Though well hidden, a large part of European flora and fauna is located below sea level. Maps of species and habitats in coastal areas are therefore necessary for ensuring sustainable management of the marine environment and for achieving European biodiversity objectives.
Pioneer project
The EEA Grants have financed a 2-year pioneer project by the Institute of Oceanology at the Polish Academy of Sciences aimed at developing the first set of maps of Polish marina area habitats. The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) has contributed with their competence in creating marine area ecosystem valorisation maps. Through the 1992 Habitats Directive, Poland is committed to protect sites included in the Natura 2000 network of nature protection areas. In order to conduct sustainable spatial planning, a complete set of data together with efficient tools are vital. According to Dr. Trine Bekkeby, research scientist at NIVA and a participant in the project, this kind of marine mapping produces invaluable results to both industry and government actors.
The project has combined state-of-the-art-knowledge on biodiversity with existing methodologies to develop ways of mapping Polish marine areas in line with European standards of habitat classification. Anchored in the European Nature Information System (EUNIS) database, marine habitats have been identified and mapped to create an online marine atlas.
The Polish-Norwegian habitat mapping initiative is one of more than 30 biodiversity-related projects supported by the EEA Grants. The results will help preserve biodiversity in the Baltic Sea, and ensure sustainable use of Polish coastal areas.
Photo: Illustrative picture taken by Iselin Rønningsbakk, FMO.