This dataset represents the Integrated biodiversity status assessment for seals (grey seal, harbour seal and ringed seal). Status is shown in five categories based on the integrated assessment scores obtained in the tool. Biological quality ratios (BQR) above 0.6 correspond to good status. The status of the seals was assessed using four core indicators: population trends and abundance of seals, distribution of Baltic seals, nutritional status of seals, and reproductive status of seals. In the latter two only grey seals are considered for the 2018 State of the Baltic Sea report. The assessment is based on the one-out-all-out approach, i.e. the species reflecting the worst status in each assessment unit.

This dataset displays the result of the integrated biodiversity status in HELCOM Assessment unit Scale 2 (Division of the Baltic Sea into 17 sub-basins).

Attribute information:

"HELCOM_ID" = ID of the HELCOM scale 2 assessment unit

"level_2" = Name of the HELCOM scale 2 assessment unit

"EcosystemC" = Ecosystem component analyzed

"BQR" = Biological Quality Ratio

"Conf" = Confidence of the assessment

"Total_indi" = Number of indicators used

"% of area assessed" = Share of the total assessed area

"D1CX" = MSFD descriptor 1 criteria X

"conf_D1CX" = Confidence for MSFD descriptor criteria X

"Confidence" = Conifdence of the assessment ("high"/ "moderate"/ "low")

"STATUS" = Status of the assessment (0-0.2 = not good (lowest score), 0.2-0.4 = not good (lower score), 0.4-0.6 = not good (low score), 0.6-0.8 = good (high score, 0.8-1.0 = good (highest score))