Natura 2000 Seminars...As a long-term, continuing process, since the first Atlantic Natura 2000 Biogeographical Seminar in the Netherlands in December 2012, the strategic orientations

Natura2000Seminars

An initiative of the

Natura2000BiogeographicalProcess

SecondAtlanticSeminarEnnistymon-Ireland,25–27October2016

SeminarInputDocument

Natura 2000 Seminars – Atlantic 2

ECNC,CEEweb,Eurosite,Europarc,ELO,ILESAS

Preparedby: ECNC,Arcadis,CEEweb,Eurosite,Europarc,ELO,ILESASAuthors: KristijanCivic,AlbertienPerdok,NeilMcIntosh, FrankGorissen, JintheRoelofs. The

factsheetscontainedintheannexestothisdocumenthavebeenpreparedbyLubošHalada, in consultation with the ETC-BD, in particular Mora Aronsson and DougEvans.

Editing: KristijanCivic,AlbertienPerdok(Eurosite)Copyright: ©EuropeanUnion,2016 Reproductionisauthorisedprovidedthesourceisacknowledged.Funding: EuropeanCommissionaspartofcontractnumber07.0307/2012/60517/SER/B.3.Disclaimer: The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the

EuropeanCommission,noristheEuropeanCommissionresponsibleforanyusethatmightbemadeofinformationappearingherein.

Event: For more information on this seminar, see the Natura 2000 Communication

Platform:http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/platform/events/263_second_atlantic_natura_2000_seminar_en.htm



TableofContents

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 5

2 The2ndAtlanticNatura2000BiogeographicalSeminar ............................................................................ 7

2.1 TheAtlanticseminardocument ................................................................................................................ 7

2.2 Habitatsselectedforpriorityconsiderationand‘LowHangingFruit’Habitats ........................................ 8

2.3 Thematicissues ....................................................................................................................................... 11

3 GeneralobservationsaboutNatura2000intheAtlanticbiogeographicalregion ................................... 13

4 Summaryofcommentsreceivedforallhabitatgroups .......................................................................... 21

4.1 SummaryofissuesandsolutionsintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregion............................................... 21

4.2 GeneralcommentsprovidedbyexpertsfortheLowHangingFruithabitats.......................................... 24

4.3 Coastalanddunes(includingestuaries).................................................................................................. 304.3.1 Summarydescription .......................................................................30

4.3.2 FactorscontributingtoaFavourableConservationStatus ...............................31

4.3.3 Issues,pressuresandthreats ..............................................................32

4.3.4 Managementandconservationmeasuresandactions ...................................33

4.4 Wetanddrygrasslands........................................................................................................................... 334.4.1 Summarydescription .......................................................................33


4.4.3 Issues,pressuresandthreats ..............................................................36

4.4.4 Managementandconservationactions ...................................................37

4.5 Heathsandbogs ..................................................................................................................................... 384.5.1 Summarydescription .......................................................................38


4.5.3. Issues, pressures and threats ...................................................40

4.5.4. Managementandconservationactions...................................................41

4.6. Riversandlakes...................................................................................................................................... 414.6.1. Summarydescription ......................................................................41

4.6.2. FactorscontributingtoaFavourableConservationStatus...............................43

4.6.3. Issues,pressuresandthreats ..............................................................44

4.6.4. Managementandconservationmeasurementsandactions ............................45

4.7. Otherhabitats–woodlandandforest ................................................................................................... 464.7.1. Summarydescription ......................................................................46



4.7.2. FactorscontributingtoaFavourableConservationStatus...............................46

4.7.3. Issues,pressuresandthreats ..............................................................46

4.7.4. Managementandconservationmeasuresandactions ..................................47

5. Additionalinformation–speciesandbestpracticecases ...................................................................... 48

5.1. Species.................................................................................................................................................... 48

5.2. LIFEprojectsandothercasesintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregion .................................................... 49

Annexes ....................................................................................................................................................... 56

ANNEX1OverviewofresponsesOnlineExpertConsultation ........................................................................... 56

ANNEX2CorepurposeandmessagesoftheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcess....................................... 57

ANNEX3EuropeanTopicCentreonBiologicalDiversity:LowHangingFruitsmethodology ........................... 61

ANNEX4Habitatfactsheets–coastaldunesandestuaries(10factsheets)..................................................... 62

ANNEX5Habitatfactsheets–grasslands(6factsheets) .................................................................................. 62

ANNEX6Habitatfactsheets–heathsandbogs(6factsheets)......................................................................... 62

ANNEX7Habitatfactsheets–riversandlakes(8factsheets) .......................................................................... 62

ANNEX8Habitatfactsheets–otherhabitats:woodlandandforests(7factsheets) ....................................... 62



1 IntroductionThe Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process was launched by the European Commission in 2011 toassist Member States in managing Natura 2000 as a coherent ecological network. The Processprovidespracticalmeanstoexchangetheinformation,experienceandknowledgethatarerequiredtoidentifyanddefinecommonsolutionsanddevelopcooperativeactions,whichcanbedeliveredtoensureprogresstowardstheEU2020BiodiversityStrategytargets,inparticularTargets1&2.

As responsibility for implementation of Natura 2000 and ensuring progress towards the EU’sBiodiversity Strategy targets lies with Member States, they are key actors in the Natura 2000BiogeographicalProcess.TheProcessalsoprovidesanopportunitytomobiliseexpertnetworksandinputsfromotherkeystakeholders,includingNGOs.Thisisimportantinordertotapintothedirectexperience ofNatura 2000 practitioners, expert stakeholders andMember States’ representativeswith specific responsibilities for implementation ofNatura 2000. This underlines the strategic andoperational importanceof theProcess, the integrated inputs required fromdiverseactorsand theopportunitiesavailabletodevelopconcretecollaborativeactionsforfutureimplementation.

Asa long-term,continuingprocess,sincethe firstAtlanticNatura2000BiogeographicalSeminar intheNetherlands inDecember 2012, the strategic orientations of theNatura 2000BiogeographicalProcesshavebeenfurtherdeveloped–thesearedescribedinAnnex1tothisdocument.



Figure1Biogeographicalregions(EuropeanEnvironmentAgency)



2 The2ndAtlanticNatura2000BiogeographicalSeminarThesecondAtlanticBiogeographicSeminarisbeinghostedbytheNationalParksandWildlifeService(NPWS),partoftheDepartmentofArts,Heritage,Regional,RuralandGaeltachtAffairs,of Ireland.This Seminar provides an important opportunity for participants to improve and strengthen theimplementationofNatura2000intheRegionandensureprogresstowardstheEU2020BiodiversityStrategy targets. This includes building common understanding of practical management issuesidentified as being of common priority, stimulating new know-how about effective managementapproachesanddevelopingcooperationandnetworkingactivitiesonissuesofsharedimportance.

This Seminar is a milestone in a continuing process of networking, information sharing andknowledge building, of direct benefit to stakeholders across the Atlantic Biogeographical Region.Over three days, the Atlantic Seminar will aim to generate concrete outputs as identified byparticipants,whichcanbefurtherdevelopedfollowingtheSeminar.Althoughsomeattentionwillbegiven to reviewing progress since the first Atlantic Seminar (held in the Netherlands, December2012),thefocusisverymuchforward-looking-thiswillinclude:

• Taking stock of the activities implemented since the kick-off seminar and identify and agreefurtherconcreteactionsandcooperationpriorities,whichcanbedevelopedandtakenforwardbyvariousactorsintheRegion–withtheaimofreachingfavourableconservationstatus(FCS).

• Identifying possible new conservation issues/priorities – new cooperation actions based, inparticular,onthelessonslearntfromthelatestStateofNatureReport,includinga'Roadmap’ofagreedfuturecollaborativeactions.

• Compilingsourcesofinformationandexperiencethatcapitaliseoncompletedprojects,availableguidanceandpotentialnewproposalstoincreasesynergiesandcollaborationopportunities.

The primary purpose of the Process is to provide practical means to ensure progress towardsachievement of the favourable conservation status (FCS) of habitats and species of EuropeanCommunityimportanceintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregion.Byfocusingoncommonprioritiesandshared interests identified by experts as being important to improve habitat management, theobjectiveoftheSeminar istohelpAtlanticMemberStatesandexpertstakeholdersto identifyandagreeonanumberofcollaborative,concreteactions thatcanbe followeduptoaddress themaincommon priorities and shared issues identified. Subject to the views of participating experts, thescopeoffocuswithintheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcesscanalsobeextendedtocoverspeciesmanagement.2.1 TheAtlanticseminardocument ThisdocumentformsthebasicreferenceforthesecondAtlanticNatura2000Seminar.Itpresents,ina digested form, the contributions from habitat management experts from the nine Atlantic EUMemberStates1gatheredduringanonlineconsultationexercise.Theirfirst-handexpertknowledgehas been complemented with information presented in published sources, in particular, habitat-

1 NL,DE,DK,FR,UK,BE,IE,PT,ES



relatedguidanceandpublicationsproducedby thenationalauthorities, theEuropeanCommissionandtheEuropeanTopicCentreonBiologicalDiversity(ETC-BD).

Thisdocumentprovides anoverviewof theNatura2000Biogeographical Process, its purposeandstrategicobjectives.ItfocusesontheobjectiveofthesecondAtlanticNatura2000Seminar,providesdetailaboutthe‘LowHangingFruit’habitatsasanapproach,aswellasconsiderationoftheAtlantichabitatsoriginallyselectedforpriorityconsiderationin2012,andaddressesthematicissues(chapter2). Chapter 3 provides an analysis of comments given by Atlantic experts about the strategicorientationoftheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcess.

Thecoreofthisdocument(chapter4)presentsasummaryaccountforthehabitatgroupsselectedforpriorityconsideration,includinghabitatsidentifiedas‘LowHangingFruits’,basedontheAtlanticexpert consultation and latest Article 17 reports. Each habitat group chapter focuses on issues,challengesandthescopefor(collaborative)solutionsandopportunities.Usingthe latestArticle17reports, a detailed fact sheet for each of the 37 Atlantic habitats considered in this report arepresentedinannexes4to8.ThesewereproducedbyILE-SASinconsultationwiththeETC-BD.Thefinalpartofthedocument(chapter5)presentsanoverviewofotherusefulsourcesofreference,aswellasrelevant(LIFE)projectsandinitiativescurrentlyindevelopmentorbeingimplementedintheAtlanticregion.

2.2 Habitatsselectedforpriorityconsiderationand‘LowHangingFruit’HabitatsThis2ndAtlanticSeminarfocusesattentiononwaystoachieveprogresstowardstheachievementofFavourableConservationStatus(FCS)forthosehabitatsandspeciesofcommunityinterestthathave been identified for specific consideration in theAtlantic biogeographical region. Reflectingtheurgency to demonstrate progress towards achieving the targets of the EU2020BiodiversityStrategyintheshorttomediumterm,theSeminaralsoprovidesanopportunitytoconsideranewmethodwhichcanhelptoidentifyprioritiesforaction.Thisincludestheideaofaddressingtheso-called ‘lowhanging fruit’ (LHF): the LHFmethodology, developed by the ETC-BD in consultationwith the European Commission has been previously circulated during the Atlantic expertconsultationexercise,butisannexedtothisdocumentforeaseofreference–seeAnnex3.

In summary though, benefitting from the latest Article 17 reports (2007–2012) and workingtogether with the European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity (ETC-BD), the LHF approachinvolves identifying those species and/or habitats for which measurable improvements ofconservation status couldbe reachedbymeansof somemeasureswhichare straightforward toimplementandachievableintheshortterm.Therefore,thisSeminarwillalsoenableparticipantstodiscussthe'LowHangingFruit'approachandhowitmaybeusedtoensureincreasedprogresstowards reaching favourable conservation status for particular habitats. This will be consideredalongwith progress and possible scope for increased cooperationwith regard to those Atlantichabitatsoriginallyselectedforpriorityconsideration.Inaddition,ofcourse,itisworthemphasisingthatotherhabitats,orindeedspecies,whichexpertstakeholdersmaywishtodiscussandworkontogether are open for discussion where there may be scope for practical cooperation andcollaborativeactionsintheAtlanticregion.



Basedonthisapproach,19AtlantichabitatshavebeenidentifiedasLowHangingFruits(LHF).Itisnotedthat2LHFhabitatisalsoincludedinthe20Atlantichabitatspreviouslyidentifiedforpriorityconsideration. In total, therefore, 37 Atlantic habitats are considered in this document: itsummarises their current status,management issues and threats, as well as possible solutions,whichmayformthebasisforfuturecooperativeactionsintheAtlanticregion.

Intheonlineconsultationconductedtohelppreparethisdocument,Atlanticexpertswereaskedtosharetheirknowledgeofthestatusofallthehabitats,includingtheirviewsontheAtlanticLHFhabitats identified.All of theAtlantic habitats considered in this document are listed in Table 1below.

Table1.OverviewofallhabitatsperhabitatgroupintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregion

Coastalanddunes(includingestuaries)

HabitatsDirectivecode

Habitatname LowHangingFruit

Priorityconsiderationhabitat

1130 Estuaries Yes

1230 VegetatedseacliffsoftheAtlanticandBalticcoasts

Yes

1310 Salicorniaandotherannualscolonizingmudandsand

Yes

1340* Inlandsaltmeadows Yes

1420 Mediterraneanandthermo-Atlantichalophilousscrubs(Sarcocorneteafruticosi)

Yes

2120 ShiftingdunesalongtheshorelinewithAmmophilaarenaria("whitedunes")

Yes

2130* Fixedcoastalduneswithherbaceousvegetation("greydunes")

Yes

2140* DecalcifiedfixedduneswithEmpetrumnigrum

Yes

2180 WoodeddunesoftheAtlantic,ContinentalandBorealregion

Yes

2190 Humidduneslacks Yes

Wetanddrygrasslands

HabitatsDirective Habitatname LowHanging Priority



code Fruit considerationhabitat

6210 Semi-naturaldrygrasslandsandscrublandfaciesoncalcareoussubstrates(Festuco-Brometalia)(*importantorchidsites)

Yes

6230* Species-richNardusgrasslands,onsilicioussubstratesinmountainareas(andsubmountainareasinContinentalEurope)

Yes

6410 Moliniameadowsoncalcareous,peatyorclayey-silt-ladensoils(Molinioncaeruleae)

Yes

6440 AlluvialmeadowsofrivervalleysoftheCnidiondubii

Yes

6510 Lowlandhaymeadows(Alopecuruspratensis,Sanguisorbaofficinalis)

Yes

1330 Atlanticsaltmeadows(Glauco-Puccinellietaliamaritimae)

Yes

Heathsandbogs




4010 NorthernAtlanticwetheathswithEricatetralix

Yes Yes

4030 Europeandryheaths Yes

5230* ArborescentmatorralwithLaurusnobilis Yes

7110* Activeraisedbogs Yes

7140 Transitionmiresandquakingbogs Yes

7230 Alkalinefens Yes

Riversandlakes




3110 Oligotrophicwaterscontainingveryfewmineralsofsandyplains(Littorelletaliauniflorae)

Yes Yes

3130 OligotrophictomesotrophicstandingwaterswithvegetationoftheLittorelleteaunifloraeand/oroftheIsoëto-Nanojuncetea

Yes

3140 Hardoligo-mesotrophicwaterswith Yes



benthicvegetationofCharaspp.

