The indicator evaluates the coincidence of seasonal succession of dominating phytoplankton groups over an assessment period (commonly 5-6 years) using regionally established reference seasonal growth curves and wet weight biomass data. The indicator result value is based on the number of data points falling within the acceptable deviation range set for each monthly point of the reference growth curve and expressed as the percentage to the total number of data points. This result value is then compared to regionally relevant threshold values established to represent acceptable levels of variation. Strong deviations from the reference growth curves will result in failure to meet the thresholds set for acceptable variation, indicating impairment of the environmental status and a failure to meet good status.

Seasonal succession of dominating phytoplankton groups displays the result of the indicator in HELCOM Assessment Scale 3 (Division of the Baltic Sea into 17 sub-basins and further division into coastal and offshore areas).

Attribute information:

"HELCOM_ID" = HELCOM ID of the HELCOM scale 3 assessment unit

"country" = Country

"level_2" = Name of HELCOM scale 2 assessment unit

"level_3" = Name of HELCOM scale 3 assessment unit

"Area (km2)" = Area of HELCOM assessment unit

"Overall Score" = Indicator value or result

"Info" = additional info

"AULEVEL" = Assessment unit level used for the indicator

"Status" = Status of the indicator (“Achieve”, “Fail” or “Not assessed”)

"Assessment" = Assessment unit name

"Reference period" = Reference period(s)

"Threshold value" = Threshold value (overall)

"Indicator cyanobacteria" = Indicator value for cyanobacteria

"Indicator dinoflagellates" = Indicator value for dinoflagellates

"Indicator diatoms" = Indicator value for diatoms

"Indicator Mesodinium rubrum" = Indicator value for Mesodinium rubrum

"Indicator green algae" = Indicator value for green algae