EUNIS Habitat Classification: Expert system, characteristic species combinations and distribution maps of European habitats
Aim The EUNIS Habitat Classification is a widely used reference framework for European habitat types (habitats), but it lacks formal definitions of individual habitats that would enable their unequivocal identification. Our goal was to develop a tool for assigning vegetation-plot records to the habitats of the EUNIS system, use it to classify a European vegetation-plot database, and compile statistically-derived characteristic species combinations and distribution maps for these habitats. Location Europe. Methods We developed the classification expert system EUNIS-ESy, which contains definitions of individual EUNIS habitats based on their species composition and geographic location. Each ha…
Effects of Natura 2000 on nontarget bird and butterfly species based on citizen science data
The European Union's Natura 2000 (N2000) is among the largest international networks of protected areas. One of its aims is to secure the status of a predetermined set of (targeted) bird and butterfly species. However, nontarget species may also benefit from N2000. We evaluated how the terrestrial component of this network affects the abundance of nontargeted, more common bird and butterfly species based on data from long-term volunteer-based monitoring programs in 9602 sites for birds and 2001 sites for butterflies. In almost half of the 155 bird species assessed, and particularly among woodland specialists, abundance increased (slope estimates ranged from 0.101 [SD 0.042] to 3.51 [SD 1.30…
Monitoring under the EU habitats directive
The EU Habitats Directive was adopted in 1992 and requires site protection for selected habitats and species (listed in Annexes I & II), strict protection for selected species (Annex IV) and allows for management measures for some species (Annex V). Article 11 of the directive requires “surveillance of the conservation status of the natural habitats and species referred to in Article 2 [ie habitats and species listed on Annexes I, II, IV & V]) while Article 17 require Member States to report every six years – “This report shall include in particular information concerning the conservation measures referred to in Article 6 (1) as well as evaluation of the impact of those measures on …