3150 NaturaleutrophiclakeswithMagnopotamionorHydrocharition-typevegetation

Yes

3180 Turloughs Yes

3260 WatercoursesofplaintomontanelevelswiththeRanunculionfluitantisandCallitricho-Batrachionvegetation

Yes

3270 RiverswithmuddybankswithChenopodionrubrip.p.andBidentionp.p.vegetation

Yes

91E0 AlluvialforestswithAlnusglutinosaandFraxinusexcelsior(Alno-Padion,Alnionincanae,Salicionalbae)

Yes

Otherhabitats–woodlandandforests




9110 Luzulo-Fagetumbeechforests Yes

9130 Asperulo-Fagetumbeechforests Yes

9150 Medio-EuropeanlimestonebeechforestsoftheCephalanthero-Fagion

Yes

91A0 OldsessileoakwoodswithIlexandBlechnumintheBritishIsles

Yes

91C0* Caledonianforest Yes

91J0 TaxusbaccatawoodsoftheBritishIsles Yes

9260 Castaneasativawoods Yes

2.3 ThematicissuesBasedonrepliestotheAtlanticexpertconsultationandindiscussionwiththehost,severalthematicissueshavebeenidentifiedasausefulbasisforspecificdiscussionduringthe2ndAtlanticSeminar–theseare:

• IntegratedmanagementapproachestoNatura2000• Adaptiveapproachestoagricultureandnatureconservation• Communicationandstakeholderengagement• Settingconservationpriorities



Thethemeswillbeofparticularinterestduringthe2ndAtlanticNatura2000Seminarmainlybecauseofthescopetheymayholdforpossiblecooperationandcollaborativeactions.Also,thereareseveralcurrentprojectsandexcellentexamplesrelatedtothesethemeswhichwillprovideuseful‘foodforthought’ to trigger discussions. Subject to the views of participants at the Seminar, there areopportunitiestoconsiderandshareviewsabout,forexample:• Issues related to integratedmanagement planning linked to amultiple benefits agenda – for

example, flood mitigation; coastal zone management; forestry management; locally-led andresults-basedagri-environmentalschemes.

• Approaches to setting restoration priorities, including considerations of scale and scope forcooperation,aswellaswaystoimproveandbetterstructurecoordinationofsuchapproaches.

• Methods and means to initiate, continue or improve communication about Natura 2000,particularlyintermsofpublicengagementandoutreach–forexample,thevalueofworkingwithAtlantic flagshipspeciesand/orhabitat types tocommunicate the importanceandpurposeofNatura2000intangibleways:also,effectivesolutionswhichmaybeapplied,specificallyrelatedtomanagementofconflicts.

• The approach used to identify “low-hanging fruit” and appropriate cooperative managementactions which could be developed and implemented in order to accelerate progress towardsimproving theconservation statusorachieving favourable conservation statusof LHFhabitats;setting conservation objectives at different scales; dealing with potentially conflictingconservationpriorities;experiencewithFavourableReferenceValues–atwhichlevelscantheseusefullybeset?

AlthoughpossiblyoutofthescopeoftheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcess,thereisevidenceofincreasing interest to incorporate social, cultural and ecological aspects relevant to nature and itsconservation. The concept of working through and with Natura 2000 in order to generate andachieve cross-cutting multiple benefits, often across sectors, and in order to integrate diverseprioritiesindifferentpolicyagendasisofparticularinterest.Such ideasaremostobvious inrelationto, forexample,conceptsofnature-basedsolutionswhereNatura 2000 sites’ ecosystems and their services are being managed in order to protect againstfloods:also,thereareequallyopportunitiesto increaseoutreachandextendpublicengagementinNatura2000conservationmanagementthrough,forexample,collaborativeworkonflagshipspeciesorhabitattypes.Inadditionthough,thereisalsoevidenceofthegrowingawarenessofopportunitiesto strengthen implementationofNatura 2000by consciously linkingnatural and cultural heritage.Also in theAtlantic Region, there are possiblemultiple benefits to be derived from strengtheningconnectionsbetweenpeopleandplace,includingcustomsandtraditions–forexample,topromoteeco-tourismandenhancevisitornumbers.



3 GeneralobservationsaboutNatura2000intheAtlanticbiogeographicalregionIn theonline consultation,expertsaddressedabroad rangeof significantdevelopments thathaveinfluenced Atlantic habitats in positive and negative ways. Limited but noticeable improvementshavebeenachieved inavarietyofhabitats,particularly induneshabitats,wherethe institutionoftheNature2000throughoutEurope,accordingtosomeexperts’opinion,seemtobedoingalreadyagoodjobinimprovingtheirconservationstatus.Allinall,concernforthepreservationoftheduneshasbecomeanimportanttopicinnationalpolicies.NowthereisaneedforthelocalversionofgoodpracticetobeencouragedbytheState.

Morespecifically,withrelevancetocoastaldunehabitats,thedevelopmentofholisticapproachestoshorelinemanagementplanning(e.g.ShorelineManagementPlansinEngland&WalesortheDutchcoastal policy) shows that EU habitats can be protected and enhanced by appropriate coastalpolicies, including habitat creation linked to coastal defenceworks. There is a gradual increase inappreciationoftheroleofcoastalhabitatsinhelpingtomanagefloodanderosionrisk,followedbyamovetowardsmore'softengineering',stillyettobefullyadopted.Thisdoesshowpotentialforlessdamage by the hard defences in future andmeasures to restore ecosystems. There is a need toembedtheseapproachesincoastaldefenceplanningthroughouttheAtlanticregionbysharinggoodpracticeexamples,developinginternationalcommunicationprojectsandinfluencingnationalcoastalpolicy.

The second significant change is a growing optimism that the challenges for coastal dune habitatmanagement can bemet with sufficient resources and commitment from national authorities. Inrecentyearslarge-scaledunerejuvenationprojectshavebeencarriedoutintheNetherlandsand,forseveralDutchhabitats, future prospects are now classed as favourable. Thismomentumneeds tocontinueandtospreadtootherMemberStates.

A gradual increase in appreciation of the role of coastal habitats in helping tomanage flood anderosionriskhasmeantamovetomore'softengineering',stillyettobefullyadoptedbutdoesmeanpotential for lessdamagebyharddefences in futureandmeasures to restoresystems.Amove tomorestrategic, long-termapproachestoriskmanagement(suchasShorelineManagementPlansinEngland)basedoninformationaboutcoastalprocessesandaccompaniedbymonitoringprogrammeshasbeenbeneficial,forexamplebycreationofnewhabitatincompliancewiththeDirectives.

Thereisknowledgeavailable,andtherearenowexamplesofsuccessfulrestorationstartingtoshowresultsforseveralAtlantichabitats.Nexttothealreadymentionedcoastaldunehabitats,thereareexamplesofsuccessfulrestorationoffreshwaterhabitats,goodspecies-specificmeasures,aswellasnaturedevelopmentexamples.

LIFE programme has a significant role in the conservation and restoration action. For example, inIreland, considerable effort has been invested in addressing threats and pressures in the threeBurrenSACs(for6210,8240and6510), inparticularthroughtheinitiatives:BurrenLIFE,theBurrenFarmingforConservationProgrammeandthe"new"BurrenProgramme.Themomentumgatheredin theBurrenhasprovided inspiration tootherNaturaareaswithin IrelandandacrossEurope. Inaddition:progressiscurrentlybeingmadeintheAranIslands(for6210,8240and21A0)throughthe



AranLIFE project; the KerryLIFE project is currently addressing the improvement in status offreshwater pearl mussel populations in two catchments in Kerry; RBAPS, an Irish/SpanishpartnershipfundedbyDGEnvironment,isexploringresultsbasedapproachestodeliverfavourableconservation condition in an area of dual designation (SAC and SPA) in the Shannon Callows. TheDeptofAgricultureinIrelandhaveadvancedanovelinnovationinthecurrentRDPwhichallowsforthedevelopmentofLocally-ledapproachestoconservationmanagement.

Also the Water Framework Directive (WFD) contributes significantly to the improvement of thefreshwaterhabitats throughthe improvementofwaterquality.This improvementofwaterqualityhadatremendouspositiveeffectonaquaticspeciesofcommunity interestandhasresulted inthereturnofsomefishspeciesinlowerpartsoftherivers.

Nevertheless, situation is still far from ideal. The fact remains that the Atlantic region is a verydenselypopulatedregionwithmanypressurestonatureandbiodiversityfromnumerousland-usesandvarioushumanactivities.Fragmentationisagrowingproblemindenselypopulatedareas(whichmakeupa largepartof theAtlanticRegion). Fragmentationpressure further increasesdue to, forexample,renewableenergies(e.g.corncrops,orwindenergyasdirectthreattospeciessuchasbats,birds,marinemammals).Thefactremainsthatthereisfartoohighnutrientstatus(bothNandP),affecting mainly low productive habitat types (e.g. 4010, 4030, 6210, 6230, 6410, 3110, 3130).Altered hydrology in the lowlands is another problem, affecting especially wetlands (4010, 7110,7140,7230andtosomedegreealsoRiversandlakes).

Alsotheimpactsofclimatechangearebecomingmoreandmoreobvious:measuredchangessuchassealevelrise,increasedrainfall,reducedwindandwarmerconditionsthreatenopenhabitatssuchascoastalandinlanddunesthroughvegetationgrowth,lossofbaresandandincreasedsusceptibilitytoIAS moving northwards. Despite, and because of these challenges, there is a need for an activeprogrammeofbaresandcreation.Withoutsuchinterventionsthelossofopenhabitatswillcontinue.Relatedtoclimatechange,invasivespeciesspreadfromsouthtonorth.Coastaldunesareespeciallyvulnerabletoinvasion,yetparticularproblemspeciesarenotincludedontheEUlists.CooperationbetweenMSisneededtoestablishandmaintainearly-warningsystems.

Inconclusion,integratedmanagementplanningandmanagementofvariousecosystemtypeshadapositive effect on the overall results of biodiversity conservation efforts, but also on awarenessraising and willingness to act of both decision makers and the general public. The concept ofecosystemservicesalsohelpedtogetattentionandapproval frompublicopinion forconservationorientedissuesandmeasures.

Programmatic approach towards ubiquitous pressures such as water pollution, atmosphericdeposition,andinvasivespecieslooklikeapromisingapproachestotacklingtheseissues(theNatura2000 Biogeographical Process is trying to promote these: e.g. for nitrogen). Nevertheless,economical issues and measures still tend to prevail and tilt the overall balance of integratedmanagementplans to thenegative side for conservation issues–especiallyestuaries sufferofnethabitatdestructionandqualitylossduetodeepeningandinfrastructuredevelopment.Conservationissuesinestuarinemanagementplansarestillmostlysubordinatetotheeconomicalaspects.



Feedback from Atlantic experts regarding the strategic orientation of the Natura 2000BiogeographicalProcess(SeeAnnex2)andhowtheProcesscanbefurtherappliedintheAtlanticregionAspartoftheconsultationexercise,thefollowingfeedbackhasbeenreceivedfromAtlanticexperts,summarisedperstrategicobjectiveoftheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcess.1. To strengthen and focus the work of the Process in contributing to meeting the EU 2020Biodiversity objectives, primarily the full implementationof thenaturedirectives (Target 1), i.e.theimprovementofconservationstatus.Asitwaspointedout,theLivingPlanetReport2014showsanongoingmassivedeclineinbiodiversitybetween1970andnow–alsoforEurope.AchievingtheEU2020biodiversityobjectiveswillachieveatmost that thisnegative trend is stopped. Therefore reaching favourable conservation status forspeciesandhabitatsasdefinedby theBirdsandHabitatsdirective is crucialbutalsominimal. Formanyhabitatsandspecies therearenosigns theseobjectivesarebeingreached.Thisstresses theneedforongoingefforttofindwaystorealizeconservationobjectives.

Experts feel that the improvement of conservation status should remain in the focus as it is stilldeclining.Tryingtomeettherequirementofobtainingfavourableconservationstatus isnottargetspecificasthemeanschosenismostlygeneralregulationandvoluntaryagri-environmentalschemes(not resultbased).However,notonly improving theconservationstatus is important,butalso theguarantee of the conservation of the current values. This may also take considerable action andfunding.AgeneralawarenessofthefullrequirementsofobtainingFCSandthecostofitshouldgiveastrongmotivationfortargetspecificmanagementactions.

ItwouldthereforebeusefultostrengthenthefocuslookforsynergiesintheimplementationoftheBirds and Habitats Directives and other relevant European Directives (e.g. WFD; MSFD, IAS) andenhancecommunicationbetweenallpartiesinvolved.Alsoitwouldbegoodtolookformorelinksorsynergies between habitat creation (in favourable conservation status) and adaptive climatestrategies;andtopayspecialattentiontothemanagementofcross-borderNatura2000sites.

Thereisaneedtomakeanoverviewofthe2020goalsofeachMS.Suchoverviewcouldbeastartingpoint to evaluatewithin the Process forwhich habitat types a significant improvement should beexpected,orforwhichhabitatsthereisaneedtostrengthenthecross-bordercooperationactions.

