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Green Infrastructure Concept for MSP and its Application Within Pan Baltic Scope Project.

Pan Baltic Scope

Abstract:

The concept of marine Green Infrastructure (GI) is defined as a spatial network of ecologically valuable areas significant to the maintenance of ecosystems health and resilience, biodiversity conservation, and delivery of ecosystem services essential for human well-being. The marine GI concept has a great potential for enhancing the ecosystem-based approach to maritime spatial planning. The project tested GI mapping at the Baltic Sea scale, covering two essential aspects: identification of areas of high ecological value and potential supply of ecosystem services.

 

Sea Basin(s):
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Baltic Sea
Country:
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
Germany
Latvia
Poland
Sweden
Application in MSP:
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Taken into account in an MSP process
Type of Issue:
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Coexistence of uses
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Ecosystem-based approach
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Environment aspects
Type of practice:
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Guidance
Stage of MSP cycle:
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Analyse spatial aspects
Cross-border / trans-national aspect:
Yes
Coherence with other processes:
Habitats and Birds Directive
Integrated Coastal Zone Management
Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Key words:
Green infrastructure
mapping
Pan Baltic Scope
recommendations
Baltic Sea 
Source / Links:

https://maritime-spatial-planning.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/pbs_…;

QUESTIONS THIS PRACTICE MAY HELP ANSWER:

  • What are the existing approaches to Green Infrastructure mapping? 
  • What is the Pan Baltic Scope approach to Green Infrastructure mapping?
  • What are the possibilities for mapping marine Green Infrastructure and its application to MSP?

IMPLEMENTATION CONTEXT:

The report is developed within the context of the Pan Baltic Scope project under the activity 1.2.4. Green Infrastructure (GI).

ASPECTS / OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of the report are:

  • To outline the concept of Green Infrastructure by utilising previous and ongoing studies and projects; 
  • To test the concept by utilising the available data (e.g. developing Baltic-wide maps on benthic habitats, including those that are important for fish species);
  • To collect feedback on the draft concept from the HELCOM-VASAB MSP Working Group and HELCOM State and Conservation Working Group.

METHOD:

The report provides an overview of the GI concept, its existing definitions, policy contexts, and existing approaches to the GI mapping. It also presents a Pan Baltic Scope approach to marine GI mapping with a description of suggested components, assessment criteria and available data sets for GI mapping at the Baltic Sea scale.

MAIN OUTPUTS / RESULTS:

The report provides conclusions regarding the research needs and opportunities in MSP, as well as limitations to be addressed in future studies. 

TRANSFERABILITY:

The GI concept can be applied to maritime spatial planning in other regions.

RESPONSIBLE ENTITY: 

Pan Baltic Scope project. 

FUNDING SOURCE: 

The report is developed within the framework of the Pan Baltic Scope project funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).