Boreal Natura 2000 Workshop

Helsinki Ministry of Environment - 25-26 January 2012

Dr Roger Catchpole MIEEMDirector - Aspen International

Honorary Fellow - University of Edinburgh

1.) What are the common problems in management of habitats over the biogeographic region?

1. Setting of national/regional conservation objectives (9)2. Lack of knowledge of connectivity for habitats & species (7)3. Lack of funding for conservation management (6)4. Management issues outside N2K sites5. Lack of engagement with landowners – where, what & how? (5)6. Lack of definition of ‘sustainable use’ thresholds for FCS (5)7. Lack of knowledge of restoration measure effectiveness (3)8. Selecting the right conservation action for a habitat type (2)9. Lack of understanding on how to access existing funding (2)10. Lack of knowledge of basic species ecology (autecology) (2)11. Definition of well-managed ‘reference habitat’ examples (2)12. Lack of N2K ecosystem service valuation (2)13. Lack of spatio-temporal disturbance threshold definitions (1)14. Lack of knowledge of hydrological restoration & management (1)15. Translation’ of habitat classifications within MSs (1)16. Insufficient area of habitat notified within N2K network (0)17. Effective management of areas in private ownership (0)18. Lack of management plans & implementation action (0)

2.) Are there information gaps concerning these problems?

1. Shared knowledge on restoration ecology techniques & costs- re-wetting drained areas- evidence of effectiveness- techniques that don’t involve fire- techniques that do involve fire- appropriate spatio-temporal scale

2. Identifying communities & species that are ‘fire sensitive’- within N2K habitat types

3. Recovery of traditional management practice knowledge4. Habitat occupancy mapping of Annex I species5. Quantitative methods for defining site-based connectivity6. Quantification of changes in extent through remote sensing7. Understanding deadwood dynamics8. Better mapping of habitats within N2K sites9. Setting conservation objectives for networks within MSs10. Setting objectives & developing performance indicators (sites)11. Condition & FCS monitoring method implementation12. Area of non-intervention within habitat types13. Valuation of forest ecosystem services14. Finding new sources of funding15. Sustainable forestry techniques compatible with N2K16. Management & impact of invasive alien species

3.) Are there particularly relevant examples of good practice?

1. FI – METSO Project (management agreements & land purchase)

2. ALL – Military Areas (rotational heavy artillery shelling & tank driving!)

3. SE – COMET Project (proactive landowner engagement in five regions)

4. SE – Core Area Ranking (variable levels of protection & management)

5. EE – EU Compensation Payments (fixed period management agreements)

6. LIFE Projects...

7. Biodiversity Strategies, Fire Strategies (SE&FI), Conservation Objectives (EE)

8. Potential need to look at examples outside the Boreal Region?

4.) Are there concrete possibilities for co-operation?

1. Exchange of scientific knowledge:• Staff secondment between countries

• Monitoring expertise• Studies outside region

2. Exchange of legal knowledge3. Exchange of experience:

• Study trips for different habitats• Esker management• Hydrological restoration• Favourable habitat status

• Large carnivore management• Trans-boundary management issues• Setting conservation objectives• Accessing existing funds• Site management capacity building• Communicating with non-specialists

5.) Are there any possible proposals for concrete cooperative action that could be launched at the seminar?

Habitat restoration 'grand tour‘ of the Boreal Region. Will form basis for LIFE bid and lead to expert network

activation 2013.

Development of practical habitat management handbooks for the Boreal Region. Will adapt & extend

existing guidance – sector specific?