Lack of information about the real situation is one of the main bottlenecks according to someexperts.InformationabouttherealsituationisavailableinseveralMSbutdoesnotflowtotheEC.Perhapsthebestwaytostimulatethis istochecktheinformationtheMSprovidetotheECinthefield, not only on paper. Could possibly be done by volunteers and NGO's, but would require aspecificadministrativestructureandadequatefunding.

Someexpertsdonotagreewiththenewlysuggested'lowhangingfruit'(LHF)approachandcautionstronglyagainstanyfocusonLHFattheexpenseofbuildingalong-termstrategyforachievingFCS.FromexperienceintheUK,thereisadangerthatincreasingthefocusonshort-termdeliverytendsto be associatedwith pressure to implementmeasures that do not alignwith long-term strategicgoals,andoftenmovethenaturalenvironmenttowardsamoreartificialandengineeredcondition.A



focus on short-term delivery also tends to result in pressure to force down long-term restorationambitiontomatchwhat isachievablefromshort-termmeasures. It ispossibletobuilda long-termstrategy within which short-term measures are identified that contribute to long-term strategicgoals,but the long-termstrategy is required inorder to identify the rightmeasures.On theotherhand, the LHF concept is already integrated in the Flemish Natura 2000 policy, (i.e. 16 Flemishpriorityhabitatshavebeenidentified,whichshouldreachtheFCSby2020,or,atleastallmeasuresshouldbetakenbefore2020inordertomakeaFCSpossible).

An important observation is that the work of the Process would be strengthened by betterengagementwithpractitioners.Mostpractitionersinthefield(sitemanagers)havelittleknowledgeof terms such as Article 17, PAFs, FRV etc. Therefore, they do not feel part of the ‘process’.MSauthorities should domore to engage with and support practitioners, involving them in researchprojects,helpingtodisseminatebestpracticeandsupportingmulti-disciplinaryhabitatnetworks(e.g.by supporting network and exchange events). It is essential to involve the site managers in theconceptual discussions and in order to facilitate this involvement to develop a more practicalapproachandvocabulary for theprocess. The implementationdiscussionsof theEuropeannaturedirectiveareforthemomentbeingcarriedoutinamuchtoo"esoteric"vocabularyandmethods.

The experts also see added value in changing the format of the Seminars slightly. While priorityhabitat groups have been identified upon which to focus efforts in the Atlantic Biogeographicalprocess,mostissuesnegativelyaffectingNatura2000(e.g.inIreland)arecross-cutting.Therefore,itis useful to also focus on thematic issues-based groups. This will also better facilitate theconsiderationofspecies-relatedissues(includingbird),whichhavenotbeenwellcoveredinthepast.

ThemainproblemintheunfavourableconservationstatusintheAtlanticregionisthequalityofthehabitattypes(i.e.structureandfunction).Thisismainlycausedbyasurplusofnitrogen(deposition),modification of hydrological systems and insufficient or wrongmanagement. The last is mainly amatter of costs (if traditional [agricultural] management is no longer profitable) and sometimesknowledge. So the main focus areas should be 1) nitrogen, 2) hydrology, 3) financing and 4)knowledgetransfer.

InvasivespeciesareincreasinglythreateningN2000habitatgoals.ThereisaEuropeaninvasiveexoticspecies policy being developed but this is not focussed on the biggest threats on nature (N2000habitats).DecidingtogetherwhicharetheinvasiveexoticspecieswhichcausethebiggestproblemsforN2000habitatsintheAtlanticregion(andforwhichmeasureswouldhelppreventingthis)wouldhelptogettheseonthelistoftheEuropeaninvasivespeciespolicylistandhelpN2000conservation.

FurthersuggestionsbytheAtlanticexpertsonactionstowardstheimprovementoftheconservationstatusinclude:• Seekwaystomoreeffectivelymainstreambasicbiodiversityrequirementsmoreholisticallyinto

farmbusinessdecisions-considercoherenceofEUpoliciesintheCAPmidtermreview.• Better communicationwith the general public about the benefits of biodiversity and perhaps

sharingofexperiencesbetweenmemberstates.• Continue to support transfer of best practice amongst member states and encourage and

supportdevelopmentofa'Naturanetwork'(eliteclub)withineachmemberstate/region.• Provideplatformsforandactivelystimulateexchangeofknowledgeandexperience.Organizea

'bestpracticetour'.



• Ensureallmemberstatesareawareofrelevantinternationalresearchrelatedtothedeliveryofbiodiversitytargets.

• Foster links with the Business and Biodiversity Platform - to encourage businesses topromote/requirebiodiversityoutcomeswithintheirsupplychain.

• More effectively embed natural capital and ecosystems services concepts into EU actionprogrammes.

• Betterbalancebetweensocial impactofnuisanceofspeciesandtheprofit/gainofaspeciestoprotectthemnomatterwhat.Takeintoaccounttheeffectsforthesocialenvironmentinrelationtotheeffectonthespecies.

• Moreandbetterinternationalcooperationintuningtheecologicalinfrastructureacrossborders.• Letforestjustdevelop.Createnewforestsitewherehumansdonotinterfereatall,forinstance

alluvialforests.• Agriculture-createeveryyearapercentageoftheAgriculturalareaastemporarynature.• Createmorereservesforfishspecies,forinstanceinareaswerealsowindturbinesaresituated.• Improvethecooperationwithinthewholeriverbasins(riversystemincludingfloodplains).Allow

forfloodplainstoexist.• Concentrateonlyonalienspeciesthatinvadeournaturalecosystems.• Lookattheurbanisationandabandonmentofthecountrysideasanimportancechancetomake

newnatureareasthroughouttheAtlanticregion.• ResolveapparentconflictsresultingfromtheimplementationofNatura2000atthesitelevelby

applied research with participation by the competent ministry, relevant provinces andstakeholdersintheparticularregion.

• Focusonspecificproblemsofthehabitattypes(suchas6230),insteadofgeneraldiscussions.2.Todevelop,discussandworkonimplementationstrategiesforbiogeographicallevelfavourablereferencevalues(FRVs).BeforetakingthediscussionsonFRVsanyfurtheritisimportanttobeclearonwhatisthepurposeofbiogeographicalFRVsandwhydowewanttohavethem.Itcouldbetoassessabiogeographicallevelconservationstatus;oritcouldserveasatooltofacilitatethecross-bordercooperationbetweenMS.As theMSkeep theirnational responsibilities anyway, thebiogeographical FRVswill onlyhelp thelatter.

Also,a top-downapproachshould look into theneedsofbettercommunicationand thequestion:What does FRV really mean? We need to demystify the terminology and engage more withpractitioners. Have we got enough of a habitat and could we restore/ create more is a simplerquestion.InallcaseswhereRangeisunfavourablethereshouldbearesponse-cananythingbedoneabout it?WhereArea isunfavourable inall cases thereshouldalsobeanationalplan (perhapsaspartofPAFs).FRVsarenotsomethingthatpractitionerscanchangeunlesstheyareworkingwithinanationalpolicy.IfFRVshaveanymeaningtheymustbebackedupwiththepotentialforlarge-scalehabitatrestoration/creationatthescaleofnationalspatialplans.MakingtheFRVsasconcreteandSMARTaspossiblewillbeveryhelpful,especiallywhentheseconcretetargets/objectivescanalsobeplaced in time. This will help to get them on the radar by decision makers and will help tomainstreamwithotherpolicyareas.



ThereisaneedforahighlevelstrategicagreementonsettingbiogeographicalFRVsbeforemoreindepthworkcanbestarted,asanattempttoaligntheapproachesbetweenMSwouldbedifficultduetopoliticalandjuridicalissues.Suchworkshouldstartbycompilingreportsonidentifyingsimilaritiesand dissimilarities betweenMS and start the discussion on FRVs from there (e.g. by organising asmallandtargetedexpertworkshopstoelaboratethetheme). ItmightalsohelptostudytheWFDintercalibrationprocess.ThedifferencesperMSareoftenlinkedtothespecificsituationineachMS,such as natural and anthropogenic differences, colonization debt, intensity in land use andfragmentationofthehabitattypesetc.

OftentherearebigdifferencesbetweennorthofEuropeandSouthofEurope(e.g. for2120,2130and 2190), or even between the north and the south of a singleMS. In France, for example, thedifferences between the regions between the north of Brittany until the Belgiumborder, and thesouthofBrittanyuntilSpanishborderareverystrong,especiallyinvegetationdynamic.Sedimentaryconditions, rainfall and vegetation dynamics can be very different between the regions, andthereforethemanagementshouldalsobeadapted.Itmaybethatinthefirstinstancethediscussionshouldbestartedwiththe"neighbouring"expertsand,onlythenbroader.

A statementwasmade that in order to improve understanding of FRVs, there needs to bemoreemphasisongettingbetterdataabout the resourcesandhow they function. Forexample, coastalenvironmentscanbemappedwithremotesensingbutmayneedmoredetailedanalysisandground-proofing due to their relatively small scale and linear nature. More information about sedimentprocesses, sources and sinks will also help, requiring other types of science like coastalgeomorphology.

Alsousingbiogeographicalknowledgeonspeciesandhabitatsandusing this fora focusof targetsandprioritysettingforFRVswassuggested.ListingwhichspeciesareconfoundtotheAtlanticregionanddependoncertainhabitatsforsurvivaloftheentirepopulationcouldbeagoodstart.ExamplesareCarextrinervisandViolacurtisiiforcoastaldunes(2190and2130respectively).Thisworkshouldcertainly include invertebrates,asplantsareonlyapartof thestory2.Distributionofthesespecieswilltelluswheretolook;theirecologywhattodo.

In general,we should start by identifying the concrete threshold as an unfavourable conservationstatus changes to a favourable one for each parameter of the EU-Matrix and each objective.Comparedwiththepresentsituationitwillthenbepossibletohaveanideahowmucheffortwillbenecessarytoreachfavourableconservationstatusforeachobjective.

Further suggestions include looking at whole ecosystems in a particular period of time (historicalrange, differentiationwithin rage e.g. subtypes, variability)and have the same ambition too reachthoseecosystemsagain.

According to some experts, FRVs at an Atlantic level should be addressed primarily by the MSsresponsible for the core areas (both in extent and quality) of certain (groups of) habitat types:guidingprinciplesneedtobeestablishedandappliedbyrelevantparties.

2seee.g.Howeetal.2010JournalofCoastalConservation



It is important to note that there is an ongoing (2015-2017) EC service contract on Defining andapplying Favourable Reference Values (FRVs) for species and habitats under the EU Birds andHabitatsDirective.Thecontractor’sconsortiumworksincloseco-operationwiththeECandEEA.

3. Strengthening themarine aspect of theProcess. Should this be left to theMarine Process orshouldparticularissuesalsobedealtwithintheAtlanticProcess?Theanswersfromexpertstothisquestionaresomewhatcontradictoryandrangefromkeepingthetwo processes completely separate to having different levels of integration. Part of the expertssuggeststhatthemarineprocessshouldbekeptseparate.Theythinkthatingeneralthesituationinthe marine environment differs greatly from the terrestrial environment. There are other uses,pressures, (natural) processes and food chains and also the experts are very separated (mostterrestrialecologistsknowverylittleabouttheseaandtheotherwayaround).Moreovertheseaismuchmoreoneentity,wherenotonlyspecieseasilyandfreelycrossmemberstateborders,butalsopeople(e.g.fisheriesinthewatersofothermemberstates).

However,someofthemdorecognisethatthereareimportantconnectionforspecifichabitattypes(beach,foredune,saltmarsh)andthesedoneedtobeaddressedalsobythemarineprocess.Also,some aspects like pollution and fish migration, and all marine habitats transition to coastal andterrestrial are clearly linked to the terrestrial process and require a combined discussion of theseaspectsinbothprocesses.Inthisapproach,fisheryandno-takezone,andoffshorereefs(e.g.1170),areseenaspurelyamarineissueandshouldbelefttothemarineprocess.

Some experts emphasize the importance of considering the marine habitats and highly mobilemarine species (whales, dolphins, turtles) into the Atlantic discussions, and also consider marineaspectsasveryimportantfortheriversystems.Theconceptofmanagementunitiscommonaswell(e.g. protected sites) to both terrestrial and marine conservation planning, management andevaluation.

Inanycase,consideringthatalotofAtlantichabitatsarecoastandwaterrelated,itisimpossibletoignoretheconnections.Onthepolicylevel,evidentistheneedforclearintegrationwiththeMarineStrategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The forum where the marine aspect is handled should beexpertsonboththeMSFDandtheHD.

Someexpertspointoutthatstrengtheningofmarineaspectisespeciallyrelevantforsomehabitats(e.g.1130).Inparticularthetargetsforlagoonsandestuaryshouldbewell“intercalibrated”.Inthesetransboundarysystemsthereareseveraldirectives(HD,MSFDorregionalconventions(e.g.OSPAR)that could give input/facilitate to the conservationprocess).Atpresent, these seem tobeparallelcircuitsratherthanjointdirectiveswithratheracommongoal.Additionalproblemcanbeseparationof responsibilities between federal and regional governments in relation tomarine issues (e.g. inBelgium).

In general,whenaddressing coastal habitats (saltmarshes, shingle, dunesetc) amarinedimensionmustbe included.Dunemanagement, forexample,must followahierarchicalapproachthat takesaccount of climate, sediment source type, sediment supply and geomorphologic processes beforeconsidering options for habitatmanagement. The near-shore, beach and coastal habitats are one



sedimentaryunit.Also froma faunisticpointof view shallows,beaches, dunes, sea inlets and saltmarshes constituteonecoherentsystemase.g. sea-birds (e.g. terns)nestonbeachesanddunes,butforageatsea.Wherepossible,coastalnaturereservesandothercoastalprotectedareasshouldinclude a continuous sequence of shallows, beaches, dunes and hinterland of the dunes (e.g.polders).

