1. 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

2. Forests and Other Wooded Land in EU and Natura 2000
% of Natura 2000 which is forest ranges in (UK) – 79.17% (CY)
% of total forest within Natura 2000 ranges in (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
50,84%
23,10%

3. 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.

4. 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…

5. 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

6. 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).

7. 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.

8. 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

9. Protection Regime for a Natura 2000 site

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Financing Natura 2000 Article 8 foresees EU co-financing
New 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

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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;

17. 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)

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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 …