EU processes addressing forest conservation: the Natura 2000 and forestry guidelines

Transcription

1 EU processes addressing forest conservation: the Natura 2000 and forestry guidelines Paweł Pawlaczyk Jak dbać o obszar Natura 2000 i wody w procesach planowania i na co dzień, Ciążeń Tę prezentację wolno rozpowszechniać CC-BY licence

2 Sector-specific guidance Focusing on reconciling economic activities with Natura 2000 objectives + good practice Already available: Wind energy, Ports & Estuaries, Inland Waterway Transport, NEEI, Aquaculture, Agriculture Forthcoming: Energy Grid Development, Forestry Bottom-up approach through Working Groups (involving Member States, Sectors and NGOs)

3 WHY A GUIDANCE DOC? Forests cover around 50% of Natura 2000 Network Many different types of forests in N2000 complex issue Forests in Natura 2000 are a multifunctional l resource and provide many valuable ecosystem services to society First guidance from 2003 is now largely out of date JOINT INITIATIVE DG ENV /DG AGRI

4 Forests and Other Wooded Land in EU and Natura 2000 % of Natura 2000 which is forest ranges in 7.53 (UK) 79.17% (CY) % of total forest within Natura 2000 ranges in 6.14 (UK) 52.53% (BG) Country Total Natura 2000 (km²) Total N2000 Forest Area (km²) % N2000 which is Forest EUROSTAT Forest & OWL in 2010 (km²) Total Forest within N2000 (%) EU ,84% ,10%

5 Habitat types & species of Community interest In total 389 species listed in the Habitats Directive are considered to be key forest species incl. 151 plant species and 72 are priority species 83 Forest Habitat Types are listed in the Habitats Directive, including 28 priority habitats. Many (50%) have a restricted range in the EU (< 100 sites designated or total area < 100 km²).

6 Pride and prejudice Being owner of a Natura 2000 forest means sharing not only the obligations and responsibilities but also the honours and opportunities of thousands of private and public forest owners for the World's largest network of protected areas to conserve Europe s most valuable species and habitats.

7 The overall objective of Natura 2000 Protect biodiversity through achieving a favourable conservation status of habitat types and species of Community interest Contribute to the targets of the EU Bioddiversity Strategy Halting biodiversity decline by 2020

8 Natura 2000 sites have been selected because they contribute in a significant way to the maintenance or restoration ti at a favourable conservation status of natural habitats or species of Community interest and/or the maintenance of biological diversity within the biogeographic g region concerned and/or the coherence of Natura 2000 network. The sites may also present physical or biological factors essential to the life and reproduction of species of Community interest in their natural range

9 Conservation objectives on a Natura 2000 site Conditions that should be achieved on a given site in the light of the importance of that site for the maintenance or restoration, at a favourable conservation status, of a natural habitat type or a species and for the coherence of Natura 2000, and in the light of the threats of degradation or destruction to which the site is exposed.

10 Conservation measures on a Natura 2000 site Avoid deterioration ti of habitats t and disturbance of species of Community interest present on the site Establish site-specific conservation measures Establish site specific conservation measures that correspond to the ecological requirements of habitats and species present on the sites and aim at achieving the site's conservation objectives

11 Protection Regime for a Natura 2000 site

12 Work and conservation in a Natura 2000 site Take account of economic, social, cultural requirements and regional and local characteristics Prefer mitigation to compensation in project planning & development Work with nature by integrating development and conservation objectives as from an early planning stage

13 What does it mean to have a forest in a Natura 2000 area? (1) Communication Being a key actor in the World's largest network of protected areas contributing to safeguarding Europe's biodiversity Being well informed about the conservation objectives of the site and informing others about your sylvicultural objectives, incl. the benefits of sustainable forest management Being well informed and consulted on the establishment of conservation instruments

14 What does it mean to have a forest in a Natura 2000 area? (2) Participation & compensation Respecting the relevant national and EU Nature conservation legislation; Being involved in the design and implementation of pro-active conservation measures; Being compensated for possible income losses and rewarded for active participation in conservation measures;

15 What does it mean to have a forest in a Natura 2000 area? (3) Integration Integrating Natura 2000 conservation objectives into Forest management plans (where appropriate) Integrating g sylvicultural objectives into Natura 2000 management plans (where appropriate) Establishing integrated management plans for g g g p Natura 2000 sites (where appropriate)

