1. Natura 2000 Seminars New Biogeographical Process
Expert meeting
on marine Natura 2000 sites
6 November 2013
Natura 2000 Seminars New Biogeographical Process

2. Things to remember… Natura 2000:
Is more than a network of protected areas !
It is also a network of
people and sectors working together,
experts exchanging knowledge,
practitioners sharing experience and best practice.

3. The New Biogeographical Process is
focusing on improving the management of Natura 2000 sites and aiming at FCS of selected habitats and species;
directly linked to targets 1 & 2 of the EU biodiversity strategy;
not an instrument to assess progress of MS,
based on voluntary cooperation between all actors;
strongly depending on active involvement of MS and stakeholders / NGOs.
Natura 2000 Seminars

4. The process enhances
networking and cooperation between experts and practitioners;
the coordination and facilitation of cross boundary and in-country projects (LIFE nature and other projects);
the exploration of opportunities & synergies (e.g. for cross-border cooperation);
the pooling and dissemination of habitat management expertise.
It will provide a Communication platform with free access to information
Natura 2000 Seminars 4

5. The state of play so far
Seminar cycles have been launched for the Boreal, the Atlantic and the Alpine biogeographical regions
There has been active input and support from the Member States involved, in particular from the respective lead countries Finland, the Netherlands and Austria
One pilot seminar and two preparatory workshops have been successfully organised

6. Main documents Pre-scoping document Background document
Workshop report
Seminar document
Seminar report

7. Working methods (1)
Selection of 'top 20 habitat types' and main associated species
Clustering of habitat types in habitat groups
One lead country and one working group on each habitat group
Compilation of information on major challenges, management experience and best practice in a 'background document'

8. Working methods (2)
Knowledge based facilitation of workshops and seminars
Discussion of major issues and possible recommendations for action (preparatory Workshop)
Preparation of 'A4 sheets' for each selected habitat type (working groups & networking)
Preparation of a seminar document, compiling workshop results & identifying issues for discussion/conclusion at the seminar

9. Working methods (3)
Discussion & conclusions on major issues and recommendations, agreement on cooperative action compiled in a seminar report
Ad-hoc expert meetings on specific issues
Active networking on habitat types/habitat groups between experts involved
Networking events and trans-boundary projects

10. Working methods (4)
Exchange of information (results from activities, publications, guidance, new events, experience, incl. LIFE, best practice, etc.) through the communication platform
Natura 2000 Seminars and workshops organized according to need

11. Examples of (forest-related) issues discussed at the Boreal Seminar
Management and restoration
Mimicking natural disturbances
Non-intervention management: how much management can be accepted; sustainable use issues; etc
Connectivity issues outside N2K

12. Examples of freshwater-related issues discusssed at the Boreal Seminar:
Catchment approach
Ecological functionality eg Hydropower, etc
Cross sectoral cooperation (eg synergies with WFD, etc)
Complexity of habitat

13. Elements of initial evaluation (1)
The process has been successfully launched for three biogeographical regions
The involvement of and support by Member States and stakeholder organisations (incl. NGOs) was strong (and on a voluntary basis)
The contribution from ETC/BD was very important and highly appreciated
There was a clear interest from experts for more networking and cooperation

14. Elements of initial evaluation (2)
Working with habitat clusters and dedicated working groups chaired by lead countries was effctive
Input and assistance from the contractor was effective and much appreciated
Time for preparing the seminars was probably too short (also because the process is new and networking is only starting)
The background document was sometimes felt as being too heavy and should maybe be replaced by a database structure

15. Elements of initial evaluation (3)
The communication platform is currently being established. It will be a key instrument for communication, networking and cooperation
The Boreal Workshop and Seminar, as well as the Atlantic Workshop were very well organized by the lead countries, field trips were very useful and the hospitality of the lead countries was exemplary
The process illustrated a huge potential for further developing cooperation and networking on conservation management in Natura 2000

16. Some issues to be considered for the way ahead (1)
Member States' and stakeholder engagement
Availability of resources
Prioritization / Focusing the scope of process
Focusing on evidence from management experience, rather than on policy recomendations
Identifying research neeeds, rather than trying to solve them

17. Some issues to be considered for the way ahead (2)
Cooperation & networking on species action plans
Sharing experience on conservation status assessment
Assuring continuity of cooperation and networking also between the events (role of node persons/organisations)
Engaging existing networks (LIFE, Interreg, specialist networks, etc.)

18. Some issues to be considered for the way ahead (3)
A new biogeographical process also for the marine areas?
Planning of the seminar cyles for the remaining biogeographical regions
Structure and use of the Communication Platform (e.g. Portal based, partly decentralized approach)

19. Tentative C New proposed planning
Seminar
Preparatory workshop
Boreal
25/26 Jan. 2012
28/29 May 2012
Atlantic
20/21 June 2012
3/4 Dec. 2012
Alpine
May/June 2013
October 2013
Mediterranean / Macaronesian
Nov./Dec. 2013
Spring 2014
Continental / Pannonian / Steppic / Black Sea
Autumn 2014
Spring 2015
Marine ?