bgp newsletter sep19 pub - european commission · arantzazu (guipuzcoa), spain. it was attended by...

Plateau de l'Arbois SPA, France. Photo: Paul Goriup, NatureBureau

SEPTEMBER 2019

Welcome to the September 2019 edition of the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process Newsletter!

Once again we are delighted to report about the many events that have taken place over the last

four months, as well as preview the seminars and networking events we are currently organising.

If you have any questions, comments or remarks about the content of this newsletter, please do

contact us at [email protected]

In this edition:

Forthcoming events: 3rd Boreal biogeographical seminar and other meetings

Meeting reports: 3rd Atlantic biogeographical seminar and workshop on dry grassland

management

Project focus: LIFE Kalmthoutse Heide

5 minutes with: The Natura 2000 managers at the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Natural Park

Other news

Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process Newsletter, September 2019 2

The following events will be held during the coming months. Updates on them can be found on

our website, or by following our Twitter account.

Third Natura 2000 Boreal seminar, 14Third Natura 2000 Boreal seminar, 14Third Natura 2000 Boreal seminar, 14Third Natura 2000 Boreal seminar, 14----16 October 2019, Tallinn, Estonia16 October 2019, Tallinn, Estonia16 October 2019, Tallinn, Estonia16 October 2019, Tallinn, Estonia

Viru raised bog, Estonia. Photo: Kalev Sepp

The third Natura 2000 biogeographical seminar for the Boreal region will take place from 14 to 16

October 2019 in Estonia, at the Tallinn Zoo. This biogeographical region involves Finland, Sweden,

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The event provides an opportunity for policy officers, Natura 2000

managers, landowners, NGOs and other stakeholders from across the Boreal region to meet and

discuss key issues for conservation.

The seminar is organised so as to provide many opportunities for interaction between the

participants. Not least, three workshops will be held on the major themes of:


Stakeholder involvement: How to develop communication and stakeholder engagement in

Natura 2000, targeting in particular private landowners and industries in the forestry

sector?

Priorities for action: How to improve prioritisation and objectives setting for restoration

and conservation in the Boreal region, including through the Prioritised Action Frameworks

and other planning tools?

Natura 2000 and climate change: How to reconcile nature conservation and climate change

in the integrated management of Natura 2000 sites?

In addition - the Estonian government is preparing two excursions to Lahemaa National Park to

illustrate the themes. Furthermore, four habitat groups (forests; wetlands; grasslands; rivers and

lakes) will meet to have discussions on habitat restoration led by invited speakers. Finally, a

knowledge market will provide the opportunity for projects and organisations to present their

activities.

The ultimate goal is to generate new ideas for management and where possible transboundary

cooperation. One key output from the seminar will be an updated roadmap for cooperation in the

Boreal region to the benefit of habitats and species.

The programme is presently being finalised. Further information and updates are

available here, or email [email protected].

LIFE Platform meeting on Natura 2000 governance, 14LIFE Platform meeting on Natura 2000 governance, 14LIFE Platform meeting on Natura 2000 governance, 14LIFE Platform meeting on Natura 2000 governance, 14––––16 October 2019, 16 October 2019, 16 October 2019, 16 October 2019,

Brussels, BelgiumBrussels, BelgiumBrussels, BelgiumBrussels, Belgium

This conference focuses on the LIFE Belgian Nature Integrated Project (BNIP) and on Natura 2000

governance policy and implementation. It gathers together coordinators of integrated projects

and other LIFE projects concerning LIFE Natura 2000 governance. It will help project leaders to

build contacts and networks and create an open dialogue for future cooperation. It will also give

recommendations on the management of integrated projects as well as on their evaluation and

communication.

The agenda includes field visits around Belgium to projects which are using complementary

funding to implement Natura 2000. More information is available here.

