FEAST (Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool) Dr Suz Henderson Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Unit (CMEU), SNH, Inverness.
http://www.marine.scotland.gov.uk/feast/
FEAST sensitivity assessment FEAST enables users to explore what is known about MPA protected feature sensitivity to pressures and the marine activities that can cause them. Users can explore FEAST from a feature starting point, such as horse mussel beds, and read information on the sensitivity of that feature to pressures and the associated activities Users can also explore the FEAST by starting with an activity, such as the farming of finfish, and read information on associated pressures and the features sensitive to them. FEAST is a starting point for determining potential management requirements for Nature Conservation MPAs and highlights where further discussion with users of the marine environment may be required. It does not take into account the intensity, frequency or cumulative impacts from activities taking place at specific locations
FEAST sensitivity assessments Methodology Define the key elements of the feature (in terms of life history, and ecology of the key and characterizing species); Assess the feature's tolerance (resistance) and recovery (resilience) to a defined pressure (the benchmark); Combine tolerance and recovery to derive an overall sensitivity score; Evidence used is presented Assess the confidence in the sensitivity scores (tolerance and recovery);
FEAST Involved MSS, MS, JNCC and SNH Modified MB0102 approach DEFRA funded project Marine Protected Areas - gathering/developing and accessing the data for the planning of a network of Marine Conservation Zones Task 3 Updated features, activities, pressure definitions and linkages to reflect activities/features in Scotland, MSFD work, clarification Focussed on MPA protected features at present MS developed and host online tool MS want to develop tool further (additional ~ 90 features)
FEAST sensitivity assessment Pros Evidence is visible to all increased transparency Confidence given of assessment Can search for sensitivity via an activity or feature route Useful to all different types of stakeholders Single place for sensitivity information on Scottish features Cons Good understanding of methodology needed to use correctly Evidence often lacking; expert judgement is frequently used Requires regular updating Tool - still a little clunky Feedback welcome!
FEAST 33 Protected biodiversity features: 25 habitats; 3 low mobility species, 5 mobile species 28 Geomorphological features 46 Activities 29 Pressures Original definitions altered since 2013 due to on going work: (Intercessional Correspondence Group on Cumulative Effects (ICG-C) 2011 (OSPAR 2011). MSFD work MarLIN SNCB discussions Examples of pressures..
Scottish Natural Heritage Search by Activity
Scottish Natural Heritage
Search by Feature
Pressure Scottish Natural Heritage Electromagnetic changes Nitrogen & phosphorus enrichment Non-synthetic compound contamination (inc. heavy metals, hydrocarbons, produced water) Organic enrichment Physical change (to another seabed type) Salinity changes - local Siltation changes (high) Definition Basking shark and common skate only - Local electric field of 1 volt per meter; Local magnetic field of 10 telsa (µt). Compliance with WFD criteria for good status. Ideally, the pressure would be assessed in terms of increases in nutrient loading over background. However, such information is not readily available. As a surrogate it could be possible to use information from WFD and CEMP assessments in relation to winter concentrations of DIN (a measure of state) and compare these to WFD standards and status classification outputs. Note: Closely linked with Deoxygenation pressure. Compliance with all AA EQS, conformance with PELs, EACs/ER-Ls. Water column annual average (AA) environmental quality standards (EQS) provide high levels of protection for all living organisms. Canadian interim sediment quality guidelines (ISQG) Probable Effects Levels (PELs) provide an indication of sediment risks. OSPAR Environmental Assessment Criteria (EACs) and Effects Range- Low (ER-Ls) criteria provide guidelines for sediment risks. There are also some OSPAR EACs for biota. A deposit of 100gC/m2/yr. This pressure is referring to particulate organic matter and is therefore closely associated with the Siltation pressures. Dissolved organic matter is not covered directly by other pressures, but N and P enrichment pressure addresses the key enrichment factors. The permanent change of one marine habitat type to another marine habitat type, through the change in substratum. For instance a change from sediment to solid substrate including artificial (e.g. concrete mattresses, rock dumping, and moorings), or from one type of sediment to another. This pressure concerns disposal or the deposit of material, whilst the removal of material is covered under abrasion pressures. Increase from 35 to 38 units for one year or Decrease in salinity by 4-10 units for a year 30cm of fine material added to the seabed in a single event or the deposition of fine material over the lifetime of the development.
Pressure Definition Scottish Natural Heritage Siltation changes (low) 5cm of fine material added to the seabed in a single event, or the deposition of fine material over the lifetime of the development. Sub-surface abrasion/penetration: Surface abrasion Synthetic compound contamination (inc. pesticides, antifoulants, pharmaceuticals) Underwater noise Water clarity changes Damage to species living within the seabed. For geological/geomorphological features, the pressure relates to the indirect removal of surface sediment via accelerated flow (e.g. from scour around foundations or from propeller jets) or penetration by structures/equipment (e.g. fishing gear) Damage to species living on the seabed or damage to geological and geomorphological structures at the seabed surface "Compliance with all AA EQS, conformance with PELs, EACs, ER-Ls. Water column annual average (AA) environmental quality standards (EQS) provide high levels of protection for all living organisms. Canadian interim sediment quality guidelines (ISQG) Probable Effects Levels (PELs) provide an indication of sediment risks. OSPAR Environmental Assessment Criteria (EACs) and Effects Range- Low (ER-Ls) criteria provide guidelines for sediment risks. There are also some OSPAR EACs for biota. Marine Strategy Framework Directive indicator levels (Sound Exposure Level or peak Sound Pulse Level) exceeded for 20% of days in calendar year within site A change in one rank on the WFD scale, e.g. from clear to turbid for one year (ranks are mean suspended particulate matter in units of mg/c: >300 - very turbid; 100-300 - medium turbidity; 10-100 - intermediate; <10 - clear.)
Other sensitivity assessments MarLIN recently updated sensitivity assessments and now uses the same methodology. Marine Evidence based Sensitivity Assessment (MarESA) approach Evidence updated Differences in features assessed (biotope groups, PMFs, FOCI) NE Advice on Operations - Methodology different Sensitive/Not sensitive Mobile features- using a more precautionary combination of tolerance and recovery and separate supporting habitat matrix. FAP (Feature Activity Pressure) matrix JNCC SAP Interagency group on Sensitivities, Activities and Pressure Pressures- Activities Database online (DEFRA project) FAP offshore matrix