Gaps and challenges of the European network of protected sites in the marine realm

2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonios D Mazaris ◽  
Vasiliki Almpanidou ◽  
Sylvaine Giakoumi ◽  
Stelios Katsanevakis
Keyword(s):  
Marine Environment ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Spatial Design ◽  
Marine Realm ◽  
Marine Surface

AbstractThe Natura 2000 network forms the cornerstone of the biodiversity conservation strategy of the European Union and is the largest coordinated network of protected areas (PAs) in the world. Here, we demonstrated that the network fails to adequately cover the marine environment and meet the conservation target of 10% set by the Convention on Biological Diversity. The relative percentage of marine surface cover varies significantly among member states. Interestingly, the relative cover of protected seascape was significantly lower for member states with larger exclusive economic zones. Our analyses demonstrated that the vast majority (93%) of the Natura 2000 sites that cover marine waters include both a terrestrial and a marine component. As a result, the majority of the protected surfaces is adjacent to the coastline, and decreases offshore; only 20% of Natura marine PAs is at depths >200 m. The lack of systematic planning processes is further reflected by the great variability in the distances among protected sites and the limited number of shared Natura sites among member states. Moreover, <40% of the marine sites have management plans, indicating the absence of active, or limited management in most sites. This work highlights the gaps in coverage and spatial design of the European conservation network in the marine environment, and raises questions on the unevenly treatment of marine vs. terrestrial areas.

scholarly journals Spain and Marine Protected Areas: Recent Developments

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 847-855
Author(s):  
Mariano J. Aznar
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Barcelona Convention ◽  
Specially Protected Areas

Abstract Spain has just declared a new marine protected area in the Mediterranean. This follows a protective trend taken by Spanish authorities during the last decades and has permitted Spain to honour its international compromises under the Convention on Biological Diversity. It contributes to a framework of protected areas established under conventional regimes such as OSPAR, RAMSAR or EU Natura 2000. The new area protects a ‘cetacean corridor’ and will be inscribed in the list of Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance under the Barcelona Convention regional framework.

Safeguarding Freshwater Life Beyond 2020: Recommendations for the New Global Biodiversity Framework from the European Experience

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles B. van Rees ◽  
Kerry A. Waylen ◽  
Astrid Schmidt-Kloiber ◽  
Stephen J. Thackeray ◽  
Gregor Kalinkat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Integrated Water Resources Management ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Freshwater Biodiversity ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis ◽  
Implementation Planning ◽  
European Experience ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Freshwater Monitoring

The drafting of a new Global Biodiversity Framework for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Biodiversity Strategy for the European Union (EU) render 2020 a critical crossroad for biodiversity conservation. Freshwater biodiversity is disproportionately threatened and poorly studied relative to marine and terrestrial biota, despite providing numerous essential ecosystem services. The urgency of the mounting freshwater biodiversity crisis necessitates approaches catered to the unique ecology and threats of freshwater life, which are not adequately addressed by current strategies. We present a set of 15 special recommendations for freshwater biodiversity to guide the CBD’s post-2020 framework and the 2020 EU strategy based on European case studies, both challenges and successes. Our recommendations cover key outcomes and guiding concepts, enabling conditions and methods of implementation, planning and accountability modalities, and cross-cutting issues. They address topics including invasive species, integrated water resources management, strategic conservation planning, data management, and emerging technologies for freshwater monitoring, among others. These recommendations will enhance the ability of global and European post-2020 biodiversity agreements to halt and reverse the rapid global decline of freshwater biodiversity.

scholarly journals Marine protected areas: Just for show?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAFAEL Almeida MAGRIS ◽  
Robert L. Pressey
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
The Core ◽  
Historical Progress ◽  
Spatial Dependencies ◽  
Over Time

Several countries, including Brazil, are making compelling case for historical progress towards achieving the targets for marine protection under the Convention on Biological Diversity. However, this can be done through the establishment of large marine protected areas (MPAs) in the open ocean, a conservation strategy that might be only tangential to the core ecological goal of MPA designation, i.e. biodiversity conservation. By using two newly-designated large MPAs in Brazil as an example, we outline three ways in which they indicate poor adherence to best practices in MPA planning: placing no-take MPAs in areas with limited potential for extractive uses, neglecting the need to account for spatial dependencies among areas to maintain populations over time, and the inadequacy of the MPAs to regulate fishing of mobile pelagic species.

scholarly journals Regional Approach to Biodiversity Information Management and Reporting in Southeast Europe

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azra Velagić-Hajrudinović
Keyword(s):  
Information Management ◽  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Southeast Europe ◽  
Global Biodiversity Information Facility ◽  
Standard Data ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Biodiversity Information

Featuring a large variety of ecosystems, abundant freshwater and forest resources, unique extensive karstic systems, and a high level of biodiversity and endemism, Southeast Europe (SEE) plays a crucial role in the conservation of biodiversity in Europe and beyond. In order to conserve and sustainably use these biodiversity assets and valuable natural resources, a regional concerted approach in the field of biodiversity information management and reporting (BIMR) has been strengthened. This has enabled improvement in access, transparency and exchange of biodiversity data and reporting processes among the participating economies. Certain significant and visible progress among SEE economies and stakeholders is due to to the knowledge gained about regional and national BIMR baselines, agreed and elaborated minimum Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and European Union (EU) requirements on BIMR among stakeholders and implemented BIMR tools (e.g., a regionally unified fundamental database for the Information System for Nature Conservation (ISNC), for instance in Montenegro (http://zasticenapodrucja-cg.tk//en), Bosnia and Herzegovina/entity of Republika Srpska (http://e-priroda.rs.ba/en/) and entity of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia (Standard Data Form - SDF application for NATURA 2000) and compiled dataset on five taxonomic groups of endemic taxa using the Darwin Core standard). Therefore, BIMR activities/priorities from the region have become more evident and supported along with ownership of BIMR tools acquired by the partner institutions and recognized at the global level through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).

scholarly journals Will the EC Zoos Directive increase the conservation value of zoo research?

Oryx ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Rees
Keyword(s):  
Information Exchange ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Conservation Value ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Relevant Research ◽  
Conservation Of Biodiversity

Article 9 of the Convention on Biological Diversity 1992 requires parties to adopt measures for the ex situ conservation of biodiversity. Within the European Union this has been implemented by the Zoos Directive. The Directive requires zoos and aquariums to adopt a conservation role. Zoos may comply with the Directive by undertaking research from which conservation benefits accrue. However, most current zoo research is concerned with behaviour, environmental enrichment, nutrition and reproduction, and is therefore largely irrelevant to ex situ conservation. It is unlikely that zoos will increase their output of conservation relevant research because most do not have appropriate resources. Furthermore, as an alternative to undertaking research, a zoo may comply with the Directive by engaging in training, information exchange or captive breeding. Most, if not all, zoos already engage in at least one of these activities and therefore may comply with the Directive by doing nothing.

scholarly journals Efficient expansion of global protected areas requires simultaneous planning for species and ecosystems

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 150107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tal Polak ◽  
James E. M. Watson ◽  
Richard A. Fuller ◽  
Liana N. Joseph ◽  
Tara G. Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Planning Approach ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽  
Adequate Representation ◽  
Efficient Expansion

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)'s strategic plan advocates the use of environmental surrogates, such as ecosystems, as a basis for planning where new protected areas should be placed. However, the efficiency and effectiveness of this ecosystem-based planning approach to adequately capture threatened species in protected area networks is unknown. We tested the application of this approach in Australia according to the nation's CBD-inspired goals for expansion of the national protected area system. We set targets for ecosystems (10% of the extent of each ecosystem) and threatened species (variable extents based on persistence requirements for each species) and then measured the total land area required and opportunity cost of meeting those targets independently, sequentially and simultaneously. We discover that an ecosystem-based approach will not ensure the adequate representation of threatened species in protected areas. Planning simultaneously for species and ecosystem targets delivered the most efficient outcomes for both sets of targets, while planning first for ecosystems and then filling the gaps to meet species targets was the most inefficient conservation strategy. Our analysis highlights the pitfalls of pursuing goals for species and ecosystems non-cooperatively and has significant implications for nations aiming to meet their CBD mandated protected area obligations.

scholarly journals Ecosystem Approach in Dealing with Invasive Alien Species: International, European and Ukrainian Experience of Legal Regulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 79-93
Author(s):  
Yevhenii Suietnov ◽  
Elbis Tulina
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
The European Union

This article is devoted to highlighting the international, European and Ukrainian experience encompassing legal regulation dealing with the invasive alien species that represent the second largest threat to global biodiversity, right after habitat destruction. It has been proved that, at the international level, primarily within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the ecosystem approach is recognized as the basis in dealing with such species. It is also gradually being reflected in the regulatory framework of the European Union. The provisions of the EU on nature protection and the relevant regulations of the European Commission define invasive species, which are prohibited from activities that may contribute to their dissemination in the environment. In the Ukrainian environmental law, a positive trend towards the recognition of the ecosystem approach in dealing with invasive alien species is observed primarily among national strategic documents, while in current national environmental legislation, these issues are regulated fragmentarily and inconsistently, which indicates the need for its early reform.

scholarly journals Monitoring Traditional Rural Landscapes. The Case of Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 6107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Agnoletti ◽  
Francesca Emanueli ◽  
Federica Corrieri ◽  
Martina Venturi ◽  
Antonio Santoro
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
National Level ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Rural Landscape ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Rural Landscapes ◽  
National Monitoring