4. Identifying further initiatives to facilitate and further develop cooperation betweenMemberStates, stakeholder organisations, environmental NGOs and specialist networks on themanagementofNatura2000asacoherentecologicalnetwork.Allexpertsagreethatthereisaneedformoreandbettercooperationatthebiogeographical–Atlantic–scale.Asthebestwaytostimulatethiskindofcooperationtheexpertssuggestmoreactivesharingofavailable(published)informationandknowledge(notonlyscientific/biologicalknowledgebutalsopracticalexperience),andorganisingofmeetingsandconferences.Thereisarealbenefitinparticipatinginsucheventsandexpertnetworks.These,however,needtobetargetedatreal,carefullyselected,priorities.Facilitatingandresourcingsmallfocused(lowbudget)eventsandthendisseminatingthelessonslearnedforabroaderbenefit(suchasthenitrogentour)mightbeapositivewaytogoaboutthis.

Theexpertsagreethatthereisacommunicationissuetoensurethatthehigh-levelstrategicdiscussionsonNatura2000,whichsetthescene,aretranslatedintopracticaldelivery,advocacyandawarenessraisingactivities.Asthewaytoachievethis,severalexpertssuggestedestablishmentofhabitatbasednetworksorworkinggroups(somehabitatsarealreadydealtwithinexistingworkinggroups).ThevalueofsuchnetworkshouldberecognisedatEU/MemberStatelevelandtheyshouldbesupportedandacknowledgedbytheMSnatureconservationbodies,theyshouldcoordinateinter-disciplinarystudiesandtheyshouldreachouttoandberelevantforpractitioners.Asoneofsuchgroups,arealEuropeantransnationalcommunicationnetworkwassuggested,focusinginparticularoncoastalhabitatsandtheirmainthreatsandmanagementchallengesthatshouldinvolvefieldpractitionersaswellasthe"usualexperts".TheOBNapproach3withfieldworkshopswassuggestedasaneffectivemodelforimprovingthecooperationbetweenstakeholders,NGOsandspecialist.

Forthefundingoftheabovedescribedactivities,nexttotheMSfunding,theexpertsfeltthattheEUsupportinfunding(fromLIFEorotherwise)wouldbebeneficial.

EnhancingthefundingpossibilitiesforlargeLife(+)projectsandencouragingmoreoftheseprojectstargetedtoafewHabitats/speciesforawholebiogeographicalregionwasalsooneofthesuggestions.

Jointmanagementofcross-bordersitesisanotherimportantaspectofMScollaboration4.Thiscanincludejointdevelopmentofconservationobjectivesandmeasuresatbothsidesoftheborder,andadjustmentofprotectionregime.Inthisway,themanagementisthemosteffectiveandefficientforbothcountries,andwherenecessary,theycansharefinancingforlargerprojectsinthesite.

3Formoreinfosee:http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/platform/documents/atl-seminar-report-21042013_en.pdf4LTV2030Scheldtestuaryisanexample:http://ec.europa.eu/ourcoast/download.cfm?fileID=801



4 Summaryofcommentsreceivedforallhabitatgroups

4.1 SummaryofissuesandsolutionsintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregionThe following sections provide an overview of current pressures, conservation requirements,solutionsandopportunitiesto improvehabitats’conservationstatusperhabitatgroup:inaddition,equivalentinformationissummarisedforthenewLHFhabitatsinsection4.7.’Otherhabitats’.Also,actions,cooperationopportunitiesand/orremarksforthehabitatsselectedforpriorityconsiderationplusthelowhangingfruithabitatsaresummarisedpergroup.Theoverviewsarebasedonanalysesof data from the latestArticle 17 reporting andexpert feedback gatheredduring the consultationexercise.

ThischapterpresentsanoverviewstatusoftheAtlanticBiogeographicalRegion,butinparticularofthe four individual habitat groups within the region. It summarises current pressures, factorsneededtoimprovetheconservationstatus,andotherrelevantobservations,perhabitatgroup.Inadditiontothefourhabitatgroups, ‘otherhabitats’are includedwhichhavebeen identifiedasaresultofapplyingthe‘LowHangingFruits’methodology-inthiscaseallofthesehabitatsbelongtothewoodlandandforesthabitatgroup.Theinformationprovidedisbasedonanalysesofdatafromthelatestarticle17reports,producedinconsultationwiththeETC-BDandincorporatesfeedbackofAtlanticexpertsgatheredduringtheonlineconsultationexercise.

Due to themodest sizeof the responsegroupcertain factors in the results seem tobeofmuchgreaterimportance,but,ingeneral,theexperts’feedbackisinlinewiththefactorsreportedinthelatestArticle17reportinground.

Therefore,chapter4isstructuredasfollows:

4.1.SummaryofissuesandsolutionsintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregion4.2.GeneralcommentsprovidedbyexpertsfortheLowHangingFruithabitats4.3.Coastalanddunes(includingestuaries)4.4.Wetanddrygrasslands4.5.Heathsandbogs4.6.Riversandlakes4.7.OtherhabitatsAtlanticexpertswererequestedtoparticipateinanonlineconsultationinwhichtheycouldaddressthestatusofAtlantichabitats.Foreaseofreference,pie-charts,tablesandtexthavebeenusedtosummarisekeyinformation.Inaddition,annexes4to8containindividualfactsheetsperhabitat,combined per habitat group,which provide detailed information on their status. These annexeshavebeendevelopedinconsultationwiththeETC-BD.



Figure2ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:FactorscontributingtoFCSforthehabitatsintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregion

As shown in figure 2, based on the expert consultation, the most frequently reported successfulmeans to improve conservation status for all habitat groups is to implement restoration activities(whicharestartingtoshowresults),andtoapplyappropriatemanagementactions.Togetherthesetwo actions were reported in almost a quarter of the responses (24%). For both restoration andmanagementthereseemstobeenoughknowledgeandgoodpracticeexamplesacrosstheregion.Alsoeffective(integrated)managementplans(10%),programmaticapproachtowardspressureslikewaterpollutionandatmosphericdeposition (9%)andstakeholder involvement (8%)are frequentlymentionedanddelivervaluablecontributiontowards improvingtheconservationstatus. Ingeneralthe holistic integrated thinking, cross-sectoral cooperation and increase in stakeholder dialogueseemtobetheapproachdeliveringthemostresults.Thishasalsoledtoabetterrecognitionatthepolicylevel,whichinreturnleadstoanimprovedavailabilityoffunds.Withregardstostakeholderinvolvement,cooperationwithcoastalgroupsisspecificallymentioned.Natura2000designationandconservationobjectivesarealsomentionedasthetoolsdeliveringresults–althoughthereareissuestoimproveinrelationtotheEUHabitatsManual.



Figure3ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:Issues,pressuresandthreatsforallthehabitatsintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregion

LookingatthepressurestohabitatsacrosstheAtlanticregionitisobviousthatwearelookingattheregionunderalotofpressuresfrommanydifferentlanduseswithagriculturehavingamajorrole.Almostaquarterofpressuresmentionedintheexpertconsultationquestionnaire(22%)arerelatedto agriculture and nitrogen deposition issues, with additional 10% pressures relating toeutrophicationandpollutionthatarecloselyrelated.Thenextmostfrequentlymentionedpressureishabitat lossandorfragmentationwith20%.Togetherthesethreepressuresmakeformorethanhalfof theresponses (51%).Changes inhydrology(i.e.mostlydryingout)and invasivespecies (8%each)arealsomajorthreatstotheconservationstatusofhabitatsiontheAtlanticregion.



Figure4ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:ManagementandconservationmeasuresandactionsforthehabitatsintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregionOverall,themajorconservationrequirementthatcameforwardmostoftenforallhabitatstogetheris the need for restoration strategies, both on land and forwater (hydrology), totalling 23%. ThiswouldyieldimprovedconservationstatusandprogresstowardsachievingTargets1and2oftheEU2020 Biodiversity Strategy in particular. Specifically removal of top soil, mechanical removal ofvegetationand(seasonal)waterquantitywerementioned.‘RiversandLakes’arethehabitatgroupwhere(hydrology)restorationismostoftenmentioned(32%).Addressing nitrogen deposition was another important area identified. Experts mentioned thepromisingworkthroughPAN,buttheyalsoidentifiedtheneedtofocusmoreonthesource.The landscape approach, including connectivity strategies, and the need for cooperation andstakeholder engagement were both identified as important as well. For the landscape approach,expertsmentiontheneedtoconsidernon-N2000targetsandreducingfragmentation.Withregardstostakeholders, theexpertsmentionedcooperationwith farmersandcoastalgroups,paymentstothirdpartiesandapplyinginnovativeapproacheslikeoutput-basedagriculturemeasures.4.2 GeneralcommentsprovidedbyexpertsfortheLowHangingFruithabitatsAtlanticexpertswerealsoconsultedonthenewlyselectedLowHangingFruitsand,specifically,thetypesofcooperativeactions theycould foreseeasbeing implemented toachievegreaterprogresstowards improved conservation status. Their feedback also provided information onwhat expertsconsiderthe‘LowestHangingFruit’,aswellasinformationaboutotherhabitatsthattheyconsiderasadditionalLowHangingFruits.The‘LowestHangingFruits’selectedbytheexpertsaredisplayed intable2.Expertsfromthreecountries(Belgium,GermanyandIreland)markedoneofthehabitatsasthe‘LowestHangingFruit’:3270RiverswithmuddybankswithChenopodionrubrip.p.andBidentionp.p. vegetation. Table 3 shows the list of other habitats that the experts consider potential LowHangingFruithabitats.Additionaltwohabitatswere identifiedbytheexpertsfromthreecountries(Belgium,Germany,UnitedKingdom):2130*Fixedcoastalduneswithherbaceousvegetation(greydunes)and2170DuneswithSalixrepensssp.argentea(Salicionarenariea).



The resultsproduced,however, reflect the fact thatexperts aremore likely toaddressonly thosehabitats of which they have direct experience or specialist knowledge. In addition, most expertsaddressedLowHangingFruitshabitats for theirowncountryandacknowledgethat thestatusandconservationneedsofaspecificLowHangingFruitshabitatmightvaryinotherMemberStates.AlsonotallLHFhabitatsappear inallmemberstates,ortheysometimesappear inavery limitedrangeandarea.SomeexpertsarguethattheLHFmethodologyisdifficulttounderstand.Interestingly,theexpertshavecomeupwitthelistof21LHFhabitsoftheirown(table3),inadditionto the list produced using the LHF methodology of the ETC/BD. For example, Belgium (Flanders)alreadyhasalistof16habitatsthatareclassifiedaspriorityhabitats,forwhichmeasuresshouldbetakenbefore2020–similarlytotheLHFapproach.On the other hand, some experts call for caution in following the LHF approach, especially inregardingwholehabitatorspeciesfeaturesaslow-hangingfruit,unlesstheyareassociatedwithdryconditions innaturallydry locationsandareof limited spatialextent.Restorationofwater-relatedhabitatsandtheirspeciescomplementsisalong-termundertakingandrequiresacoherentstrategy.Therefore, oligotrophic systems such as 4010, 3110 and 3140 should not be considered as lowhangingfruits.Woodlandsarealsodifficulttobeperceivedasthelowhangingfruitsastheyrequireaverylongtimetorecover–inmostcasesseveraldecades.TheadvicetotheCommissionistoresistpressuretothinkintermsofshort-term'quick-wins'attheexpenseofthinkingaboutlong-termstrategy.Progresscanbemadeintheshort-term-butintermsofmeasuresappliedincertaingeographicallocationsthatcanimprovetheconservationstatusofarange of habitats and species, rather than measures that can take individual habitat or speciesfeaturesallof theway to favourableconservation statusquickly.Thisdifference inemphasisdoeshoweverrequireamorerefinedreportingsystemfortrackingprogresswithimprovingconservationstatus.

SomeexpertsfearthatLHFmethodappearsvery"administrative"anditdoesnotnecessaryleadtothe desired improvement, because only a fewhabitat typeswill improve. Considering the currentbiogeographical conservation status, it could also be assessed, depending on which parametersshouldbeimproved,howmanyandwhichMemberStateshavetoimprovewhattomakethechangeinthebiogeographicalconservationstatus.InthiswaynotallMShavetoimproveeverything(e.g.for6110 it isenough ifonlyHungary improvesareatoFVtocometoa favourableassessmentfortheBiogeographical region, there is no need for Czech Republic to improve future prospects).On thedownside: the larger MS almost always have the largest proportion of the habitat type andconsequentlyarealmostalwaystheoneswhohavetoimprove.

Vegetated sea cliffsof theAtlanticandBaltic coasts (1230) inEnglandandotherpartsof theUKwhichhavenothadartificialstabilisationcouldbequicklyimprovedinqualitybyaddressinginvasivespecies on cliff slopes and faces and restoration of cliff top land to low-intensity semi-naturalvegetationtypes.Addressinginvasivespeciesearlyreducestheongoingscaleanddifficultyofwaitinguntilitisarealproblem.Arangeofissueswerehighlightedinthe2013CliffSymposium5.For1230,

5 Published as a series of papers in the Journal for Coastal Conservation 2015 vol 19 no 6.



andmanyotherhabitats,therearebenefitstodevelopingpublicknowledgeofconservationneeds,gettingthemengagedinprojects(e.g.citizensciencemappingofhabitatorspeciestypes)andthenbeingengagedinworkingwithprojects-thesecouldincludecrowdfundingofcertainaspectssuchaslocalprojects.

InGermanyInlandsaltmeadows(1340)occuronafewsitesonlyandseldomconflictwitheconomicaffairs.AlsoAlluvialmeadowsofrivervalleysoftheCnidiondubii (6440),becauseof itsrestrictedrangeandlocationinprotectedareaswouldhavesomechanceforimproving.

Mediterraneanand thermo-Atlantichalophilous scrubs (Sarcocornetea fruticosi) (1420) in theUKcanbepromotedmore incoastalmanagementschemes.Theyrequire littlemanagementbutneedthe right level of the intertidal to be available for colonisation. Decreasing fragmentation andensuringthesearenotmownduringseawallmaintenanceworkswouldhelp improvetheirstatus.Thisrequiresabettercommunicationwithseadefensemanagersandthepublic.

