1. Prioritized Action Framework for the Flemish Region Financing Natura 2000 workshop – Belgium December 11 th 2013

2. Content Prioritized action framework Natura 2000 in Flanders Nature Conservation Objectives for the Flemish region Strategic conservation priorities 2014- 2020 Priority Measures for Natura 2000 Current estimate of financial needs for management of Natura 2000 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium2

3. Prioritized action framework Content of a PAF PAF in Flanders 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium3

4. Content of a PAF A.Overview of Natura 2000 network B.Status of the Habitats and Species C.Provisions for protection and management of sites D.Current experience with EU financial instruments E.Current estimate of financial needs F.Strategic conservation priorities 2014-2020 G.Key measures to achieve priorities H.Monitoring, evaluation and updating PAFs 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium4

5. PAF = synthesis Note on NCO implementation strategy Art. 17 report on conservation status Regional NCO basis report EU Biodiversity Strategy “Vlaanderen in Actie” Estimate of the benefits provided by the Flemish NATURA 2000 network 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium5

6. Natura 2000 in Flanders The map The figures Its ecosystem services 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium6

7. 7 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium 27 annex II 67 annex I + 19 MS 46 (9*)

8. 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium8

9. Relative surface (%) of clustered land cover types for the Natura 2000 network in Flanders (2011) The clustered land cover types according to Corinne (2011) are mentioned between brackets. 9 ANB. 2013. Prioritized Action Framework for the Flemish region

10. Conservation status 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium10 FV – Favourable; U1 – Unfavourable inadequate; U2 – Unfavourable bad; XX - Unknown; NA – Not reported Region / Conclusion HABITATSSPECIES FVU1U2XXNAFVU1U2XXNA Range289100-375134- Area / Population 1418150-1814189- Structure / Habitat 29333-1131134- Future Prospects 1618112-2412149- Flanders37371-1612229- Habitat types (I) and species (II&IV) cf. Habitats directive (2007) Region / Conclusion ANNEX IMIGRATORY SPECIES FVU1U2XXNAFVU1U2XXNA Range1901133017200- Area / Population 1611423017110- Structure / Habitat 1661013016300- Future Prospects 1661103013411- Flanders1441503014410- Annex I and migratory species 1 cf. Birds directive (2009) 2 1 at present or on date of entry into force of BD 1 % of the biogeographical population 2 Using the approach for species cf. art. 17 HD

11. Nature Conservation Objectives for the Flemish region 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium11

12. A nested approach to setting NCOs Regional NCOs (R-NCOs) When in FCS on Flemish level? Criteria of article 17 evaluation (HD) Distribution of R-NCOs over Natura 2000 sites: specific NCOs (S-NCOs) One approach for Natura 2000: SAC (HD) and SPA (BD) 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium12

13. Participatory process Sense of ownership helps in achieving NCOs faster and with fewer troubles Opportunity costs  Detects weaknesses in our set of implementation measures Shows pitfalls to avoid in the implementation 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium13

14. Regional nature conservation objectives Creation of 41,000 to 55,000 ha of European protected habitat types Creation of 4,000 to 7,000 ha of habitat of species (not European protected habitat types) In addition to existing approximately 74,000 ha 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium14

15. Strategic conservation priorities 2014-2020 EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 “Vlaanderen in Actie” (VIA) 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium15

16. Flemish roadmap to favourable conservation status (FCS) 1.Halt and prevent deterioration of the present conservation status 2.Reach FCS or improve status by 2020 for 16 habitats 3.Reach FCS for all habitats by 2050 4.Reach FCS or improve status by 2020 for protected species 5.Reach FCS for all species by 2050 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium16

17. 17 Conservation status of habitats and species protected by the Habitats Directive in Flanders BRON: INBO – ontwerprapportering cf. artikel 17 van de Habitatrichtlijn Target Habitats Species The Challenge

18. By 2020 all the necessary local interventions will have to be carried out in those sites (SAC or SPA) for which a negative trend in the local conservation status is reported while formulating the nature conservation objectives or where deterioration threatens 1. Halt and prevent deterioration of present CS 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium18

19. 2. Reach FCS or improve status by 2020 for 16 habitats Realistic list based two criteria (stakeholder input) proper management is achievable by 2020 FCS or at least a significant improvement is achievable by 2020 Priority actions are related to development and proper management elimination of local environmental issues Reduction of acidifying and eutrophying depositions demands a regional approach 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium19

20. Reach FCS or improve status for 16 habitats by 2020

21. 3. Reach FCS for all habitats by 2050 Interim 2020 targets for remaining habitats surface owned by public authorities or nature conservation NGOs under proper management by 2020 surface under proper management on private land in an officially recorded operational management plan 1/3 of remainder under proper management by 2020 Priority actions are related to: proportional development and proper management proportional reduction of acidifying and eutrophying depositions in a regional approach 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium21

22. 4. Reach FCS or improve status by 2020 for protected species 34% of annex II species have FCS Over 50% of birds (BD annex I and MS) have FCS 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium22 No specific goals for 2020 are formulated; knowing full well that realisation of the 2020 habitat goals (2. and 3.) will benefit the species.

