Olli Ojala - Wilderness on the new European biodiversity agenda

Wilderness on the new European biodiversity agenda
Pärnu, 15 September 2011
Olli Ojala, DG Environment, B.3. Nature

Ecology of wilderness in EU context
Functioning ecosystems essential for protection of biodiversity
Favourable Conservation Status of natural habitats in Habitats Directive
Structures and functions
Typical species
Outside Natura 2000 - connectivity
Approximately 99% of the protected Wilderness in EU within Natura 2000 network (IUCN Category I and II)

Wilderness on European biodiversity agenda
History in short
European Parliament resolution of 3 February 2009 on wilderness in Europe
European Council presidency conference on Wilderness and large natural habitat areas, in Prague May 2009
European Council presidency conference on Restoration, November 2010

In EU
Biodiversity strategy
Guidelines on management of wilderness and wild areas in Natura 2000 network
New biogeographic seminar process
Wilderness register
Green infrastructure
In Europe outside EU
Emerald network

EU mandate
2050 vision
By 2050, European Union biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides — its natural capital — are protected, valued and appropriately restored…
2020 headline target
Halting the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020, and restoring them in so far as feasible, while stepping up the EU contribution to averting global biodiversity loss.
The EU 2020 biodiversity strategy sets the EU to meet its own biodiversity objectives and its global commitments
Halting loss of biodiversity
Ecosystem restoration, connectivity and services

2050 Vision
2020 headline target
Halt biodiversity loss – restore ecosystem services – global contribution
6 Targets:
Enhance implementation of nature legislation
Restore ecosystems
est. Green Infrastructure
Sustainable
Agriculture
&
Forestry
Contribute to averting global biodiversity
loss
Sustainable Fisheries
Combat
Alien Invasive
Species
ANNEX OF ACTIONS

1 Nature conservation
To halt the deterioration in the status of all species and habitats covered by EU nature legislation and achieve a significant and measurable improvement in their status so that, by 2020, compared to current assessments:
(i) 100% more habitat assessments and 50% more species assessments under the Habitats Directive show an improved conservation status;
(ii) 50% more species assessments under the Birds Directive show a secure or improved status.
Example:
http://biodiversity.europa.eu

1 Nature conservation - Actions
Complete Natura 2000 network and ensure good management
Network largely completed by 2012 incl. marine,
Integration in wider landscape (link to Green Infrastructure)
Management plans developed and implemented for all sites
New Biogeographic process
Ensure adequate financing of Natura 2000 sites (e.g. CAP, EFF, Cohesion, LIFE, PAFs)
Increase stakeholder awareness and involvement and improve enforcement
New Communication Campaign on Natura 2000
Cooperation with key sectors, guidance documents
Facilitating enforcement (link to upcoming Communication on implementation)
Improve and streamline monitoring and reporting
New EU bird reporting system,
improved Article 17 reporting, (new Art 17 reporting framework adopted)
improved flow, accessibility and relevance of Natura 2000 data (new SDF adopted)
Creation of a dedicated ICT tool as part of BISE

2 Ecosystem maintenance and restoration
By 2020, ecosystems and their services are maintained and enhanced by establishing green infrastructure and restoring at least 15 % of degraded ecosystems.
Actions:
Improve knowledge of ecosystems and their services in the EU (ES mapping and assessment, valuation)
Set priorities to restore and promote the use of green infrastructure( GI Strategy 2012)
Ensure no net loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services (bd screening, no net loss initiative by 2015)

