Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool (FeAST)
The Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool (FeAST) is a web-based application which allows users to investigate the sensitivity of marine features.
The Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool (FeAST) is a web-based application which allows users to investigate the sensitivity of marine features.
The Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool (FeAST) is a web-based application which allows users to investigate the sensitivity of marine features (habitats, species, geology and landforms) in Scotland's seas, to pressures arising from human activities. FeAST has been devised as a tool to be used in a variety of ways by anyone with an interest in potential impacts on marine features, for example:
Scotland's Marine Assessment 2020 is using FeAST to underpin the pressure assessments required under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. FeAST is also being used to inform discussions on management requirements for Marine Protected Areas and Priority Marine Features.
Take a look at the online sensitivity tool FeAST.
FeAST can provide evidence to demonstrate how, for example:
The aim is that information on the sensitivity of all Scottish marine features of conservation importance will be incorporated into FeAST.
The tool is undergoing a review with plans to update and improve it. To build on its scope the following features will be incorporated into FeAST:
Further updates will include:
This work is being developed through the FeAST Working Group (NatureScot, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Marine Scotland, Marine Scotland Science, and Scottish Environment Protection Agency).
NatureScot Research Report 1273 - Development of Marine Bird Sensitivity Assessments for FeAST
A review was carried out to determine how best to categorise marine mammal sensitivity using methods consistent with FeAST. An initial suite of five marine mammal assessments was drafted using an individual based approach (as opposed to a population one):
NatureScot Research Report 11735 Developing FeAST for mobile marine species.
Sensitivity assessments use the best available evidence to assess the likely response of a marine feature to anthropogenic pressures. This is done by considering a feature’s tolerance (ability to absorb or resist change or disturbance) to a pressure and its likely ability to recover, should the pressure be stopped. The sensitivity assessment process uses pressure benchmarks where possible to provide a measure of the pressure to assess against, but it does not take into account the intensity, frequency or cumulative impacts from activities taking place at specific locations. One example of summarised information for flame shell bed sensitivity is given in the graphic below.
The flow diagram for the flame shell bed sensitivity assessment process -
The flow diagram displays an example of summarised information obtainable from FeAST when interrogated from the starting point of a marine activity. A development involving coastal infrastructure which may cause light siltation pressure (smothering of up to 5 cm of silt), could restrict water flow through marine habitats. Local hypoxia could occur in e.g. flame shells beds, where a score of Medium tolerance and Low recovery are given for this feature resulting in a Medium sensitivity score.
To ensure consistent scoring between different features, a sensitivity scoring matrix is used, which combines the tolerance and recovery scores to give an overall sensitivity score. This matrix is shown in the table below.
Sensitivity scores | Tolerance | - | - | - |
---|---|---|---|---|
Recovery | None | Low | Medium | High |
Very low | High | High | Medium | Low |
Low | High | High | Medium | Low |
Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
High | Low | Low | Low | Not sensitive |