1. Samuli Korpinen, 29.11.2016 2nd BalticBOOST Theme 3 WS
Synthesizing the literature review: Do we have a uniform view of the physical disturbance and loss?
Samuli Korpinen,
2nd BalticBOOST Theme 3 WS

2. How do we compare fishing, sand extraction, dredging, dumping and constructions?
Consider the DISTURBANCE! (recoverable <12 years)
Right after the pressure!
What is the decrease in density of benthic fauna?
What is the decrease % in species richness of benthic fauna?

3. Mortality of benthic fauna (based on the literature review)
Dredging (sedimentation) Decrease in density at 0.5 km distance: medium-sized dredging: ~65% decrease, big dredging: ~85-95% decrease; Decrease in species richness: 25-66% at km distance.
Sand extraction (sedimentation)
Decrease in density at km distance : ~50%;
Decrease in species richness at at km: 33-50% decrease
Disposal of dredged material (sedimentation)
Decrease in density at km: ~50% decrease.
Decrease in species richness at km: ~50% decrease.
Shipping / boating / marinas
No decrease in density

4. Spatial extents of physical disturance
Table 3. Spatial extents of physical disturbance from their source. The extents are estimated to the distance where impacts are considered negligible. Note that hydrographic conditions affect the distances and these estimates are usually applicable in exposed or semi-exposed areas.
Activity
Pressure extent (km)
Capital dredging
4 km (fish), 3 km (benthos), 3 km (vegetation), 3 km (water turbidity)
Maintenance dredging
Sand extraction
5 km (water turbidity), 4 km (fish), 3 km (vegetation), 2 km (benthos)
Disposal of dredged matter
4 km (fish), 3 km (benthos), 3 km (vegetation), 2 km (water turbidity)
Shipping and ferry traffic
1 km (fish), 1 km (water turbidity, 30 m in depth), 0.5 km (vegetation), 0.3 km abrasion (substrate change)
Boating
0.5 km (water turbidity, 4 m in depth),
Marinas
0.5 km (fish), 0.5 km (vegetation)
Wind turbines (operational)
0.1 km (abrasion effect)

5. Recovery times
Table 4. Recoverability of benthic broad habitat types from the physical disturbance pressure. The values comprise a synthesis of several studies. Note also that hydrographic conditions affect the recovery time.
Broad benthic habitat type
Typical recovery time in years
Features of longest recovery times
Infralittoral hard bottom
Disposal, dredging, sand extraction: >5 years
Herring spawning, Vegetation
Infralittoral mud bottom
Disposal and dredging: 5-10 y (in exposed areas faster)
Vegetation
Infralittoral sand bottom
Sand extraction: >6 y at the site, 2 y at 0.5-1km.
Benthic fauna
Circalittoral hard bottom
Circalittoral mud bottom
Disposal of dredged matter: 4 y at the site;
Capital dredging: 4-6 y at the site (1 y on exposed sites).
Circalittoral sand bottom
Pelagic habitats
1 day – 1 week
turbidity

6. Pressures and impacts from human activities

7. Impact
Benthos
Worst impacts from maintenance and capital dredging (incl. harbours), sand extraction and sediment disposal. Moderate impacts from boating on hard bottoms (no impact in soft), wind turbine construction and contaminated sediments (species change). Minor or no impacts from cable placement.
Fish
Worst impacts from maintenance and capital dredging (incl. harbours), sand extraction, sediment disposal, marinas and ship traffic. Low effects from wind turbine construction.
Vegetation
Worst impacts from maintenance and capital dredging, sediment disposal, small-scale dredging in sheltered areas, marinas (in sheltered areas) and ship traffic. Moderate to high impacts from sand extraction.
Sedimenta-tion rate
Fine matter from disposal and dredging causes worst sedimentation. Sand extraction targets at heavier sand grains and hence impacts are higher in the beginning (surface matter). Shipping and construction of wind turbines cause moderate to high impacts (higher closer to the site). Boating causes minor impacts.
Turbidity
Disposal and dredging cause highest turbidity. Sand extraction and shipping (in shallow) cause moderate turbidity. Boating causes moderate turbidity in sheltered sites.
Abrasion
Wind turbines: moderate abrasion shipping: heavy abrasion

8. Sensitivity of benthic habitats
Example of physical disturbance (siltation/sedimentation/abrasion) on infralittoral hard bottoms
impact
recoverability
sensitivity
Construction
Sand extraction
Disposal of dredged material
Dredging
Shipping

9. The BalticBOOST literature review
Focus on non-fishery pressures
Catalogue with >120 studies and >420 records
Focus on pressure levels, impacts, spatial extents and gradients, recovery times