23. 5. Reach FCS for all species by 2050 Interim 2020 targets for all species realisation of 2050 habitat goals should ensure FCS for most species some species need extra efforts interim goals for “extra space needing” species improvement of existing habitats & 1/3 of targets for additional habitat Species protection programmes 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium23

24. 10 * ‘extra space needing’ species will have interim goals for 2020 * Hamster is not linked to Natura 2000 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium24 © Patrick Keirsebilck

25. NCOs outside Natura 2000 22,788 ha forests Evaluation of conservation status on the whole of the region Not possible to reach FCS in the site because of the characteristics 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium25

26. From planning to acting The strategic management plan Natura 2000 Distribution of NCOs over subareas Define priority actions on development and management for each subarea measures to stop or avoid deterioration measures to achieve 2020 targets measures to achieve 2020 interim targets Define priority actions on environmental conditions for each subarea measures reducing environmental pressures to stop or avoid deterioration measures reducing environmental pressures hindering the 2020 targets 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium26

27. Overall strategic priorities Regional priority action on eutrophying and acidiphying depositions programmatic approach set up by end 2015 Defining ecological thresholds to mitigate local environmental pressures uniform reference framework  local conservation status, appropriate assessments, E.I.A. and S.E.A., and environmental priority actions 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium27

28. Priority Measures for 2014-2020 General Measures Agricultural and forest habitats and species Marine and coastal habitats and species Wetlands habitats and species (including peatlands) Heathland habitats and species Securing ecosystem benefits Sustainable tourism and employment Programmatic approach to nitrogen deposition 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium28

29. General Measures Preparation of management plans, strategies and schemes Establishment of management bodies Review of management plans, strategies and schemes Staff (conservation/project officers, wardens/rangers, workers) Measures to remove migration and dispersion barriers and bottlenecks Land purchase, including compensation for development rights Monitoring and surveying Site surveillance Provision of information and publicity material Training and education Infrastructure needed for habitat or species restoration Infrastructure for public access, interpretation, observatories and kiosks, etc 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium29

30. General Measures species protection programmes 30 protected species mainly outside Natura 2000 Complement of the Natura 2000 management plan 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium30 Lampetra planeri, Crex Crex, Circus pygargus, Chiroptera, Cricetus cricetus, Botaurus Stellaris, Pelobates fuscus, Lanius collurio, Liparis loeselii, Misgurnus fossilis, Charadrius alexandrinus, Leucorrhinia pectoralis, Acrocephalus paludicola, Hyla arborea, Coronella austriaca, Porzana porzana, Circus aeruginosus, Muscardinus vellanarius, Lucanus cervus, Alytes obstetricans, Numenius phaeopus, Ixobrychus minutus, Triturus cristatus, Rana arvalis, Bufo calamita, Pernis apivorus, Nycticorax nycticorax, Anser brachyrhynchus, Castor fiber, Lutra lutra

31. Agricultural and forest habitats and species Development, restoration and management of grasslands & forests Restoration of natural or appropriate groundwater levels and / or flooding regime Mitigation of N or P influx Agri- & forest-environmental measures Compensation for income forgone Risk management (e.g. fire) Countermeasures against invasive alien species 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium31

32. Marine and coastal habitats and species Restoration and management of estuaries Restoration, development and management of coastal habitats Restoration of natural or appropriate groundwater levels and / or flooding regime Mitigation of N or P influx Agri- & forest-environmental measures Compensation for income forgone Countermeasures against invasive alien species 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium32

33. Wetlands habitats and species (including peatlands) Restoration, development and management of wetland habitats Restoration of natural or appropriate groundwater levels Restoration watercourse structure and / or flooding regime Improvement of surface water quality and water bottom quality Mitigation of N or P influx Agri-environmental measures Compensation for income forgone Countermeasures against invasive alien species Risk management (e.g. fire) 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium33

