marine species?
8, 229 multicellular marine species listed in the Species Directory for Britain and Ireland.
Green algae (162)
Other algae (83)
Sponges (356)
Sea firs, anemones &
corals (386)
Dinoflagellates (440)
Uniflagellates (117)
Gastrotrichs (141)
Brown algae (233)
Round worms (410)
Diatoms (932)
Segmented worms
(1020)
Red algae (427)
Other Vertebrates
(38)
Birds (218)
Fish (333)
Crustaceans (2689)
Other invertebrates
(573)
Sea squirts (122)
Echinoderms (148)
Sea mats (295)
Molluscs (873)
See: www.marlin.ac.uk/PDF/MLTN_biodiversity.pdf
Numbers of marine species in major
groups in Britain & Ireland (excluding
viruses, bacteria, cyanobacteria, & fungi)
How many marine habitats?
Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with hydroids and echinoderms in
deeper infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand (Code: IGS.Phy.HEc).
Image: Keith Hiscock
Biotopes are the most
common level at which
habitats are classified: A
biotope is: The smallest
geographical unit of the
biosphere or of a habitat
that can be delimited by
convenient boundaries
and is characterized by its
biota (Lincoln et al.,
1998).
262/370 biotopes (at Level 4/5) in the 2004 classification
(Connor et al. 2004. See: www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1584)
‘New’ tools since the mid-90’s: the
Species Directory (1997/99)
Now getting out-of-date and in need of replacement (NBN
Species Dictionary or European Register of Marine Species?)
‘New’ tools since the mid 90’s:
The Britain and Ireland biotopes classification (Connor et al.
1997 and 2004. See: www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1584).
‘New’ tools since the mid 90’s:
Identifying sensitivity and ‘threat of significant decline’ (MarLIN
Biology and Sensitivity Key Information for species and biotopes)
www.marlin.ac.uk
Hiscock, K. & Tyler-Walters, H. 2006.
Identifying sensitivity in marine
ecosystems: the MarLIN programme.
Hydrobiologia, 555, 309-320.
‘New’ tools since the mid 90’s:
Criteria for the identification of Important Marine Areas*
• Typicalness
• Naturalness
• Size
• Biological diversity
• Critical area
• Area important for a priority marine feature
“Features that qualify as special features or which are declined or threatened
should contribute to the identification of these areas”.
Encompasses OSPAR criteria: “THREATENED OR DECLINING SPECIES
AND HABITATS/BIOTOPES”. [Include Rarity’ as information on decline is often
lacking.] and IMPORTANT SPECIES AND HABITATS/BIOTOPES. [Refers to
global (‘Proportional importance’) and UK (‘Regional importance’) distribution
and population numbers.] and SENSITIVITY.
* Defra, 2005. Review of Marine Conservation – Working Group report to Government. PB 9714. London,
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlifecountryside/ewd/rmnc/pdf/rmnc-report-0704.pdf
‘New’ tools since the mid 90’s:
Criteria for identifying Nationally Important Marine Features
Species
CRITERION 1: Proportional Importance
A high proportion of the populations of a species occurs within the UK. Species are categorised as follows:
Global importance: a high (>25%) proportion of the global population of a species occurs within the UK.
Regional importance: a high (>30%) proportion of the regional (NE Atlantic within the OSPAR area)
population of a species.
CRITERION 2: Rarity
Marine species that are sessile or of restricted mobility are considered nationally rare if distribution is
restricted to eight or less 10km squares (0.5%) within the 3 mile territorial seas limit of UK waters. A
mobile species qualifies as nationally rare if the total population size is known, inferred or suspected to be
fewer than 250 mature individuals. Outside of inshore areas, sparse survey data makes it difficult to apply
quantitative criteria and expert judgement is used.
CRITERION 3: Decline
An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected significant decline (exceeding expected or known natural
fluctuations) in numbers, extent or quality of a marine species in the UK (quality refers to life history
parameters). Decline should be at least 25% in the past 25 years where figures are available.
CRITERION 4: Threat of decline
It is estimated, inferred or suspected that a species will suffer a significant decline in the foreseeable future
as a result of human activity. (Factors included for Biodiversity Action Plans: 1. It is predicted that the
species will decline by 50% in a current 25 year period, or in the next 25 years; 2. The species is
believed to be long-lived (>25 years) with a low recovery potential and if action is not taken to reverse
current trends then the species is likely to become extinct in the next 100 years.)
