Network Dynamics: Beneficial vs Detrimental Interactions

How to use the app

The full linkage framework represents the links between pressures, components (functional groups of organisms living in an offshore wind farm), ecosystem functions and ecosystem services. All links are scored for intensity, direction (positive or negative) and spatial scale (close to turbine/offshore wind farm/beyond offshore wind farm). Where possible, we used peer-reviewed scientific literature (published before June 2025) to support the scores. When needed, we provided expert statements as support. All literature and statements are documented in the app. The peer-reviewed literature can be accessed by clicking a link in the linkage framework.

All data are available for download ('export data'). The linkage framework allows for a semi-quantitative analysis of the interaction network. IMPORTANT: the app cannot be used to support statements on the absolute change in ecosystem functioning rates or ecosystem service provisions.

The linkage framework can be explored in detail by selecting combinations of pressures, components, functions or ecosystem services. Selecting for 'detrimental' pathways ('Type') will show pathways that have a net negative effect on potential ecosystem service supply. Selecting for 'beneficial' pathways will show pathways that have a net positive effect on potential ecosystem service supply.

Nodes

A node is one element of the diagram. There are 4 types of nodes:

Pressures

Components

The organisms involved in the network

Functions

Services

Links

A link connect two nodes. There are only five types of possible links:

  • Pressures → Components: A pressure increases/decreases the organism biomass.
  • Pressures → Functions: A pressure enhances/impedes an ecological function.
  • Components → Functions: An organism conveys a function.
  • Components → Services: An organism provides a service simply by being present.
  • Functions → Services: A functional activity results in a service delivery.

Link Metrics

Each link is characterized with the following link metrics:

Effect (can be positive or negative)

Characterizes the strength of the correlation.

  • 0: None
  • 1: Moderate
  • 2: Significant

Area

  • 1: Local scale
  • 2: Wind farm scale
  • 3: Regional scale

Confidence

  • 1: Likely
  • 2: Very likely
  • 3: Published

Paths

A path is a combination of links indirectly relating a pressure to a service. There are three types of pathways:

  • Pressure → Component → Service.
  • Pressure → Component → Function → Service.
  • Pressure → Function → Service.

Path metrics

Path metrics are computed on the basis of the metrics of the links composing this path.

  • Sign: Product of the links sign (Beneficial/Detrimental).
  • Effect: Geometric mean of the links' effects.
  • Confidence: Geometric mean of the links' confidence.
  • Area x Effect: Geometric mean of the links (effects x area)

Path collection

Path collections are a set of paths. For instance:

  • All paths passing by a certain node, or a group of nodes.
  • All paths meeting a certain condition (sign, confidence, area, ...)

Path collection metrics

Again, path collection can be characterized with metrics, computed out of the paths composing this collection:

  • NPaths: The number of paths.
  • NPaths_r: The relative number of paths among all realized paths.
  • MeanEffect: The average of all paths effects
  • TotalEffect: The sum of all paths effects
  • TotalEffect_r: The relative contribution of this collection's total effect to the total effect of all paths.
  • MeanAreaEffect: The average of all paths ( Effect x Area )

Node list

The app also shows the diagram for a number of decommissioning scenarios. For each decommissioning scenario, we removed the pressures and components that are no longer relevant.

Scenario 1

Both turbine and scour protection layers are fully removed. All pressures are removed from the environment, hence the linkage framework is empty. This scenario is therefore not implemented in the app.

Scenario 2

The turbine is fully removed, the scour protection layer remains in place. All pressures related to the presence of the turbine are removed from the environment. All potential effects related to the presence of the scour protection layer are still in the linkage framework.

Scenario 3

The turbine is partly removed (cut 3m above the sea floor), the scour protection layer is fully removed. All pressures related to the presence of the scour protection layer are removed. Pressures related to the upper parts of the turbines are removed from the environment, the same holds for the organisms colonizing the upper parts. As such, turbine effects are caused by pressures to the lower part of the turbine, and the organisms living there.

Scenario 4

The turbine is partly removed (cut 3m above the sea floor), the scour protection layer remains in place. Pressures related to the upper parts of the turbines are removed from the environment, the same holds for the organisms colonizing the upper parts. As such, turbine effects are caused by pressures to the lower part of the turbine, and the organisms living there. All potential effects related to the presence of the scour protection layer are still in the linkage framework.

Supported by the Energy Transition Fund

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