ECOGYP’s series of conferences: review conference 16ECOGYP’s series of conferences: review conference 16ECOGYP’s series of conferences: review conference 16ECOGYP’s series of conferences: review conference 16----17 October 2019, 17 October 2019, 17 October 2019, 17 October 2019,

Navarra, SpainNavarra, SpainNavarra, SpainNavarra, Spain

ECOGYP is an Interreg project aiming to improve species conservation through cross-border

cooperation, reinforcing the links between the Pyrenean actors and emblematic species of the

natural heritage, in particular scavenger raptors (Bearded Vulture, Griffon and Black Vultures,

Egyptian Vulture and Red Kite). The project involves a series of workshops dealing with different

aspects of the conservation issues concerned.


The latest meeting was about scavenging birds and livestock. It was held on 12 September in

Arantzazu (Guipuzcoa), Spain. It was attended by 48 experts from Spain, Portugal and France. The

biogeographical process support team provided an overview of the process and its activities.

The final conference of the series takes place on 16-17 October in Navarra, Spain organised by

Gestión Ambiental de Navarra and Gobierno de Navarra. For more information please write

to [email protected].

Workshop on a European training system for forest Workshop on a European training system for forest Workshop on a European training system for forest Workshop on a European training system for forest management in the management in the management in the management in the

Natura 2000 network. 12Natura 2000 network. 12Natura 2000 network. 12Natura 2000 network. 12 November 2019, Palermo, ItalyNovember 2019, Palermo, ItalyNovember 2019, Palermo, ItalyNovember 2019, Palermo, Italy

The LIFE GoProFor project is planning a meeting on the development of a new LIFE project

focusing on the development of training programmes in Natura 2000 forest management

throughout the EU. Participants from LIFE and EASME will be present, as well as various Member

States. Representatives of institutions, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders

that would be interested in joining this initiative to develop national training plans are kindly

invited to contact the organisers. For more information please visit LIFE GoProFor’s website.

European workshop on the implementation of measures that benefit European workshop on the implementation of measures that benefit European workshop on the implementation of measures that benefit European workshop on the implementation of measures that benefit

pollinators in Natura 2000 sites, 13pollinators in Natura 2000 sites, 13pollinators in Natura 2000 sites, 13pollinators in Natura 2000 sites, 13 November 2019, Brussels, BelgiumNovember 2019, Brussels, BelgiumNovember 2019, Brussels, BelgiumNovember 2019, Brussels, Belgium

In the context of the EU Pollinators Initiative, the European Commission is supporting the

organisation of a workshop to identify and develop the synergies between the implementation of

the Habitats Directive and the conservation or restoration of populations of pollinators. The

participants will take stock of pollinator conservation science, identify knowledge gaps and

highlight the best practice examples coming from an appropriate management of the Natura 2000

network.

The competent authorities, Natura 2000 site managers, scientists, non-governmental

organisations and other stakeholders (for example farmers’ and beekeepers’ groups involved in

nature conservation and site management) interested in the issue or willing to actively contribute

to the discussions will find further information on our website in the coming weeks or can

email [email protected]

Anchors Away Anchors Away Anchors Away Anchors Away ---- Mitigating the impact of anchoring onMitigating the impact of anchoring onMitigating the impact of anchoring onMitigating the impact of anchoring on PosidoniaPosidoniaPosidoniaPosidonia beds, 21beds, 21beds, 21beds, 21----

22222222 November, Athens, GreeceNovember, Athens, GreeceNovember, Athens, GreeceNovember, Athens, Greece

Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds are reported to have declined by 34% across the Mediterranean

Sea within the last 50 years. This decline has been credited to multiple local pressures. Of these,

trawling and anchoring are among the most human-driven threats facing priority and sensitive

habitats. While several measures have been taken to address trawling, anchoring remains largely

unmanaged both within and beyond Natura 2000 marine sites in the Mediterranean.