16 What does it mean to have a forest in a Natura 2000 area? (4) Working with Nature As a general principle: Working with Nature: Avoiding adverse effects on biodiversity and where possible contributing ti to its restoration ti while at the same time achieving socio-economic benefits and multiple ecosystem services

17 A network of people working together in Natura 2000 It took 20 years to establish the network, now let's make it work! Designation of SACs and establishment of management instruments The New Biogeographical Process & Natura 2000 Seminars The new dialogue on Natura 2000 and Forests

18 To do Clarify the provisions of EU nature legislation in forests where necessary Address potential challenges and conflicts Improve mutual understanding and cooperation between forestry and nature conservation communities Identify and promote synergies Identify and promote best practice

19 And also Promote integrated management of Natura 2000 forest areas Strengthen stakeholder involvement and promote partnershipsp Explore and facilitate access to Community financing Take time to learn

20 THE PROCESS Guidance to be developed through a participatory process involving key stakeholders, Member State authorities, NGOS, and relevant Commission services Phase 1: Initial scoping exercise to get a tour d horizon on the key issues related to forestry and Natura 2000 Phase 2: start preparing guidance document based on dialogue and discussions with key players Stakeholder workshops to share views and Stakeholder workshops to share views and experiences Working groups to comment on and help draft guidance doc

21 THE SCOPING DOCUMENT Purpose of the scoping document: Compile some basic facts on forests in Natura 2000 Outline key provisions of EU nature legislation relating to forests in Natura 2000 Identify existing pressures and concerns of the forest sector regarding nature legislation and of nature sector on forestry in Natura 2000 Identify issues that could be addressed in the guidance document

22 THE SCOPING DOCUMENT Consultation 3 months July to October Three questions asked 1. Have the key issues and challenges been correctly identified? 2. Are there other issues you consider should be taken into account? 3. Are there any ygood practice experiences/backgroun material you can recommend for further analysis? 35 replies received

23 Steps The scoping document will not be revised it has served its purpose 2 stakeholders workshops organised (focused on the best practics) Dec 2012, May 2013 how to better promote the potential synergies, why Natura 2000 is often perceived as a problem for forest activities, key challenges to adapt forest management to Natura 2000 conservation objectives, how can cooperation/coordination be improved, how can win-win approaches be better recognised and promoted

24 better dialogue, mutual understanding di and cooperation between the forest and nature communities, different views about management of forests should be considered and it is also advisable to find a common language Natura 2000 management considers the need to integrate human activities and socio-economic aspects. Integrated management of Natura 2000 sites is highly recommended Clarification (example: when Appropriate Assessments must be carried out will be useful. AA under art. 6.3 rises reluctance and suspicion among foresters financing is crucial private vs public FO

25 EC Guidance really needed? Some questions its utility. If so then doc must allow enough flexibility - management approaches are very different from one country to another presenting examples of good practice/ win-wins/ wins/ practical solutions practical tools to make life easier clarify and discuss: Art 6.1 Active management / non- intervention management consider: Coordination/ integration of forest plans / Natura 2000 management plans clarify: Article 6.3 AA forest activities

26

27 Next Steps For the preparation do the guidance document, a drafting group should be set up, including representatives of Member states and stakeholders organisations. The participants were requested to provide best practices examples to be used as case studies.

28 Scope: Explain the importance of forests in Natura 2000 and for the conservation of EU biological diversity. Provide an overview of the specific requirements that apply to the Natura 2000 network. Provide good practice guidance for forest management in Natura 2000 sites, based on good practice examples from across EU Provide good practice guidance on communication and partnerships (stakeholder involvement) with regard to forest management in Natura 2000 Provide an overview of Community financial instruments and other funding mechanisms, and information on their use for nature conservation and management of forests in Natura 2000 network.

29 List of issues to be addressed d What kind of forests and forest species are included in Natura 2000 Policy and legal framework. Key guiding principles Overview of the management requirements for Natura 2000 Opportunities for enhancing communication and cooperation between forest owners/managers and the nature conservation community Good practice recommendations for Management of forests in Natura 2000 Financing Case studies (10-12 in details + other in the text)

30 Paweł Pawlaczyk Klub Przyrodników