Study of the dispersion and dispersal mechanisms of pelagic key species on the Belgian Continental Shelf (BCS). The focus of the dataset is on those species that have a pelagic life-style or have pelagic larvae, mainly clupeidae. The Belgian coastal waters are internationally very important areas for a number of sea and coastal birds. Studying the distribution patterns of the possible food sources (i.c. Pelagic fish) of these birds will lead to a better understanding of their spatial distribution patterns. Sampling is done with the Zeeleeuw R.V. Underway data is registrated in MIDAS.

This dataset contains data on two stations on the Belgian Continental Shelf that are sampled monthly for macrobenthic organisms.

Data collected from this PhD study form part of a global research project, aiming to evaluate the effect of the Delta works on the Dutch Delta ecosystem.

Water, sediment, suspended matter and biota were sampled along the Western Scheldt from 2002 to 2006. All matrices were analysed for PAK's, Organotin, PCB's, PBDE's and OCl pesticides using GCMS and GCMS/MS.

The predominant habitats are the open water areas and the vast hydrophilic higher plants vegetation covering predominantly the northern part of the lake (Orlovoto Blato Marsh), the southwestern part (Vaklinskya Rakav Branch), as well as the marsh on the southeast. The territory of the Ramsar site is 350 ha, of which 253 ha are open water areas.The following habitats according to Annex I to Directive 92/43EEC have been established: Marine - 1110 Sand Banks, which are slightly covered by sea water all the time; 1160 Large shallow inlets and bays nad Coastal- 1210 Annual vegetation of drift lines, 1410 Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi), 2110 Embryonic shifting dunes, 2120 Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria ('white dunes'), 2130 Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation ('grey dunes')

The close location of the site complex Mandra_Poda to the industrial zone of Burgas is the main influencing factor. The former Mandernsko lake is turned into a dam lake with a registered flow. The MandraPoda Complex includes Mandra Lake with its adjacent wetlands.Mandra Lake is located at the Black Sea coast and is the southernmost of the Burgas lakes. Its north-eastern part touches on the town of Burgas. This former semi-saline lake has been turned into a freshwater reservoir. A lagoon, covering the areas of Poda and Uzungeren, has been preserved between the reservoir wall and the Black Sea.The following natural coastal and marine habitat types of significance for conservation, according to the Biodiversity Act and to the Habitats Directive have been established: 1140 Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide ;1150 Coastal lagoons; 1160 Large shallow inlets and bays; 1310 Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand; 1410 Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi)

The Shabla complex includes the Shabla Lake and the Shabla Lagoon. The Shabla Lake is a firth brackish lake near the sea coast. The semi-saline Shabla Lagoon is located1.5 km to the southeast of the lake and is separated from the sea by high dunes.The territory of the Ramsar site is 404 ha, of which 150 ha of open water.The lake falls into the boundaries of the Natura 2000 protected sites “Shablenski ezeren komplex” (code BG0000156, according to theBirds Directive) and protected site “Ezero Shabla - Crapetz” (code BG0000621, according to theHabitats Directives).This location provides suitable habitats to 223 species fromthe Biodiversity Act, which are in need of special protectionmeasures.The following habitats according to Annex I to Directive 92/43EEC have been established: Marine - 1110 Sand Banks, which are slightly covered by sea water all the time; : 1150 Coastal lagoons; ; 2110 Embryonic shifting dunes; 2120 Pannonic dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes)