The Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process NATURA 2000 MANAGEMENT

The Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process NATURA 2000 MANAGEMENT IN THE MED REGION: AN OVERVIEW 2 nd Mediterranean Natura 2000 Seminar - Limassol, 14 -16 November 2017 Diego García Ventura EUROPARC-Spain Fundación Fernando González Bernáldez diego. garcia@fungobe. org

THE SEMINAR INPUT DOCUMENT • The Seminar Document is intended to trigger discussions and the sharing of experiences with a view to identify collaborative work. It´s a start point; the intention is not to discuss its contents in any detail. • This cooperative work should lead into a Mediterranean road map made of further networking, common projects/actions and criteria to decision making.

THE SEMINAR INPUT DOCUMENT 1. Introduction & habitat selection (Priority consideration and `Low hanging fruits´) 2. Thematic clusters * Description * Most pressing common issues and specific challenges * Opportunities for cooperative work & suggestions for improvement * Examples of good practices and other resources * Specific remarks (if case) 3. Habitat groups * Summary description * Issues, pressures and threats * Management and conservation actions * Working together on Favourable Reference Values (FVR) 4. Additional information derived from the expert consultation

THEMATIC GROUP 1. ASSESSMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ECOSYSTEMS MAIN THREATS & PRESSURES • Natura 2000 management instruments: delays in approving / lack of effective assessment. • Low scientific/technical knowledge: – Ecosystem services approach. – Identification & interpretation of habitat types. – Updated habitat cartography. • EU & member states policies: – Assesment of CAP in high natura value agri-livestock systems. – From “conservation trends” (large mammals and birds) to Article 17 results (fish, invertebrates, plants…). Same case in habitat prioritisation.

THEMATIC GROUP 1. ASSESSMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ECOSYSTEMS OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES • Common suggestions from participants in the seminar to EU & member states policies (CAP reform process, LIFE, etc. ). • Harmonising funding efforts based on Article 17 reporting data linked with other prioritisation criteria. • There are several knowledge & management networks related to Med habitat types. Which should be promoted? Any more is needed? • Increased participation of Natura 2000 site managers in biogeographical process. • Training events, guidance documents & cooperation programs.

THEMATIC GROUP 2. CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES & MONITORING AND EVALUATION MAIN THREATS & PRESSURES • Difficulties in setting conservation priorities from local to biogeographical level. • Monitoring in relation to conservation objectives is seldom properly done. Conservation objectives should include “success thresholds” easy to evaluate. An adaptive management approach is needed. • Needs for integrating the conservation and restoration priorities into the framework established by the EU Directives on Nature, Water and Marine environment.

THEMATIC GROUP 2. CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES & MONITORING AND EVALUATION OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES • Guidance documents about setting conservation objectives at site, region/state and biogeographical level. • Agreements on common standard monitoring systems : a revision of available and expected tools. Citizen science tools must be taken into account. • Setting Favourable Reference Values (FRV): have a look to specific expert recommendations in the habitat group chapters to start working together.

THEMATIC GROUP 3. EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE MODELS FOR INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO IMPLEMENTATION OF NATURA 2000 MAIN THREATS & PRESSURES • Lack of coordination among different European and national policies and bodies. • Lack of communication between researchers, administration and Natura 2000 site managers towards effective (integrated) governance schemes

THEMATIC GROUP 3. EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE MODELS FOR INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO IMPLEMENTATION OF NATURA 2000 OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES • Sharing experiences of integrated governance models. What´s the best framework? In which cases? Best practices? - Management plans for each Natura 2000 site? Plans for Natura 2000 sites grouped by habitat types? Forest management plans as Natura 2000 forest sites? • Successful schemes of local stakeholders´ participation in restoration programmes, nature inventories, etc. • Active involvement of NGO´s in the implementation of management plans. • Twinning programs between Natura 2000 sites towards common objectives.

THEMATIC GROUP 4. ADDRESSING THREATS AND PRESSURES ON MEDITERRANEAN HABITATS & SPECIES MAIN THREATS & PRESSURES • Agricultural and farm intensification (ploughing of natural areas, use of pesticides, loss of traditional rotations, nitrogen surplus, absence of buffer zones…). • Water management (over-exploitation of groundwater and its effects on wetlands). • Urbanisation & infrastructure developments. • Mass tourism (water demands, waste treatment, urban development). • Illegal hunting. • Climate change.

THEMATIC GROUP 4. ADDRESSING THREATS AND PRESSURES ON MEDITERRANEAN HABITATS & SPECIES OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES • More precise assessment of the efficiency of greening measures implemented and a discussion about the cost-effectiveness of CAP policy in environmental terms. Maybe a joint workshop on this issue? • How to address threats and pressures on each specific type of habitat and species in the Directive annexes (guidance documents and flow charts). • Wider research actions at biogeographical scale to provide criteria for decisionmaking. • Opportunities via LIFE and LIFE Integrated Projects • Land use abandonment: a threat for grasslands/scrubs habitat group or an opportunity forest improvement? Is artificial maintenance ecologically reasonable?

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