High Quality Data for Nature Policy

Results from checking the coherence of Natura 2000 and conservation status and trends data

Introduction

Information gathered as part of the reporting on Natura 2000 sites as well as under Article 12 of the Birds Directive and Article 17 of the Habitats Directive represent among the most comprehensive, regularly updated and coordinated datasets on biodiversity in the European Union. These datasets are not only used in support to EU biodiversity policies, through generation of maps, indicators and other statistics but also increasingly by the academic world and stakeholders. A reliable quality of these data is thus crucial.

The data collected under the nature directives have to be ‘fit’ for the following purposes :

assessing and enhancing completeness of the Natura 2000 network (Natura 2000 sufficiency assessments)
quantification of restoration needs and prioritization in the PAFs
identification of habitats and species of priority concern for coordinated action among Member States such as the “Low Hanging Fruits”, to be discussed within the Natura 2000 biogeographical seminars
providing a regular assessment of the State of Nature in the EU
informing on progress towards the EU biodiversity strategy to 2020, for target 1 (fully implement the Birds and Habitats Directives), target 2 (maintain and restore ecosystems and their services) and target 3 (increase the contribution of agriculture and forestry to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity
characterising ecosystem condition as part of the MAES process
providing the biodiversity component of the “The European Environment – State and Outlook report” (SOER)
underpinning outreach products such as the “Natura 2000 Barometer and Viewer”

Furthermore the information reported on species and habitats distribution, conservation status and trends, as well as on threats and pressures is highly relevant to assess cross-sectoral policy impacts.

Results of data quality analysis

1) Coherence of Natura 2000 data

Coherence of Natura 2000 database with SDF explanatory notes for bird and non-bird species.This analysis looks at various combinations of population information reported in Natura 2000 for both birds and non-bird species. The analysis highlights the completeness of information provided for species and examines the appropriate use of population units.

To note: This is a general analysis for all species information submitted to the Natura 2000 database including species where reporting population data is not a requirement

Comparison of sum of habitat area in SDF and the area of Natura 2000 sites. This analysis looks at various aspects of the SCI site area reported in Natura 2000 and the combined habitat area within the site. The SCIs are divided into those whose combined habitat area is greater than site surface area and those sites where the combined habitat area is less than sites area. It also examines situations where habitats are reported with a significant presence in sites but for which habitat area is missing.

Relative surface area of habitats reported in Natura 2000. This analysis compares the relative surface areas (ABC and insignificant presence) assigned by Member States in the Standard data form with a reclassified relative surface area based on the area of the habitat reported in the site (Natura 2000) as a proportion of the national area for that habitat (Article 17).

2) Consistency between Natura 2000 data and conservation status and trends data (Article 17/12 data)

a) Plausibility check on quantity of species/habitats in SDF compared to Article 17 & 12 data

Habitat area in SDF compared to surface area in Article 17 . This compares the area of habitat reported under Article 17 and that reported in Natura 2000. The analysis highlights situations where the habitat area reported in the Natura 2000 network is greater than the national area reported by a Member State.

Population size in SDF compared to population size reported under Article 17. This analysis highlights differences in non-bird species population reported in Natura 2000 and the national population reported in Article 17.

Population size in SDF compared to population size reported under Article 12 . This analysis highlights differences in bird species population reported in Natura 2000 and the national population reported in Article 12.

b) Comparison of the quantity of species/habitats calculated from the SDF compared to reported data on Natura 2000 coverage under Article 17 & 12

Total population size in SDF compared to reported data on Natura 2000 coverage for Annex II species under Article 17. This analysis compares non-bird species population reported in Natura 2000 with the population reported in Section 3 of the Article 17 report (Natura 2000 coverage & conservation measures - Annex II species).

Total population size in SDF compared to reported data on Natura 2000 coverage for Annex II species under Article 12. Total population size in SDF compared to reported data on Natura 2000 coverage for Annex II species under Article 12. This analysis compares non-bird species population reported in Natura 2000 with the population reported in Section 8 of the Article 12 report (SPA coverage and conservation measures).

Total habitat area in SDF compared to reported data on Natura 2000 coverage for Annex I habitat types in Article 17. A comparison is made between the habitat area reported in the Natura 2000 network and the Natura 2000 habitat area reported in Article 17 (Natura 2000 coverage & conservation measures - Annex I habitat types).

c) Information on Natura 2000 sites

Number of sites reported under Article 17 & 12 compared to the number of sites reported in the Natura 2000 database. This analysis looks at the numbers of Natura 2000 sites reported in the Natura 2000 network with that reported in Article 17 (Natura 2000 - site designation) & Article 12 (SPA classification - Article 4)

Surface area of sites in Art 17 & 12 compared to area of sites in the Natura 2000 database. The area of sites reported under Article 17 & 12 compared to the number of sites reported in the Natura 2000 database. This analysis compares the area of Natura 2000 sites reported in the Natura 2000 network with that in Article 17 (Natura 2000 - site designation) & Article 12 (SPA classification - Article 4)

Comparison of number of management plans in SDF and reported under Article 17. This analysis compares the number of management plans reported for Natura 2000 sites and Article 17 (Comprehensive management plans for Natura 2000 sites).

3) Additional analysis

Land area, Article 17 Annex I terrestrial habitat types & MAES ecosystem types . A comparison is shown of the national land area versus the combined Article 17 Annex I habitat area reported by Member States. This is to highlight where habitat area reported in Article 17 exceeds the land area. A further analysis looks at the reported Annex I habitat area in terms of MAES ecosystem types.