34. Heathland habitats and species Development, restoration and management of heathland Restoration of natural or appropriate groundwater levels and / or flooding regime Mitigation of N or P influx Compensation for income forgone Risk management (e.g. fire) Countermeasures against invasive alien species 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium34

35. Securing ecosystem benefits (e.g. climate change) 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium35 Cultural Non-material benefits provided by ecosystems © Tom Linster more space for recreation Regulation & Maintenance Natural processes regulated of maintained by ecosystems © Patrick Van Keirsbulck enhance denitrification © ANB store carbon in biomass © Wilfried Rentmeesters store carbon in soils © Tom Linster protection flooding by sea © Tom Linster protection flooding by rivers © Laurent Vanden Abeele enhance nutrient retention Provisioning Goods and services produced by ecosystems enhance water infiltration © Wouter Pattyn

36. Sustainable tourism and employment 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium36 Agentschaps- Domeinen Als Goede gastheer Inrichten Onderhouden Financial support & compensation for public access

37. Programmatic approach to nitrogen depositions Systematic reduction of atmospheric N depositions to ensure favourable conservation status for sensitive habitats and species by 2050 and prevent further deterioration. Set up by the end of 2015. This program will comprise generic and area-specific policy measures a recovery package can lead to room for new local development whereby renewal of permits and limited expansions might be possible. 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium37

38. Current estimate of financial needs for management of Natura 2000 There is a return-on-investment! 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium38

39. Technical costs for nature development and maintenance Evolution in the period 2014-2050 of cost related to development, restoration and maintenance of protected habitats and habitats of protected species. Costs are expressed in EUR (2012) and without VAT. 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium39 ANB. 2013. Prioritized Action Framework for the Flemish region

40. Type of cost 2014201520162017201820192020 Full period One-off costs Land acquisition 20.9 146.3 Nature development 10.711.211.812.312.813.313.685.7 Mitigation of environmental pressures 1 4.3 + ? 0.5 + ? 11.0 Infrastructure for access 1.1 7.7 Recurrent costs Management planning 2.8 2.6 19.0 Maintenance and management 22.121.821.6 21.422.221.7152.4 Mitigation of environmental pressures 2 ???????0.0 Monitoring 6.08.511.113.616.118.621.294.8 Surveillance and supervision 0.9 6,3 Infrastructure for access 3.4 23,8 Licensing and appropriate assessment 5.4 5.2 36.8 Coordination and overhead 3.63.2 22.8 Communication and capacity building 0.8 5.9 Total cost 81,984,283,386,389,192,795,1612,4 Current estimate of financial needs for management of Natura 2000 for the Flemish region in million euros. ANB. 2013. Prioritized Action Framework for the Flemish region 1 no estimate could be made, except preliminary studies 2 no estimate could be made

41. European funds LIFE development & acquisition European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) maintenance, development, environmental measures Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund (Interreg & EFRD) development (e.g. species, ecosystem services), environmental measures 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium41

42. Flemish financial means Nature policy Other government budgets flanking policy for farming maintenance of public properties regular policy Innovative financing options being explored 11/12/2013 PAF Flanders - Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium42

43. Ecosystem services Yearly monetary value of 11 ESS Ecosystem services public health related services (air quality, recreation, health effects of contact with nature)   soil carbon sequestration  agricultural production and nutrient removal  wood production, carbon sequestration in biomass, noise nuisance reduction and water supply € 800 million to € 1.4 billion additional benefits of NCOs: € 13 to 93 million extra per year REMINDER: NCOs also include maintenance of the existing ecosystem services Broekx Steven, De Nocker Leo, Poelmans Lien, Staes Jan, Jacobs Sander, Van der Biest Katrien, Verheyen Kris. 2013. Raming van de baten geleverd door het Vlaamse NATURA 2000-netwerk. Studie uitgevoerd in opdracht van: Agentschap Natuur en Bos (ANB/IHD/11/03) door VITO, Universiteit Antwerpen en Universiteit Gent. 2012/RMA/R/1

44. 44 PAF Flanders Financing Natura 2000 workshop - Belgium Jeroen Panis policy officer area-based nature policy +32 2 553 78 99 jeroen.panis@lne.vlaanderen.be Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos Koning Albert II-laan 20 bus 8 1000 Brussel www.natuurenbos.be 11 December 2013 Information on NCOs & Natura 2000 in Flanders Ward Verhaeghe Project leader NCOs +32 3 553 78 85 ward.verhaeghe@lne.vlaanderen.be ihd.anb@vlaanderen.be