Coastal ecosystems 10 messages for 2010 Ana Nieto Regional Biodiversity Conservation Officer IUCN Regional Office for Pan-Europe

Key messages European coastlines provide vital resources for wildlife, for the economy and human health and well-being. Multiple pressures affect coastal ecosystems. Coastal habitat types and species of Community interest are at risk in Europe. Integrated and ecosystem-based approaches provide the foundation for sustainable coastal management and development.

As an interface between land and sea, European coastlines provide vital resources Europe's coastline stretches 185.000 km, 560.000 km2 (terrestrial part) in 24 countries (13% of their total land area) Provide a vivid juxtaposition of artificial and natural environments: Most urbanised areas of countries highest population density: Malta, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Portugal, Italy, and Spain lowest population density: Estonia, Sweden, and Finland. Very important ecosystems rich in biodiversity

Multiple pressures affect coastal ecosystems Destruction and degradation of coastal habitats Habitats changes to make way for housing, industry, agricultural land, infrastructure for tourism and transport impacting negatively on biodiversity Rapid rates of development – increase of artificial surfaces between 1990-2006

Main causes of changes to coastal ecosystems

Pollution From land-based activities (agro-pesticides, nutrients, heavy metals, industrial chemical compounds)→eutrophication From aquaculture (nutrients and antibiotics)→eutrophication and changes in species community composition. Farmed fish can be a source of disease infecting wild populations and artificial feed supply can alter the natural food web and impact the local environment.

Climate change and invasive species Additional pressure on coastal ecosystems by accelerating sea level rise, increased water temperatures, storms, erosion and flooding Countries most vulnerable to CC are NL and BE IAS are a major cause of biodiversity loss →predation, competition, habitat modification, introducing pathogens. Highest numbers are in the Mediterranean Increasing temperatures affect the species composition and turnover of coastal ecosystems. Warming of waters assist the introduction of new species, competing with natives.

Overexploitation Overexploitation of key fish stocks alter the biological capacity of coastal ecosystems 75% of the fishing sectors annual catch came from the North-east Atlantic 11% came from the Mediterranean and Black seas: Unsustainable fishing practices (trawling) have impacted sensitive habitats such as seagrass beds and deep corals.

Overexploitation (cont.) Increasing exploitation of sand and gravel for construction and beach nourishment deteriorates natural coastal habitats. Artificialisation of rivers and development of road transport infrastructure affects the coastal dynamic and the shoreline. Nuclear powers stations located in coastal areas→contaminate waters, the extraction and release of heated up cooling water disrupts ecosystem integrity. Excessive groundwater extraction to meet the demands of irrigation, growing population and tourism can cause marine saltwater intrusion.

Erosion and siltation Coastal erosion is caused by the lack of sediments reaching the coast due to coastal infrastructure, intensive development and mining → dynamic equilibrium between erosion and accretion. Disappearance of coastal dunes Natural vegetation, species, social, economic, ecological functions. Threats to freshwater aquifers 158,000 people victims of coastal erosion by 2020, half of Europe’s coastal wetlands are expected to disappear as a result of sea level rise.

Coastal habitat types and species at risk Conservation status of coastal habitat types of Community interest

Conservation status of species of Community interest typical of coastal ecosystems

Conservation status of species of Community interest by taxonomic group

Integrated and ecosystem-based approaches provide the foundation for sustainable coastal management and development In 2002, EU’s ICZM recommendation called for a strategic approach to coastal zone planning and management. Adaptation to climate change and risk, and management of the land-sea interface and marine areas are priority themes of the further promotion of ICZM In 2008, Mediterranean Sea→14 contracting parties to the Barcelona Convention signed a new Protocol on ICZM that calls for using the ecosystem approach to ensure sustainable development of coastal zones.

EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008) and the EU Water Framework Directive (2000) have a significant influence on the future of coastal ecosystems in the EU. Urges the creation of a network of marine protected areas by 2012 and applies an ecosystem based approach, requiring sustainable use of marine goods and services by ensuring that marine ecosystems have good environmental status by 2020. Requires water bodies to be ecologically sound by 2015.

Many European agreements addressing water quality and fisheries: Ospar Convention, the North Sea Conference Declarations, the Helsinki Convention, the Trilateral Cooperation on the Protection of the Wadden Sea, the UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan, Black Sea Environmental Programme. A coherent network of Marine Protected Areas is also necessary to safeguarding the prosperity and ecological status of coastal ecosystems (e.g. Natura 2000). Natura 2000 protects a significant portion of the coastline in the EU.

Application of principle of 'working with natural processes and respecting the carrying capacity of ecosystems, which will make human activities more environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically sound in the long run‘ (EU ICZM Recommendation, 2002) to guide the management of coastal areas. Better harmonisation of policy and legal instruments needed to safeguard Europe’s coastal areas. Coordinated action at the global, regional and local levels will be key to sustainable management of coastal ecosystems

Message available at: http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/10-messages-for-2010-coastal-ecosystems Thank you for your attention