Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union

E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development

e-mail contact: ESTAT-SDG-MONITORING@ec.europa.eu

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 the European Green Deal.

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.

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.

Index 1990 = 100

Index 2000 = 100

Calendar year.

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.

EBCC/BirdLife/RSPB/CSO

Data source: EBCC/BirdLife/RSPB/CSO  (ENV_BIO3)

Every year

Indicator is updated annually.

T+1 year

New data points are disseminated within one year after the reference year.

Only EU aggregate

Data are presented only as EU aggregate.

Not Applicable

Not applicable, only EU aggregate

> 10 years

Presented time series starts in 1990.

> 4 data points

Length of comparable time series without methodological break is longer than 4 data points.

Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in the EU context).

See table  sdg_15_60

Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/sdi/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.