Estuaries (1130)
Short description
Estuaries (according to Habitats Directive Annex I) are coastal inlets that are strongly influenced by freshwater. The distribution map is based on data submission by HELCOM contracting parties. Most of the submitted data is based on modelling, GIS analysis and/or aerial photos. Data coverage, accuracy and the methods in obtaining the data vary between countries.
Point of contact
HELCOM Secretariat
data@helcom.fi
Spatial extent
['7.530495', '34.131647', '52.277123', '66.475422']
Type
dataset
Metadata information
Identifier
Keywords
Habitats and biotopes ; GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 ;

estuary ; marine geology ; GEMET ;

MADS ; HOLAS2 ; ecosystem component ;

Resource provider(s)
HELCOM Secretariat
data@helcom.fi

Lineage
Data source: Denmark: Polygon data on estuaries found within Natura 2000 sites. Source: Danish Nature Agency. Estonia: Modelled distribution of estuaries based on observations from national monitoring and inventories. Source: Estonian Marine Institute. Finland: Distribution of estuaries obtained using GIS analysis and aerial photos. Source: Finnish Environment Institute. Germany: Polygon data on distribution of estuaries. Source: Landesamt für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Geologie Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Latvia: No reported estuaries. Lithuania: No reported estuaries Poland: Polygon data on distribution of estuaries from surveys carried out for the marine Natura 2000 site protection plans in Gulf of Gdansk and Western Pomerania, source Maritime Offices in Gdynia and Szczecin. 10km grid data from rest of the coastline according to Habitats Directive Art. 17 Report (2007-2012). Source: General Directorate for Environmental Protection. Russia: Habitats Directive not implemented. Sweden: Polygons of Natura 2000 habitats 1130 Estuaries based on GIS-analysis in the SAKU-projekt and modified in 2010 by METRIA. Polygon data on estuaries also from BALANCE project. Source: Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (HaV). Data quality: Data quality and habitat definitions vary between countries. Data is often based on modelling and ground-truthing has not always taken place. The dataset was approved by all HELCOM Contracting Parties in the HOLAS II Ecosystem component data review process during first quarter of 2017 after corrections from Germany and Poland. Attribute information: Raster value representing presence (1) or absence (0) of estuaries.