What does it mean to have a forest in a Natura 2000 area? François Kremer European Commission DG Environment, Nature Unit 2nd Stakeholder workshop 'Forests and Natura 2000: Opportunities and challenges' Brussels, 23 May 2013

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 751 368 382 009 50,84% 1 777 570 23,10%

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.

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…

Natura 2000 sites have been selected because they contribute in a significant way to the maintenance or restoration at a favourable conservation status of natural habitats or species of Community interest and/or the maintenance of biological diversity within the biogeographic 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

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).

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.

Conservation measures on a Natura 2000 site Avoid deterioration of habitats and disturbance of species of Community interest present on the site 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

Protection Regime for a Natura 2000 site

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

Species Protection (horizontal) Article 12 (animals) & 13 (plants) HD and 5 BD (Birds) provide system of strict species protection Derogations allowed under specific conditions Annex V HD and Annex II BD lists species that can be hunted COM issued Guidance documents COM encourages Species Action and Management Plans

Management of Natura 2000 (Art.4.4 and 6.1) SCI  SAC (6 year deadline overdue) Define Conservation Objectives Establish Conservation Measures Develop Management Plans, Legal, statutory or contractual arrangements Full stakeholder engagement New biogeographical Seminars on management/restoration

Financing Natura 2000 Article 8 foresees EU co-financing New 2014-2020 MFF incl CAP reform and Cohesion/Regional funds a major opportunity Need for better strategic planning for financing Natura 2000 by MS and Commission Improved definition of Natura 2000 management requirements for targeted action need for PAFs Consider other forms of funding for Natura 2000, including innovative financing

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)

What does it mean to have a forest in a Natura 2000 area 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

What does it mean to have a forest in a Natura 2000 area 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;

What does it mean to have a forest in a Natura 2000 area 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 sylvicultural objectives into Natura 2000 management plans (where appropriate) Establishing integrated management plans for Natura 2000 sites (where appropriate)

What does it mean to have a forest in a Natura 2000 area 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 to its restoration while at the same time achieving socio-economic benefits and multiple ecosystem services

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

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

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