ITT: itt_5045 - Identifying key structural & influential species of marine habitats

The work is required to complete marine conservation advice packages which is a priority KPI for Natural England.

• Clarity on key structural and influential species is of significant interest to external stakeholders for example the IFCAs who have had to put work plans on hold until this work is done. The work is key to frontline delivery.
• A key structural and influential species attribute currently exists within the supplementary advice on conservation objectives in line with the CSG paper on typical species however it has never had a target assigned or species listed which is the overall aim. It is the only incomplete attribute and it exists for all subfeatures of features. The advice will be less ambiguous and clearer to stakeholders as required through the Lawton review.
• The spend is needed to progress the work as the resource and expertise to complete the work is not available within NE.
• The aim is to finalise and implement an appropriate method for determining key structural and influential species based upon the agreed Chief Scientist group paper on principles and NE's draft methodology on defining 'typical' species.
• To define and justify the key structural and key influential species for the subfeatures of Annex 1 reef (9 subfeatures) according to the method. The aim is for the species list to be short and indicative.
• To provide a report detailing the process, any issues arising, suggestions for amendments and lists of key structural and influential species per subfeature along with evidence and justifications.