the „favourable conservation status“ of annex i-habitats (habitats-directive)

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The „Favourable Conservation Status“ Of Annex I-Habitats(Habitats-Directive)

Report About The Handling of the Directive In Germany

Albert Lang

Twinning SK2002/IB/EN/03

Bratislava, 20.01.04

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Content

1. The Term „Favourable Conservation Status“

1.1. In The Habitats Directive

1.2. In The Document „Standard Data Form - Explanatory Notes“ = „Notes“

2. Handling of the Directive In Germany

3. Two Examples: Habitat types 6520 and 9160

Favourable Conservation Status Of Annex I-Habitats, 20.01.04, Albert Lang

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1. The Term Favourable Conservation Status1.1. In The Habitats-Directive

1.1.1. Intension of the Directive: Prologue, Art. 2 (2)

1.1.2. Definition of the term: Art. 1 (e) Annex III A(c) Explanatory Notes, 1 (i) Annex III B (b) Explanatory Notes, 1 (k)

1.1.3. Proposition for protection and site selection: Art. 3 (1), Art. 4 (4), Art. 14 (1)Art. 11 Art. 17

1.1.4. Financial matters: Art. 8 (2)

1.1.5. Re-introduction of Annex IV-species: Art. 22


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The value of a given Habitat Type in a site depends on three criteria

Representativity = Annex III A (a) Relative Surface = Annex III A (b) Conservation Status = Annex III A (c)



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The criterion Conservation Status is summed up to the grades

A = excellent B = good C = average or reduced



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The criterion Conservation Status consists of three sub-criteria

Degree of conservation of the structure Degree of conservation of the functions Restoration possibilities

The first and the last sub-criteria demand

„best expert judgement“



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In Germany the three sub-criteria of the „Notes“ are implemented to

Completeness of the typical habitat structures

Completeness of the typical species of the habitat

Degradations

2. Handling of the Directive in Germany


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Grades of Conservation Status



Sub-criteria„Notes“

Sub-criteriaGermany

A(Germany)

B(Germany)

C1(Germany)

C2(Germany)NEW

Degree ofconservation ofthe structure

Completenessof the habitatstructure

Excellent Good Moderateto average

Degree ofconservation ofthe functions

Completenessof the typicalspecies of thehabitat

Speciesstockpresent

Speciesstock larglypresent

Speciesstockpartiallypresent

Restorationpossibilities

Degradations Few medium strong

Irreversibledamaged;norestorationpossible

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Some additions of the sub-criteria of Conservation Status



Structures A A A A A A BFunctions A A A B B C ARestoration possibility A B C C B C AConservation Status A A A A A A A

„Notes“

Habitat structures A A A A A A BSpecies stock A A A B B C ADegradations A B C C B C AConservation Status A A B B B C A

Germany

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Recommendations of the Working Group Grassland



Mapping of the habiatat types: building complexes

Mapping of fauna not obligatory

Degradations´ reasons: reference list

Survey of habitat types within and beyond the SCI

Surveillance at least all 6 years

The surface of the habitat type is not part of the conservation status

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Recommendations of the Working Group Grassland



In some cases (i.e. habitat type 6210) the contact-biotopes are integrated into the assessment

For each habitat type structures have to be listed. The grades have to be described as exact as possible

For each habitat type the typical plant-species (animals if possible) a regional list has to be worked out

The worst of several grade parameters predominates

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The Conservation Status - A Short Overview


Directive 92/43/EEC

„Notes“ 97/266/EEC

First National Working Group

LANA

German State Agencies

Various National Working Groups

Conservation Status

3 sub-criteria

3 German sub-criteria as basis for all habitat types

Acception of the basis by the States Ministries

Implementation of specific German States´ standards

Recommendations for the specific standards

1992

1996

2000

2001

2001

2003

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Various examples of the grading-system have been worked out by the German States

Range between expert judgement and fixed criteria-lists in manuals (Example: typical species)

3. Two Exemples: Habitat Types 6520 & 91603.1. Habitat Type 6520 Mountain hay meadow


the „favourable conservation status“ of annex i-habitats (habitats-directive)

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