The pressure is thought to be caused by the activity and the feature is considered exposed to that activity

Associated

The pressure is thought to be caused by the activity, but the feature is not considered exposed to that activity

Associated but not exposed

The pressure is not thought to be caused by the activity

Not Associated

The feature is yet to be assessed against the pressure

Not Yet Assessed

The physical obstruction of species movements (local, regional, global), in rivers or open waters. May disrupt movements within & between roosting, breeding, feeding areas, or regional/global migrations (e.g. birds, eels, salmon, whales). Could be relevant to crabs that undertake migrations to over-winter or to breed, and where populations are dependent on larval or other propagule supply from outside the site.

Barrier to species movement

The lowering, temporarily or more permanently, of oxygen levels in the water or substrate due to anthropogenic causes. Pressure is closely related to the N and P enrichment pressure. The water column immediately above the sea bed can have lower oxygen levels than the general water column, and this is closely linked to the Organic enrichment and Siltation pressures. The estuary standard is more precautionary as it also seeks to protect migratory fish, which are likely to be the most sensitive element. Oxygen is essential for most life, low levels can inhibit respiration, and other life functions.

De-oxygenation

Injury or mortality from collisions of biota with both static &/or moving structures above the surface of the water. Collision at night may be associated with 'Introduction of light' pressure that may attract some birds.

Death or injury by collision above water

Injury or mortality from collisions of biota with both static &/or moving structures below the surface of the water, including vessels.

Death or injury by collision below water

Localized electric and magnetic fields associated could alter behaviour (e.g. attract or repel) and migration patterns of sensitive species. Elasmobranch species (sharks, skates and rays) are relatively sensitive to electric fields, and diadromous species are expected to have relatively higher sensitivity to magnetic fields.

Electromagnetic changes

Changes in water levels may reduce the intertidal zone (and the associated/dependent habitats) by changing either the spatial area and or duration of immersion/exposure during tidal cycles. Changes in tidal flushing can change sediment dynamics that may lead to changing patterns of deposition and erosion and extent of tidal immersion. Impacts include reduced habitats, resources, and feeding times, exposure, and desiccation.

Emergence regime changes - local

Moving of indigenous or genetically modified species to different areas may cause competition with local populations of species with different genetic make ups, alter the community of the receiving habitat, or provide the opportunity for hybridization between similar species (e.g. Spartina spp. and Mytilus spp.).

Genetic modification & translocation of indigenous species

These standards provide good levels of protection for all living organisms where standards are adhered to. See separate pressures where exceeding EQS may occur and the potential ecological consequences include lethal and non-lethal effects, physiological changes. These are naturally occurring compounds, complex mixtures of two basic molecular structures: straight chained aliphatic hydrocarbons (relatively low toxicity and susceptible to degradation) and multiple ringed aromatic hydrocarbons (higher toxicity and more resistant to degradation). Ecological consequences include tainting, some are acutely toxic, carcinomas, growth defects.

Hydrocarbon & PAH contamination. (Includes those priority substances listed in Annex II of Directive 2008/105/EC).

Introduction of light on structures may disorientate, repel or attract species (affecting e.g. migration routes), increase algal growth, change communities or species present. Shading from structures may reduce growth, feeding or change communities/species present.

Introduction of light or shading

The introduction or increase in levels of pathogens, disease vectors or parasites from anthropogenic activities.

Introduction of microbial pathogens (disease), viruses or parasites

The 'systematic or intentional release of liquids, gases ' (from MSFD Annex III Table 2) is considered e.g. in relation to produced water from the oil industry. It should, therefore, be considered in parallel with the other chemical contaminants. Other solid debris such as shellfish shells and seaweed debris may also have detrimental effects which are not covered in other pressures.

Introduction of other substances (solid, liquid or gas)

The direct or indirect introduction of invasive non-indigenous species, e.g. Chinese mitten crabs, slipper limpets, Pacific oyster and their subsequent spreading and out-competing of native species. Sensitivity assessment will be made against a prescribed list of INIS as agreed with the Scottish Marine Invasive Non-Native Species Working Group.

Introduction or spread of non-indigenous species & translocations (competition)

Marine litter is any manufactured or processed solid material from anthropogenic activities discarded, disposed or abandoned (excluding legitimate disposal) once it enters the marine and coastal environment including plastics, metals, timber, rope, fishing gear etc. and their degraded components, e.g. microplastic particles.

Litter

Increased levels of the elements nitrogen, phosphorus, silicon (and iron) in the marine environment compared to background concentrations. It may be possible to use information from WFD and CEMP assessments in relation to winter concentrations of DIN (a measure of state) and compare these to WFD standards and status classification outputs. Adverse environmental effects include deoxygenation, algal blooms, changes in community structure of benthos and macrophytes.

