Hecate Strait – Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs MPA ERAF Metadata

1.1. Introduction

The Pacific Region ERAF provides a comprehensive approach for assessing all threats to marine ecosystems by evaluating cumulative risk from multiple activities to multiple ecosystem components for ecosystem-based management (EBM), improving upon international and national best practices in risk assessment that focus solely on single activities (e.g., ERAFs for assessing fisheries impacts) or single ecosystem-components (e.g., habitat-based risk assessments). This project applies the Level 2 Risk Assessment framework (O et al. 2015) to the Hecate Strait - Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Area (HS-QCS MPA) to determine the relative risk to the HS-QCS MPA ecosystem from anthropogenic activities.

1.2. File Descriptions

CSV File Name	Description	Research Document Reference
Species SEC Scoping	A list of species derived from published records of species observed at or within the vicinity of HS-QCS MPA. Six Supplementary Considerations were added to the six ERAF Scoping Criteria scores (O et al. 2015) to guide the selection of Species SECs in the glass sponge reef ecosystem. The species list was last updated 2014. This file is available from the authors upon request.	Sections 2.1, 3.1 Appendix B, C
List of Activity-Stressors	This complete list of activities for the HS/QCS Glass Sponge Reef Area of Interest was compiled by the DFO Oceans Program through consultation with stakeholders, science and policy in September 2011. It serves as a starting point for the list of Activities and Stressors ultimately used in this risk assessment. This file is available from the authors upon request.	Section 2.2, 3.2 Appendix E, F
SEC-Stressor Interaction Matrix	List of all possible SEC-Activity/Stressor interactions. A “1” indicates a possible negative interaction between SEC and stressor, a “0” indicates no negative interaction is expected. The number of 1’s in this file should equal the number of data rows in the SEC Risk Scoring Table. Note: only negative interactions are scored in the ERAF. This file is available from the authors upon request.	Section 2.3.1, 3.3.1 Appendix G
SEC Risk Scoring Table	This table can be used directly in the associated R script to estimate risk to each SEC, cumulative risk across all stressors by SEC and potency of each stressor across all SECs. The script can also reproduce the figures found in the research document.	Section 2.3.2, 3.3.2 Appendix J
R script	This R script (R Core Team 2017) can be used to produce the semi-quantitative risk assessment results and to reproduce the tables and figures found in the research document. The script uses the SEC Risk Scoring Table for its input.	Section 2.3.2, 3.3.3, 3.3.4 Appendix J
SEC Risk Scoring Rationale	A filterable list of the justifications and references used to arrive at the risk scores for each SEC’s risk terms in the risk assessment. This file is available from the authors upon request.	Section 2.3.2, 3.3.2
SEC Recovery Factor Rationale	A filterable list of the justifications and references used to arrive at the risk scores for each recovery factor for each SEC in the risk assessment. This file is available from the authors upon request.	Section 2.3.2

1.3. Field Descriptions for CSV Files

1.3.1. Species SEC Scoping (Research document section in parentheses)

Column Heading	Description
No.	Line number
Category	Main species classification (e.g. Genus, Group): Annelida, Arthropoda, Chordata, Cnidaria, Foraminifera, Mollusca, Porifera, etc.
Sub-Category	Species sub-classification (e.g. Family): specific to each category.
Number of Species	Indicates where benthic species identified within the same Category and Sub-category from the same literature have been grouped together.
Species	Latin species name, where possible.
Common name	Common names are provided where available.
Source	Refer to Research Document Appendix C (Table 26).
ERAF1: Nutrient Importer/exporter	Research document Table 1: Species criteria from O et al. (2015), and how they were applied to HS-QCS MPA.
ERAF2: Specialized/ Keystone role	Research document Table 1: Species criteria from O et al. (2015), and how they were applied to HS-QCS MPA.
ERAF3: Habitat creating species	Research document Table 1: Species criteria from O et al. (2015), and how they were applied to HS-QCS MPA.
ERAF4: Rare, unique or endemic species	Research document Table 1: Species criteria from O et al. (2015), and how they were applied to HS-QCS MPA.
ERAF5: Sensitive species	Research document Table 1: Species criteria from O et al. (2015), and how they were applied to HS-QCS MPA.
ERAF6: Depleted species	Research document Table 1: Species criteria from O et al. (2015), and how they were applied to HS-QCS MPA.
ERAF Total	Sum of scores from ERAF1 to ERAF6. Species with totals > 3 were considered for SEC selection.
SuppCrit1: Resident	Research document Table 1: Supplementary species criteria, specific to the HS-QCS MPA.
SuppCrit2: Dependent	Research document Table 1: Supplementary species criteria, specific to the HS-QCS MPA.
SuppCrit3: Abundant	Research document Table 1: Supplementary species criteria, specific to the HS-QCS MPA.
SuppCrit4: Directly observed	Research document Table 1: Supplementary species criteria, specific to the HS-QCS MPA.
SuppCrit5: Suited to long-term monitoring	Research document Table 1: Supplementary species criteria, specific to the HS-QCS MPA.
SuppCrit6: Well-studied	Research document Table 1: Supplementary species criteria, specific to the HS-QCS MPA.
SuppCrit Total	Sum of scores from SuppCrit1 to SuppCrit6.
Overall Total	Sum of ERAF Total and SuppCrit Total. Species with higher overall totals are more likely to be selected as a Species SEC.

