GES4SEAS is pleased to announce that Tikta is now publicly available. The software supports the assessment of cumulative pressures on marine ecosystems and environmental status, providing scientists and technical experts with an integrated environment for data management, analysis, and visualization.

Tikta combines spatial and non-spatial analyses within a single platform. It currently includes two established assessment methods: the Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA) approach and the Nested Environmental Status Assessment Tool (NEAT). Additional functionalities and methods will be incorporated in future releases.

The GES4SEAS CEA component allows users to assess risks arising from multiple human activities and pressures by combining spatial information on ecosystem components with sensitivity data. Based on the methodology developed by Halpern and colleagues, the tool produces maps that help identify areas most affected by cumulative pressures.

The integrated NEAT component supports environmental status assessments across different habitats, ecosystem components, and spatial scales. The system aggregates indicator results from local assessment units to broader regional levels and supports reporting needs under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The outputs help identify how specific habitats and ecosystem components contribute to the overall environmental status of marine areas.

Tikta has been designed primarily for scientists and technical experts working with environmental and spatial data. Once analyses have been configured, managers and decision makers can use the software to explore results, compare scenarios, and support evidence-based management decisions. Although not restricted to a single policy framework, Tikta explicitly supports applications under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the Nature Restoration Law, the Water Framework Directive, and the Habitats Directive.

One of Tikta’s main strengths lies in bringing together the entire assessment workflow, from data and metadata management to analysis and visualization, within one environment. This integrated approach reduces the need for multiple software packages and provides greater flexibility for future developments and customized applications.

More information about Tikta, including download instructions and future updates, is available in this link.