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Archive:Agri-environmental indicator - Natura 2000 agricultural areas

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This article provides a fact sheet of the European Union (EU) agri-environmental indicator agricultural areas under Natura 2000. This indicator is still a subject to development. The article provides a summary of the current state of play and is complemented by the information on definitions, measurement methods and context needed to interpret them correctly. The agricultural areas under Natura 2000 article is part of a set of similar fact sheets providing a complete picture of the state of the agri-environmental indicators in the EU.

Table 1: List of 63 targeted habitat types of Annex I of the Habitats Directive which are dependent on, or associated with a continuation of extensive agricultural practices
Source: European Environment Agency
Table 2: Sites of Community Importance (SCI) under the EU Habitats Directive (ha) and share of SCI targeted agricultural habitats in SCI terrestrial area (%), 2011, EU-27
Source: European Environment Agency
Figure 1: Share of SCI targeted agricultural habitats in SCI terrestrial area (%), 2011, EU-27
Source: European Environment Agency


Table 3: Special protection areas (SPA) under the EU Birds Directive (ha) and share of SPA targeted agricultural habitats in SPA terrestrial area (%), 2011, EU-27
Source: European Environment Agency
Figure 2: Share of SPA targeted agricultural habitats in SPA terrestrial area (%), 2011, EU-27
Source: European Environment Agency

The indicator gives information on the agricultural area which is covered by Natura 2000 habitats that depend on a continuation of extensive farming practices. The data and information for this factsheet provides data on area of habitat types dependent on agriculture under Natura 2000 areas (extensive agriculture, threatened by abandonment).

Main indicator:

Supporting indicators:

  • Utilised agricultural area (ha) under Natura 2000 (to be developed)
  • Share of Natura 2000 payments on total rural development payments (to be developed)

Main statistical findings

Key messages

  • In 2011, in the EU-27 targeted agricultural habitat types represented about 20 % of the terrestrial part of the Sites of Community Importance (SIC) and 11.5 % of the terrestrial part of the special protection areas (SPA). These EU-27 Natura 2000 areas depend on a continuation of extensive farming practices, such as for example hay-making or extensive sheep grazing.
  • The highest proportion of targeted agricultural habitats relying on extensive farming practice is found in Portugal, United Kingdom (UK), Spain, Hungary and Italy where it exceeds 25 % of their SICs land area. Sweden, Spain, Italy and Hungary exceed 20 % of the SPAs area. UK does not provide information on habitats describing the SPAs.
  • The list of Habitats Directive Annex I targeted agricultural habitats was revised mainly due to the expansion of EU from 15 to 27 Member States. The former version included 33 habitats related to agricultural activities, now the list includes 63 habitats.

Assessment

Traditional agricultural practices have shaped the landscape and habitat types of Europe over centuries and many of the semi-natural habitat types in Europe are dependent on the continuation of appropriate farm management. Many semi-natural habitat types and their biodiversity are threatened both by intensification of agriculture and by abandonment via marginalization.[1]

The EU Habitats Directive is concerned with the protection of natural habitats, fauna and flora and the creation of a network of special areas of conservation (SACs). In December 2011 it contained 26 406 sites in the EU-27. This network together with the network of special protection areas (SPAs) under the Birds Directive makes up the Natura 2000 network.

The Habitats Directive includes lists of habitats (Annex I) and species (Annex II) for which the Member States propose Sites of Community Importance (SCI). The criteria for selection of SCIs are given in Annex III of the Directive. The European Commission establishes in agreement with each Member State a list of sites of community importance (SCIs). The Member States then have up to six years to designate the proposed sites as special areas of conservation (SAC). Nine lists of sites have been adopted as sites of community importance (SCIs) for the EU-27 (Alpine, Atlantic, Black Sea, Boreal, Continental, Macaronesian, Mediterranean, Pannonian and Steppic). The Birds Directive recognises that habitat loss and degradation are the most serious threats to the conservation of wild birds. It therefore places great emphasis on the protection of habitats for endangered as well as migratory species especially through the establishment of a coherent network of special protection areas (SPAs) comprising all the most suitable territories for species of the Annex I to the Birds Directive. Under the Birds Directive Member States select the most suitable sites and designate them directly as SPAs. These sites then automatically become part of the Natura 2000 network. But there is no mandatory reporting on the description of the sites.

Extensive and intensive agricultural habitat types can be found inside many Natura 2000 sites. Agricultural land use can continue inside the sites as long as no damaging activities are exerted on Annex I habitat types, habitats suitable for Birds Annex I or for Annex II bird species. Member States have to ensure the favourable conservation status of the species and habitats mentioned in the Directive. Thus, they also have to ensure that agricultural practices (or the lack of) do not deteriorate the quality of the Natura 2000 sites. However, this is a major challenge and monitoring of the status of habitat quality in the Natura 2000 network and beyond has only just begun (in the framework of Member State reporting under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive).

