1.1. Contact organisation
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Joseph Bech building
5, Rue Alphonse Weicker
L-2721 Luxembourg
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
15 April 2024
2.2. Metadata last posted
30 April 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
30 April 2025
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 15 on protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of land and towards SDG 2 on ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture which are embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under 'Sustaining our quality of life: food security, water and nature'.
SDG 15 seeks to protect, restore and promote the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial, inland-water and mountain ecosystems. This includes efforts to sustainably manage forests and halt deforestation, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, halt biodiversity loss and protect threatened species.
SDG 2 seeks to end hunger and malnutrition and ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. Realising this goal will largely depend on promoting sustainable production systems and increasing investment in rural infrastructure and agricultural research and development.
Birds and the habitats of endangered and migratory bird species are protected under the Birds Directive. Many habitats used by birds are also protected under the Habitats Directive. The EU Biodiversity strategy for 2030 specifically states that these Nature Directives should be fully implemented in an effort to halt and reverse the trends of biodiversity loss.
4.1. Data description
The indicator is a multi-species composite index, which measures the relative abundance of a selection of common bird species associated with specific habitats. Rare species are excluded. Three groups of bird species are represented: common farmland species (39 species), common forest species (34 species) and all common bird species (168 species; including farmland and forest species). The indices are presented for EU-aggregates only and with smoothed values. The European Bird Census Council and its Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme programme delivers data from 26 Member States. MT is not covered.
4.2. Unit of measure
Index 1990 = 100
Index 2000 = 100
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year.
4.4. Accuracy - overall
For this indicator the collection of raw data and compilation of population indices are coordinated through the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS), which has been developed through a consortium of individuals and organisations from many countries, cooperating through the European Bird Census Council (EBCC). The PECBMS permits a sharing of knowledge and know-how and encourages and supports the setting-up of new schemes.
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
EBCC/BirdLife/RSPB/CSO
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: EBCC/BirdLife/RSPB/CSO (ENV_BIO3)
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
Indicator is updated annually.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within one year after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
Only EU aggregate6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented only as EU aggregate.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
Not Applicable6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Not applicable, only EU aggregate
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series starts in 1990.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is longer than 4 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in the EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
See table sdg_15_60
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: overview.
PECBMS delivers indicators computed out of data delivered by 30 European countries. For further information and data visit the PECBMS webpage.
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
