Conservation values around Gotland

AquaBiota has performed extensive benthic surveys around southern Gotland and in the area from northwestern Fårö and Salvorev to Gotska Sandön and Kopparstenarna on behalf of the county administrative board in Gotland County. High conservation values in terms of high densities of blue mussels were found on elevations off the coast and many of these meet the criteria of biogenic reefs (elevations with more than 10 % cover of blue mussels). Some other conservation values found were large amounts of toothed wrack (Fucus serratus) in an area off the southeast coast of Gotland and eelgrass meadows in several bays. The toothed wrack is of special interest in this area since it is close to its northern distribution limit in the Baltic Sea.

References: Wijkmark, N., Enhus, C. & Skoglund, S. 2017: Undersökning av undervattensmiljöer vid Salvorev och Kopparstenarna. Länsstyrelsen Gotlands län, rapport nr 2017:11.

Wijkmark, N., Thunell, V. & Tano, S. 2017: Undersökning av undervattensmiljöer vid Ekstakusten. Länsstyrelsen Gotlands län, rapport nr 2017:8.

Wijkmark, N., Thunell, V. & Tano, S. 2017: Undersökning av undervattensmiljöer vid Gotlands södra kust. Länsstyrelsen Gotlands län, rapport nr 2017:9.