“The EUNIS habitat classification, governance and future developments” Contribution from and Needs for the program of work of the Council of Europe

Short overview of activities The use of the EUNIS habitat classification (Near) Future Needs

The Biological Diversity Unit Focuses on nature conservation, awareness raising and sustainable development; Provides a forum of discussion for the promotion of a coherent and effective approach to environment protection; Fosters co-operation between Member States and harmonisation of the legal framework and current practices

Three areas of work The Bern Convention (1979) aims at conserving wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats and promoting European co-operation in that field (50 Parties). It works to stop the loss of biological diversity in Europe and to ensure the sustainability of natural environment. Created in 1965, the European Diploma of Protected Areas is awarded to protected areas because of their outstanding scientific, cultural or aesthetic qualities. Ecological networks provide a model for conserving biodiversity, based on ecological principles, while allowing a degree of human exploitation of the landscape. They contribute to the setting-up of a coherent spatial structure and the maintenance of ecological processes and services.

Emerald Network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest: constitution process Phase I: Selection of potential sites suitable for ensuring the long-term survival of the “Emerald” species and habitats and sending of database with scientific information to the Bern Convention Secretariat; Phase II: Evaluation of the efficiency of the proposed sites which has to be done on a species by species and habitat by habitat basis, in cooperation with the European Environment Agency; final adoption by the Bern Convention Standing Committee Phase III: National Designation of the Emerald sites; development of management plans and reporting tools

Area of implementation of Emerald projects

Area Statistics (Km²) EU-27, NATURA 2000: 4.325.675 Total for Emerald (21 countries): 7.649.605 ENP: 4.991.251 CARDS: 264.373 Other: (CH, IS, NO, MA, TR, etc.) 2.393.981

Emerald meetings in 2011 26-27 January: preparatory seminar in 6 West-Balkan countries Spring: Country workshop in 7 ENP country (AM-AZ-BY-GE-MD-RU-UA) 6-7 April: Regional Workshop 4 countries sub-region (BY-MD-RU-UA) 18 May: Regional Workshop South-Caucasus sub-region (AM-AZ-GE) 6-7 September: Emerald workshop Norway, Trondheim 15-16 September: Emerald workshop Switzerland, Basel 19-20 September: Group of experts on PA and EN, Strasbourg 25 October: ENP steering committee, Strasbourg 2-4 November: Biogeographical seminar West-Balkan, Montenegro 30 November: final data delivery on the CDR (ENP countries) 30 November: Report at Standing Committee of the Bern Convention, including adoption of official list of candidate ASCI’s for all countries involved and possibly the first list of real Emerald sites in the West-Balkan area

State of progress of the joint CoE/EU programme for the setting-up of the Emerald Network in the South Caucasus and in Central and Eastern Europe

Emerald Phase I in ENP region 2009-2011 Sites data base: 100 % of potential sites, equitably distributed over the biogeo-regions GIS boundary data for sites Species/habitat: presence within Biogeo regions population data at national level GIS distribution data for a selection of species and habitats

Draft results 2010 number of species and habitats / country Total* Taxonomic group AM AZ GE BY MD RU UA 683 Plants 7 16 12 19 10 90 47 29 Amphibians 1 2 3 6 208 Birds 117 119 112 73 51 146 114 79 Fish 5 8 18 138 Invertebrates 24 59 22 63 Mammals 35 30 Reptiles 4   Species Total: 155 167 161 143 89 358 235 179 Habitats, Res.4 (1996) 14 15 26 85 77 * Total number of species or habitats within the annexes and resolutions

Draft results 2010 GIS site boundaries

Draft results GIS site boundaries Russia

Draft results 2010 distribution maps Russia

Delivery agenda 2011 November 2011: Final project data delivery 100 % of final sites data base to be delivered Digital site boundary data for all sites Supplement for population data at national level Supplement set of GIS distribution data for selected species and habitats

Resolution nr. 4 (1996) Status of implementing the new version using the EUNIS habitat classification see document T-PVS/PA(2011)08E

Res. 4 (1996): the next decade, up to 2020 Endorsed work plan at the 2010 meeting Time for comments after the 2010 GoEPAEN Final proposal to Standing Committee 2010 see document T-PVS/PA(2011)07E Produce a new version of the interpretation manual, using EUNIS definitions; include the comments of ENP and other countries of 2010; send it out for revision in 2011 Coordinate with the national teams the amendments to the Emerald reference tables and revision of the habitat data Start the Res. 4 updating process using the agreed Information Form for amendments Discuss with EEA the procedure for evaluation of the proposals Summarise all the proposals for adoption in the 2012 Standing Committee

Draft Interpretation Manual of Resolution 4 Habitats State of progress Based on EUNIS definitions, complemented with former PalHab definitions for the lower levels and previous draft manual Presentation of the draft manual see document T-PVS/PA(2011)08E Timing for future development

Updating Res. 4 and 6 State of proposals (ENP) Overview of the database Timing for future work

1996

1998

www.coe.int/emerald http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/nature/diploma/default_en.asp

List of concerns and wishes No need for a new classification; Scope should be Pan-European (+ Africa ?) Need for a clear procedure on updating the classification (mainly ENP, already 3 new units known to be added); GoEPAEN expressed it’s explisit wish for collaboration with the Marine Conventions when reviewing the Marine part of Res. 4; Take in to account legal dimension when units are listed

Possible contributions Reviewing the classification in Eastern and Central Europe (incl. Causasus and West-Balkan); Interpretation Manual of Res. 4 habitats; Background data on listed habitats: geographical distribution, condervation status, etc … New version of the European Diploma areas including description in EUNIS habitats