1.3.2. List of Activity-Stressors

Column Heading	Description
Activity	Large-scale activity groupings: Fishing, Marine Safety & Defense, Research, Seismic Testing, Shipping, Offshore Oil & Gas Exploration, Renewable Energy, Underwater cables & pipelines.
Sub-activity	Specific components of each activity.
Stressors	A list of stressors relevant to each sub-activity.
Source	Contributor: O (DFO Oceans Document), LY (Lynne Yamanaka), EK (E. Rubidge & K. Thornborough), A (author, L. Hannah), LG (L. Grieg).
PoE?	Does this sub-activity have a Pathways of Effects Model associated with it?
Retain?	Include this sub-activity in the HS-QCS semi-quantitative ERAF assessment?
Notes	Further comments, as required.

1.3.3. SEC-Stressor Interaction Matrix (Research document section reference)

Column Heading	Description
SEC.Type	One of: Species, Habitat or Community
SEC.No	SEC number
SEC	Significant Ecosystem Component name. (2.1.1.)
Activity	Primary activity (2.2.1.)
Sub-Activity	Sub-activity (2.2.1.)
Stressor	Stressor name (2.2.2.)
Interaction	SEC-stressor interactions to be considered for risk scoring are indicated by a “1”. Non-negative or non-existent interactions are indicated by a “0”. (2.3.1.)
Comments	Further discussion, as required.

