Multi-source and multi-scale data integration for the assessment of the marine environmental status of the Basque Coast (SE Bay of Biscay)

In the context of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC), Member States are required to assess the environmental status of marine waters. With the aim to support practitioners in this effort, and guide them in the identification of management solutions, a team of researchers has brought together available information for the Basque coastal zone (SE Bay of Biscay), and assessed the marine environmental status of these waters. To undertake the study, the area was divided into Marine Reporting Units (MRUs), following the MSFD terminology, which had specific areas assigned. The information used for the assessment was obtained from a variety of open sources (i.e., in-situ long-term monitoring data, biological data from annual/ triannual surveys, multibeam echosounder data, satellite data, and had been collected at different spatial scales, from the coastline to offshore, covering the whole Exclusive Economic Zone. A total of 67 indicators were used, covering some ecosystem components: physico-chemistry of sediments and waters, phytoplankton, benthic fauna and flora, fish, birds, mammals, and alien species. The associated data, for 2010 to 2019, were then collated and integrated to assess the environmental status in a holistic way, using NEAT (Nested Environmental status Assessment Tool). The analyses included spatial scenarios (coastline to offshore), as well as filtering by different MSFD descriptors (i.e., biodiversity, alien species, eutrophication, seafloor integrity and contamination). Overall, the Basque coast is in good status, with no clear spatial gradient. But when focusing on specific ecosystem components (e.g., seabirds, mammals, some commercial fish species), it is possible to identify some components in bad status, with scope for improvement through the implementation of management measures. The integrated assessment approach presented and the outputs that are obtained can be used to guide European practitioners in their efforts to prioritize management measures. Furthermore, results are comparable to those reported in official MSFD assessments, confirming the power of the NEAT software.

Automated summary

In the context of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive, a team of researchers has assessed the marine environmental status of the Basque coastal zone. Overall, the coast is in good status, but specific ecosystem components show areas for improvement. The integrated assessment approach and NEAT software can guide European practitioners in prioritizing management measures.