1. D1 Species Conclusions

2. D1 – Species conclusions
Are the assessment process and the degree of integration for the descriptor agreeable?
The integration should continue to ecosystem component level – good for communicating the result of the assessment. (but method, sequence tbc)
Species approach to integration
One size fits all may not be appropriate across all ecosystem components
Would work for marine mammals and reptiles
Fish not appropriate
Birds likely not appropriate
No conclusion on cephalopods
HD has little relevance for assessing GES for fish, b/c focusses on few species that are not representative of the fish community. BD reports on parameters that can be used for GES assessment, but doesn’t report on FCS.
Looked at species approach, tried to make it work by using different criteria for diff species as appropriate, but b/c of primary/secondary issue, doesn’t work

3. Fish & Birds Fish Birds Species approach not helpful.
Primary criteria availability for each spp will limit number of spp you use. Large number of species that will go into the fish assessment. Community indicators cannot be used under spp approach (developed extensively for fish).
Group prefers criteria approach. Both RSCs that have done most work on fish have used criteria approach.
Birds
Criteria approach also preferred by majority of the group, but dependent on integration methods the whole group could agree
Both RSCs that have done most work on birds have used/explored criteria approach (indicators more appropriate for criteria approach)

5. Integration methods
Are the integration methods appropriate, taking into account consistency with other EU legislation and any regional assessment frameworks?
Proportional approach when integrating indicators?
Used by 2 RSCs for birds and fish
One method does not fit all integration levels (or ecosystem components)

6. Missing criteria
What integration rules, if any, should apply in cases, in which information is missing for one or more indicators (forming a judgement on one criterion) or for one or more criteria?
Shouldn’t exclude spp from assessments which do not have information on all (primary) criteria
Within criteria approach for fish and birds removes this issue

7. Assessment scales
Are the assessment scales appropriate? Can assessments across all elements and criteria for a Descriptor (e.g. for all species in a species group for D1) be done using the same assessment areas?
Agreed that each species group can be assessed at common spatial scale, using aggregation across spatial areas using weighted averaging or other conditional rules to determine if a unit passes or not. Weighted averaging may be based on population abundance, or size of assessment area, or other appropriate method…

8. Assessment scales
Are there any additional scaling issues that need to be addressed in the guidance (e.g. where different scales are used for different elements and criteria with a Descriptor)?
How to address widely-distributed species – use best-available evidence to assess that species, give consideration to applying a single result across all regions, but this may not be appropriate for all spp
Spp that are relevant at small spatial scales – not fully discussed, but is an important issue

9. Other questions
What is the recommended approach for linking additional national indicators to regional assessments?
Didn’t discuss this
What is the recommended option for a high level presentation of the assessment output?
Agreement that options such as % species helpful

10. Other issues
Discussion on sequence of assessment flow (select criteria, spatial scales, species)
When choosing species for D1, these should reflect response to pressures (reflected in scientific criteria)
Group did not agree with primary / secondary criteria distinction – not always helpful for assessment process
Unclear how D3 should be used in D1 assessments. Some spp may have D1 indicators/thresholds that are different from D3
Group agreed that commercial species are included in D1 (guidance integration figure shows this, make more explicit in the text)