Geographical Studies of Underwater Light Dynamics in the Coastal Archipelago of SW Finland, Baltic Sea

The underwater light field is an important environmental variable as it, among other things, enables aquatic primary production. Although the portion of solar radiation that is referred to as visible light penetrates water, it is restricted to a limited surface water layer because of efficient absorption and scattering processes. Based on the varying content of optical constituents in the water, the efficiency of light attenuation changes in many dimensions and over various spatial and temporal scales. This thesis discusses the underwater light dynamics of a transitional coastal archipelago in south-western Finland, in the Baltic Sea. While the area has long been known to have a highly variable underwater light field, quantified knowledge on the phenomenon has been scarce, patchy, or non-existent. This thesis focuses on the variability in the underwater light field through euphotic depths (1% irradiance remaining), which were derived from in situ measurements of vertical profiles of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Spot samples were conducted in the archipelago of south-western Finland, mainly during the ice-free growing seasons of 2010 and 2011. In addition to quantifying both the seasonal and geographical patterns of euphotic depth development, the need and usability of underwater light information are also discussed. Light availability was found to fluctuate in multiple dimensions and scales. The euphotic depth was shown to have combined spatio-temporal dynamics rather than separate changes in spatial and temporal dimensions. Such complexity in the underwater light field creates challenges in data collection, as well as in its utilisation. Although local information is needed, in highly variable conditions spot sampled information may only poorly represent its surroundings. Moreover, either temporally or spatially limited sampling may cause biases in understanding underwater light dynamics. Consequently, the application of light availability data, for example in ecological modelling, should be made with great caution.Vesien kirkkaus tai vaihtoehtoisesti sameus vaikuttaa vedenalaisluonnon toimintaan monin tavoin. Valaistusolosuhteiden merkitys ympäristömuuttujana korostuu erityisesti elämää ylläpitävän perustuotannon kautta, sillä näkyväksi valoksi kutsumamme auringonsäteilyn osuus mahdollistaa yhteyttämisen niin vedessä kuin kuivalla maallakin. Vedessä valo ei kuitenkaan tunkeudu pintakerrosta syvemmälle, sillä erilaiset absorptio- ja sirontaprosessit vaimentavat sen etenemistä tehokkaasti. Valosäteilyn vaimenemistehokkuus taas vaihtelee moniulotteisesti vedessä olevien vaimentavien ainesten pitoisuuksien mukaisesti. Tässä väitöskirjassa käsitellään vedenalaisen valon vaihteludynamiikkaa Itämeren rannikolla. Tutkimus keskittyy Lounais-Suomen saaristoon, joka laajana saaristovaihettumavyöhykkeenä tarjoaa monipuolisen ja vaihtelevan tutkimusalueen. Tämän saaristoalueen on jo pitkään tiedetty olevan valaistusolosuhteiltaan hyvin vaihteleva, mutta tarkkaa tutkimustietoa näistä vaihteluista oli saatavilla hyvin vähän, jos lainkaan. Väitöskirja perehtyy vedenalaisten valaistusolosuhteiden vaihteluun käsittelemällä erityisesti veden valaistun pintakerroksen, eli eufoottisen kerroksen, paksuutta ja sen muutoksia. Eufoottiset syvyydet, joissa 1 % pintakerroksen läpäisevästä auringonsäteilystä on jäljellä, määriteltiin jäättömänä aikana kasvukausina 2010 ja 2011 mitatuista valomäärän syvyysprofiileista. Sen lisäksi, että tutkimuksessa tuotettiin mitattua tietoa valaistun kerroksen alueellisista vaihettumista ja kasvukauden aikaisista muutoksista, työssä pohditaan myös valomäärätiedon tarvetta ja sen soveltamiseen liittyviä haasteita. Koska valon saatavuuden muutokset ovat alueellis-ajallisesti moniulotteisia ja -tasoisia, ei edustavan aineiston kerääminen ja edes kattavan tiedon tehokas hyödyntäminen ole yksiselitteistä tai ongelmatonta. Alueella, jossa olosuhteiden vaihtelut ovat suuria, paikallisen tason tiedonkeruun merkitys korostuu, mutta samalla yksittäisten mittauspisteiden edustavuus voi olla hyvinkin heikkoa. Joko alueellisesti tai ajallisesti rajalliset kenttämittaukset taas saattavat aiheuttaa vääristyneen yleiskuvan veden valaistusolosuhteista. Näin ollen valoaineistojen soveltaminen, esimerkiksi ekologiseen mallinnukseen, on syytä tehdä harkiten ja huolella.Siirretty Doriast

Lost in space and time? A conceptual framework to harmonise data for marine spatial planning

Despite a list of national and international efforts to harmonise data management procedures, the categorisation of space and time within datasets in marine spatial planning (MSP) has not been addressed so far. This paper proposes a conceptual framework to categorise the spatial and temporal dimensions of data used in MSP and introduces a method to jointly manage non-spatial information and spatial data in the same geographic information system (GIS). The presented categorisation provides easy and intuitive classifications for a more detailed and transparent data description of spatial and temporal data properties, which can be applied both in attribute tables and in metadata. It allows the differentiation of the vertical and the horizontal dimensions, enabling users to focus on operations taking place at specific parts of the marine environment. The categorisation with predefined attribute domains allows space and time based automatic analyses. The inclusion of non-spatial data within GIS repositories ensures the availability of all relevant data in one database minimising the risk of incomplete data. Overall, the framework provides effective steps towards a more coherent data management and subsequently may foster better use of information in MSP processes