Posidonia snagged by an anchor. Photo: Yiannis Issaris (HCMR)

The need to eliminate existing pressures immediately, especially those widely known to

compromise the extent, structure and functions of priority habitat types, ranked high among

participants of the Second Marine Natura 2000 Seminar in Palma in November 2018, and the

Marine Expert Group Meeting in Brussels. This workshop in Athens aims to bring together experts,

enforcement agencies and managers to present and discuss best practices, available methods and

tools for managing direct impacts on seagrass meadows, as well as explore funding opportunities

for the implementation of concrete conservation actions at local and regional scales.

For further information please contact Maria Salomidi at [email protected]

Two workshops on harmonisation of procedures for monitoring, Two workshops on harmonisation of procedures for monitoring, Two workshops on harmonisation of procedures for monitoring, Two workshops on harmonisation of procedures for monitoring,

assessment and conservation of the habitat types of community interest in assessment and conservation of the habitat types of community interest in assessment and conservation of the habitat types of community interest in assessment and conservation of the habitat types of community interest in

the Mediterranean region, 25the Mediterranean region, 25the Mediterranean region, 25the Mediterranean region, 25----27272727 and 28and 28and 28and 28----29292929 November 2019, Madrid, SpainNovember 2019, Madrid, SpainNovember 2019, Madrid, SpainNovember 2019, Madrid, Spain

To follow up on the conclusions of the second Natura 2000 Mediterranean seminar and the

resulting roadmap for cooperation, the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition (MITECO) is

initiating five workshops. The first two workshops will cover the following issues:

Workshop 1: Identification of key features essential for the definition of habitat types of

Community interest, 25 to 27 November 2019, Madrid, Spain;

Workshop 2: Formalisation of criteria and approaches to set the favourable reference

values of habitat types of Community interest, 28 and 29 November 2019, Madrid, Spain.


The working language will be English and the expected participants will in particular represent the

national authorities and experts from the Member States in the Mediterranean biogeographical

region. If you would like to know more or get in touch with the organisers, please

email [email protected]

3333rrrrdddd Atlantic biogeographical seminar, 12Atlantic biogeographical seminar, 12Atlantic biogeographical seminar, 12Atlantic biogeographical seminar, 12----19 June 2019, Antwerp, Belgium19 June 2019, Antwerp, Belgium19 June 2019, Antwerp, Belgium19 June 2019, Antwerp, Belgium

Marleen Evenepoel. Administrateur General, Agency for Nature and Forests of the Government of

Flanders, opened the Atlantic seminar. Photo: Theo van der Sluis

The third Natura 2000 seminar for the Atlantic region was hosted by the Agency for Nature and

Forests of the Government of Flanders, in Belgium. It was held in Antwerp, 12-14 June 2019, and a

total of 104 participants attended, from nine Member States. After an official welcome from

Marleen Evenepoel, Administrateur General of the Agency for Nature and Forests of the

Government of Flanders, and introductions from Director for Natural Capital Humberto Delgado


Rosa and Sophie Ouzet from DG ENV, European Commission, presentations from workshop chairs

kicked off the four theme sessions:

Theme 1 – Protection and conservation of meadow birds: on approaches to protect and

conserve meadow birds inside and outside of the Natura 2000 network.

Theme 2 – Integrated approaches to tackling nitrogen pollution (air and water pollution):

on approaches to tackling the impacts of nitrogen (air and water pollution) on Natura 2000

sites.

Theme 3 – Improving the conservation of Natura 2000 sites through integrated

management: on the development of integrated management through projects and plans

yielding multiple benefits, such as flood protection and river restoration.

Theme 4 – Communication and stakeholder engagement in Natura 2000: on approaches to

initiate and develop communication, overcome obstacles (and, to some extent, conflicts)

and to increase stakeholder engagement.

Discussions elicited many useful points and proposals for future activities. In the final plenary

session, key questions from each workshop session were discussed in more detail, resulting in

further concrete ideas for action. All of these were recorded, along with the results of workshop

discussions, and are informing the development of an updated roadmap of key agreed actions for

cooperation in the Atlantic biogeographical region. This flexible document is intended to be

further updated in the future as part of the ongoing biogeographical process.

