Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

Indicative lists of characteristics, pressures and impacts (referred to in Articles 8(1), 9(1), 9(3), 10(1), 11(1) and 24)

Table 1

Characteristics

Physical and chemical features	Topography and bathymetry of the seabed, annual and seasonal temperature regime and ice cover, current velocity, upwelling, wave exposure, mixing characteristics, turbidity, residence time, spatial and temporal distribution of salinity, spatial and temporal distribution of nutrients (DIN, TN, DIP, TP, TOC) and oxygen, pH, pCO2 profiles or equivalent information used to measure marine acidification.
Habitat types	The predominant seabed and water column habitat type(s) with a description of the characteristic physical and chemical features, such as depth, water temperature regime, currents and other water movements, salinity, structure and substrata composition of the seabed, identification and mapping of special habitat types, especially those recognised or identified under Community legislation (the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive) or international conventions as being of special scientific or biodiversity interest, habitats in areas which by virtue of their characteristics, location or strategic importance merit a particular reference. This may include areas subject to intense or specific pressures or areas which merit a specific protection regime.
Biological features	A description of the biological communities associated with the predominant seabed and water column habitats. This would include information on the phytoplankton and zooplankton communities, including the species and seasonal and geographical variability, information on angiosperms, macro-algae and invertebrate bottom fauna, including species composition, biomass and annual/seasonal variability, information on the structure of fish populations, including the abundance, distribution and age/size structure of the populations, a description of the population dynamics, natural and actual range and status of species of marine mammals and reptiles occurring in the marine region or subregion, a description of the population dynamics, natural and actual range and status of species of seabirds occurring in the marine region or subregion, a description of the population dynamics, natural and actual range and status of other species occurring in the marine region or subregion which are the subject of Community legislation or international agreements, an inventory of the temporal occurrence, abundance and spatial distribution of non-indigenous, exotic species or, where relevant, genetically distinct forms of native species, which are present in the marine region or subregion.
Other features	A description of the situation with regard to chemicals, including chemicals giving rise to concern, sediment contamination, hotspots, health issues and contamination of biota (especially biota meant for human consumption), a description of any other features or characteristics typical of or specific to the marine region or subregion.

Table 2

Pressures and impacts

Physical loss	Smothering (e.g. by man-made structures, disposal of dredge spoil), sealing (e.g. by permanent constructions).
Physical damage	Changes in siltation (e.g. by outfalls, increased run-off, dredging/disposal of dredge spoil), abrasion (e.g. impact on the seabed of commercial fishing, boating, anchoring), selective extraction (e.g. exploration and exploitation of living and non-living resources on seabed and subsoil).
Other physical disturbance	Underwater noise (e.g. from shipping, underwater acoustic equipment), marine litter.
Interference with hydrological processes	Significant changes in thermal regime (e.g. by outfalls from power stations), significant changes in salinity regime (e.g. by constructions impeding water movements, water abstraction).
Contamination by hazardous substances	Introduction of synthetic compounds (e.g. priority substances under Directive 2000/60/EC which are relevant for the marine environment such as pesticides, antifoulants, pharmaceuticals, resulting, for example, from losses from diffuse sources, pollution by ships, atmospheric deposition and biologically active substances), introduction of non-synthetic substances and compounds (e.g. heavy metals, hydrocarbons, resulting, for example, from pollution by ships and oil, gas and mineral exploration and exploitation, atmospheric deposition, riverine inputs), introduction of radio-nuclides.
Systematic and/or intentional release of substances	Introduction of other substances, whether solid, liquid or gas, in marine waters, resulting from their systematic and/or intentional release into the marine environment, as permitted in accordance with other Community legislation and/or international conventions.
Nutrient and organic matter enrichment	Inputs of fertilisers and other nitrogen — and phosphorus-rich substances (e.g. from point and diffuse sources, including agriculture, aquaculture, atmospheric deposition), inputs of organic matter (e.g. sewers, mariculture, riverine inputs).
Biological disturbance	Introduction of microbial pathogens, introduction of non-indigenous species and translocations, selective extraction of species, including incidental non-target catches (e.g. by commercial and recreational fishing).