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Black Sea Day - 2011. T he Black Sea – a pilot area to understand the marine ecosystem evolution and to develop protective recommendations Yuvenaly Zaitsev. An Exceptional Sea.
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Black Sea Day - 2011 The Black Sea – a pilot area to understand the marine ecosystem evolution and to develop protective recommendations Yuvenaly Zaitsev
An Exceptional Sea • The Black Sea (BS) is an inland intercontinental sea. Because of heavy discharge of river water the surface layer of the BS has a relatively low salinity 16-18‰ which below 200 m reaches 21-22‰. This, combined with the shallowness of the connecting channels with the Mediterranean, makes the BS a stagnant marine area. • As a result 87% of water column and 75% of bottom are contaminated with H2S.
An Exceptional Sea • This area was traditionally considered azoic (without life) except anaerobic bacteria. • Last time, viable dormant stages of dozen species of aerobic bacteria, unicellular algae and fungi in the deepest sediments of the sea were discovered. • Because of low number of marine species, the BS has a limited ecological immunity and is open for penetration of alien species.
Achievements Thanks to an effective international collaboration in the frames of BSC, UN and EU activities during last two decades, a general idea about the present state of the Black Sea as a whole was firstly obtained.
Achievements • Strategic Action Plan, • Transboundary diagnostic analysis, • Black Sea pollution assessment, • Evolution of marine Biological diversity, • Accidental introduction of exotic species, • First Regional Red Data Book…
Achievements • First textbook “An Introduction to the Black Sea Ecology” for students, • First Posters for involving the public in environmental protection actions: “Save the Black Sea”, “Commercial Fisheries in the Black Sea. Three decades of decline” and “Endangered Species of the Black Sea Wetlands”
Recommendations and Implementation • Organization of the first Bilateral Romania-Ukraine Danube delta Reserve; • Creation of new protected areas; • Monitoring of harmful exotic species; • Current information about ecological events in the Black Sea for public awareness…
New approaches for better marine ecosystem governance 1. Understanding of the key role of contour (marginal) biotopes in the marine ecological processes development; 2. Detection of the most acute ecological “hot spots” in the marine contour biotopes and proposal for express ecological monitoring of the marine ecosystem;
New approaches for better marine ecosystem governance 3. Using of algal factor as a very sensitive biological indicator of the present state and possible future of marine ecosystem; 4. Using of special engineering constructions (e.g. artificial reefs) as tools for better governance of coastal water ecological protection;
New approaches for better marine ecosystem governance 5. Using of effective methods to minimizing accidental introduction of harmful species; 6. To direct the public awareness to take a real part in the Black Sea monitoring and protection;
New approaches for better marine ecosystem governance 7. To reveal Information Gaps in the perception of the Black Sea ecosystem present state and its expected evolution.
Information Gaps 1. There are very few data about the present state of all types of Black Sea coastal wetlands (CW) ecosystems. CW are important feeding grounds for many invertebrates and fish, including commercially important species. Till present mainly Ramsar sites and bird populations are described. Last time deep change in the hydrology, chemistry, biology and ecology in CW occurs.
Information Gaps 2. There are very few information about the biological diversity, number, biomass and production in all types of contour biotopes (splash and spray zones) of the Black Sea (sandy beaches, rocky coasts, man-made constructions). No enough data about the impact of different coastal constructions and activities on marine organisms and communities. These data are important for the assessment of the man-made impact coastal areas.
Information Gaps 3. No recent data about migrations of fish and marine mammals through the Bosporus. Before the 1970s, regular feeding and breeding migrations of anchovy, horse mackerel, mackerel, bonito, bluefish, blue tuna etc. were an important factor of replenishment of the Black Sea biological resources.
Information Gaps 4. There are no recent data about the number of dolphins in the Black Sea, as top predators and main consumers of pelagic fish.
Information Gaps 5. No information about the water birds an their role in the Black Sea ecological processes. In addition to local bird populations, huge flocks of seasonally migrating birds from Europe and Asia are resting and feeding in the Black Sea marine coastal zone.
Further Concerted Action • Solution of the major Black Sea ecological problems needs for a holistic approach at regional level. • Therefore further development of International Concerted Action is the only realistic way for protection and rehabilitation of the Black Sea.