In addition to workshops and excursions, a knowledge market allowed information on 16 projects

to be presented and discussed. A prize for the best display in the Knowledge Market was awarded

to the French Scarpe-Escaut Regional Natural Park for their ‘Bienvenus les sportifs’ project: their

Natura 2000 team designed the action and they tell us more about it under the “5 minutes with…”

interview below.

Three much appreciated field excursions had been carefully planned by the Agency for Nature and

Forests of the Government of Flanders, in co-operation with Natuurpunt. They were designed to

overlap with the key themes of the workshop sessions and allow networking and informal

discussions:

The visit to Steendorp Fort and Kruibeke Polder, situated in the freshwater tidal zone of the

River Scheldt, exemplified how the initial resistance against a project can be overcome

when taking the locals’ concerns into account: there, the LIFE Sigma plan bet on the

potential for joint action in the fields of economic development, risk management and

nature restoration and developed the compensation programme for the port development

near Antwerp into a flood protection scheme. Many of the brackish intertidal areas

recreated there were only two years old but clearly demonstrated nature’s potential for

quick responses;

The visit to the Kalmthoutse Heide cross-border park, situated on the higher sandy soils of

the Campine, offered opportunities to discuss communication with stakeholders and

stakeholder engagement (see ‘Project focus’ below);

The Groot-Saeftinghe cross-border Park is situated in the brackish water tidal zone of the

River Scheldt, were economic development and conservation are traditionally perceived as

being at odds. For example, the Belgian and Dutch authorities agreed to deepen and

dredge the river to allow larger ships to reach Antwerp, which resulted in the loss of

important Natura 2000 habitats, such as mud-flats. To implement the required


Field visit to Land van Saeftinghe. Photo: Theo van der Sluis

compensation measures, it was agreed that farmland would be depoldered to establish a

new sub-tidal area where, over time, an irregular pattern of brackish marshes, shoals and

mud flats would develop. Visiting this project, including for example the depoldering of

Hedwige and Prosper polders, which had been highly contested in the past, provided a

valuable opportunity to learn about developing a vision and all the practicalities required

for strategic nature restoration in the Atlantic region.

The seminar report is available under the Atlantic section of the process's online library.

Workshop on the management of dry grasslands in the frame of the 16th Workshop on the management of dry grasslands in the frame of the 16th Workshop on the management of dry grasslands in the frame of the 16th Workshop on the management of dry grasslands in the frame of the 16th

Eurasian Grassland Conference, 29 MayEurasian Grassland Conference, 29 MayEurasian Grassland Conference, 29 MayEurasian Grassland Conference, 29 May----5 June 2019, Graz, Austria5 June 2019, Graz, Austria5 June 2019, Graz, Austria5 June 2019, Graz, Austria

The regional networking event on the management of dry grasslands was held at the University of

Graz, Austria in May 2019. It was part of the 16th Eurasian Grassland Conference, organised by the

Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG). A total of 16 experts participated. One of the topics for

discussion was the European Habitat Action Plan for semi-natural dry grasslands (Festuco-

Brometalia) (priority habitat 6210). The plan is under preparation by an international team of

experts nominated by EU Member States and is very relevant for the conservation of species rich

grasslands. Theo van der Sluis presented the Action Plan on behalf of Concha Olmeida, one of the

authors. Participants were invited to provide feedback on the Plan.


Molnar Zsolt presenting findings from his research into the complex traditional farming systems in Hungary, and

how to integrate such knowledge in policy. Photo: Theo van der Sluis

Very pertinent discussions were held on traditional management of complex landscape systems,

indigenous knowledge, and how current (national) regulations sometimes fail to facilitate the

continuation of such management. It was concluded that more flexibility is necessary to account

for regional differences, in particular with regard to traditional knowledge. The implementation of

the Nature Directives should be made more specific to cope with different traditional

management systems.

