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

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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. Area of implementation of Emerald projects

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Draft results 2010 GIS site boundaries

13. Draft results GIS site boundaries Russia

14. Draft results 2010 distribution maps Russia

15. 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

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

17. 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 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

18. 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

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

20. 1996

21. 1998

25. 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

26. 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