The importance of rural landscapes is recognized at both the international and national level. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has established a program called Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) and agricultural landscapes are also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The World Bank and the Convention on Biological Diversity also have departments working on this topic, while landscape has been included in the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union 2020–2027. One of the most important tools for landscape management, conservation and valorization is the development of a monitoring system, suited to control not only dynamics, but also the effectiveness of the policies affecting rural landscape. A research project of the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies has identified 123 areas scattered in the entire Italian territory, with an average size of 1300 ha, in order to establish a national monitoring system for traditional rural landscapes. As a result of this national survey, the Ministry decided to establish the National Register of Historical Rural Landscapes, that is also the Italian list for potential application to GIAHS. These landscapes are characterized by a long history, presence of traditional practices, typical foods, complex landscape mosaics and high biocultural diversity. Detailed land use maps have been produced for each area, and among other data, the average number of land use types (19.6 ha) and the average patch size (2.7 ha) detected, confirm the fine grain of these landscapes characterized by high complexity and diversity of the landscape structure. A second survey was carried out five years later, in order to create a national monitoring system based on fixed study areas. The paper shows that in the last five years no major changes occurred, and even in the 33 areas where transformations are considered significant (i.e., >5% of the surface of the area), the characteristic features of the historical landscape are still well preserved. This confirms the resilience of these systems despite climatic and socioeconomic pressures.

scholarly journals Challenges of Food Waste Governance: An Assessment of European Legislation on Food Waste and Recommendations for Improvement by Economic Instruments

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Garske ◽  
Katharine Heyl ◽  
Felix Ekardt ◽  
Lea Weber ◽  
Wiktoria Gradzka
Keyword(s):  
Food Waste ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Food Sector ◽  
European Legislation ◽  
Governance Analysis ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Impact

Food is wasted throughout the entire food supply chain—from agricultural production to the household level. This has negative impacts on natural resources and the environment. At the same time, food waste is undermining the global target of food security. In turn, reducing food waste can minimise the environmental effects of agriculture on climate, biodiversity, soils, water bodies and the atmosphere. All of this is reflected in the fact that food waste is subject to various legal acts of the European Union and that it is also a major subject in the new EU Farm to Fork Strategy from May 2020. Supported by an analysis of the diffuse empirical data on food waste, the purpose of this article is to analyse the current EU legislation on food waste and its reduction to answer the following research questions: How is food waste integrated into European policies? What is the impact of European legislation on food waste? Is European legislation sufficient to trigger not only food waste reduction but also comprehensive changes in the agricultural and food sector to support global climate and environmental targets as set in the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity? Which instruments are the most suitable to do so? Methodologically, a qualitative governance analysis is applied. It is found that relevant legal acts for governing food waste include circular economy and waste law, the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy as well as food law, while international environmental targets serve as an overarching measure for governance analysis. The legal analysis shows that existing legislation lacks steering effect to significantly reduce food waste. To overcome current governance problems, the article introduces economic policy instruments. It is concluded that quantity control focusing on overarching parameters such as fossil fuels or animal-derived products has not only the potential to reduce food waste by increasing food prices but can also address the multiple interlinked environmental challenges of the agricultural and food sector.

scholarly journals Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs): their impact on conservation policy, advocacy and action

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
ZOLTAN WALICZKY ◽  
LINCOLN D. C. FISHPOOL ◽  
STUART H. M. BUTCHART ◽  
DAVID THOMAS ◽  
MELANIE F. HEATH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Finance ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Local Conservation ◽  
Ramsar Convention ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Birds Directive ◽  
International Importance ◽  
Marine Realm

SummaryBirdLife International´s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) Programme has identified, documented and mapped over 13,000 sites of international importance for birds. IBAs have been influential with governments, multilateral agreements, businesses and others in: (1) informing governments’ efforts to expand protected area networks (in particular to meet their commitments through the Convention on Biological Diversity); (2) supporting the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) in the marine realm, (3) identifying Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention; (4) identifying sites of importance for species under the Convention on Migratory Species and its sister agreements; (5) identifying Special Protected Areas under the EU Birds Directive; (6) applying the environmental safeguards of international finance institutions such as the International Finance Corporation; (7) supporting the private sector to manage environmental risk in its operations; and (8) helping donor organisations like the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF) to prioritise investment in site-based conservation. The identification of IBAs (and IBAs in Danger: the most threatened of these) has also triggered conservation and management actions at site level, most notably by civil society organisations and local conservation groups. IBA data have therefore been widely used by stakeholders at different levels to help conserve a network of sites essential to maintaining the populations and habitats of birds as well as other biodiversity. The experience of IBA identification and conservation is shaping the design and implementation of the recently launched Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Partnership and programme, as IBAs form a core part of the KBA network.

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