LIFE Kalmthoutse HeideLIFE Kalmthoutse HeideLIFE Kalmthoutse HeideLIFE Kalmthoutse Heide

One of the projects presented at the 2019 Natura 2000 Atlantic biogeographic seminar was the

LIFE project at Kalmthoutse Heide, which aims to increase natural values by restoring inland

dunes, pools and dry and wet heaths. Kalmthoutse Heide is a cross-border park between Belgium

and the Netherlands.

During the field visit in June 2019, there were three main themes discussed in relation to this

project. The first of these concerned the importance of successful cross-border communications


Kalmthoutse Heide. Photo: Anne Schmidt

between stakeholders, which can help reduce conflict, and that of the costs associated with large-

scale projects. The second theme centred on how to tackle nitrogen pollution through

conservation measures – as the conservation status of habitats and species around the Atlantic

region is falling under pressure from eutrophication. Thirdly, attendees discussed integrating

water management with nature conservation – looking at factors that can hinder these integrated

approaches and where opportunities might be found for transboundary cooperation.

Jan Weverbergh, coordinator of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide, presented how the cross-border

cooperation had worked so far, referencing the two projects they have carried out in the park,

HELA (LIFE06 NAT/BE/000085) and HELVEX (LIFE13 NAT/BE/000074). Frederik Naedts of

Natuurpunt, together with Veerle Mees and Jef De Winter of the Nature and Forest Agency further

explained how they have worked to restore the heathlands, fens and inland dunes of Kalmthoutse

Heide using methods such as sod cutting, targeted sheep grazing, tree cutting and raising of

ground water levels. Field trip attendees observed the restoration of sand dunes in areas where

large areas of trees and sod had been removed.

One aim of the HELVEX project was to restore the Grote Meer Lake in North Brabant. Ignace

Ledegen of Grenspark explained how a large pipeline was built to ensure that the water was of a

good quality and the water levels were kept high enough. This part of the HELVEX project once

again highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement, as the pipeline partially lies in

private land.

Further information about this project is available here.


Mathilde Castelli and Julien Masquelier, Natura 2000 managers, Scarpe-Escaut Regional Natural Park

1. 1. 1. 1. Could you simply present what the ScarpeCould you simply present what the ScarpeCould you simply present what the ScarpeCould you simply present what the Scarpe----Escaut Regional Natural Park is all about?Escaut Regional Natural Park is all about?Escaut Regional Natural Park is all about?Escaut Regional Natural Park is all about?

Mathilde: A Regional Natural Park is both a local authority and a territory whose elected

representatives and inhabitants are developing a concerted project for sustainable development,

based on the protection and enhancement of the environment. To implement it, five main tasks

are assigned to the park:

Protecting and managing the natural and cultural heritage;

Spatial planning;

Economic and social development;

Reception, education and public information;

Experimentation and research.


Julien: Scarpe-Escaut was the first Regional Natural Park that was created in France: it dates back

to 1968 and is now an integral part of local identity. It brings together 55 municipalities altogether

representing an area of 48,000 hectares. It is a rural territory, characterised by a wide network of

wetland ecosystems (bogs, mires, ponds and meadows), State forests and remnants of past

mining activities (spoil heaps, mining subsidence ponds). Its remarkable landscape, embodying

cultural and natural heritage, remains fragile and needs to be preserved. This is where we are

involved: together with the Park’s team, we are carrying out the project for the park in the various

areas cited by Mathilde: preservation of the environment and natural resources, economic

development, spatial planning and landscape protection, environmental mobilisation and

communication.

2. What is your role as to the Natura 2000 network?2. What is your role as to the Natura 2000 network?2. What is your role as to the Natura 2000 network?2. What is your role as to the Natura 2000 network?

