Environment in Focus Vol 1.

Table 9: Scores for the consequences or impact if an event were to occur.

Consequence/Impact – This is the extent and severity of the expected impact, taking into account the effectiveness of present and recently implemented (not planned) management arrangements and activities.

Catastrophic (Score = 5)

Impact will seriously affect the ecosystem in the region, disrupting a major ecosystem structure or function, and have recovery periods of more than 20 years (potentially irreversible). Impact will seriously affect the ecosystem in the region, disrupting a major ecosystem structure or function, and have recovery periods of less than 20 years. Impact will affect the ecosystem in the region, disrupting some aspects of an ecosystem structure or function, and have recovery periods of less than five years. Impact will be spatially very limited (<10 per cent of area) and will affect only minor components of the ecosystem in the region. Impact will be spatially confined to a minor area (<5 per cent) and will not be able to be detected beyond that area.

Major (Score = 4)

Moderate (Score = 3)

Minor (Score = 2)

Negligible (Score = 1)

35 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE RAET NATIONAL MARINE PARK (SOUTHERN NORWAY)