It is felt that itwouldbeexcellent if theUKand IrelandcouldmakeamajorpushtowardsFCS formachair (21A0)which is currently U1+.A challengeheremightbe a low coverageof this habitatwithin the Natura 2000 series (37%). LIFE projects in the UK and in Ireland (Aran Islands) haveaddressed aspects of agricultural best practice for this habitat and it would be useful to startdiscussingaplanformachairalreadyattheAtlanticBiogeographicSeminarinIreland.AsafirststeptheMScouldproposeajointapproachbasedonthePAFsandscientific inputthroughthemachairstudygroup6aspartoftheEuropeanDunenetwork

For some dune habitat types there seem to be issues with the Interpretation Manual and theidentification of the habitat types (e.g. 2170, 2130 and 2190). This could be addressed by a fieldexcursion and a workshop in France / Netherlands/ Belgium involving vegetation specialists andmanagersfromtherelevantmemberstates.ResultsfromthiseventcouldbewrittenupinthestyleoftheEUmanagementmodels.Followingaworkshopanassessmentcanbemadewhethertargetedactioncanimprovethestatusofthehabitat(2170)fromU1-toU1=orwhetheritremainsintricatelylinked to the condition of 2130 and 2190 which is a more challenging target. Also a favourable‘FutureProspects’assessmentfor2170intheNetherlandsgivesoptimism.

ForAtlanticdecalcifiedfixeddunes (2150)some65%ofthehabitat intheAtlanticregioniswithintheUK.Withamajordunerestorationandmanagementproject(tobeginin2018)beingdevelopedintheUK,ifthishabitatcanbetargetedthenitshouldbepossibletoaimforaU2+assessmentby2020.IntheNetherlandsthishabitathasfavourable‘FutureProspects’.ItshouldbepossibletosetatargettomovethetrendfromU2=toU2+throughtheapplicationofmanagementmeasures.

Also, there isoverlapbetweenDecalcifiedfixedduneswithEmpetrumnigrum (2140)and2150 inseveralMSandissuesforthishabitatcouldbeincludedintheLHFpushfor2140.Denmarkwouldbethe natural leader for 2140 (for both Atlantic and Continental) and with several LIFE projectscurrentlyunderwayshouldbeabletotakeonanadditionaltasktodevelopbestpracticeandworkwithotherMS(especiallyGermanyandtheNetherlands).Takingaleadforthishabitat,assuggestedintheLHFanalysis,couldbeacatalystforaDanishDuneNetwork(anideaputforwardattheLIFE

6 http://www.abdn.ac.uk/geosciences/departments/geography-environment/machair-study-group-1024.php



PlatformmeetinginJune2016).Accordingtosome,2140istheleastdemandingecologically;infactdecalcifiedformofothermoredemandingcoastaldunegrassland/heathlandtypes.

2140iscloselyrelatedtoFixedcoastalduneswithherbaceousvegetation(greydunes)(2130)andupdatedguidancecouldbeaparalleldocument to theEUmanagementmodel for2130.A furtherideaonhowtoimprovethestatusof2130istoworkwithmanagersofdunesiteswithgolfcoursestopromotebettermanagementandconservationoftheremainingdunegrasslands.

ForwoodeddunesoftheAtlantic(2180),therehasbeenverylittleexchangeofinformationacrosstheAtlantic,ContinentalandBorealregions.IntheInterpretationManualithasawidedefinitionandcanincludenaturalandsemi-naturalforestsandincludesspontaneouswoodlandonfixeddunesandduneslacks.BeforepushingaheadwiththehabitatasaLHFmuchmoreneedstobelearnedabouthowthehabitatisidentifiedandmonitoredineachMS.Thereisaconcernthata‘woodeddune’asdefinedinoneMSmaybeconsideredathreatto2130or2190inanotherMS.IntheAtlanticregionFrance (with 20,000 ha) and the Netherlands (with 8,100 ha) are identified as leads in the LHFanalysis. A first step, perhaps led by France,would be anAtlanticworkshoponwoodeddunes toconfirm whether MS are comparing like with like. This could be followed-up by a seminar withContinentalandBorealMS.

Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp. (3140) probably has thelowest surface of all listed habitats so to achieve an improvement in the Atlantic Region wouldperhapsrequiretheleasteffort.ThehabitatisalsooccurringoutsideofNatura2000sitesandnaturereserves, e.g. in canals, where it benefits frommeasures taken to achieve theWater FrameworkDirectiverequirements.

Rivers withmuddy banks withChenopodion rubrip.p. andBidention p.p. vegetation (3270) is apioneer type from nutrient-rich dynamic habitats requiring only dynamics and toleratingconsequences of dynamics (such as sediment loads). It also developswithin the freshwater tidalreachesof1130.Itisimportanttonotethatthishabitatalsoincludesgravelbankcommunitieswithdifferent requirements in some MS. This habitat requires reducing river maintenance (whereverpossible) and reducing artificial bank stabilization. It would easily develop in sheltered tidal areassuchasfloodcontrolareaswithcontrolledreducedtide,managedrealignmentsitesunderspecificdesignconditions–synergywithfloodprotectiontoensurelargerretentionareas.

ForLuzulo-Fagetumbeechforests(9110)itisneededtoallowfornaturaldynamicsbyimprovingthestructure.However,animportantissueisthatthedefinitionofthishabitatdiffersbetweenmemberstatesinsuchdegreethatcomparingtheconservationstatusmakeshardlysense.



Table2.LowestHangingFruitsbasedonresultsofonlineexpertconsultation

Belgium Germany Ireland Netherlands UnitedKingdom

1230VegetatedseacliffsoftheAtlanticandBalticcoasts

1 1

1340*Inlandsaltmeadows

2

2140*DecalcifiedfixedduneswithEmpetrumnigrum

1 1

2180WoodeddunesoftheAtlantic,ContinentalandBorealregion

1 2

6440AlluvialmeadowsofrivervalleysoftheCnidiondubii

1

3140Hardoligo-mesotrophicwaterswithbenthicvegetationofCharaspp.

1 3

3270RiverswithmuddybankswithChenopodionrubrip.p.andBidentionp.p.vegetation

2 1 1

9110Luzulo-Fagetumbeechforests

2

9150Medio-EuropeanlimestonebeechforestsoftheCephalanthero-Fagion

1 1



Table3.PotentialotherLowHangingFruitshabitatsproposedbyexpertsintheonlineexpertconsultation

Belgium Germany UnitedKingdom

1140Mudflatsandsandflatsnotcoveredbyseawateratlowtide

1

1320Spartinaswards(Spartinionmaritimae) 1

1330Atlanticsaltmeadows(Glauco-Puccinellietaliamaritimae)

1

1420Mediterraneanandthermo-Atlantichalophilousscrubs(Sarcocorneteafruticosi)

1

2110Embryonicshiftingdunes 1 1

2120ShiftingdunesalongtheshorelinewithAmmophilaarenaria(whitedunes)

1 1

2130*Fixedcoastalduneswithherbaceousvegetation(greydunes)

1 1 1

2140*DecalcifiedfixedduneswithEmpetrumnigrum

1

2150Atlanticdecalcifiedfixeddunes(Calluno-Ulicetea)

1 1

2160DuneswithHippophaerhamnoides 1 1

2170DuneswithSalixrepensssp.argentea(Salicionarenariea)

1 1 1

2190Humidduneslacks 1

21A0Machairs 1

2310DrysandheathswithCallunaandGenista 1

2330InlandduneswithopenCorynephorusandAgrostisgrasslands

1

6120*Xericsandcalcareousgrasslands 1

6210Semi-naturaldrygrasslandsandscrublandfaciesoncalcareoussubstrates(Festuco-Brometalia)(*importantorchidsites)

1

7110*Activeraisedbogs 1



7210*CalcareousfenswithCladiummariscusandspeciesoftheCariciondavallianae

1

7220*Petrifyingspringswithtufaformation(Cratoneurion)

1

7230Alkalinefens 1

8310Cavesnotopentothepublic 1

4.3 Coastalanddunes(includingestuaries)

4.3.1 SummarydescriptionFive LHF habitats (1230, 1340, 1420, 2140, 2180) have been added to the five habitats originallyselectedforpriorityconsideration.BasedontheArticle17reporting,overall,thecoastalanddunes(incl.estuaries)habitatsareassessedasunfavourable–inadequateorunfavourable-badwithastableor negative trend. Exceptions arehabitats 1310 and2120 inDenmark, both favourable and a fewcasesofapositivetrend.Theseexceptionsdonotinfluencetheoverallnegativestatus.

Table4.Atlanticcoastalanddunes(includingestuaries)habitatgroup





1130 Estuaries Yes

1230 VegetatedseacliffsoftheAtlanticandBalticcoasts

Yes

1310 Salicorniaandotherannualscolonizingmudandsand

Yes

1340* Inlandsaltmeadows Yes

1420 Mediterraneanandthermo-Atlantichalophilousscrubs(Sarcocorneteafruticosi)

Yes

2120 ShiftingdunesalongtheshorelinewithAmmophilaarenaria("whitedunes")

Yes

2130* Fixedcoastalduneswithherbaceousvegetation("greydunes")

Yes

2140* DecalcifiedfixedduneswithEmpetrumnigrum

Yes

2180 WoodeddunesoftheAtlantic, Yes



ContinentalandBorealregion

2190 Humidduneslacks Yes

4.3.2 FactorscontributingtoaFavourableConservationStatus

Figure5ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:FactorscontributingtoFCS–coastalanddunehabitats(includingestuaries)intheAtlanticbiogeographicalregionExperts identified five factors that they regardasholdingpotentialopportunitiesandsolutions forcoastalandduneshabitats,totalling71%.Theseare:1)Existingknowledgeofandimplementationofthe restoration and management actions, 2) holistic approaches to shoreline management, 3)effective (integrated)managementplans,4)gaining importanceatpolicy level,and5)exchangeofgoodpractices.

The holistic approach to shoreline management integrates the concepts of a landscape strategy(includingconnectivity), creating resilientecosystems, i.e.allowingnaturalprocesses to takeplace,and integrated management planning including improved stakeholder engagement – doingconservationtogether.Thiscanbesummarizedas ‘crossingborders’:goingoutsidethegeographicscope and including other sectors and conservation targets. This involves a change in mindset,shiftingawayfromsite-focusedmanagement.Alsorestorationshouldbeconsideredina landscapecontext.Thisshiftinmindsetislikelytohaveimplicationsforcurrentconservationsystems,includingsubsidies.



4.3.3 Issues,pressuresandthreats

Figure6ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:Issues,pressuresandthreats–coastalanddunehabitats(includingestuaries)intheAtlanticbiogeographicalregion

Accordingtotheexperts,thefourmostpressingissuesthreateningcoastalandduneshabitatsare1)habitatlossand/orfragmentation,2)lackoforinappropriatemanagement,3)agriculturalpressures(incl. nitrogen deposition), and 4) invasive species, totalling 54%. In relation to inappropriatemanagementbothtoointenseorlackofgrazingismentioned.

ThisisinlinewithpressuresidentifiedintheArticle17reporting.Additionallythefollowingpressureswerementioned:humanactivitiessuchasleisure,trampling,overuseofnaturalresources,dumpingofwaste, human structures for habitation, coastal protection and shipping industry. Also erosion,estuarine and coastal dredging were mentioned. Water-related pressures include use of water,modificationofthewaterflowandbadwaterquality.

Thefactorsdiscussedduringthe2012AtlanticSeminar(whichmaystillberelevanttoconsider)are:largescale lossofnaturalhabitat, interferencewithnaturaldynamics, lackof integratedapproach,invasivealienspecies,climatechange,lackofcommunication,in-appropriatesedimentmanagementandhabitatfragmentation.



4.3.4 Managementandconservationmeasuresandactions

Figure7Results fromNatura2000Biogeographical Process expert consultation:Managementandconservationmeasureandactions–coastalandduneshabitatsintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregionRestoration,bothof landandwater(hydrology)wasthemost importantconservationmeasureforall coastal and dunes habitats mentioned by the experts, totalling 19%. The Article 17 reportingconfirms this priority and specifically mentions improving the hydrological regime and improvedqualityofcoastalareasandwater.Severalotherimportantmeasureswerementionedaswell,alsoshowninthegraphabove.Experts indicated that allowing natural processes to thrive, leading to a resilient ecosystem is thesecond most important conservation measure. This is also referred to as the ‘Dynamic Dunes’strategy.TheDynamicDunes strategy, (hydrology) restoration,addressingnitrogendepositionandimplementationofaninvasivespeciesstrategyaddupto51%ofmostimportantmeasures.IntheArticle17reportingregulatingexploitationofnaturalresourceswaspresentedasanimportantmeasure. This includes, waste management, waste water treatment, reducing and managingrecreational activities, water abstraction, fishing and hunting. Additionally legal protection ofhabitatsandspecies,establishmentofprotectedareasandsites,erosioncontrol,grazing,blockingofvegetationsuccessionandavoidingconversiontootherlandusewerementionedaswell.4.4 Wetanddrygrasslands4.4.1 SummarydescriptionOf the six Atlanticwetland habitats, one LHF habitat (6440) has been added to the five originallyselected for priority consideration. Based on the Article 17 reporting, the wetland habitats areassessedasunfavourable–inadequateorunfavourable–bad,withastableornegativetrend.



Table5.Atlanticwetanddrygrasslandhabitats

Wetanddrygrasslands




6210 Semi-naturaldrygrasslandsandscrublandfaciesoncalcareoussubstrates(Festuco-Brometalia)(*importantorchidsites)

Yes

6230* Species-richNardusgrasslands,onsilicioussubstratesinmountainareas(andsubmountainareasinContinentalEurope)

Yes

6410 Moliniameadowsoncalcareous,peatyorclayey-silt-ladensoils(Molinioncaeruleae)

Yes

6440 AlluvialmeadowsofrivervalleysoftheCnidiondubii

Yes

6510 Lowlandhaymeadows(Alopecuruspratensis,Sanguisorbaofficinalis)

Yes

1330 Atlanticsaltmeadows(Glauco-Puccinellietaliamaritimae)

Yes




Figure8ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:FactorscontributingtoFCS–wetanddrygrasslandsintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregion

Experts identified five factors that they regardasholdingpotentialopportunitiesandsolutions forwet and dry grasslands habitats, totalling 69%. These are: 1) Existing knowledge of andimplementation of the restoration and management actions, 2) programmatic approach towardspressures like water pollution, deposition and invasive species, 3) stakeholder involvement, 4)appropriatefunding,and5)effective(integrated)managementplans.

