Copernicus Marine Service
U S E CASES
SUPPORTING DANEMARK WITH THE EUROPEAN HABITATS DIRECTIVE
S E CAS E • UOVERVI EW
The marine landscape at the entrance of the Baltic Sea (Kattegat, Belt Sea, Danish straits) is characterised by a bed form called boulder reefs which are unique and ecologically distinct. They are defined as a rare and biologically important habitat by the EC Habitats Directive. Several boulder reef areas in Danish waters are a designated part of the Natura 2000 network. The species-rich vegetation and fauna associated with the reefs are exposed to strong variability of surrounding water properties and anthropogenic stress due to their proximity to heavily used shipping routes and sources of nutrient loads. Model products from Copernicus Marine Service in the Baltic Sea were analysed for a 5 month-reference period (April-August 2010) by the AAHRUS University to quantify natural variability patterns in the physical environment (temperature, salinity, currents) at 21 boulder reef areas in the Kattegat and Belt Sea. The analysis provided a detailed and coherent picture of the oceanographic setting of various Danish boulder reefs.
E N E FI TS • BFOR USER
Free and sustained information provision. Provision of merged satellite information along with in situ
information. Ready to use, global coverage, expertised ocean colour satellite products.
EU POLICY NATURA 2000 HABITATS DIRECTIVE BALTIC SEA
COASTAL & MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Implemented by
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