Sandbanks, reefs, Baltic esker islands and boreal Baltic islets and small islands
A report on mapping the potential distribution of the habitat types 1110 sandbanks, 1170 reefs, 1610 Baltic esker islands and 1620 boreal Baltic islets and small islands in Västernorrland, Södermanland, Östergötland, Blekinge and Skåne counties, as well as Gullmarsfjorden and a Skagerrak area in Västra Götalands County is now published.
Report summary
EU Habitats Directive lists a number of species and habitats to be preserved and whose conservation status should be monitored. For a few of the directive’s marine habitats, the knowledge concerning surface area and the prevalence in the country is insufficient.
This study is compiled of two earlier studies (Fyhr 2012, Fyhr & Enhus 2013), where maps of potential distribution of the habitat types 1110 sandbanks and 1170 reefs was prepared in Västernorrland, Södermanland, Östergötland, Blekinge and Skåne counties, as well as Gullmarsfjorden and a Skagerrak area in Västra Götalands County. In addition to the results from the two earlier studies, maps of potential distribution of the habitat types 1110 sandbanks and 1170 was prepared in Stockholm County and extended in the Skagerrak area. The distribution of habitat types was identified using depth contours derived from high-resolution depth maps along with information about the surface substrate. Further, the study was complemented with updated information on the distribution of 1610 Baltic esker islands and 1620 boreal Baltic islets and small islands. The method was developed during the project process, resulting in a finer scale identification of new elevations surrounding the 1610 Baltic esker islands and 1620 boreal Baltic islets and small islands.
Map data that describes the marine environment is greatly needed for the national and international planning, protection and management of the marine environment. Results from this study will contribute with significant information about potential surface area and prevalence of the Natura 2000 habitat types 1170 reefs and 1110 sandbanks and increase the chances of good marine management and the ability to implement the EU Directive.
Link to the report (Swedish language):
Fyhr F., Enhus C. & Näslund M., 2013: GIS-utsökning av Natura 2000-naturtyper – 1610 rullstensåsöar i Östersjön, 1620 skär i Östersjön, samt potentiella 1110 sandbankar och 1170 rev, Västernorrland, Stockholm, Södermanland, Östergötland, Blekinge, Skåne, Gullmarsfjorden och Skagerrak. AquaBiota Report 2013:03, 45 pp.