With regards to the first factor (restoration andmanagement action), grazingmanagement is themain issue.Grasslands ingeneral suffer from lackofor too intensivegrazing regimes. It is vital toidentify and implement the correct grazing intensity for conservationmanagement. In addition tothis is theeutroficationand increaseddeposition– therefore theprogrammaticapproach to thesecomeshighasapossiblesolution.



4.4.3 Issues,pressuresandthreats

Figure9ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:Issues,pressuresandthreats–wetanddrygrasslandsintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregionExpertsreportedeightdifferentpressuresonwetanddrygrasslandshabitats.Agriculturalpressuresarementionedby36%oftheexperts.Thisincludesnitrogendepositionandinsufficientgrazingandmowingregimes.Eitherthereisnovegetationremovalduetomowingorgrazingduetoagricultureabandonment, or the grazing regime is too intensive. Agricultural pressures together with 1)eutrophicationandpollution,2)changesinhydrology,and3)invasivespeciesaddupto77%ofthepressures.Fragmentation,mentionedby4%oftheexperts, isconsideredan importantpressure intheArticle17reporting.Additionally, the Article 17 reportingmentions changes in species composition due to succession.Thisisalsorelatedtolackofgrazingandmowing.Furthermore,changesinthehydrologicalsystemandgroundwaterextractionareimportantpressures.



4.4.4 Managementandconservationactions

Figure10ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:Managementandconservationmeasuresandactions–grasslandshabitatintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregionIn order to improve the conservation status of wet and dry grasslands, the five most importantconservationmeasures according to the experts are: 1) landscape approach (incl. connectivity), 2)addressingnitrogendeposition,3) restoration,4) cooperationandstakeholderengagementand5)research,monitoringandknowledgesharing,totalling63%.

RestorationofabandonedgrasslandsisalsomentionedasapriorityintheArticle17reporting.

Besides restoration, the Article 17 reporting mentions other priority conservation measures thanthose of the experts. The five most important measures from the Article 17 reportig include: 1)grasslandmaintenanceduetopropergrazingand/ormowingmanagement,2)hydrologyrestoration,3) restoration of abandoned grasslands, 4) establishment of protected areas and 5) managinglandscapefeatures.



4.5 Heathsandbogs4.5.1 SummarydescriptionOfthesixAtlanticheathsandbogshabitats,twohavetheLHFstatus.Habitat5230wasaddedandhabitat4010,originallyselected,wasalsogiventheLHFstatus.BasedontheArticle17reporting,theheats andbogshabitats aregenerally assessedasunfavourable–badandunfavourable-inadequatewith a stable or negative trend. Exceptions are habitat 4030 with a favourable assessment inDenmarkandPortugal,habitat7140withafavourableassessmentinSpainandhabitat7110havingastable,negativeandpositivetrend.

Table6.Atlanticheathandboghabitats

Heathsandbogs




4010 NorthernAtlanticwetheathswithEricatetralix

Yes Yes

4030 Europeandryheaths Yes

5230* ArborescentmatorralwithLaurusnobilis Yes

7110* Activeraisedbogs Yes

7140 Transitionmiresandquakingbogs Yes

7230 Alkalinefens Yes




Figure11ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:FactorscontributingtoFCS–heathsandbogsintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregionsIntotal,expertsreportedninedifferentsolutionsandopportunitiesfortheheathsandbogshabitattypes.Thethreemostmentionedare1)existingknowledgeofandimplementationoftherestorationand management actions, 2) stakeholder involvement and 3) programmatic approach towardspressureslikewaterpollution,atmosphericdepositionandinvasivespecies,together60%.



4.5.3. Issues,pressuresandthreats

Figure12ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:Issues,pressuresandthreats–heathsandbogsintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregionAccording to the experts, the four most pressing threats to heaths and bogs are 1) agriculturalpressures(incl.nitrogendeposition),2)eutrophicationandpollution,3)changesinhydrologyand4)policydrivenmeasures,totalling77%.Policydrivenmeasuresincludepoliciespromotingrenewableenergies(windfarmsandsolarfields),lackofadequateassessmentsforprojects,andtheUKleavingtheEU.

IntheArticle17reportingawiderangeofthreatsandpressureswerereported.Ashighlyimportantis noted lack of grazing caused by abandonment of agricultural practice, which also leads tosuccessionandvegetationchanges.

Other threats,mentioned by both the experts and the Article 17 reporting include fragmentationcaused by infrastructure, habitat deterioration by leisure activities, inappropriate managementactionslikefireandfiresuppressionandinvasivespecies.



4.5.4. Managementandconservationactions

Figure13ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:Managementandconservationmeasuresandactions–heathsandbogshabitatsintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregionExpertsmentionedtwelveconservationmeasures formanagingheathsandbogshabitats.The fivemost important ones are 1) restoration, 2) addressing nitrogendeposition, 3) landscape approach(incl. connectivity strategies), 4) cooperation and stakeholder engagement and 5) research,monitoring and knowledge sharing, totalling 66%. Hydrology restoration is also important,mentionedbyboththeexpertsandtheArticle17reporting.

The above measures are in line with the Article 17 reporting. Additionally, establishment ofprotected and wilderness areas, legal protection of habitats and species and invasive speciesstrategiesarementionedaswell.

Thelandscapeapproachincludestraditionalformsofmanagementforhabitatmaintenancewithinawider heathland complex. These practices are aimed at stopping succession to woodland andbalancedgrazing,tomaintainopenareas.However,forthemanagementandrestorationmeasures,nostandardmanagementprescriptioncanbemadebecauseeachsitepresentsuniquechallenges.Thepreparationofmanagementplansshouldbebasedondetailedknowledgeoftheparticularsite.

4.6. Riversandlakes

4.6.1. SummarydescriptionOftheeightriversandlakeshabitats,fourareassessedasLHFhabitat.Habitats3140,3180and3270arenewlyaddedandhabitat3110wasoriginallyselected.BasedontheArticle17reporting,mostrivers and lakes habitats continue to have unfavourable–bad and unfavourable-inadequateconservation statuswith positive, stable and negative trends. There are a few exceptions: habitat3130isassessedfavourableinPortugal,habitat3140favourableinBelgium,habitats3150and3260favourableinFrance,habitat3270favourableinIrelandandPortugalandhabitat91E0favourableinPortugal.



Table7.Atlanticriverandlakehabitats

Riversandlakes




3110 Oligotrophicwaterscontainingveryfewmineralsofsandyplains(Littorelletaliauniflorae)

Yes Yes

3130 OligotrophictomesotrophicstandingwaterswithvegetationoftheLittorelleteaunifloraeand/oroftheIsoëto-Nanojuncetea

Yes

3140 Hardoligo-mesotrophicwaterswithbenthicvegetationofCharaspp.

Yes

3150 NaturaleutrophiclakeswithMagnopotamionorHydrocharition-typevegetation

Yes

3180 Turloughs Yes

3260 WatercoursesofplaintomontanelevelswiththeRanunculionfluitantisandCallitricho-Batrachionvegetation

Yes

3270 RiverswithmuddybankswithChenopodionrubrip.p.andBidentionp.p.vegetation

Yes

91E0 AlluvialforestswithAlnusglutinosaandFraxinusexcelsior(Alno-Padion,Alnionincanae,Salicionalbae)

Yes



4.6.2. FactorscontributingtoaFavourableConservationStatus

Figure14ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:FactorscontributingtoFCS–riversandlakesintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregionFor rivers and lakes habitats, improvement of water quality (related to the Water FrameworkDirective) and restoration andmanagement knowledge and action are by far themost importantfactorscontributingtoafavourableconservationstatus.Togetherthesetwofactorsaccountfor50%.Additionally, appropriate funding and a programmatic approach towards pressures like waterpollution,atmosphericdepositionandinvasivespeciesarementionedaswell.



4.6.3. Issues,pressuresandthreats

Figure15ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:Issues,pressuresandthreats–riversandlakesintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregion Accordingto theexpertsandtheArticle17reporting, the fourmost importantpressuresonriversand lakes habitats are 1) eutrophication and pollution, 2) agricultural pressures (incl. nitrogendeposition),3)lackorinappropriatemanagementand4)changesinhydrology,totalling64%.

Identifiedsourcesofpollutionincludeagricultureonlandandwater(fishfarming)forestry,industry(mining) and households. Additionally human disturbance through leisure activities and fishing ismentionedaswell.FortheLHFhabitat3180,intensivegrazingisspecificallymentionedasathreat.



4.6.4. Managementandconservationmeasurementsandactions

Figure16ResultsfromNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessexpertconsultation:Managementandconservationmeasuresandactions–riversandlakeshabitatsintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregionFortheriversandlakeshabits,(hydrology)restorationisaveryimportantmeasure,mentioned32%intheexpertconsultation.ThisfocusisconfirmedbytheMemberStatesintheArticle17reporting.The restoration of rivers and lakes habitats is about improving water quality and quantity(hydrological regime). It includes measures for reducing diffuse pollution from agriculture andforestryaswellaspointpollutionbyindustryorbyhouseholdsewage.Toachievethis,collaborationwithdifferentstakeholders,butespeciallyfarmers,isneeded.

Additionally, addressing nitrogen deposition (pollution), landscape (management) approach andcooperationandstakeholderengagementarementionedbytheexpertsaswell.

IntheArticle17reporting,establishmentofprotectedareas,legalprotectionofhabitatsandspeciesandaddressinginvasivealienspeciesareconsideredmediumpriority.



4.7. Otherhabitats–woodlandandforest

4.7.1. SummarydescriptionApplyingtheLowHangingFruitmethodologyhasresultedintheidentificationofsevenotherAtlantichabitats(allbelongingtothewoodlandandforesthabitatgroup)asLowHangingFruits.Theydonotfallwithinanyoftheprevioushabitatgroups(coastalanddunehabitatsandestuaries;wetanddrygrasslands;heathsandbogs;riversandlakes)andarethusdiscussedseparately.

BasedontheArticle17reporting,mostwoodlandandforesthabitatshaveanunfavourable–badandunfavourable-inadequateconservationstatuswithstableandnegativetrends.

Table8.OtherAtlantichabitats–woodlandandfrosthabitats

Otherhabitats–woodlandandforests




9110 Luzulo-Fagetumbeechforests Yes

9130 Asperulo-Fagetumbeechforests Yes

9150 Medio-EuropeanlimestonebeechforestsoftheCephalanthero-Fagion

Yes

91A0 OldsessileoakwoodswithIlexandBlechnumintheBritishIsles

Yes

91C0* Caledonianforest Yes

91J0 TaxusbaccatawoodsoftheBritishIsles Yes

9260 Castaneasativawoods Yes

4.7.2. FactorscontributingtoaFavourableConservationStatusProbablyduetothefactthatallwoodlandandforesthabitatswerenotoriginallyselectedaspriorityhabitat, therewas notmuch feedback received by the experts. It can be assumed that themostimportant factors for all habitats are also relevant for this habitat. These include restoration (alsohydrology), addressing nitrogen deposition and a landscape management approach, includingconnectivitystrategies.

4.7.3. Issues,pressuresandthreatsProbablyduetothefactthatallwoodlandandforesthabitatswerenotoriginallyselectedaspriorityhabitat,therewasnotmuchfeedbackreceivedbytheexperts.AccordingtotheArticle17reporting,themainissuesare:1)inadequateforestmanagement,2)airpollution (acid rain and nitrogen input) and 3) succession and invasive species. Inadequate forestmanagement includes insufficient measures re. removal of dead trees, allowing grazing in forestareas,fireregimeandfiresuppression.



Additionally, leisure activities, hunting, fragmentation due to infrastructure development andrestructuringofagriculturallandholdingsarementioned.4.7.4. ManagementandconservationmeasuresandactionsProbablyduetothefactthatallwoodlandandforesthabitatswerenotoriginallyselectedaspriorityhabitat,therewasnotmuchfeedbackreceivedbytheexperts.Member States, through the Article 17 reporting, mention the following management actions ashavingpriority:restoration,adequateforestmanagement,establishingprotectedorwildernessareasandmanagingleisureactivities.Forestmanagement is linked to several strategic issues, such as natural regeneration, recovery oftypical species, diversification of both horizontal and vertical structures, encouraging speciesdiversity,i.e.mixedstands,precautionsregardinginfrastructures,specificbiodiversitymeasures,e.g.maintainingdeadwood,etc.Facedwiththreatofafforestationwithnon-nativetrees,itisimportantto favour indigenous species, local ecotypes and rare tree species and mixed species stands. Asregards structure, it is advisable to maintain heterogeneity (vertical and horizontal) and goodconnectivity for specieswith lowdispersal capability.On a landscape scale, it is advisable tohaveseveralregimes(reserves,coppices,even-agedstands,uneven-agedstands)inamosaic,whichcouldbe achieved by creating more small cutting and regeneration areas. It is advisable to developmicrohabitats, such as mega-trees and old trees, and decaying or dead wood to increase forestbiodiversity and provide suitable habitat for species of European interest (Thauront et Stallegger2008). Additionally, managing grazing activities and fire management should be part of a forestmanagementplan.



5. Additionalinformation–speciesandbestpracticecases

5.1. Species

In the online consultation, experts mentioned several species and actions related to speciesmanagement that may benefit from a greater cooperation between the AtlanticMember States.Someexperts see the species cooperation as needed and in relation to the integration of speciesobjectives within the objectives of Annex I habitats wherever this is possible, and more broadlywithinthecontextofnaturallyfunctioningecosystems.Itwasalsorecognisedthatsuchcooperationwouldbenefitallmobileandmigratoryspeciescrossingbordersand thosewithmajorpopulationsextendingacrossseveralmemberstatesthatarenotinfavourableconservationstatus.

Furthertothis,therewerealsoseveralconcretesuggestionsmade:

InvertebratesFor invertebrates freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritiferamargaritifera) and two butterfly specieswerementionedinthiscontext:MaculineaalconandEuphydryasaurinia.