Nitrogen & phosphorus enrichment

This pressure is referring to particulate organic matter and is therefore closely associated with the Siltation pressures. Adverse environmental effects include deoxygenation, algal blooms, changes in community structure of benthos and macrophytes.

Organic enrichment

Two separate possibilities 1) Change in sediment type by one Folk class, 2) Change from sedimentary or soft rock substrata to hard rock or artificial substrata or vice-versa. A change from sediment to hard rock (or vice versa) would affect all types of substratum, and all habitats would be assessed as highly sensitive.

Physical change (to another seabed type)

The permanent loss of marine habitats by activities or infrastructure that encroaches on the marine area so as to move the MHWS mark seawards

Physical loss (to land or freshwater habitat)

This pressure relates to extraction of sediment substrate

Physical removal (extraction of substratum)

Any damage, loss or removal of species through accidental or incidental catch (or by-catch) associated with fishing, harvesting and extraction activities, including extraction of substrate or water. Also includes accidental entanglement in ropes or lines associate with various activities.

Removal of non-target species (including lethal)

Ecological consequences include the sustainability of populations, impacting energy flows through food webs and the size and age composition within populations, alteration to habitat structure, biodiversity or function.

Removal of target species (including lethal)

Activities have the potential to increase or decrease local salinity through either input of fresh water or physical changes that may alter water exchange and therefore salinity. Changes to salinity can impact growth, respiration, behaviour, and reproduction, and may ultimately alter communities/habitats, particularly if combination with other stresses such as temperature.

Salinity changes - local

Siltation (or sedimentation) is the settling out or deposit of silt or sediments suspended in the water column to the sea bed. Changes relate to those over natural siltation and those above 5 cm (less than this depth is covered by different pressure), or where a high level of deposition is continuous (e.g. fish farming). Siltation of this level can completely smother species and habitats, particularly sessile organisms. Impacts are mainly from hypoxia, inability to feed or photosynthesise and potentially death unless tolerance species or species that can re-emerge.

Siltation rate changes (heavy)

Siltation (or sedimentation) is the settling out or deposit of silt or sediments suspended in the water column to the sea bed. Changes relate to those over natural siltation and up to 5 cm (more than this depth is covered by different pressure), or where a light level of deposition is continuous (e.g. shellfish farming). Siltation of this level may completely smother smaller species and habitats, particularly sessile organisms. Effects can be hypoxia, physical difficulties in feeding, reproduction, reduction in photosynthesis and potentially death for more sensitive species.

Siltation rate changes (light)

Abrasion damage involving some degree of physical penetration to the seabed or disturbance of habitats or species below the surface of the seabed. Penetration and damage to the soft rock substrata are considered, however, penetration into hard bedrock is deemed unlikely.

Sub-surface abrasion/penetration

Abrasion damage at the surface of the substratum in sedimentary or rocky habitats e.g. epiflora and epifauna.

Surface abrasion

The EQS standards provide good levels of protection for all living organisms where standards are adhered to. See separate pressures where exceeding EQS may occur and the potential ecological consequences include lethal and non-lethal effects, physiological changes (e.g. growth defects, carcinomas).

Synthetic compound contamination (inc. pesticides, antifoulants, pharmaceuticals). Includes those priority substances listed in Annex II of Directive 2008/105/EC.

Events or activities increasing or decreasing local water temperature. This is most likely from thermal discharges, e.g. the release of cooling waters from power stations. This pressure only applies within the thermal plume generated by the pressure source.

Temperature change

These standards provide good levels of protection for all living organisms where standards are adhered to. For marine sediments the main elements of concern are Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Mercury, Nickel, Lead and Zinc Organo-metallic compounds such as the butyl tins (Tri butyl tin and its derivatives) can be highly persistent and chronic exposure to low levels has adverse biological effects, e.g. Imposex in molluscs.

Transition elements & organo-metal (e.g. Chromium, Copper, TBT) contamination. Includes those priority substances listed in Annex II of Directive 2008/105/EC.

Anthropogenic sounds may be of short duration (e.g. impulsive such as from seismic surveys and piling for wind farms and platforms, as well as explosions) or be long lasting (e.g. continuous such as dredging, shipping and energy installations) affecting organisms in different ways. Marine mammals are most susceptible, however fish and other benthic species including invertebrates may also be affected, although literature is limited.

Underwater noise

Visual disturbance is only relevant to species that respond to visual cues, for hunting, behavioural responses or predator avoidance, and that have the visual range to perceive cues at distance. It is particularly relevant to fish, birds, reptiles and mammals that depend on sight but less relevant to benthic invertebrates. The cephalopods are an exception but they are only likely to respond to a visual disturbance at close range (from e.g. divers). Not including introduction of light as addressed by separate pressure.