Defra, 2005. Review of Marine Conservation – Working Group report to Government. PB 9714. London, Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/ewd/rmnc/pdf/rmnc-report-0704.pdf
How many species and habitats?
• 8,229 multicellular marine species listed in the Species
Directory for Britain and Ireland. (About 1/7 of terrestrial &
freshwater numbers.)
• 254 marine ‘Species of Conservation Concern’ (i.e. listed on
conventions, directives and statutes) (information from JNCC)
• 47 marine species listed in Annex II, IV & V of the Habitats
Directive
• 19 marine species (84 including grouped species) and 18
habitats (plus 6 broad habitats) listed in the 1999 Biodiversity
Action Plan.
• 402 candidate NIMF and 119 candidate (of which 57 are
existing) BAP species in the recent MBA review to JNCC.
(Not including sharks, skates & rays.)
• 52 candidate NIMF and 72 candidate BAP habitats in the
recent MBA review. (Existing 18 BAP habitats are additional)
Numbers of species in major groups:
Green algae (162)
Other algae (83)
Sponges (356)
Sea firs, anemones &
corals (386)
Dinoflagellates (440)
Uniflagellates (117)
Gastrotrichs (141)
Brown algae (233)
Round worms (410)
Diatoms (932)
Segmented worms
(1020)
Red algae (427)
Other Vertebrates
(38)
Birds (218)
Fish (333)
Crustaceans (2689)
Other invertebrates
(573)
Sea squirts (122)
Echinoderms (148)
Sea mats (295)
Molluscs (873)
See: www.marlin.ac.uk/PDF/MLTN_biodiversity.pdf
Numbers of marine species in major
groups in Britain & Ireland (excluding
viruses, bacteria, cyanobacteria, & fungi)
Initial numbers of candidate species
submitted to JNCC from MBA-led review.
Num ber of species w ithin each Taxonom ic group suggested as NIMF Species
Number of species within each Taxonomic group sugested as BAP Priority species
Green Algae, 0
Brow n Algae, 3
Green Algae, 1
Brow n Algae, 12
Red Algae, 22
Other Vertebrates, 5
Sponges, 24
Sea firs, anemones &
corals, 34
Red Algae, 7
Other Vertebrates, 5
Sponges, 0
Sea firs, anemones &
corals, 12
Segmented w orms, 4
Mammals, 29
Segmented w orms, 9
Mammals, 20
Bony Fish , 45
Crustaceans, 22
Crustaceans, 49
Other Invertebrates, 2
Molluscs, 7
Sea squirts, 8
Sea mats, 0
Echinoderms, 15
Echinoderms, 3
Sea mats, 24
Bony Fish , 36
Molluscs, 123
(Sharks, skates and rays to be added)
Other invertebrates, 0
Sea squirts, 0
‘Threat of significant decline’ criteria
Particularly important for fragile species with short-lived
propagules and/or that are long-lived, slow growing and may
recruit infrequently
Sunset coral. Larva shortlived, settles very near
parent.
Branching axinellid sponges.
Very slow-growing & long-lived?
(No colonisation new surfaces).
Fan mussel. Very long-lived larva.
Devastated by mobile fishing gear.
Mpa network needed?
Note: whilst marine habitats are well ‘connected’ by the sea –
that only benefits species with planktonic propagules and highly
mobile species. ‘Networks’ of marine protected areas do not
‘work’ for most of the species that qualify under ‘Threat of
significant decline’.
Incorporating NIMF into decision-making
Expected
Expectedenvironmental
environmentalperturbation(s)
perturbation(s)
Species
Speciesand
andhabitats
habitats
(biotopes)
(biotopes)present
present
Are
Arehabitats,
habitats,communities
communitiesororspecies
specieslikely
likelytotobe
bedamaged
damagedby
bythe
theenvironmental
environmental
perturbations
perturbationsbeing
beingconsidered?
considered?
Seabed
Seabedwildlife
wildlifeintolerance
intoleranceinformation
informationfrom
fromMarLIN
MarLIN
No
No
Yes,
Yes,slightly
slightly
Yes,
Yes,moderately
moderatelyseverely
severely
Yes,
Yes,severely
severely
Will
Willre-growth,
re-growth,re-colonization
re-colonizationororre-establishment
re-establishmentofofviability
viability
occur?
occur?Recoverability
Recoverabilityinformation
informationfrom
fromMarLIN
MarLIN
Yes,
Yes,rapidly
rapidly
and
andfully
fully
Not
Notsensitive
sensitive/ /
Not
Notsensitive*
sensitive*
Very
Verylow
low
sensitivity
sensitivity
Yes,
Yes,but
butslowly
slowly
ororincompletely
incompletely
Low
Low
sensitivity
sensitivity
Moderate
Moderate
sensitivity
sensitivity
No,
No,ororvery
veryslowly
slowly
ororincompletely
incompletely
Very
Veryhigh
high/ /high
high
sensitivity
sensitivity
IsIsthe
thehabitat
habitatororspecies
speciesaa‘Nationally
‘NationallyImportant
Important
Marine
MarineFeature’?
Feature’?
No
Noaction
action
required
required
Surveillance
Surveillance
appropriate
appropriate
No
No
Yes
Yes
Action
Actionrequired
requiredtoto
minimize
minimizeimpact
impact
Development
Developmentmay
maynot
not
occur
occuratatproposed
proposedlocation
location
Adapted from: Hiscock, K. & TylerWalters, H. 2006. Identifying sensitivity
in marine ecosystems: the MarLIN
programme. Hydrobiologia, 555, 309320.
Identifying ‘hotspots’
Work currently underway by the MBA for WWF-UK: Workshop
in Bristol on 26 July 2006
Part species and biotope richness
Takes account of NIMF
Not endemism
Issues: to resolve in identification of
NIMF and BAP species and habitats
1. Uneven coverage due to differing points-of-view from
expert advisors.
Most points-of-view concern ‘rarity’ including concepts of
‘naturally rare’ and issues of under-recorded.
2. Some potential expert advisors too busy to advise.
3. Habitats Directive Annex 1 marine habitats too broad –
most biotopes would qualify for BAP under “Habitat for
which the UK has international obligations” criterion.
4. And, just because it’s a habitat in the Habitats Directive,
does not necessarily mean that it has any special merit for
protection – ross worm Sabellaria spinulosa reefs and
‘Shallow sandbanks slightly covered by seawater ….’
Issues: Applying criteria to ‘old’ data
Marine is different to terrestrial: many marine habitats are in a
close to natural state (not being managed to prevent
succession) and the associated species and biotopes do not
change greatly from year-to-year. Return to the same location,
and you’ll find much the same biotopes and species:
For instance, based on work by Forster (1954):
KH circa 1969
And I should know
“The overall appearance of the fauna and flora was
much as described in the 1950’s but with some
species not re-found in 2003 and some species
added to the lists from the 1950’s”
There are, of course, changes (e.g. Lundy)
2001
1986
But, often, we have to use old data as we do not have time to
re-survey unless a part of statutory monitoring.
And habitat destruction has and is
happening on a massive scale in places
(Lyme Bay now)
Issues: availability of data
Survey data from the MBA
Survey data from the MNCR
(1987-1998) (includes data from MarLIN data access subprogramme. 1999
Northern Ireland surveys and
BioMar surveys in Eire)
Issues: there are significant gaps (MNCR
data from MERMAID)
www.jncc.gov.uk/mermaid
Issues: Locating, accessing, validating and
making available unpublished records
Part of unpublished 1927 survey
data from Torbay, ‘rescued’ 2005
Issues: some data sets very timeconsuming to enter to a database
See: www.mba.ac.uk/pmf
Issues: data sets in danger
Skips arrive at the (closed) Port Erin Marine laboratory on 3 July 2006
New survey: Intertidal biotope surveys
(with ‘target notes’ for small-scale features)
A type of
biodiversity
– but
searches
for rich
habitats
and rare
species
needed to
identify
‘special’
sites
New survey: Biotope maps via acoustic
survey and video: just a starting point species data is
needed to
identify rare,
scarce or
threatened
species,
richness and to
apply NIMF &
BAP criteria.
Image courtesy of Envision.
www.envision.uk.com
Issues: we need to ‘major’ on surveys that
describe species occurrences and
quantities - but they are not ‘fashionable’
Issues: decline of marine naturalists and
associated knowledge
Philip Henry Gosse
Sir Frederick S. Russell
And finally,
what it’s about:
is keeping it looking like this