Are European Blue Economy ambitions in conflict with European environmental visions?

We report the outcomes of a comprehensive study of the potential consequences of the implementation of the EU Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD) in Danish waters. The analyses are anchored in a framework developed in support of data-driven Ecosystem-Based Maritime Spatial Planning. The data for the models include not only human stressors but also information on the distribution of ecosystem components ranging from planktonic communities over benthic communities to fish, seabirds and marine mammals. We have established a baseline, based on state-of-the-art data sets, with respect to combined effects upon ecosystem components. Future scenarios for the developments in human stressors were estimated for 2030 and 2050 based on information on existing policies, strategies and plans and were compared to the baseline. In addition, we developed a scenario for implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), i.e. working towards meeting the objectives of Good Environmental Status. Our results indicate that (1) combined human stressors will possibly increase in 2030 and 2050 compared to the baseline, (2) increased combined human stressors are likely to lead to a worsening of the environmental and ecological status sensu the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Water Framework Directive (WFD), and (3) the MSPD implementation process appears to conflict with the MSFD and WFD objectives. Accordingly, we are sceptical of claims of an untapped potential for Blue Growth in Danish marine waters.publishedVersio

Inorganic carbon promotes photosynthesis, growth, and maximum biomass of phytoplankton in eutrophic water bodies

1.The traditional perception in limnology has been that phytoplankton biomass in lakes is limited by phosphorus, nitrogen, and light, but not by dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) because CO2 can be supplied from the atmosphere. We tested the possibility of carbon limitation of photosynthesis, growth, and biomass accumulation of phytoplankton communities across an alkalinity and DIC gradient (0.15–3.26 mM) in nutrient‐rich freshwater. 2.During 47‐day long experiments, we measured phytoplankton biomass, organic carbon, calcium, DIC, pH, and oxygen in indoor, constantly mixed mesocosms with either no removal or a 70% weekly removal of the biomass. Photosynthesis was measured in the morning and in the afternoon at high biomass. 3.Maximum biomass and organic carbon production increased two‐ to four‐fold with DIC, which supported 7% of organic carbon production at low DIC and 53% at high DIC concentration, while atmospheric CO2 uptake supplied the remainder. Weekly biomass removal increased growth rates through improved light conditions leading to enhanced total phytoplankton biomass production at high DIC. Photosynthesis was significantly higher in the morning compared to afternoon due to daily DIC depletion. 4.We conclude that phytoplankton photosynthesis, growth rate, maximum biomass, and organic carbon production can be markedly carbon limited in eutrophic lake waters. Consequently, lakes of high DIC and pH can support a faster primary production by greater DIC use and chemically enhanced atmospheric CO2 uptake

Supplementary material to ECOMAR: A data-driven framework for ecosystembased Maritime Spatial Planning in Danish marine waters

Project manager Jesper H. AndersenThis report contains, as said in the title, the supplementary material to the synthesis report from the ECOMAR project (2018- 2020). The supplementary material consists of three parts: 1) Annex A, being the data sets and layers dealing with human pressures and activities, 2) Annex B, being the data set related to ecosystem components and analogue data sets, and 3) Annex C, being additional data used for the mapping of potentially cumulative effects in Danish marine waters as well as maps of results mentioned, but not show in the synthesis report. For each data set, a specific reference to the data authoring organization as well as contact information for the Data Author.THE VELUX FOUNDATIONSpublishedVersio

ECOMAR: A data-driven framework for ecosystem-based Maritime Spatial Planning in Danish marine waters. Results and conclusions from a development and demonstration project

We report the developments and results of the ECOMAR project, which have taken place 2018-2020 and was funded by THE VELUX FOUNDATIONS. ECOMAR has established state-of-the-art data sets for the distribution of human activities and pressures as well as ecosystem components in Danish marine waters. ECOMAR has mapped the combined effects of multiple human pressures, ranked pressures and analysed the potential effects of changes in pressure intensities and new human activities. ECOMAR has also outlined how zoning could be initiated in Denmark. Further, ECOMAR has modelled scenarios for 2030 and 2050 and concludes that agreed strategies and plans will probably not lead to reductions in human activities and pressures and accordingly unlikely to lead to improvements in environmental status.publishedVersio