The proportion of targeted agricultural habitat types within Natura 2000 sites varies among the Member States as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In December 2011, Portugal (almost 33 %), United Kingdom (over 32 %), Spain (over 30 %), Hungary (almost 30 %) and Italy (over 25 %) had the highest proportion of Annex I targeted agricultural habitats per area of the Sites of Community Importance (SIC) and the average across EU-27 was 20 % (Figure 1).

For the special protection areas (SPA), Sweden (over 31 %), Spain (over 27 %), Italy (over 24 %) and Hungary (almost 24 %) have the highest proportion (Figure 2), but for the other Member States, the level of existing information is very variable. Nevertheless, it gives an indication of the distribution across Europe of habitats that require extensive farming practices in these sites dedicated to birds conservation. In addition to the previous figures, examples of habitats dependent of extensive agricultural practices are provided below.

In the western part of the Iberian Peninsula the agricultural habitat types within the Natura 2000 sites are dominated by a mosaic of dry open habitats composed of heathland, dehesas, and pseudo-steppe. Many of these very biodiversity rich habitats depend on extensive grazing and occasional arable cultivation. Dehesas, for example, would be invaded by Cistus scrub and lose their vitality and diversity and be exposed to much higher fire risks without appropriate agricultural management.

Italian Natura 2000 sites in the Apennines in the central and southern areas of Italy have a high proportion of semi-natural dry grasslands and pseudo-steppe. In Greece phrygana, a typical sclerophyllous vegetation, is mainly present in the sites. Nearly all these habitats have been created through extensive grazing with cattle, sheep and goats.

In Hungary, most of the habitats that require extensive agricultural practices are salt steppes and marshes, hay and alluvial meadows, steppic grasslands and sand steppes.

Bulgaria and Romania contain many extensive grasslands and meadows from mountain areas to coastal dunes, marshes and pseudo-steppes.

Lowland hay meadows are well represented in Natura 2000 sites in several countries: Poland, France, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Slovakia.

From Poland up to Sweden, wet habitats linked to extensive agricultural practices, such as fens, mires and alluvial meadows are typical of this Baltic region. In Sweden, alpine and boreal heaths are also well represented.

Natura 2000 sites located along the Atlantic coast from Denmark to Belgium as well as Ireland and the UK have high proportions of dry and wet heaths but also different types of coastal dune vegetation.

The aim of the European Union to protect and conserve certain targeted habitat types of Annex I implies that for 63 Annex I habitat types (Table 1), extensive farming practices should be introduced or maintained (within certain limits for nine of them), The habitat types that stand out are European dry heaths (4030, 4090), semi-natural dry grasslands (6210), steppic habitats (6220, 6230), alpine grasslands (6170, 6150) and dehesas (6310). A few wet habitat types such as the lowland hay meadows (6510), eutrophic tall herbs (6430) and fens are also affected.

These habitat types can be threatened by the abandonment of haymaking or extensive grazing. It should be stressed that the geographical distribution and characteristics of the targeted agricultural habitat types varies considerably across Europe and therefore the appropriate farming practices will vary accordingly.

Data sources and availability

Indicator definition

The agri-environmental indicator Agricultural areas under Natura 2000 gives information on the agricultural area which is covered by Natura 2000 habitats that depend on a continuation of extensive farming practices. The data and information for this factsheet provides data on area of habitats types dependent on agriculture under Natura 2000 areas (extensive agriculture, threatened by abandonment). This indicator relies on data from sites proposed by Member States under the Habitats Directive - Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and under the Birds Directive - Special Protected Area (SPA). For the purpose of this indicator these sites are referred to as “Natura 2000 sites”.

Measurements

Main indicator:

  • Share (%) of area under Natura 2000 on total utilised agricultural area (UAA)  (to be developed)

Supporting indicators:

  • Utilised agricultural area (ha) under Natura 2000 (to be developed)
  • Share of Natura 2000 payments on total rural development payments (to be developed)

Links with other indicators

The agri-environmental indicator "Agricultural areas under Natura 2000" is linked with following other indicators:

Data used and methodology 

The core data are extracted from the Habitats and Birds Directives components of the Natura 2000 database managed by the European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity (ETC/BD).

Data for the indicator is provided at site level according to Natura 2000 standard data form for all EU-27.

For each site data are given on: 

  • Total area (ha) of Annex I Habitat types threatened by abandonment of agricultural practice within a Natura 2000 site.
  • Total area (ha) of Natura 2000 site within one MS.

The indicator is based on the most recent data received from Member States up to December 2011. There is no protocol established for regular update and updated data or corrections are submitted by Member States on an ad hoc basis. The process of proposing sites under the Habitats and Birds Directive is regular ongoing and further updates to the database are expected.

Geo-referenced information on the extent and distribution of targeted agricultural habitat types at a European level is not available. Instead we use data on geographical parameters and biological characteristics for each Natura 2000 site, based on those reported by Member States in the Standard Data Form for Natura 2000. Protection of Annex I habitat types is one of the main objectives of the Habitats Directive and these habitat types are therefore highly prioritized in the Standard Data Form. As a consequence very detailed information is requested from the Member States under Section 3 of the Standard Data Form (Ecological information on the Annex I habitat types). For each of the Annex I habitat types present in a Natura 2000 site, information is required on the percentage cover in the site, conservation status, representativity, relative surface at national level and global assessment.