Mathilde: In the park team, we are the Natura 2000 managers: responsible for the challenges and

objectives of an SPA and three SACs, covering 25% of the surface area of the park. Our work is to

run the steering committees, draft and implement the management plans, develop knowledge on

target media and species and raise public awareness of the issues at stake. These actions all

contribute to the achievement of our main task - to promote and support the implementation of

concrete actions for the preservation, management and restoration of Natura 2000 habitats and

species by the local landowners and land-users. We are providing the private owners,

municipalities and users (hunters, fishermen, farmers and foresters) of our Natura 2000 sites with

technical advice and administrative support so that they can sign up for action, which in France is

mainly through so-called Natura 2000 contracts and Natura 2000 charters.

3. What do you consider to be your outstanding Natura 2000 achievements?3. What do you consider to be your outstanding Natura 2000 achievements?3. What do you consider to be your outstanding Natura 2000 achievements?3. What do you consider to be your outstanding Natura 2000 achievements?

Mathilde: Thanks to the subsidies and tax advantages Natura 2000 gives us access to, it is a real

tool for consulting and putting in place the specific measures needed to preserve the sites. It has

enabled us to support the implementation of large-scale actions by private owners who would

otherwise never have chosen (or been able to finance) restoration and management activities that

are now beneficial to the species and natural habitats protected under the Nature Directives.

Julien: Our greatest success goes back to June 2019, when we learnt that our LIFE+ ‘Anthropofens’

application, which brings together ten partners including Scarpe-Escaut, had been accepted by the

European Commission. The aim of this project is to restore alkaline peatland habitats in the north

of France and in Belgium. We look forward to seeing this beautiful project implemented as of

2020!

4. Cou4. Cou4. Cou4. Could you please tell us a bit more about your “Bienvenus les sportifs!” exhibition, which ld you please tell us a bit more about your “Bienvenus les sportifs!” exhibition, which ld you please tell us a bit more about your “Bienvenus les sportifs!” exhibition, which ld you please tell us a bit more about your “Bienvenus les sportifs!” exhibition, which

received the knowledge market prize in the third Atlantic biogeographical seminar last June?received the knowledge market prize in the third Atlantic biogeographical seminar last June?received the knowledge market prize in the third Atlantic biogeographical seminar last June?received the knowledge market prize in the third Atlantic biogeographical seminar last June?

Julien: The title of our project could be translated into “Athletes, feel welcome!” The idea emerged

from the many contacts we have with the organisers of sporting events: we receive

correspondence very regularly regarding the issues at stake in the sites they use - and we explain

the impact assessment and the requirements they have to meet.

However, we found that in most cases, they did not understand the constraints which appeared

with the designation of the sites: therefore, they did not really endorse them and failed to

implement them efficiently. For example, the organisers of an annual race, the “Course des terrils”

(“Race in the heaps”), which has existed since 1984, were faced with misunderstanding on the part


of their staff. As this race takes place in the back season, when biodiversity is less apparent, they

just could not figure out that the race could have an impact nor understand why they should

adapt their organisation. Therefore, they asked us to sensitise their staff. We thought that in order

to support these efforts from the organising teams, it would be useful to communicate directly to

the sports community at the events. By making athletes better understand the biodiversity

challenges, the potential impacts of their practices and the requirements related to appropriate

assessments, we would contribute to making them more acceptable and therefore better

implemented.

Mathilde: We designed the communication support with the help of organisers of sporting events

and created a two-sided poster that we can transport to events. The front side presents certain

species linked to the main types of habitats sought by our sportspeople: heaps, forests and

wetlands. The reverse side of the poster presents feedback from three sport events’ organisers on

how they take account of the issues at stake in the Natura 2000 sites crossed by their participants.

This communication tool is made available to the organisers of sporting and cultural events, in

order to raise awareness amongst the participants and the public regarding the biodiversity of the

natural environments they pass through. As a result, the participants show more respect to the

environment in which they operate.

5. What is your plan for Natura 2000 in the Nature Regional Park in the near5. What is your plan for Natura 2000 in the Nature Regional Park in the near5. What is your plan for Natura 2000 in the Nature Regional Park in the near5. What is your plan for Natura 2000 in the Nature Regional Park in the near----term?term?term?term?

