The Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process NATURA 2000 MANAGEMENT IN THE MED REGION: AN OVERVIEW

1. The Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process NATURA 2000 MANAGEMENT IN THE MED REGION: AN OVERVIEW Diego García Ventura EUROPARC-Spain Fundación Fernando González Bernáldez diego.garcia@fungobe.org

2. 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 startpoint; 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.

3. 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

4. THEMATIC GROUP 1. ASSESSMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ECOSYSTEMS MAIN THREATS & PRESSURES • Natura 2000 managementinstruments: delays in approving / lack of effectiveassessment. • Lowscientific/technicalknowledge: • Ecosystemservicesapproach. • Identification & interpretation of habitattypes. • Updatedhabitatcartography. • EU & memberstatespolicies: • Assesment of CAP in high natura valueagri-livestocksystems. • From “conservationtrends” (largemammals and birds) to Article 17 results (fish, invertebrates, plants…). Same case in habitatprioritisation.

5. THEMATIC GROUP 1. ASSESSMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ECOSYSTEMS OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES • Commonsuggestionsfromparticipants in theseminar to EU & memberstatespolicies (CAP reformprocess, LIFE, etc.). • HarmonisingfundingeffortsbasedonArticle 17 reporting data linkedwithotherprioritisationcriteria. • There are severalknowledge & managementnetworksrelated to Medhabitattypes. Whichshould be promoted? Any more isneeded? • Increasedparticipation of Natura 2000 site managers in biogeographicalprocess. • Training events, guidancedocuments & cooperationprograms.

6. THEMATIC GROUP 2. CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES & MONITORING AND EVALUATION MAIN THREATS & PRESSURES • Difficulties in settingconservationprioritiesfrom local to biogeographicallevel. • Monitoring in relation to conservationobjectivesisseldomproperly done. Conservation objectives should include “success thresholds” easy to evaluate. Anadaptivemanagementapproachisneeded. • Needsforintegratingtheconservation and restorationprioritiesintotheframeworkestablishedbythe EU DirectivesonNature, Water and Marine environment.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. THEMATIC GROUP 3. EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE MODELS FOR INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO IMPLEMENTATION OF NATURA 2000 OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES • Sharingexperiences of integratedgovernancemodels. What´s the best framework? In which cases? Best practices? • Management plansforeach Natura 2000 site? • Plansfor Natura 2000 sitesgroupedbyhabitattypes? • Forestmanagementplans as Natura 2000 forestsites? • Successfulschemes of local stakeholders´ participationin restorationprogrammes, natureinventories, etc. • Active involvement of NGO´s in theimplementation of managementplans. • Twinningprogramsbetween Natura 2000 sitestowardscommonobjectives.

10. 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.

11. 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 decision-making. • Opportunities via LIFE and LIFE Integrated Projects • Land use abandonment: a threat for grasslands/scrubs habitat group or an opportunity for forest improvement? Is artificial maintenance ecologically reasonable?

12. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION