Template for Submission of Information, including Traditional Knowledge,

to Describe Areas Meeting Scientific Criteria for

Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas

Abstract (in less than 150 words)

Introduction

(To include: feature type(s) presented, geographic description, depth range, oceanography, general information data reported, availability of models)

Location

(Indicate the geographic location of the area/feature. This should include a location map.)

Feature description of the proposed area

(This should include information about the characteristics of the feature to be proposed, e.g. in terms of physical description (water column feature, benthic feature, or both), biological communities, role in ecosystem function, and then refer to the data/information that is available to support the proposal and whether models are available in the absence of data. This needs to be supported where possible with maps, models, reference to analysis, or the level of research in the area)

Feature condition and future outlook of the proposed area

(Description of the current condition of the area – is this static, declining, improving, what are the particular vulnerabilities? Any planned research/programmes/investigations?)

Assessment of the area against CBD EBSA Criteria

(Discuss the area in relation to each of the CBD criteria and relate the best available information. Note that a proposed area for EBSA description may qualify on the basis of one or more of the criteria, and that the polygons of the EBSA need not be defined with exact precision. And modeling may be used to estimate the presence of EBSA attributes. Please note where there are significant information gaps)

CBD EBSA Criteria

(Annex I to decision IX/20)	Description

(Annex I to decision IX/20)	Ranking of criterion relevance

(please mark one column with an X)
No information	Low	Medium	High
Uniqueness or rarity	Area contains either (i) unique (“the only one of its kind”), rare (occurs only in few locations) or endemic species, populations or communities, and/or (ii) unique, rare or distinct, habitats or ecosystems; and/or (iii) unique or unusual geomorphological or oceanographic features.
Explanation for ranking (must be accompanied by relevant sources of scientific articles, reports or documents)

Special importance for life-history stages of species	Areas that are required for a population to survive and thrive.
Explanation for ranking (must be accompanied by relevant sources of scientific articles, reports or documents)

Importance for threatened, endangered or declining species and/or habitats	Area containing habitat for the survival and recovery of endangered, threatened, declining species or area with significant assemblages of such species.
Explanation for ranking (must be accompanied by relevant sources of scientific articles, reports or documents)

Vulnerability, fragility, sensitivity, or slow recovery	Areas that contain a relatively high proportion of sensitive habitats, biotopes or species that are functionally fragile (highly susceptible to degradation or depletion by human activity or by natural events) or with slow recovery.
Explanation for ranking (must be accompanied by relevant sources of scientific articles, reports or documents)

Biological productivity	Area containing species, populations or communities with comparatively higher natural biological productivity.
Explanation for ranking (must be accompanied by relevant sources of scientific articles, reports or documents)

Biological diversity	Area contains comparatively higher diversity of ecosystems, habitats, communities, or species, or has higher genetic diversity.
Explanation for ranking (must be accompanied by relevant sources of scientific articles, reports or documents)

Naturalness	Area with a comparatively higher degree of naturalness as a result of the lack of or low level of human-induced disturbance or degradation.
Explanation for ranking (must be accompanied by relevant sources of scientific articles, reports or documents)

Sharing experiences and information applying other criteria (Optional)

Other Criteria

Description

Ranking of criterion relevance

(please mark one column with an X)
Don’t Know	Low	Medium	High

Add relevant criteria

Explanation for ranking (must be accompanied by relevant sources of scientific articles, reports or documents)

References

(e.g. relevant documents and publications, including URL where available; relevant data sets, including where these are located; information pertaining to other relevant material, models, etc.)

Maps and Figures

Rights and permissions

(Indicate if there are any known issues with giving permission to share or publish these data and what any conditions of publication might be; provide contact details for a contact person for this issue)

Title	3

Title	1

Ref

Jacqueline Grekin

2017-12-12

biodiversity