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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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%

9. 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

10. Art.17 report: threats to habitats

11. 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

12. 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 %

13. analysis: frequency of threats

14. 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

15. 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 %

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

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. habitat types: actions

22. Database of threats to species

23. Thank you Comments please to:
Graham Tucker, Institute for European Environmental Policy
Tel. +44 (0)