Visual disturbance (behaviour)

Changes in water clarity (or turbidity) due to changes in sediment & organic particulate matter and chemical concentrations. It is primarily related to activities disturbing sediment and/or organic particulate matter and mobilizing it into the water column. Particle size, hydrological energy (current speed & direction) and tidal excursion are all influencing factors on the spatial extent and temporal duration. Salinity, turbulence, pH and temperature may result in flocculation of suspended organic matter. Changes in suspended sediment loads can also alter the scour experienced by species and habitats. Therefore, the effects of scour are also addressed here.

Water clarity changes

Changes in water movement associated with tidal streams (the rise and fall of the tide, riverine flows), prevailing winds and ocean currents. The pressure extremes are a shift from a high to a low energy environment (or vice versa), which can alter the biota, substratum, sediment transport and seabed elevation. The potential exists for profound changes (e.g. coastal erosion/deposition) to occur at long distances from responsible activity, with complex interactions.

Water flow (tidal current) changes - local

Exposure on open shore determined by local changes in wave length, height and frequency. Significant wave height = the average height of the highest one third of waves and is dependent upon the distance of open sea water over which wind may blow to generate waves (the fetch) and the strength and incidence of winds, and topography; generally significant wave height is <1.2m but can be up to 3m around UK coast.

Wave exposure changes - local

A feature is assessed as having high sensitivity where the pressure causes severe or significant mortality of a species population (most individuals killed). Habitat features are highly sensitive where the pressure causes severe or significant mortality of key functional or structural species or those that characterise the habitat, and/or causes changes in the habitat such that environmental conditions are changed (e.g. the habitat type is changed). If recovery is possible, the feature is anticipated to take 10 years to recover from the impacts caused by the pressure.

High

A feature is assessed as having high sensitivity where the pressure causes severe or significant mortality of a species population (most individuals killed).  Habitat features are highly sensitive where the pressure causes severe or significant mortality of key functional or structural species or those that characterise the habitat, and/or causes changes in the habitat such that environmental conditions are changed (e.g. the habitat type is changed).  If recovery is possible, the feature is anticipated to take 10 years to recover from the impacts caused by the pressure. An asterisk is used to denote an underlaying range of sensitivites for habitat features (e.g. due to the feature including species with a range of different sensitivities to a pressure) OR for species it denotes a sensitivity within certain key areas for that species - explained further in evidence. Where an asterisk follows a high sensitivity score, it denotes that the highest sensitivity score for the feature is high. 

High*

Features with low sensitivity are those with high resistance or where recovery from any impacts caused by pressure is rapid, so that the feature is recovered within two years from cessation of pressure causing activity

Features with low sensitivity are those with high resistance or where recovery from any impacts caused by pressure is rapid, so that the feature is recovered within two years from cessation of pressure causing activity. An asterisk is used to denote an underlaying range of sensitivites for habitat features (e.g. due to the feature including species with a range of different sensitivities to a pressure) OR for species it denotes a sensitivity within certain key areas for that species - explained further in evidence. Where an asterisk follows a low sensitivity score, it denotes that the highest sensitivity score for the feature is low. 

Low*

Features with medium sensitivity are those characterised by medium resistance and no to low recovery or no to low resistance and medium to high recovery. 

Medium

Features with medium sensitivity are those characterised by medium resistance and no to low recovery or no to low resistance and medium to high recovery. An asterisk is used to denote an underlaying range of sensitivites for habitat features (e.g. due to the feature including species with a range of different sensitivities to a pressure) OR for species it denotes a sensitivity within certain key areas for that species - explained further in evidence. Where an asterisk follows a medium sensitivity score, it denotes that the highest sensitivity score for the feature is medium. 

Medium*

There is no evidence available with which to undertake a sensitivity assessment or the pressure definition/benchmark is not applicable to the feature.

Not Assessed

Although the feature may be sensitive to the pressure, the activity exerting that pressure does not spatially overlap with the known distribution of the feature.

Not Exposed

There is a good level of evidence to suggest that although the feature may be exposed it is not considered to be sensitive to the pressure (i.e. where tolerance to the pressure is high where there is no significant mortality of individuals or changes to the habitat, and where recovery from any impact is complete within 2 years).

Not Sensitive

Not enough information is available to complete one of the sensitivity assessment stages to give a final score, but due to concern over potential impacts on feature it has been assessed as sensitive. 

Sensitive

Here users can start with a pressure, such as deoxygenation, and explore information on activities associated with, and the feature sensitivity to, these pressures

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