Biodiversity Priorities for Ireland (2014-20)

Andy Bleasdale

Outline

• Introduction • Natura 2000 in Ireland • EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 • Article 17 (and Article 12) • Prioritised Action Framework for Ireland • National Platform for Biodiversity

Research (NPBR)

• Summary

Natura 2000 in Ireland

Special Areas of Conservation • Designation required under the Habitats Directive • 430 sites in the network • 59 habitats in Annex I • 26 spp listed in Annex II

Natura 2000 in Ireland

Special Protection Areas •Designation required under the Birds Directive •153 SPAs •25 species listed in Annex I regularly occur in Ireland •Plus regularly occurring migratory species

Natura 2000 in Ireland

c.14% of land covered by SAC, SPA or both designations

Ireland should prioritise research and projects that contribute to the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives and the Natura 2000 network

Habitats and Birds Directives transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011

EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020

1. Full implementation of Nature Directives 2. Better protection and restoration of

ecosystems and the services they provide 3. More sustainable agriculture and forestry 4. Better management of EU fish stocks and more

sustainable fisheries 5. Tighter controls on Invasive Alien Species 6. A greater EU contribution to global biodiversity

loss

Target 1 of EU Biodiversity Strategy - Nature conservation -

To secure a 100% improvement in the conservation status of habitats and 50%

improvement in the status of species of EU importance by 2020

Actions:

• Complete the establishment of the Natura 2000 network and ensure good management

• Ensure adequate financing of Natura 2000 sites

• Increase stakeholder awareness and involvement and improve enforcement

• Improve and streamline monitoring and reporting

Target 2 of EU Biodiversity Strategy - Ecosystem Services

.

By 2020, ecosystems and their services are

maintained and enhanced by establishing green infrastructure and restoring at least 15% of

degraded ecosystems Actions: • Improve knowledge of ecosystems and their services in the EU • Set priorities to restore and promote the use •Ensure “no net loss” of biodiversity and ecosystem services

Article 17 reporting

For Habitats Directive, largely based on “Article 17” status reporting - Undertaken every 6 years

Prioritised Action Framework

Art 8.4 Habitats Directive: ... the Commission shall adopt, having regard to the available sources of funding under the relevant Community instruments .... a prioritised action framework of measures involving co-financing when the site has been designated ...

Prioritised Action Framework The problem: lack of coordination and coherence has

been identified as key factor hindering the uptake of

EU funds in respect of Natura 2000.

As a consequence, there is a need for an improved

national coherence and uptake of EU funds under a

“Natura 2000 National Programme“: the PAF.

The PAF has its reference in the Habitats

Directive/Article 8.4. It also defines gaps and allows

to indirectly define specific national priorities

It should clarify which (EU and national) fund can

provide support for which Natura 2000 measures on

a national level.

Prioritised Action Framework

Irish PAF submitted to EU Commission in January 2013

Establishes nature conservation priorities for next financial cycle (2014-2020)

Clarifies which EU fund can provide support for Natura 2000 measures at a national level

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) -

farming and forestry European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) – fisheries Structural Funds (ERDF, ESF) and the Cohesion Fund LIFE+ Other (e.g. FP7)

Meetings with: DAFM

Agriculture Forestry

Forest Service Coillte

Aquaculture Fisheries

Marine Institute BIM

Other consultation: EPA Heritage Council IFI Water Division of DECLG Petroleum Affairs Division of DCNR Also: UK and NI

Consultation

A Introductory overview of N2K network

B Status of the Habitats and Species

C Legal & administrative provisions for protection &

management of N2K

D Current experience with EU financial instruments

E Current estimate of financial needs for management

of N2K

F Conservation priorities for N2K for 2014-2020

G Description of key measures to achieve objectives

and priorities

H Monitoring, evaluation and updating

PAF Structure

National Priorities

• Management of freshwater systems

• Conservation of the freshwater pearl mussel

• Management of uplands

• Conservation of birds in serious decline (eg corncrake, breeding waders, partridge, barn owl etc)

• Protection and restoration of bogs and other wetlands

• Management of species-rich grasslands

PAF examples

• Preparation of hydrological restoration plans for raised bog sites • Agri-environmental measures to facilitate appropriate

management of particular habitats and species within farmed landscapes

• Development of practical mitigation and alternative forestry practices in freshwater pearl mussel catchments

• Management of fisheries, aquaculture and other activities surrounding sensitive habitats and species

• Scientific research in relation to the restoration of natural dynamics of coastal systems

• Co-operation between Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to ensure complementary management planning on cross-border Natura 2000 sites

• Information, training and publicity material at site level to raise awareness of conservation requirements

NPBR – Priorities for biodiversity research

• Co-funded by DAHG and the EPA (in 3rd phase)

• Research priorities in thematic areas – Agriculture, grassland and soil

– Freshwater

– Marine

– Uplands, peatlands and wetlands

– Alien invasive species

http://www.biodiversityresearch.ie

Summary

• With limited resources and potential financial constraints, better definition of priorities for action is required

• Better definition of priorities should also help identify and address gaps in current administrative and other capacities

• PAF will provide a stronger basis for alignment of Natura 2000 financing needs with other EU programme based approaches

• A more strategic multi-annual approach should also provide a better framework for focusing on optimising the contribution of Natura 2000 to achieving the 2020 biodiversity target

• NPBR should inform future research priorities, provided there is institutional acceptance

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION