7 research outputs found

    First record of small tropical calanoid copepod Parvocalanus crassirostris (Copepoda, Calanoida, Paracalanidae) in the Adriatic Sea

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    In December 2014 the adult females and copepodites of alien paracalanid copepod Parvocalanus crassirostris were identified in the Central Adriatic port of Šibenik. The most probable transmission vector for this small copepod were ballast waters from the cargo ships that are regularly discharged at these locations. This paper is focused on P. crassirostris morphology and the state of population in the port of Šibenik. The possible path of introduction of Parvocalanus crassirostris into the Adriatic Sea is also discussed

    Analysis of phytoplankton community in the vicinity of domestic sewage outflow during stratified conditions

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    The response of phytoplankton community structure to anthropogenically-derived nutrient from the submarine sewage outflow was analysed in a shallow coastal area of the middle Adriatic Sea. The study was conducted during the eight-year period (2002-2010) at six stations in the Brač Channel, aiming to assess the potential change in the state of biological and environmental parameters before and after the sewage commissioning. The research was particularly focused on phytoplankton producers during the summer which is considered to be critical due to water stratification and low water dynamics. The results show an increase in phytoplankton biomass in the deep layer after the discharge activation that was significant (M-W test; U=584.5, p<0.01), but not related to any intense phytoplankton bloom or oxygen deficiency. Temporal variability of total phytoplankton abundances throughout the research period indicated a significant increase in 2005, the year following the sewage outflow activation. Pairwise Dunn's multiple comparison test emphasised the difference in the years before the sewage activation (2002, 2003) compared to 2005 (2002 vs. 2005, R=-60.92 p<0.001; 2003 vs. 2005, R=-63.92 p<0.001). This situation was soon followed by the rapid equalization in phytoplankton abundances. Considering the entire research period, there were no changes in contributions of major phytoplankton groups, but the increase in overall species diversity was recorded, supporting the view that moderate inputs may stimulate plankton taxonomic diversity in coastal ecosystems. Increased ciliate and copepod nauplii abundance was also observed but was considered to be caused by natural variability

    Non-indigenous species refined national baseline inventories: a synthesis in the context of the European Union’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive

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    Refined baseline inventories of non-indigenous species (NIS) are set per European Union Member State (MS), in the context of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The inventories are based on the initial assessment of the MSFD (2012) and the updated data of the European Alien Species Information Network, in collaboration with NIS experts appointed by the MSs. The analysis revealed that a large number of NIS was not reported from the initial assessments. Moreover, several NIS initially listed are currently considered as native in Europe or were proven to be historical misreportings. The refined baseline inventories constitute a milestone for the MSFD Descriptor 2 implementation, providing an improved basis for reporting new NIS introductions, facilitating the MSFD D2 assessment. In addition, the inventories can help MSs in the establishment of monitoring systems of targeted NIS, and foster cooperation on monitoring of NIS across or within shared marine subregions.JRC.D.2-Water and Marine Resource

    Pelagic habitats under the MSFD D1: scientific advice of policy relevance

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    Pelagic habitats are a policy priority below Descriptor 1 (Biodiversity) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). They are addressed under the D1C6 criterion, stating “the condition of the habitat type, including its biotic and abiotic structure and its functions…, is not adversely affected due to anthropogenic pressures”. The evaluation of pelagic habitats status is challenged by the functional and structural characteristics of pelagic habitat diversity and processes. To date, pelagic habitats assessments are lacking in common criteria and methodologies that characterize the habitat while accounting for the effects of anthropogenic pressures to achieve the Good Environmental Status (GES). It is therefore necessary to prioritise communication between scientific and policy communities and frame pelagic research to agree on common methods and approaches at regional or EU scale. This is key for achieving harmonised and comparable pelagic assessments for the MSFD. This report summarizes the outcomes on the assessment workflow of pelagic habitats of the JRC “MSFD pelagic habitats” workshop (9th and 10th March 2021), and the need for coordinated evaluations of the scientific challenges of policy relevance. Recommendations on the MSFD implementation of D1C6, that were generated from the experts during the workshop, will be communicated to the MSFD policy groups and the EU Member States competent authorities to support future harmonised assessment of pelagic habitats.Publications Office of the European Unio
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