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    All BISI related information gathered on one site

    Westerschelde intertidal zone

    The BISI protocol for generic application (BISI v2) is available now. The Benthic Indicator Species Index (BISI) is specifically developed for quality status evaluation and evaluation of quality developments of benthic habitats. Compared to v1, BISIs (area specific indicator species lists with reference occurrences for comparison) are in v2 constructed in a standardized way at the level of ecotopes (or broad habitat types) which allows application in similar habitat within the same region. From these BISIs at ecotope level, area specific indices can be constructed surface area ratio based.

    Specific assessment tools are developed and made available for:

    • Application in soft sediment habitats of OSPAR region II (Greater North Sea region) distinguishing 6 broad habitat types and make use of approximately 0.1 m2 grab or (box)core monitoring data.
    • Application for marine Habitat Directive (HD) habitat types of the Dutch ‘Delta-waters’, the Wadden Sea and the coastal zone of the North Sea, making use of benthos data from two categories of sampling techniques (core – and benthic dredge related samples).
    • Application in distinguished areas of the Dutch North Sea with regards to the MSFD, the HD and evaluation of effectiveness of management measures, making use of benthos data from core – and benthic dredge related samples in (most) soft sediment areas, and the combination of video and grab sampling in areas with gravel and boulders.

    Tools are available for direct application in similar situations (habitats x monitoring techniques), or new BISIs can be constructed according to the protocol for other types of habitats, geographical regions and/or monitoring specificities.

    We are very interested in the results and experiences from testing or application of existing assessment tools or new constructed BISIs specific for other situations based on your own monitoring data. Therefore all BISI related documents (including with regards to earlier versions) and assessment tools are now gathered on one site: http://ecoauthor.net/bisi/. You will stay informed on new developments, applications and/or results via the BISI site. Please contact us if we can be of help or to share your findings.

    The focus of current international quality status assessments (e.g. MSFD – and OSPAR assessments) with regards to seafloor integrity is predominantly on large-scale assessment of expected impact from dominant pressures taking sensitivity of habitats into account. It is however of importance to verify the quality status with benthic observations, which can be related to specific impacts and habitat changes. Herewith key processes and management options can be identified or evaluated. The BISI could potentially fill in this gap.

    1. Benthic Indicator Species Index (BISI) developed for marine habitat types in Natura 2000 areas. Comments Off on Benthic Indicator Species Index (BISI) developed for marine habitat types in Natura 2000 areas.
    2. Updated BISI for generic application available soon Comments Off on Updated BISI for generic application available soon
    3. Quality status benthic habitats Dutch North Sea Comments Off on Quality status benthic habitats Dutch North Sea
    4. Platform Marine Monitoring Comments Off on Platform Marine Monitoring
    5. Lecture on non-indigenous species in estuaries Comments Off on Lecture on non-indigenous species in estuaries
    6. Ciliate communities on macrofauna: There is a world to discover. Comments Off on Ciliate communities on macrofauna: There is a world to discover.
    7. Overview alien species monitoring in the Western Scheldt Comments Off on Overview alien species monitoring in the Western Scheldt
    8. Living Planet Report – Salty and brackish nature in the Netherlands Comments Off on Living Planet Report – Salty and brackish nature in the Netherlands
    9. Benthic Indicator Species Index to evaluate quality status North Sea Comments Off on Benthic Indicator Species Index to evaluate quality status North Sea