MALEK – Climate change-related requirements for marine nature conservation measures in the North and Baltic Sea | Umweltbundesamt

Background and Goals

A high number of human activities have an impact on marine species and habitats. In the German exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, for example, these include fishing, offshore installations, exploitation and exploration of natural resources, submarine cables and pipelines, military training operations and shipping. The effects of the climate change add to these direct, local encroachments. For an integrative nature conservation management, it is essential to estimate the potential impact of these encroachments on the marine species and habitats.

It is therefore the aim of this project to create a comprehensive handbook on oceanic species and habitats in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea that are protected under the terms of the European Habitats Directive or other, regional marine conservation legislation and conventions. The biological and ecological characteristics of selected fish, marine mammal, and benthic invertebrate species, as well as the habitats of the benthic zone are to be compiled in the form of detailed profiles. On this basis, the specific sensitivities of the protected commodities to anthropogenic encroachment and the expected climate changes will be synthesized. The book will be published in two separate editions, German and English, designed to support practical marine conservation work, for example in evaluating encroachment scenarios and developing protective measures.

The foundations of integrated conservation management are considered, such as the derivation of safety regulations and conservation objectives for protected areas, and the development of management plans as a basis for approving intervention procedures in protected areas.

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