Julien: For the coming years, I believe that we have the same wishes: more Natura 2000 contracts

and signed Natura 2000 charters, better public and agricultural ownership of biodiversity, a higher

level of knowledge of sites and, above all, a better conservation status for species and habitats

(small hay meadows, alkaline fens, bats and birds).

6. What is your best memory relating to Natura 2000?6. What is your best memory relating to Natura 2000?6. What is your best memory relating to Natura 2000?6. What is your best memory relating to Natura 2000?

Julien: The discovery of a breeding colony of Geoffroy's bat Myotis emarginatus in Saint-Amand-

les-Eaux, during a bat study carried out in connection with the revision of two of our Natura 2000

management plans. With more than 450 individuals, it is the most important colony known in the

north of Paris!

Mathilde: I will always remember the bird ringing sessions during which we caught two of the most

sought-after birds in our region: an Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola and a

Corncrake Crex crex. Ringing and observing these rarities from so close is unique. Maybe we will

receive news soon, if they are caught again while on migration.


DEADLINE EXTENDED DEADLINE EXTENDED DEADLINE EXTENDED DEADLINE EXTENDED ---- Still time enougStill time enougStill time enougStill time enough to apply for a Natura 2000 Award!h to apply for a Natura 2000 Award!h to apply for a Natura 2000 Award!h to apply for a Natura 2000 Award!

Up until 15 October 2019, any entity involved in activities related to Natura 2000 may apply for one

of the five categories of the European Natura 2000 Award which pays tribute to those who work

tirelessly to make Natura 2000 a success. In addition, the high-profile “EU Citizens’ Award” will be

given to the application receiving the highest number of nominations through a public vote on the

Award website. The winners of the Natura 2000 Award 2020 will be announced at a special

ceremony in Brussels by the next Commissioner for Environment.

All the information can be found here.

EEA report highlights likely climate change impacts on European agriculture EEA report highlights likely climate change impacts on European agriculture EEA report highlights likely climate change impacts on European agriculture EEA report highlights likely climate change impacts on European agriculture

and land useand land useand land useand land use

Climate change affects agriculture in a number of ways. According to a recently released report

from the European Environment Agency, changes in temperature and precipitation as well as

weather and climate extremes are already influencing crop yields and livestock productivity in

Europe. Weather and climate conditions also affect the availability of water needed for irrigation,

livestock watering practices, processing of agricultural products, and transport and storage

conditions. Climate change is projected to reduce crop productivity in parts of southern Europe

and to improve the conditions for growing crops in northern Europe. Although northern regions

may experience longer growing seasons and more suitable crop conditions in future, the number

of extreme events negatively affecting agriculture in Europe is projected to increase.

Download the report from here.

ETC/BD releases reference list of national habitat interpretation guidelinesETC/BD releases reference list of national habitat interpretation guidelinesETC/BD releases reference list of national habitat interpretation guidelinesETC/BD releases reference list of national habitat interpretation guidelines

The European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity (ETC/BD) provides a useful overview of its

contributions to building the Natura 2000 network (visit the web page here), much of which

concerns compiling and analysing data and reports and clarifying aspects of the Habitats Directive.


It has compiled a list of the national habitat interpretation guidelines that Member States have

shared to date. This had been identified in the Natura 2000 biogeographical process’s roadmap for

cooperation in the Continental, Pannonian, Steppic and Black Sea regions as a helpful reference

for all, and especially for transboundary cooperation.

Download the list from here and please share your updated guidelines with us.

Biogeographical Process on TwitterBiogeographical Process on TwitterBiogeographical Process on TwitterBiogeographical Process on Twitter

Visit our Biogeographical Process Twitter account for the latest updates on seminars and networking

events, as well as live postings from ongoing meetings. We also cover news from related projects such

as LIFE+ projects or the work of organisations working towards Natura 2000 objectives.

Follow us on Twitter

bgp newsletter sep19 pub - european commission · arantzazu (guipuzcoa), spain. it was attended by...

Documents