The LAgrangian Transport EXperiment (LATEX) project (2008-2011) is designed to study the mechanisms of formation of anticyclonic eddies and their influence on cross-shelf exchanges in the western part of the GoL. The dynamics of mesoscale eddies is particularly important in this part of the GoL since it represents a key region for regulating the outflow from the continental shelf. The eddy dynamics is investigated using Symphonie, a 3-dimensional, primitive equation model, with a free sea surface, hybrid sigma coordinates, based on Boussinesq and hydrostatic approximations [Marsaleix et al., 2006, 2008]. We use the upwind-type advection-diffusion scheme adapted by Hu et al. [2009] to improve the ability of the model to reproduce coastal mesoscale eddies in the western part of the GoL. In the present study, the model is implemented over the whole GoL with an horizontal resolution of 1 km × 1 km (Figure 1). The vertical discretization consists of 40-hybrid vertical levels. The vertical resolution varies from 1 m in the upper ocean to 40 m near the bottom. "For a complete review of the LATEX projet, see : - Petrenko, A., A., Doglioli, A.M., Nencioli, F., Kersalé, M., Hu, Z., d'Ovidio, F. (2017). A review of the LATEX project: mesoscale to submesoscale processes in a coastal environment. Ocean Dynam., 67:513 - doi: 10.1007/s10236-017-1040-9 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-017-1040-9 ----- Le projet LAgrangian Transport EXperiment (LATEX) (2008-2011) est conçu pour étudier les mécanismes de formation des tourbillons anticycloniques et leur influence sur les échanges entre plateaux dans la partie occidentale du GdL. La dynamique des tourbillons à méso-échelle est particulièrement importante dans cette partie du GdL, car elle représente une région clé pour la régulation du flux sortant du plateau continental. La dynamique des tourbillons est étudiée à l'aide de Symphonie, un modèle d'équation primitive tridimensionnel, avec une surface de mer libre, des coordonnées sigma hybrides, basé sur Boussinesq et des approximations hydrostatiques [Marsaleix et al., 2006, 2008]. Nous utilisons le schéma d'advection-diffusion de type vent debout adapté par Hu et al [2009] pour améliorer la capacité du modèle à reproduire les tourbillons côtiers à méso-échelle dans la partie occidentale du GdL. Dans la présente étude, le modèle est mis en œuvre sur l'ensemble du GdL avec une résolution horizontale de 1 km × 1 km (Figure 1). La discrétisation verticale est constituée de 40 niveaux verticaux hybrides. La résolution verticale varie de 1 m dans la partie supérieure de l'océan à 40 m près du fond. Pour plus d'information sur le projet LATEX : - Petrenko, A., A., Doglioli, A.M., Nencioli, F., Kersalé, M., Hu, Z., d'Ovidio, F. (2017). A review of the LATEX project: mesoscale to submesoscale processes in a coastal environment. Ocean Dynam., 67:513 - doi:10.1007/s10236-017-1040-9 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-017-1040-9

The dataset presents the potential combined effects of sea-based pressures on marine species and habitats estimated using the method for assessment of cumulative effects, for the entire suite of pressures and a selected set of marine species groups and habitats by an index (Halpern et al. 2008). The spatial assessment of combined effects of multiple pressures informs of the risks of human activities on the marine ecosystem health. The methodology builds on the spatial layers of pressures and ecosystem components and on an estimate of ecosystem sensitivity through an expert questionnaire. The raster dataset consists of a division of the Europe's seas in 10km and 100 km grid cells, which values represents the combined effects index values for pressures caused by sea-based human activities. The relative values indicate areas where the pressures potentially affect the marine ecosystem. This dataset underpins the findings and cartographic representations published in the report "Marine Messages" (EEA, 2020).

The dataset presents the potential combined effects of land-based pressures on marine species and habitats estimated using the method for assessment of cumulative effects, for the entire suite of pressures and a selected set of marine species groups and habitats by an index (Halpern et al. 2008). The spatial assessment of combined effects of multiple pressures informs of the risks of human activities on the marine ecosystem health. The methodology builds on the spatial layers of pressures and ecosystem components and on an estimate of ecosystem sensitivity through an expert questionnaire. The raster dataset consists of a division of the Europe's seas in 10km and 100 km grid cells, which values represents the combined effects index values for pressures caused by land-based human activities. The relative values indicate areas where the pressures potentially affect the marine ecosystem. This dataset underpins the findings and cartographic representations published in the report "Marine Messages" (EEA, 2020).

This metadata refers to the EEA marine assessment grid, to which all data and assessment results have been spatially mapped in order to ensure that data can be compared in a uniform way across the European regional seas. The marine assessment grid is based on the EEA reference grid system. The EEA reference grid is based on ERTS89 Lambert Azimuthal Equal Area projection with parameters: latitude of origin 52° N, longitude of origin 10° E, false northing 3 210 000.0 m, false easting 4 321 000.0 m. All grid cells are named with a unique identifier containing information on grid cell size and the distance from origin in meters (easting and northing). An important attribute of the EEA reference grid system is that by using an equal area projection all grid cells are having the same area for the same grid size. In this marine assessment grid, two grid sizes are used: * 100 x 100 km in offshore areas (> 20 km from the coastline) * 20 x 20 km in coastal areas (<= 20 km from the coastline) The grid sizes were choosen after an evaluation of data availability versus the need for sufficient detail in the resulting assessment. The resulting assessment grid is a combination of two grid sizes using the EEA reference grid system. The overall area of interest used in the grid is based on the marine regions and subregions under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Additionally, Norwegian (Barent Sea and Norwegian Sea) and Icelandic waters (’Iceland Sea’) have been added (see Surrounding seas of Europe). Note that, within the North East Atlantic region, only the subregions within EEZ boundaries (~200 nm) have been included.