No common protocol exists for collecting the data, and different approaches have therefore been adopted by Member States in filling out the standard data form. Some Member States use vegetation maps or surveys, whereas others may have used more intensive field studies when filling out the form. In addition, different habitat types may need different assessment techniques. The forms are submitted by the Member States as access database file in a Natura 2000 software format. The data are then incorporated into the central Natura 2000 database managed by the ETC/BD. No data exists on the spatial distribution of the Annex I habitat types within the Natura 2000 sites.

Context

Policy relevance and context

The policy context of this indicator is the EU Habitats Directive 0043/1992 and the EU Birds Directive 0147/2009. Annexed to the Habitats Directive are lists of habitats (231) and species (911) that are of EU interest and for which conservation areas need to be proposed. The Natura 2000 sites include different types of European ecosystems. Some sites are in coastal areas, or in open marine waters, some contain lakes or are riverine, and many include forest and farmland.

Article 6 of the Habitats Directive requires the EU Member States to ensure an appropriate management approach to maintain or reach a favourable conservation status of the habitats and species in Annex I and II respectively. All the habitats of Annex I are described in the Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats. Annex I habitat types are linked to agricultural management practices. 63 habitat types of Annex I are identified as fully or partly dependent on extensive farming practices. Their existence will thus depend on the continuation of appropriate extensive agricultural management, such as haymaking or grazing. This means that there may be a need to adapt or encourage agricultural activities to maintain Natura 2000 sites.

Article 3 of the Birds directive requires Member States to take the requisite measures to preserve, maintain or re-establish a sufficient diversity and area of habitats for all the species of birds referred to in Article 1.

This indicator should also be seen in the context of the Common agricultural policy (CAP), in particular its rural development part. Relevant policy measures under rural development policy include agri-environmental schemes and Natura 2000 payments as well as other measures potentially supporting Natura 2000 sites in farmland. (Indicator AEI 01 provides information about area under agri-environmental commitments.) 

Agri-environmental context

The indicator shows the importance of extensive farming practices for nature protection. The 63 habitat types from Annex I of the Habitats Directive that depend on a continuation of extensive farming practices are listed in Table 1. These habitats are typically open semi-natural habitats such as grasslands, or species rich hay and Molinia meadows, or heaths. Without management these habitat types will lose most of their typical species composition via the invasion of shrubs and tree species [2][3].

General economic and technological trends require farms to increase production efficiency and cut labour costs. This often leads to the cessation of traditional farming practices and/or agricultural intensification. So, the challenge in these farmland areas is to provide economic incentives and advice to landholders for a continuation of wildlife friendly farming practices. This can be achieved through agri-environmental schemes, rural development instruments and other measures including Natura 2000 payments. One possible planning tool for finding an appropriate combination of measures is the required site management plans that have to be established by Member States for each Natura 2000 area.

LIFE-Nature funds have played an important role as a catalyst for the establishment of site management plans. Site management agreements have to be drawn up in consultation with landholders and stakeholders. Their purpose is to outline the farming practices favourable to nature conservation or to suggest modifications of existing practices to be more compatible with Natura 2000 objectives. LIFE-funded projects have also supported the implementation of targeted agri-environment schemes with measures such as local set-aside payments for wetland buffer areas, working in co-operation with farmers and agricultural authorities.

The latest rural development Regulation 1698/2005, for the programming period 2007–2013, also includes measures aiming to support the management of the environment and the countryside. New measures have been introduced and old ones reinforced to support land management practices beneficial for the environment, such as the agri-environment schemes or the Natura 2000 payments. The support for the latter will compensate farmers for the costs and income foregone resulting from disadvantages in the Natura 2000 areas or will support on-farm investments enhancing the public amenity of a Natura 2000 area. Some examples show the integration of biodiversity into several existing Community funds can be successful[4].  

See also

Further Eurostat information

Publications

Dedicated section

Source data for tables and figures (MS Excel)

Other information

External links

  • Publications:
  • Database:
  • Other external links:

Notes

  1. ↑ Ostermann, O. P. (1998). The need for management of nature conservation sites designated under Natura 2000. Journal of Applied Ecology 35: 968-973
  2. ↑ Ostermann, O. P. (1998). The need for management of nature conservation sites designated under Natura 2000. Journal of Applied Ecology 35: 968-973
  3. ↑ Muller, S. (2002). Appropriate agricultural management practices required to ensure conservation and biodiversity of environmentally sensitive grassland sites designated under Natura 2000. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment: 89, 261–266
  4. ↑ WWF; IEEP (2009). Innovative use of EU funds to finance management measures and activities in Natura 2000 sites. Output of the project Financing Natura 2000: Cost estimate and benefits of Natura 2000. WWF, Brussels, Belgium. 103 pp. + Annexes.
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