Integrated monitoring of sediment processes in an area of intensive aggregate extraction, Hinder Banks, Belgian part of the North Sea

Integrated monitoring of the effects of aggregate extraction is needed to reach Good Environmental Status of the marine environment by 2020 (European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD); 2008/56/EC). This requires increased process and system knowledge that incorporates both natural and human-induced variability. Additionally, when exploitation is within or near Habitat Directive Areas, appropriate assessments are needed of all stressors (92/43/EEC). Recently, new extraction activities started in a far offshore sandbank area in the Belgian part of the North Sea, just north of a Habitat... Mehr ...