This vector dataset represents the benthic broad habitat types in Europe seas potentially affected by anchoring. The anchoring of vessels can produce damages to the seafloor and the loss of the habitat where it happens. It takes place in shallow waters, close to ports, where vessels have to wait for a spot in the port so they can load or offload (since ports have a limited amount of dockage). The anchoring areas allow vessels to safely anchor in protection from bad weather or other circumstances. The type of alterations to the habitats resulting from anchoring depend mainly on the dimensions and type of the anchor, as well as its movement resulting from the movement of the vessel due to currents or waves, which can increase the adverse effects. The dataset has been prepared in the context of the development of the first European Maritime Transport Environmental Report (to be published as an EMSA-EEA report in 2021).

The BEAT+ tool builds on the EEA assessment tools developed and applied in the context of assessing the degree of contamination (CHASE+), eutrophication (HEAT+) and biodiversity (BEAT+) in Europe's seas. BEAT+ makes use of the same data sets and threshold values used in these assessments but recombines these in a new framework that addresses 'biodiversity condition'. BEAT+ has been designed to provide an assessment of the spatial variability of a range of biodiversity components by combining existing biodiversity indicators. The tool integrates data from normalised indicators to identify worst case status measures for different biodiversity components. The results are then linked to a standard gridE based Spatial Assessment Unit (SAU) which is used both for biodiversity and for pressures assessments (Andersen et al., 2014). These grid-based SAUs not only allow alignment of indicators for biodiversity and for pressures but provide a means for combining large assessment areas (e.g. for wide‐ranging species) with point data collected from biological surveys e.g. WFD monitoring. BEAT+ tool works by calculating a Biological Quality Ratio (BQR) which is an aggregated score of indicator outcomes within a grid square. To allow objective comparison, the indicator outcomes are normalised to a scale of 0 to 1, with five status classes at equal intervals on that scale (from Bad starting at 0, Poor at 0.2, Medium at 0.4, Good at 0.6 and High at 0.8). By this means, indicators based on different biological criteria can be aggregated in a consistent way. This metadata refers to dataset providing the results of classification of biodiversity status using the BEAT+ tool. The status is evaluated in five classes, where High and Good are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and Moderate, Poor and Bad are recognised as ‘problem areas’. The dataset covers: - BQR Assessment of all marine mammals combined (mainly focused on coastal and relatively stable inshore populations of seals, dolphins and porpoises) - BQR Assessment of seabirds and wading birds - BQR Assessment of commercial fish (as these have agreed targets defined on biomass and fishing mortality) - BQR Assessment of pelagic habitats - BQR Assessment of benthic habitats - BQR Assessment of worst-performing biodiversity groups - An overall synthesis of the Biological Quality Ratios (BQR) values (showing which are the worst -lowest- BQR values in each assessment grid cell. The ‘worst’ value is used here to identify the biological group most at risk, rather than averaging over all groups to avoid over-­emphasis on groups with more intensive monitoring). As reference, please consult the ETC/ICM Report 3/2019: Biodiversity in Europe's seas: https://www.eionet.europa.eu/etcs/etc-icm/products/biodiversity-in-europes-seas. The indicator BEAT+ Integrated Assessment Worst Case BQR has been used in the EEA report 17/2019 "Marine Messages II": https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/marine-messages-2.

The dataset presents the results of classification of eutrophication status of the European seas using the HEAT+ tool. Eutrophication status is evaluated in five classes, where NPAhigh and NPAgood are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and PAmoderate, PApoor and PAbad are recognised as ‘problem areas’. Besides the overall Eutrophication status (HEAT+) are the results shown for three aspects of eutrophication: C1) Nutrient Concentrations C2) Direct Effects C3) Indirect Effects This dataset underpins the findings and cartographic representations published in the report "Nutrient enrichment and eutrophication in Europe's seas" (EEA, 2019): https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/nutrient-enrichment-and-eutrophication-in.

The Marine Reporting Units (MRUs) are used within the reporting obligations of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in order to link the implementation of the different articles to specific marine areas. The MRUs can be of varying sizes, according to the appropriate scale for the different reports (e.g. region, sub-region, regional or sub-regional subdivision, Member State marine waters, WFD coastal waters, etc.), as indicated in the Good Environmental Status 2017 Decision. The present data set is the second public version released of the MRUs used during the MSFD 2018 reporting exercise on the update of Articles 8, 9 and 10. Only the MRUs of those countries that have gone through the reporting exercise by June 2020 have been included in this data set. Apart from the countries included already in version 1 of the dataset (SE, FI, EE, LV, PL, DE, DK, NL, BE, FR, ES, HR and RO), this version also includes seven more countries, namely MT, LT, IT, SI, CY, PT and IE. The data set is distributed in SHP and in INSPIRE-compliant GML format, made available also through an INSPIRE compliant ATOM service.

The dataset presents the potential combined effects of human activities and pressures on marine species and habitats estimated using the method for assessment of cumulative effects, for the entire suite of pressures and a selected set of marine species groups and habitats by an index (Halpern et al. 2008). The spatial assessment of combined effects of multiple pressures informs of the risks of human activities on the marine ecosystem health. The methodology builds on the spatial layers of pressures and ecosystem components and on an estimate of ecosystem sensitivity through an expert questionnaire. The raster dataset consists of a division of the Europe's seas in 10km and 100 km grid cells, which values represents the combined effects index values for pressures caused by human activities. The relative values indicate areas where the pressures potentially affect the marine ecosystem. This dataset underpins the findings and cartographic representations published in the report "Marine Messages" (EEA, 2020).