FishAll anadromus fish species (strongly linked to the marine region) would benefit from morebiogeographical level cooperation (Alosa alosa and Coregonus oxyrhynchus were mentionedspecifically).More specifically, itwasmentioned that ensuring goodwaterquality in transnationalwaters, resolving international fishmigration bottleneckswould benefit: Lampetra planeri,Cobitistaenia,Cottusperifretum.

AmphibiansGreat crested newt (Triturus cristatus) would benefit from ensuring connection of appropriatehabitatandmigrationpossibilitiesinborderregions.OnesuchexampleisbetweenthepopulationsintheFrenchandBelgiancoastalduneswherecrossbordercooperationbetweenFranceandBelgium(Flemish region) is needed. Similarly for Natterjack toad (Epidalea (Bufo) calamita), to restore apopulation in thecrossbordernature siteZwinand its surroundings cooperationbetweenBelgian(Flemish)andDutchauthoritiesandnaturemanagersisneeded.

Rana lessonae,R. arvalis,Hylaarborea,Alytes obstetricans andPelobates fuscuswould all benefitfrom ensuring connection of appropriate habitat in border regions,while the last onewould alsobenefitfromaninternationalcooperationtomaintainitsgeneticdiversity.

ReptilesThe sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) is found in five member states (Germany, Denmark, France,NetherlandsandUK).ItsconservationstatusisU1(U1+inNLandUK)exceptforFrancewhereitisU2=.Thesandlizardisaparticularlygoodindicatorofthehealthofthedunesystemandispresentinalldryhabitattypesfromthemobiledunes,throughfixeddunestoduneheathandopenscrub.Itisa species which could be used as a focus for discussions on the importance of fauna in dunemanagement. Insettingmonitoringcriteriaforduneconditionthedistributionofaspeciessuchasthisonecan identify issuesoffragmentation,valueofcorridorsetc.Somescientificgroupssuchas



the OBN Knowledge Network in the Netherlands7 stress the importance of combining studies offauna alongside the monitoring of the effects of habitat management. Smooth snake (Coronellaaustriaca) would also benefit from ensuring connection of appropriate habitat and migrationpossibilitiesinborderregions.

BirdsRegional cooperationwas highlighted formigratory birds in general, shorebirds (Charadriiformes -waders)andfarmlandbirds(alsooftenmigratory).Morespecifically,combiningofmonitoringdataon an international scale, similar to what is being done for the Birds Directive reporting, wasmentioned. Some specific examples include: Red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio), Corncrake (Crexcrex), hen harrier (Circus cyaneus),Westernmarsh harrier (C. aeruginosus),Montagu's harrier (C.pygargus).

Some more specific examples of possible regional cooperation areNycticorax nycticorax, Egrettagarzetta,Platalealeucorodia:toenlargethepopulationsofthesemigratorybirdsalongtheAtlanticcoasts of Europemore nesting ((semi-)naturalWillow and Alder forests – habitat types 2180 and91E0) and foraging opportunities (openwater in saltmarshes – habitat types 1130 estuaries and1150*coastal lagoons–andponds inwetduneslacks–habitat type2190)shouldbeprovidedbynaturerestorationofnaturedevelopmentmeasuresalongthecoastsofallAtlanticmemberstates.Astrong international networking and cooperation between authorities competent for conservationandconservationNGO'sshouldbedevelopedinordertoachievethis.Charadriusalexandrinus,Sternaalbifrons,S. sandvicencis,S.hirundo: theseoutspoken coastalbirdspeciesarealsopioneerspeciesthattendtocolonizenewfittingsitesand leavethemwhenthesesitesgettoostronglyovergrownbythevegetation.Thesepioneercoastalbirdspeciesarealsoveryvulnerable to predation or catastrophic events (e.g. storms during the nesting season). Their"nomadic" lifestyle and vulnerability require that a much larger number of suitable nesting sitesalong the Atlantic coasts of Europe should be provided (congruent with e.g. habitat types 1210Annualvegetationofdrift linesand2110Embryonicshiftingdunes),allowing thecoloniesof ternsand plovers to move from one place to another in case of unfavourable events (new predation,meteorological catastrophes...). A strong international networking and cooperation betweenauthorities competent for conservation, coastaldefenceand finallyharbours (as ternsandploversoften start nesting on newly created port sites) as well as between site managers should bedeveloped.MammalsFormammals,aneedformoreandbetterregionalcooperationwashighlightedformarinemammals(seals, dolphins, whales), large terrestrial mammals such as otter (Lutra lutra), wild cat (Felissilvestris),wolf(Canislupus),lynx(Lynxlynx),allbatspecies,andsomesmallmammalssuchasEuropeanhamster(Cricetuscricetus)andhazeldormouse(Muscardinusavellanarius).5.2. LIFEprojectsandothercasesintheAtlanticbiogeographicalregion TheEULIFEProgrammesupportsEuropeanactionswithinenvironmental,natureconservationand/orclimateobjectives.LIFEaimstocontributeto’theimplementation,updatinganddevelopmentof

7 http://www.natuurkennis.nl/index.php?actie=losse_paginas&id=8



EUenvironmentalandclimatepolicyand legislationbyco-financingprojectswithEuropeanaddedvalue’. More information about LIFE can be found at its website:http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/ and more projects can be found in the LIFE database:http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/Thereareimportantopportunitiestoincreasethelong-termbenefitsthataccruefromNatura2000projects,manyofwhicharefundedthroughLIFE.Suchbenefitswouldbeenhancedbyindependentprojectmonitoring,oftenbeyondthe lifetimeofaspecificproject.This isconsidered importantsothatlessonscanbelearnedfromsuccessesaswellasfailures.Table9.LIFEprojectsthatarekeyexamplesofmanagementexperienceintheAtlanticregion

MS Projectname Habitatgroup

Shortdescription Linktotheproject

DK REDCOHA-LIFE-RestorationofDanishCoastalHabitats


RestorationofDanishCoastalHabitats-improvingtheconditionofcoastaldunehabitats:2120,2130*,2140*,2180,and2190thoughhydrologicalmeasures,clearingofplantations,combattingIAS,e.g.Rosarugosa

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=4618

DK RAHID-RestorationofAtlanticHeathsandInlandDunesinDenmark

Heathsandbogs

Themainobjectiveoftheprojectistoimprovetheconservationstatusand,ifpossible,increasethesurfaceareaofdrysandheathswithCallunaandGenista(2310),drysandheathswithCallunaandEmpetrumnigrum(2320),inlandduneswithopenCorynephorusandAgrostisgrassland(2330),NorthernAtlanticwetheathswithEricatetralix(4010),Europeandryheaths(4030)andJuniperuscommunisformationsonheaths(5130).


DK SMOOTH-RestoringSǿlstedMose-acontributiontothenetworkofDanishraisedbogs(7110*)infavourableconservationstatus

Heathsandbogs

ThisprojecttargetstherestorationofraisedboghabitatandthemanagementoftheAnnexII-listedEuropeanweatherfish(Misgurnusfossilis)withintheSølstedMosehabitatareainDenmark.


DK Houting-Urgentactionsforthe

Riversandlakes

Theoverallaimwastorestoreandmaintainafavourableconservation

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life



endangeredHouting"Coregonusoxyrhunchus"

statusforthethreatenedhoutinginfourDanishriversystems.Specificobjectivesincludedtheremovalofweirsanddamsinthoseriversystems;theconstructionofrifflesormeandersinordertofacilitateupstreammigration;andthedecommissioningoftwohydroelectricpowerplantsandfourfishfarms.

/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=2947

DK REMAB-RestorationofMeadowBirdHabitats

Wetanddrygrasslands

Theproject’soverallaimwastorestore,orenhancetheconservationstatusofareasofhabitatsfordunlinandruffatfourkeysitesinDenmark.Theprojectactionstargeted13%ofthecountry’sdunlinpopulationand9%ofitsruffpopulation.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=3108&docType=pdf

DK DRYGRASSLAND-DryGrasslandinDenmark-RestorationandConservation

Wetanddrygrasslands

Theprojectaimedtofollowonfromthe2004-2008projectandcontinuewiththerestorationandconservationofdrygrasslandinDenmark,innewlocationsusingtheexperienceobtainedinthepreviousgrasslandproject,supplementedwithothermethods.


FR Life+-PêcheAPiedeLoisir-Pilotexperimentsonsustainableandparticipatorymanagementofrecreationalseafoodhandharvesting


Theprojectaimstovalidateeffectiveandtransferablemethodsforpromotingsustainableapproachestoshore-basedseaanglingin11pilotareas.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=4704&docType=pdf

IE LIFEIrishRaisedBogs-RestoringActiveRaisedBoginIreland'sSACNetwork2016-2020

Heathsandbogs

TheoverallaimistoimprovetheconservationstatusoftheAnnexIHabitatsDirectivehabitat‘ActiveRaisedBog’,throughtheprotectionandrestorationof12Natura2000networksitesinthemidlandsofIreland.


IE LIFEKerry-Sustainablelanduse

Riversand Theproject’saimsto:Todemonstrateeffective




managementfortheconservationofthefreshwaterpearlmussel

lakes conservationmeasuresthatwillrestorethefreshwaterpearlmusseltofavourableconservationstatusintheCaraghandBlackwatercatchments;Toenhanceawarenessandunderstandingofthefreshwaterpearlmusselamonglocalstakeholders;Todemonstratesustainablemanagementtechniquesforfarmingandforestryinfreshwaterpearlmusselcatchments;andToprovideguidanceforfarmingandforestrypracticesthatsupporttheconservationoffreshwaterpearlmussels.

/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=5050&docType=pdf

NL Dutchdunerevival-RealisationofNatura2000targetsforcalcareouswhite,greydunesandduneslacksinthreeDutchdunesites


Themainaimofthisprojectistoenlargeandrestorehabitatsandincreasethepresenceofrareandcharacteristicspecies.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.createPage&s_ref=LIFE09%20NAT/NL/000418&area=1&yr=2009&n_proj_id=3853&mode=print&menu=false

NL “HealthyHeath”-Propagationanddevelopmentofdry,moistandwetheathintheDwingelderveldSPAandpSCI

Heathsandbogs

Theaimofthisprojectistorestorethenaturalwaterbalanceover1100haofDwingelderveld,andtotransformtheNoordenveld.Theprojectwillundertakeactionsincludingcombatingdehydration,eutrophicationandacidification;enlargingtheareaofmoistheathwithintheNatura2000area;improvingthequalityofacidfens,activeandrecoveringraisedbogs,depressionvegetation,andspecies-richgrasslands;andreducingdisruptiontotheanimalsandbirdscharacteristicofthearea.




NL BluesintheMarshes-Habitatrestoration&developmentforScarceandDuskyLargeBlueinN2KareaVlijmensVen,MoerputtenandBosscheBroek

Wetanddrygrasslands

ThisprojectaimstorestorethehabitatoftwohighlythreatenedbutterflyspeciesinEurope,thescarcelargeblue[Phengaris(Maculinea)teleius]andduskylargeblue[Phengaris(Maculinea)nausithous].BothbutterflyspeciesarelistedinAnnexesIIandIVoftheHabitatsDirectiveandtheprojectisaimingforasignificantimprovementintheresilienceoftheirpopulations.


ES LIFE+ARCOS-InsituandExsituinnovativecombinedtechniquesforcoastaldunehabitatsrestorationinSCIsofnorthernSpain


TheprojectaimstoimprovetheconservationstatusofthetargetedCantabriancoastalsanddunes.Itspecificallyaimstorestorecoastalsanddunehabitatwithin10Natura2000sites.


ES TREMEDAL-InlandwetlandsofNorthernIberianPeninsula:managementandrestorationofmiresandwetenvironments

Heathsandbogs

Theoverallintentionistoimprovetheconservationstatusandresilienceofthepeatyandwethabitattypesintheprojectlocations.


ES MARGALULLA-RecoveryofpopulationsofMargaritiferamargaritiferaandGalemyspyrenaicusinntheUllariverbasin(Galicia).

Riversandlakes

TheoverallobjectiveistohelpimprovetheconservationstatusofthefreshwaterpearlmusselandPyreneandesmanintheUllariverbasin,andestablishsuitableconditionsforrecoveryoftheoriginalpopulations.


ES LIFEOREKAMendian-ConservationandmanagementofBasquemountaingrasslands

Wetanddrygrasslands

TheprojectgoalistheconservationandmanagementofmountainpasturesofEuskadiandIparralde.

n.a.

UK Alde-Ore-TheAlde-OreEstuary-

Coastalanddunes

TheAlde-Oreprojectaimedtodevelopthemanagementand




Securingasustainablefutureforwildlife

(includingestuaries)

infrastructureoftwoexceptionalNatura2000wildlifesites,OrfordNessandHavergateIsland,intheAlde-OreestuarytosustainandenhancethehabitatsandspeciesofEuropeansignificance.

/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=3537

UK CumbrianBogsLIFE+-RestorationofdegradedlowlandraisedbogsonthreeCumbrianSCI/SACs

Heathsandbogs

TheprojecttargetstherestorationofdegradedlowlandraisedbogwithinthreeNatura2000networksites:BoltonFellMoss,SouthSolwayMosses,andRoundseaWoodandMosses.Theprojectwilldemonstrateavarietyoftechniquesforthecompleterestorationoflowlandraisedboghabitats;includingtherestorationofnaturalhydrologicalsystemsandbiodiversity.


UK MoorLIFE-MoorLIFE:ActiveblanketbogrestorationintheSouthPennineMoors

Heathsandbogs

Themainobjectivewastoprotectthe1600haofactiveblanketbogintheSouthPennineMoorsbyreducingtheerosiononadjacentdegradedpeatland.Toachievethis,theprojectaimedtorestore862haofactiveblanketbogthroughstabilisation,diversificationandgullyblocking.


UK PIPGB-PearlsinPeril-securingthefutureofthefreshwaterpearlmusselinGreatBritain

Riversandlakes

Thisoverallprojectobjectiveistosafeguardthefutureofthemostimportantpearlmusselpopulations(M.margaritifera),inGreatBritain(i.e.,in21Natura2000sitesacrossEngland,ScotlandandWales)bytacklingthemainthreatstothisandbyimplementingbestpracticeconservationmethods.


