European Commission – DG ENV Guidelines on the management of farmland in Natura 2000 European Commission – DG ENV with the support of N2K Group & IEEP

Guidance on management of farmland in Natura 2000 Objectives contribute to the improvement of the conservation status of the habitats and species sensitive to, or dependent on, agricultural land management. promote the integrated management of farmland in Natura 2000 areas, by strengthening partnership and involvement of the agricultural sector Dialogue with key stakeholders to take into account their interests and know-how

Guidance on management of farmland in Natura 2000 Task 1 Description of the relationship between Natura 2000 sites and agriculture/farmland  Identification of species and habitats of Community interest that are of particular importance in terms of their relationship with agricultural land and/or agricultural practices (special focus on priority habitat types & species).  Description of the dependence of those habitats and species on agriculture and its practices.

Key agricultural habitats Criteria Annex I habitats that are according to Halada et al (2011): dependent or partially dependent on agriculture; and are partially dependent for some sub-types or over parts of their distribution, AND are listed as Priority habitats in Annex I.

Key agricultural species of Community interest Habitats Directive Annex II species Birds Directive Annex I species Species that are particularly associated with agriculture: Birds (Tucker & Evans, 1997), 173 priority species JRC HNV species indicators (Paracchini et al, 2008) ETC/BD Habitats Directive spp associated with agriculture, EEA (2010) Biodiversity baseline.

Guidance on management of farmland in Natura 2000 Task 2 Identification and analysis of the key issues and challenges related to agriculture and nature conservation in Natura 2000 areas. Assessing main pressures and threats on key agricultural habitats and species, and their specific management requirements to achieve a Favourable Conservation Status.

Summary of methods DG Environment habitat guidelines (18) National Natura 2000 databases / reports France, Spain, UK, Ireland, Portugal, Denmark National experts Czech Republic, Portugal/Madeira/Azores expecting input on Hungary, Greece, Sweden Literature search, internet search Excel database threat scores, references, analysis & additional information

Art. 17 report: threats to habitats habitat type Threat type   Cul MCP M/C Pes Fer Irr Coastal 12% 48% 21% 0% 24% Dunes 17% 22% 9% Heath and scrub 8% 5% Sclerophyllus scrub 19% 6% 3% 4% 2% Grasslands 18% 33% 7% 27% Bogs, mires and fens 29% Rocky habitats Forests Average 25% 1%

Art. 17 report: threats to habitats habitat type Threat type   Gra APS SF Bur A&F Drainage MWL Coastal 22% 81% 0% 7% 17% 30% 3% Dunes 28% 40% 24% 2% 4% Heath and scrub 52% 20% 39% 19% 6% Sclerophyllus scrub 54% 21% 8% Grasslands 26% 64% 10% 11% 12% Bogs, mires and fens 15% 33% 9% 65% Rocky habitats 43% 29% Forests 100% 50% Average

Art.17 report: threats to habitats

analysis: threats to habitats No. threatened (any magnitude) % habitats No. critically impacted grazing   Overgrazing 30 58 % 2 4 % Change in grazing practice 7 13 % Timing 3 6 % Stock type 10 19 % 1 2 % Supplementary feed Lack of shepherding Other changes Undergrazing 38 73 % 9 17 % hay cutting Cutting for hay Reduction in hay cutting 12 23 % 5 10 % Change in practice Mechanisation

analysis: threats to habitats No. threatened (any magnitude) % habitats No. critically impacted burning   Intentional burning 2 4 % Change in burning practice 17 33 % 4 8 % Under-burning change in production Hay to silage 3 6 % Pasture to hay 1 2 % Cultivation 21 40 % fertilisation & chemicals Use of fertiliser 25 48 % 6 12 % Manure Artificial fertiliser Herbicides & pesticides 5 10 % other Hydrological changes 18 35 % 8 15 % Afforestation 26 50 %

analysis: frequency of threats

analysis: threats to species No. threatened (any magnitude) % species No. critically impacted burning   Overgrazing 68 34 % 12 6 % Change in grazing practice 16 8 % 1 Timing Stock type 15 7 % Supplementary feed 10 5 % Lack of shepherding 19 9 % Other changes in grazing management 6 3 % Undergrazing 79 39 % hay cutting Cutting for hay Reduction in hay cutting 33 16 % 4 2 % Change in burning practice 9 4 % Mechanisation 2 1 % Other changes in cutting practice

analysis: threats to species No. threatened (any magnitude) % species No. critically impacted burning   Intentional burning 3 1 % Change in burn regime 14 7 % Under-burning 1 changes in production Hay to silage 5 2 % 2 Pasture to hay Cultivation 46 23 % 7 3 % fertilisation and chemicals Use of fertiliser 56 28 % 6 Manure Artificial fertiliser Herbicides & Pesticides 59 29 % other factors Hydrological changes 49 24 % 13 6 % Afforestation 45 22 %

analysis: threats to species NB: the threat change in grazing practice usually applies simultaneously with under and/or overgrazing

EU instruments: legislative Birds Directive Habitats Directive Nitrates Directive Environmental Liability Environmental Impact Assessment articles from these are included in CAP cross-compliance (SMRs) Water Framework Directive

EU instruments: CAP CAP cross-compliance (SMRs & GAEC) protect permanent pasture prevent overstocking & undergrazing CAP Pillar 1 payments prevent abandonment & maintain traditional farming eligibility issues CAP Rural Development (Pillar 2) agri-environment schemes Natura 2000 payments natural heritage measure (management planning) LEADER

EU instruments: other funding/tools LIFE+ EFARD labelling or other promotion of agricultural products payment for ecosystem services

habitat types: actions

Database of threats to species

Thank you Comments please to: Graham Tucker, Institute for European Environmental Policy gtucker@ieep.eu Tel. +44 (0)20 7340 2688