3B Sustainable Forestry
B) Forests: By 2020, Forest Management Plans or equivalent instruments, in line with Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), are in place for all forests that are publicly owned and for forest holdings above a certain size** (to be defined by the Member States or regions and communicated in their Rural Development Programmes) that receive funding under the EU Rural Development Policy so as to bring about a measurable improvement(*) in the conservation status of species and habitats that depend on or are affected by forestry and in the provision of related ecosystem services as compared to the EU 2010 Baseline.
(*) Improvement is to be measured against the quantified enhancement targets for the conservation status of species and habitats of EU interest in Target 1 and the restoration of degraded ecosystems under Target 2.
(**) For smaller forest holdings, Member States may provide additional incentives to encourage the adoption of Management Plans or equivalent instruments that are in line with SFM.
Actions:
Encourage forest holders to protect and enhance forest biodiversity (e.g. establish and fund Management Plans)
Integrate biodiversity measures in forest management plans
Action 12: Integrate biodiversity measures in forest management plans
Preserve wilderness areas

4 Sustainable fisheries
Achieve Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) by 2015. Achieve a population age and size distribution indicative of a healthy stock, through fisheries management with no significant adverse impacts on other stocks, species and ecosystems, in support of achieving Good Environmental Status by 2020, as required under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Actions:
Improve the management of fished stocks (MSY)
Eliminate adverse impacts on fish stocks, species, habitats and ecosystems (e.g. eliminate discards, by-catch)

5 Combat Alien Invasive Species
By 2020, Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and their pathways are identified and prioritised, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and pathways are managed to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS
Actions:
Strengthen the EU Plant and Animal Health Regimes (2012)
Establish a dedicated EU level instrument on Alien Invasive Species (2012)

In EU
Wilderness register
Emerald network

Content
Mapping of wilderness in Natura 2000
Role of structures and functions for Favourable Conservation Status
Conservation objectives
Management measures
Incl. conservation measures of Art 6(1) (management plans, statutory, administrative, contractual)
Restoration
Work will be finalised in the end of 2011

Wilderness register
Register of Wilderness areas
Due to the phase of the process can not be commented.
Work will be finalised in 2013

Copyright holder: University of Leeds
Source: Biodiversity Information system for Europe BISE

In EU
Wilderness register
Emerald network

Green infrastructure is a key element in EU biodiversity policy and it is about maintaining, strengthening and restoring ecosystems – investments that often provide multiple benefits
Strengthening the functionality of ecosystems for continued delivery of goods and services.
includes increasing the resilience and restoration of ecosystems and the maintenance of water and carbon cycles;
Combating biodiversity loss by increasing spatial and functional connectivity between existing natural areas and improving landscape permeability.
Natura 2000 is in the core of Green infrastructure.
Working Group on Green Infrastructure established
The Commission plans to publish a Communication (2012)
further elaborating the respective targets set in the biodiversity strategy
informing about the Green Infrastructure concept
exploring ways forward at EU level
delivering a tool box for implementation
facilitating exchange of practices and integrated planning.

In EU
Wilderness register
Emerald network

First seminar focuses on Boreal region
pilot seminar in Finland in spring 2012
based on analysis of the results of reporting on species’ and habitats’ conservation status at a biogeographical level
discussion between Member States, experts, stakeholders, and the Commission on the measures needed to adequately react to the findings of the analysis
recommendations for future action
objective: to achieve favourable conservation status of species and habitats of Community interest and to improve status of bird species
EU added value
strengthen cross-border cooperation
exchange information on conservation objectives and measures applied throughout the network
agree/recommend good practice in management/restoration and monitoring; including climate change adaptation
promote coherence of the Natura 2000 network
contribute to the implementation and the updating of the future prioritised action framework of measures involving Community co-financing

Importance of wilderness managers
Expertise
'Guidelines on management of wilderness and wild areas in Natura 2000 network' and others (e.g. forestry guidance)
Contribute to new Natura 2000 biogeographical management seminars and discussions in the Natura 2000 management working group
Local anchor
Continue to provide an effective interface with local communities and stakeholders on the ground
Political ally and awareness builder
Help making the case for ‘investing in Natura 2000’
Ensure adequate financing of Natura 2000 sites (MFF, CAP, EFF, Cohesion, LIFE, PAFs)

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Olli Ojala - Wilderness on the new European biodiversity agenda

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