1.3.4. SEC Risk Scoring Table (Research document section reference)

Column Heading	Description
SEC.Type	One of: Species, Habitat or Community
SEC	Significant Ecosystem Component name (2.1.)
Activity	Activity name (2.2.1.)
Sub-Activity	Sub-activity (2.2.1.)
Stressor	Stressor name (2.2.2.)
Stressor Type	One of: Current or Potential (2.2.3.)
Area (a)	Extent of SEC-stressor areal overlap (estimated as a percent, score binned). (2.3.2.)
U_Area	Uncertainty associated with estimation of SEC-stressor areal overlap.
Depth (d)	Extent of SEC-stressor depth overlap (estimated as a percent, score binned). (2.3.2.)
U_Depth	Uncertainty associated with estimation of SEC-stressor depth overlap.
Temporal (t)	Extent of SEC-stressor temporal overlap (estimated as a percent, score binned). (2.3.2.)
U_Temp	Uncertainty associated with estimation of SEC-stressor temporal overlap.
Intensity (i)	Estimation of intensity (amount, level, effort or density) of the activity/stressor (measured as a percent, score binned). (2.3.2.)
U_Intensity	Uncertainty associated with estimation of stressor intensity.
Intensity2 (i2)	Estimation of frequency at which the stressor occurs (measured in occurrences per year (e.g., one occurrence in 100 years or annually, score binned). (2.3.2.)
U_Int2	Uncertainty associated with estimation of stressor frequency.
AcuteChange (ac)	The percent change in: the population-wide mortality rate of a species SEC; OR, the loss of area and productive capacity of a habitat SEC; OR, the percentage of species impacted for community/ecosystem SEC, when exposed to a given stressor. Score binned, 0 to 3. (2.3.2.)
U_AC	Uncertainty associated with estimation of acute change.
ChronicChange (cc)	The percent change in: long-term fitness (including condition and genetic diversity) of a species SEC; OR the percent change in structural integrity, condition, or loss of productive capacity of a habitat SEC; OR, the percentage of functional groups impacted for a community/ecosystem SEC. Score binned, 0 to 3. (2.3.2.)
U_CC	Uncertainty associated with estimation of chronic change.
MaxAge	Maximum age; specifically for fish SECs. Score binned, 0 to 3. Research document Appendix H, Table 33.
U_MaxAge	Uncertainty associated with maximum age assessment.
MaxSize	Maximum size; specifically for fish SECs. Score binned, 0 to 3. Research document Appendix H, Table 33.
U_MaxSize	Uncertainty associated with maximum size assessment.
VonB	Von Bertalanffy growth coefficient (k); specifically for fish SECs. Score binned, 0 to 3. Research document Appendix H, Table 33.
U_VonB	Uncertainty associated with von Bertalanffy growth coefficient calculation.
AgeMat	Age at sexual maturity/recovery time. Score binned, 0 to 3. Research document Appendix H, Table 33 (Species) and Table 34 (Habitat).
U_AgeMat	Uncertainty associated with age at maturity assessment.
LifeStage	Life stage. The life stage(s) affected by a stressor. Score binned, 0 to 3. Research document Appendix H, Table 33 (Species) and Table 34 (Habitat).
U_LifeStage	Uncertainty associated with assessment of life stages affected.
Connect	Population/habitat connectivity. Based on spatial patchiness of distribution, degree of isolation, and potential dispersal capability. Score binned, 0 to 3. Research document Appendix H, Table 33 (Species) and Table 34 (Habitat).
U_Connect	Uncertainty associated with assessment of population connectivity.
NatMort	Natural (instantaneous) mortality rate. Score binned, 0 to 3. Research document Appendix H, Table 33 (Species) and Table 34 (Habitat).
U_NatMort	Uncertainty associated with mortality rate assessment.
Listed	Identifies species with a status assessment from SARA, COSEWIC, IUCN and/or BCCDC. Score binned, 0 to 3. Research document Appendix H, Table 33.
U_Listed	Uncertainty associated with status assessment listing.
Fec	Fecundity. The population-wide average number of offspring produced by a female each year. Score binned, 0 to 3. Research document Appendix H, Table 33.
U_Fec	Uncertainty associated with fecundity assessment.
BreedingStrat	Breeding strategy. Indexed using Winemiller’s (1989) method, which provides an indication of the level of mortality expected for offspring in the first stages of life. Score binned, 0 to 3. Research document Appendix H, Table 33.
U_Breeding	Uncertainty associated with breeding strategy assessment.
Recruit	Natural recruitment rate. Recruitment success is defined as frequency of recruitment greater than long-term average level. Score binned, 0 to 3. Research document Appendix H, Table 33 (Species) and Table 34 (Habitat).
U_Recruit	Uncertainty associated with recruitment rate assessment.
NatDisturb	Frequency of natural disturbances of a similar type to the stressor. Score binned, 0 to 3. Research document Appendix C, Table 34.
U_NatDisturb	Uncertainty associated with assessment of natural disturbance frequency.
Range	Distribution range/fragmentation. Estimated extent of occurrence and fragmentation or number of locations. Score binned, 0 to 3. Research document Appendix C, Table 34.
U_Range	Uncertainty associated with range assessment.

1.3.5. SEC Risk Scoring Rationale (Research Document section reference)

Column Heading	Description
SEC.Type	One of: Species, Habitat or Community
SEC	Significant Ecosystem Component name (2.1.)
Activity	Activity name (2.2.1.)
Sub-Activity	Sub-activity (2.2.1.)
Stressor	Stressor name (2.2.2.)
Risk Component	Identifies to which term in the risk equation the variable belongs. One of: Exposure1 [overlap], Exposure2 [intensity], Resilience, Recovery. (2.3.2.)
Variable	Risk equation term. One of: a, d, t, i, i2, ac, cc. See Table 1.3.4 (above) for descriptions.
Scoring Justification	Justifications and published literature to support score selection.
Note/Ref	Additional notes and/or references to support score selection.

1.3.6. SEC Recovery Factor Rationale (Research Document section reference)

Column Heading	Description
SEC.Type	One of: Species, Habitat or Community
SEC	Significant Ecosystem Component name (2.1.)
Recovery Factor	One of: AgeMat, Connectivity, Fecundity, LifeStage, Listed, MaxAge, MaxSize, NatDisturb, NatMort, Range, Recruit, vonBert
Score	Categorical score, bin definitions vary among Recovery Factors. See Table 1.3.4 (above) for definitions.
Uncertainty	Uncertainty associated with score. See Table 1.3.4 (above)
Scoring Justification	Justifications and published literature to support score selection.
Note/Ref	Additional notes and/or references to support score selection.

1.4. References

O, M., Martone, R., Hannah, L., Greig, L., Boutillier, J. and Patton, S. 2015. An Ecological Risk Assessment Framework (ERAF) for Ecosystem-based Oceans Management in the Pacific Region. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2014/072.vii + 59 p.

R Core Team. 2017. R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria.