WWF BALTIC ECOREGION CONSERVATION PLAN: Biodiversity

0,81
MB Conservation and Ecosystem-Based Management in the Baltic

61
stron Sea

3788
ID World Wildlife Fund International

2004
rok

Table of Contents

WWF´s Indicators for Success in the Baltic Eco-region 2

Table of Contents 3

Executive Summary 5

Introduction 6

Why Eco-Region Based Conservation 7

Implementing Eco-Region Conservation 7

Key Elements of Eco-Region Conservation 7

Root Cause (and Socio-Economic) Analysis 7

Eco-Region Action Plan for the Baltic Sea 8

Present Situation 9

Current Structure of the Baltic Eco-region Programme 9

Policy Context 9

Biodiversity of the Baltic Sea 11

A Young and Unique Ecosystem 11

A Vulnerable Area Under Threat 11

A Wide Variety of Ecosystems and Habitats 12

Coastal and Marine Habitats 12

Coastal and Marine Species 13

Threats and Solutions 16

Main Threats to Baltic Biodiversity 16

Integrated Spatial Planning 16

Ecosystem-Based Management 17

Habitat Degradation 17

Biotope Classification and Assessment 17

Natura 2000/ Emerald Network in the Baltic Sea Area 18

Other Policy Tools 19

Coastal Wetlands and Lagoons 21

Semi-Natural Coastal Habitats 21

Important Bird Areas and Wintering Areas of Seabirds 21

Bladder Wrack (Fucus vesiculosus) Communities 22

Coastal and Offshore Areas 22

Non-Indigenous Species 24

Root Causes 24

The Way Forward 26

Shipping 27

A Major Threat to Marine Biodiversity and Human Settlements 27

Environmental Impacts of Shipping and Oil Spills 28

Socio-Economic Impacts of Shipping and Oil Spills 28

Statistics on Shipping, Oil Transport and Accidents 28

WWF Baltic Ecoregion Action Programme - Conservation Plan 4

What is a PSSA? 29

The Way Forward 32

Fisheries 35

Biological and Geographical Characteristics 35

Fishing Activities 36

Status of Stocks 36

Socio-economic Factors 39

Fisheries and Sustainability 39

The Way Forward 41

Eutrophication 42

Ecological Effects of Eutrophication 42

Socio-Economic Factors 43

Limiting the Negative Impacts of Eutrophication 45

The Way Forward 45

Fresh Water - the Link Between Land and Sea 46

A Catchment Area Perspective 46

The Importance of Freshwaters for the Baltic Sea –An Overview 47

Human Impact on Freshwaters 48

Changes of the Landscape and Water Bodies 48

Pollution 49

The Way Forward 49

Toxics 50

The Toxics Issue 50

Overall Goal 51

Sources of Toxics 53

Existing Trends Related to Environmental Impacts 54

Root Causes and Selection of Socio-Economic Factors 54

Inadequate Standards Around the Baltic Sea 55

Poor Data Availability 55

Management/ Decision-Making Traditions 56

Development of the Agricultural Sector 56

Activities within WWF Baltic Eco-region Programme 56

The Way Forward 58

Priority Species 59

Introduction 59

List of Priority Species 59

Coastal Plants 59

Lichens 59

Mammals 59

Fish 59

Birds 59

Invertebrates 60

Amphibians 60

Reptiles 60

Marine plants 60

Abbrevations and Acronymes 61