Intheonlineconsultation,expertsmentionedseveralcasesanddevelopmentsintheirowncountries:

- TheroleofNGO’sisveryimportantforestablishingnetworksbetweenstakeholders.GoodexampleisEUCC-France.Link:http://www.euccfrance.fr/.

- Havingastrategicprogrammeorplan,whichextendsbeyondspecificsiteshelpstoimproveconservationefforts.



- TheNewForestSACisanexcellentlandscape-scaleexampleofhowtorestorenaturalecosystemfunctionforthebenefitofallcharacteristichabitatandspeciesofalocality.Link:http://www.natura.org/sites_uk_newforest.html.

- DocumentationandagreementsmadeatpreviousAtlanticseminarsremainrelevantandshouldbeconsidered.Especially

o DynamicDunes2015meeting.Link:https://www.pwn.nl/dynamicdunes;o TheLIFEPlatformMeeting,Zandvoort,June2016.Link:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/platform/events/258_ecology_morphology_management_of_coastal_and_inland_dunes_en.htm.

- DevelopmentofaEuropeanDuneNetworkanda‘roadmap’forknowledgeexchangeandcoordinationandtosponsorrelevantstudiesarepromoted.

- ProgrammaticApproachonNitrogen(PAN).- Successfulexperimentonasmallscale:Developmentofanalkalinefen7230byremoving

thesuperiorclayishsoillayerinpolderatAdinkerke(Belgium).- Alterraprojecton(re)settingconservationtargetsinNatura2000sitescoherentatthe

landscapelevelratherthanforindividualhabitattypesandspeciesandbyconsideringothernaturevaluesaswell.Thisapproachoffersmoreopportunitiesfornaturaldynamicsande.g.allowsfor'deterioration'ofarea/qualityofonetypeatthebenefitofothers.ThisapproachanticipatesfutureconflictsbetweenNatura2000featuresandothernaturevaluesanddoesjusticetonaturaldynamicswithinmanagedlandscapesLink:http://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/wurpubs/fulltext/390281.

- BurrenLIFE-FarmingforconservationintheBurren(LIFE04NAT/IE/000125)Link:http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=2661

- RBAPSproject:DevelopingResultsBasedAgri-environmentalPaymentSchemesLink:https://rbaps.eu/.



Annexes

ANNEX1OverviewofresponsesOnlineExpertConsultation

COUNTRY EXPERTS

Belgium 9

Denmark 1

France 1

Germany 3

Ireland 3

Netherlands 6

UnitedKingdom 4

Total 27



ANNEX2CorepurposeandmessagesoftheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessThecontributionoftheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcesstotheEU2020BiodiversityStrategyTheNatura2000Biogeographical Process is a vitalmeans to ensureprogress todelivering the EU2020BiodiversityStrategy.Asareminder,theheadlinetargetis:

‘HaltingthelossofbiodiversityandthedegradationofecosystemservicesintheEUby2020,and restoring them in so faras feasible,while steppingup theEU contribution toavertingglobalbiodiversityloss.’

Atthesametime,waystostrengthenimplementationofNatura2000throughtheBirdsandHabitatsDirectivesarethecoresubjectofTarget1oftheStrategy:

‘To halt the deterioration in the status of all species and habitats covered by EU naturelegislationandachieveasignificantandmeasurableimprovementintheirstatussothat,by2020,comparedtocurrentassessments:(i)100%morehabitatassessmentsand50%morespeciesassessmentsundertheHabitatsDirectiveshowanimprovedconservationstatus;and(ii) 50% more species assessments under the Birds Directive show a secure or improvedstatus.’

SynergiesshouldalsobesoughtwiththeotherfivetargetsoftheEUBiodiversityStrategy,whichare:

• Target 2: By 2020, ecosystems and their services are maintained and enhanced byestablishinggreeninfrastructureandrestoringatleast15%ofdegradedecosystems;

• Target3A)Agriculture:By2020,maximiseareasunderagricultureacrossgrasslands,arablelandandpermanentcropsthatarecoveredbybiodiversity-relatedmeasuresundertheCAPso as to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and to bring about a measurableimprovement8 in the conservation status of species and habitats that depend on or areaffected by agriculture and in the provision of ecosystem services as compared to the EU2010Baseline,thuscontributingtoenhancesustainablemanagement;

• Target 3B) Forests: By 2020, ForestManagement Plans or equivalent instruments, in linewith Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), are in place for all forests that are publiclyownedandforforestholdingsaboveacertainsize9thatreceivefundingundertheEURuralDevelopment Policy so as to bring about a measurable improvement in the conservationstatusofspeciesandhabitatsthatdependonorareaffectedbyforestryandintheprovisionofrelatedecosystemservicesascomparedtotheEU2010Baseline;

• Target4Fisheries:AchieveMaximumSustainableYield(MSY)by2015.Achieveapopulationageandsizedistributionindicativeofahealthystock,throughfisheriesmanagementwithno

8 Forbothtargets,improvementistobemeasuredagainstthequantifiedenhancementtargetsfortheconservationstatusofspeciesandhabitatsofEUinterestinTarget1andtherestorationofdegradedecosystemsunderTarget2. 9 Forsmallerforestholdings,MemberStatesmayprovideadditionalincentivestoencouragetheadoptionofManagementPlansorequivalentinstrumentsthatareinlinewithSFM(tobedefinedbytheMemberStatesorregionsandcommunicatedintheirRuralDevelopmentProgrammes).



significantadverseimpactsonotherstocks,speciesandecosystems,insupportofachievingGood Environmental Status by 2020, as required under the Marine Strategy FrameworkDirective;

• Target5:By2020, InvasiveAlienSpeciesandtheirpathwaysare identifiedandprioritised,priority species are controlled or eradicated and pathways are managed to prevent theintroductionandestablishmentofnewIAS;

• Target6:By2020,theEUhassteppedupitscontributiontoavertingglobalbiodiversityloss.However, ensuringprogress towards implementationofNatura2000 shouldalsobe considered inthewiderEUagenda,inparticularthefollowingstrategicobjectives:

• A more resource-efficient economy: The EU’s ecological footprint is currently double itsbiological capacity. By conserving and enhancing its natural resource base and using itsresourcessustainably,theEUcanimprovetheresourceefficiencyofitseconomyandreduceitsdependenceonnaturalresourcesfromoutsideEurope;

• A more climate-resilient, low-carbon economy: Ecosystem-based approaches to climatechange mitigation and adaptation can offer cost-effective alternatives to technologicalsolutions,whiledeliveringmultiplebenefitsbeyondbiodiversityconservation;

• Aleaderinresearchandinnovation:Progressinmanyappliedsciencesdependsonthelong-term availability and diversity of natural assets. Genetic diversity, for example, is a mainsourceofinnovationforthemedicalandcosmeticsindustries,whiletheinnovationpotentialofecosystemrestorationandgreeninfrastructureislargelyuntapped;

• Newskills,jobsandbusinessopportunities:Nature-basedinnovation,andactiontorestoreecosystemsandconservebiodiversity,cancreatenewskills,jobsandbusinessopportunities.The TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity) study estimates that globalbusinessopportunitiesfrominvestinginbiodiversitycouldbeworthintheregionof€1.7to€5trillionby2050.

Therefore,throughtheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcess,therearevitalopportunitiesavailableforallstakeholderstocontributetothiswideragenda.JointactionsdevelopedinthecontextoftheProcesscreatenewscope togenerategreatersynergies, realisesharedbenefitsandestablishnewwaystodemonstratetheintegralvalueofNatura2000forreachingsocietalgoalsandconservationobjectives.AimsandobjectivesoftheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessAsareminder,theprimaryaimsandobjectivesoftheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessare:

• To ensure significant and practically oriented progress towards the EU 2020 BiodiversityStrategyTargets,inparticularTargets1and2;

• ToachievethisthroughimprovedandstrengthenedimplementationonNatura2000,inwaysthathelpMemberStatestofulfiltheirlegalobligationsundertheNatureDirectives;



• To strengthen common understanding of the critical role of the Natura 2000 Network inachieving favourable conservation for habitat types and species subject to protection inNatura200010;

• ToidentifyfutureprioritiesandconservationobjectivesforNatura2000,basedonrelevantdatafromArticle12and17reports,andfacilitatetheformulationof‘strategiccooperationobjectives’,whichmaybeappliedandimplementedatabiogeographicallevel;

• To establish a practical framework for networking that helps put in place practicalmanagement actions designed to maintain or achieve favourable conservation status forthosehabitatsandspeciesthatfallwithinMemberStates’territories;

• TodevelopcooperationbetweenMemberStates,stakeholderorganisations,environmentalNGOsandspecialistnetworksthatwillleadtonew‘know-how’tosupporttheachievementoffavourableconservationstatus.

ThefollowingpointshighlightkeyfeaturesoftheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcess:

• ParticipationintheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessisvoluntary;• The Process provides added valuemeans to work collectively towards achieving the legal

obligationsoftheNatureDirectives;• TheProcessoffersapracticalframeworkfornetworking,sharinginformationandexperience

and building knowledge about themost effective ways to reach andmaintain favourablestatus for habitats and species of European Community importance – this includesopportunities to identify and promote the multiple benefits (environmental, social andeconomic)linkedtosuchactions;

• The Process focuses on practical habitat (and/ or species) management and restorationactivities and provides a framework to share best practices, compare approaches, buildcontacts,exchangeinformationandbuildnewknowledge;

• TheProcessissupportedbyfollow-upnetworkingeventsdesignedtofurtherbuildpracticalknowledgeandcapacity,alongwithadedicatedNatura2000Platformtocommunicateandshareinformation.

DevelopingthestrategicorientationoftheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessAsadynamicandcontinuingprocess,MemberStatesandtheirrepresentativesaresupportedbytheteam of contractors and other actors working for and through the Natura 2000 BiogeographicalProcess.In2015and2016,adiscussionpaperwasproducedwhichsuggestedelementsforadaptingthestrategicorientationforthefurtherdevelopmentoftheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcessinthecomingyears.InconsultationwithmembersoftheEC’sExpertGrouponManagementofNatura2000andreflectingfeedbackfromotherECexpertgroups,includingNADEG,thestrategicobjectivesoftheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcesswererefinedtothefollowing:

10 There will be a need to examine ways of improving coherence with outcomes of work on assessing favourable conservation status through monitoring and reporting under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive and the results of the Birds Directive Article 12, especially with regard to eventually determining how best to build a common understanding of what needs to be achieved for different habitats and species to reach FCS.



1. To strengthen and focus the work of the Process in contributing to meeting the EU 2020Biodiversity objectives, primarily the full implementationof thenaturedirectives (Target 1), i.e.theimprovementofconservationstatus;ThefocusoftheNatura2000BiogeographicalProcess ison improvingtheconservationstatusofasetofhabitatsandspeciesthatwillbedefinedoverthecomingmonthsregionbyregion.Definingthissetofhabitatsandspeciesshallmakefulluseoftheresultsofthe2015StateofNatureexerciseand reported data. The criteria for selection shall also include identification of those habitats andspecieswhere improvements of conservation statusmay bemore straightforward to achieve in abiogeographicalregion,theso-called‘lowhangingfruits’approach.Oncethehabitatsandspeciesaredefined, joint strategiesandplans (‘roadmaps’) inworking together towards the favourable statusshallbethefocusofthework(inseminars,workshops,etc.).2.Todevelop,discussandworkonimplementationstrategiesforbiogeographicallevelfavourablereferencevalues(FRVs);In the frameof the reviewof theArt.17 reportingprocess, severalMember Stateshad requestedfurtherworkonFRVs.Inasub-groupoftheExpertGrouponReporting,thisworkisnowtakingplace.ThequestionoftestingthesettingofFRVsonthebiogeographicallevelispartofthisworkandthisaspect, once furtherdeveloped,maybe addressedby theProcess, for example through follow-upactionsandthematicevents.3. Strengthening themarine aspect of the process. Should this be left to theMarine Process orshouldparticularissuesalsobedealtwithintheAtlanticProcess?;SofartheProcesshasmainlydealtwithterrestrialsystems.Asthemarinenetworknearscompletion,at least in coastal areas, work on marine ecosystems in an early stage of site designation andobjective setting becomes very important. Marine systems depend even more on collaborativeapproachesbetweenMemberStates(e.g.controloffisheries),thechallengesofmarineconservationare lesswell understood and inmanyways pressures onmarine features are less controlled andregulated.AllthisrequiresaspecialfocusonmarinefeaturesinthecomingyearstomakethemarineNatura 2000 network a success and sufficient support byMember States to establish the Natura2000BiogeographicalProcessalsoatsea.4. Identifying further initiatives to facilitate and further develop cooperation betweenMemberStates, stakeholder organisations, environmental NGOs and specialist networks on themanagementofNatura2000asacoherentecologicalnetwork.The Process will continue to promote cooperation between Member States, stakeholderorganisations,environmentalNGOsandspecialistnetworksthroughtheestablishmentofapracticalframework for networking and help putting in place practical management actions designed tomaintain or achieve favourable conservation status. At the same time, the Processwill encourageactiveinvolvementofinterestedstakeholdergroups.



ANNEX3EuropeanTopicCentreonBiologicalDiversity:LowHangingFruitsmethodology

This annex updates the 20 Atlantic habitat-types, previously identified for priority consideration,using 2013 Article 17 data and the results of applying the Low Hanging Fruit approach. The fulldocumentwillbemadeavailableontheNatura2000CommunicationPlatform.



ANNEX4Habitatfactsheets–coastaldunesandestuaries(10factsheets)

ANNEX5Habitatfactsheets–grasslands(6factsheets)

ANNEX6Habitatfactsheets–heathsandbogs(6factsheets)

ANNEX7Habitatfactsheets–riversandlakes(8factsheets)

ANNEX8Habitatfactsheets–otherhabitats:woodlandandforests(7factsheets)

Documents

Natura 2000 Seminars...As a long-term, continuing process, since the first Atlantic Natura 2000 Biogeographical Seminar in the Netherlands in December 2012, the strategic orientations