Jomfruland national park, assessment of marine nature values

Summary

To the preparation of establishment of Jomfruland national park in Telemark county data has been compiled for existing marine natural habitats and resources. There has been particular emphasis on habitats with high ecological value. The main habitat types are presented in maps and tables with size and importance at national, regional or local scale. Ecological functions have been described for the important habitat types in the area. The national park area includes particularly large and rich kelp forests that are important for the whole area's ecosystems and resources, and also provide important ecosystem services for areas inside and outside the national park area. The kelp production nourish the animal life in and outside the kelp beds, while the kelp forest is habitat and shelter for small animals, fish fry and larger animals such as crabs, lobsters and other animals higher up the food chain. The report also has a primary focus on the habitats eelgrass meadows, shallow soft bottoms, shellsand bottoms, moraine deposits, and spawning grounds for cod. Eelgrass beds have similar function as kelp forests, but they have a more patchy distribution. Soft-bottom areas inhabit primarily animals that live buried in the sediment and they represent a special diversity as well as prey for fish. The large soft bottom areas inside the Jomfruland Island are considered important, and shallow soft bottoms are not a common habitat in Norway. Other marine nature types are described more briefly. Here are included both habitats and resources as different types of vegetation, shellfish, fish, and marine mammals. The report discusses possible threats and factors that can cause changes over time. Different result of climate change, pollution, constructing activities and harbors, as well as alien species can cause changes in distribution and function of of the marine natural values in the park area. As a relevant area to monitor the distribution and ecological function over time the north/northeast side of Jomfruland is suggested.