Further work on spatial typologies is currently being conducted within the European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion (ESPON) which has recently funded projects compiling spatial typologies [13] and a project exploring European Seas Development
Opportunities and Risks (ESaTDOR) which includes the development of a maritime region typology [14]. This paper reports on the findings of a pilot study that was undertaken to test the development of a data informed spatial typology for the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is a comparatively shallow sea with nine adjoining countries and intense anthropogenic activities. The area benefits from a large assortment of data on anthropogenic activities and environmental buy Veliparib conditions. The aim of
the study was to assess the applicability and value of such a spatial typology for MSP. The paper starts with a short pen picture of the study site covering its environmental, social and economic characteristics and the current status of MSP related activities in the region. This is then followed by an explanation of the methodology used in the typology development and an account of the study findings. The paper concludes with a discussion of key issues raised by the exercise and the implications for future typology check details development to promote more sophisticated and place sensitive approaches to MSP. The Baltic Sea is a semi-enclosed sea covering an area of approximately
387,000 km2[15]. Connections to other seas Neratinib molecular weight exist via the Danish Straits and Kiel Canal only. Limited inflows of saline water together with strong riverine freshwater inflows result in one of the world’s largest brackish water bodies. Salinity gradients from west to east and from south to north (e.g. surface salinities of 20 PSU in the Kattegat and 1–2 PSU in the northern Bothnian Bay) have led to a unique mix of marine and freshwater species, as well as to a few true brackish water species. At the same time the limited exchange of water results in water retention times of up to 30 years—along with the organic and inorganic matter it contains [16]. The Baltic Sea, which is home to more than 85 million people in its catchment area, is due to its geographical, climatological, and oceanographic characteristics highly sensitive to environmental impacts of human activities. This sea is comparatively small with only very few areas having a distance of more than 50 nm to the nearest coastline which facilitates a high density of anthropogenic activities. Entering or leaving the Baltic Sea 93,057 ships passed the two entrances Skaw and Kiel Canal in 2009 [17] and [18]. Estimations assume that more than 1.6 million leisure boats of all sizes are used [17].