Business sector involvement in maritime spatial planning – Experiences from the Baltic Sea region

In the European Union, Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) has been regarded as a means of promoting the sustainable growth of the blue economy. Consequently, where the planning outcomes affect the business operations in marine areas, commercial and industry stakeholders should have an important role in the planning process. However, the business perspective in MSP has gained little attention in stakeholder involvement literature. The aim of this study is to elaborate on the business sector's interest and involvement in MSP in the Baltic Sea region. The findings are based on the first-hand experiences of MSP authorities and experts. Furthermore, perspectives from two sea-use sectors, maritime transport and marine tourism, have been investigated using online questionnaires to discover their views. The study focuses on the questions of who to involve and what are the driving forces promoting business sector involvement. Even though MSP is a form of broad-scale planning, the results indicate that all spatial and organisational scales from local to international and from small enterprises to umbrella organisations should be considered when designing approach to business stakeholder participation. The planning authorities need to consider what are the benefits and challenges of involving different types of business stakeholders. Planners often rely on organisations that represent business stakeholders and individual companies. It is resource effective to interact with representatives as they are considered to have a wide and general knowledge of the respective sector's interests. However, in some cases it is beneficial to also integrate individual companies, especially in local or regional contexts

Lost in space and time? A conceptual framework to harmonise data for marine spatial planning

Despite a list of national and international efforts to harmonise data management procedures, the categorisation of space and time within datasets in marine spatial planning (MSP) has not been addressed so far. This paper proposes a conceptual framework to categorise the spatial and temporal dimensions of data used in MSP and introduces a method to jointly manage non-spatial information and spatial data in the same geographic information system (GIS). The presented categorisation provides easy and intuitive classifications for a more detailed and transparent data description of spatial and temporal data properties, which can be applied both in attribute tables and in metadata. It allows the differentiation of the vertical and the horizontal dimensions, enabling users to focus on operations taking place at specific parts of the marine environment. The categorisation with predefined attribute domains allows space and time based automatic analyses. The inclusion of non-spatial data within GIS repositories ensures the availability of all relevant data in one database minimising the risk of incomplete data. Overall, the framework provides effective steps towards a more coherent data management and subsequently may foster better use of information in MSP processes.</p

Database including spatial data on ecosystem services and (anthropogenic) pressures

The Baltic Sea Atlas (http://bio-50.io-warnemuende.de/iowbsa/index.php) was implemented to storeand share marine spatial planning data and datasets from the BONUS BASMATI project. Data areused in the project’s case studies. Additional datasets were included to provide examples on whatkind of data can be used in marine spatial planning to account for ecosystem services. Datacategories, data properties and metadata information follow the recommendations of Deliverable 3.1.The Baltic Sea Atlas is based on the open source webGIS framework kvwmap. The application ishosted at the Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Germany and connected to themetadata portal of the institute. The application provides simple visualisation including basicoperation tools. The access via login and password allows data sharing with the project partners andother interested users, while ensuring basic licence agreements.</p

BONUS BASMATI Thematic Scoping/Vision Document: report outlining the main conflict and potential synergy areas in crossborder MSP. Deliverable 2.2

Addressing conflicts between marine interests and finding workable solutions that can facilitate synergies between stakeholders is an important task of spatial planning both onshore and in the sea. A general assumption among many experts in marine/maritime spatial planning (MSP) is that promoting synergies and coexistence can enhance spatial efficiency of marine uses and possibly result in a more sustainable use of marine resources. However, in order to promote cooperation, one needs to first establish a better understanding of the crucial components of conflictive and synergetic planning situations and important definitions related to this. This scoping report examines conceptualisations and analytical perspectives on work with conflicts and synergies in MSP in relation to the case studies of the BONUS BASMATI project. The theme of conflicts and synergies is rather topical, not least in connection with attempts of the EU and other actors to promote growth in the blue economic sector and keep related environmental impacts low. MSP is seen as an important tool or approach to promote and achieve these goals (European Commission 2008; European Commission 2009; European Commission 2012). Chapter 1 provides introductory reflections on conflicts and synergies in marine spatial planning using both an analytical narrative complemented with examples from conflict theory. The aim is to provide the reader with an easily understandable introduction into relevant terms used and important issues to be considered when working with conflicts and synergies in MSP. These include interests, stakeholders, institutional frameworks, rules, systems and practices, space and geography, knowledge and technologies, conflict-synergies in a broader context. The chapter concludes with an analysis of conflict analysis and management literature and a discussion on the potential role of conflict management in MSP. Chapter 2 provides examples of conflicts and obstacles that have emerged in a Baltic Sea Region (BSR) context and how, through people, planning processes, projects and institutions synergies have been developed. The chapter focuses on 1) Conflicts of interest: Marine use related conflicts / obstacles and synergies, 2) Institutional cross-border conflicts / obstacles and synergies, 3) Process related conflicts / obstacles and synergies, 4) Knowledge and data related conflicts / obstacles and synergies, 5) Other types of obstacles that are context related. Chapter 3 zooms in on the three BONUS BASMATI case studies and highlights emerging and potential conflicts and synergies within the case study areas. It also suggests potential synergies and solutions for overcoming challenges that can be addressed in the case studies and during the lifetime of the project.</p