scholarly journals A preliminary overview of monitoring for raptors in Croatia

Acrocephalus ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (154-155) ◽  
pp. 191-201
Author(s):  
Vlatka Dumbović Mazal ◽  
Krešimir Mikulić
Keyword(s):  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
State Institute ◽  
National Population ◽  
National Monitoring ◽  
Gyps Fulvus ◽  
Legal Provisions ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Raptor Conservation

Abstract There are 40 regularly occurring raptor species in Croatia (diurnal raptors and owls), but only for two species (Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus and Eleonora’s Falcon F. eleonorae) long-term monitoring (more than 10 years) of significant parts (i.e. > 80%) of their national population has been implemented. For 23 species (58%), the coverage of monitoring is limited to several locations (often within borders of given protected area), involving small percentage of national population or/and has started recently. Therefore, they do not satisfy the main purpose of national monitoring programmes, i.e. to draw conclusions about the trend of the species’ national population and to support the decision-making process about conservation measures to be applied. Besides the Institute of Ornithology and several ornithological NGOs, which are recognized as main actors for the implementation of raptors monitoring, the State Institute for Nature Protection (SINP) is setting up a framework for the nationwide bird monitoring complying with the legal provisions of the EU Birds Directive and the Natura 2000 network. The highest priority is to improve the coordination between state institutions, scientific and non-governmental organizations involved in raptor conservation with the final aim to develop a national raptor conservation strategy that sets priority target species and standardized monitoring systems

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.

Governance of biodiversity in Poland before and after the accession to the EU: the tale of two roads

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
KRZYSZTOF NIEDZIAŁKOWSKI ◽  
JOUNI PAAVOLA ◽  
BOGUMIŁA JĘDRZEJEWSKA
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Governance Arrangement ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Eu

SUMMARYAccession of the Central and Eastern European countries to the European Union involved considerable institutional changes in the field of environmental governance that undermined existing policy practices. Such changes in biodiversity governance are examined through two case studies from Poland concerning road development schemes in ecologically sensitive areas. Documentary material and semi-structured interviews are analysed and interpreted in light of the policy arrangement approach and historical institutionalism. After the EU accession there was a rapid shift from a government-monopolized arrangement towards a multi-level governance arrangement with regard to conflicts between infrastructure and natural areas. Previously, the government controlled practically all aspects of environmental policymaking, despite potential routes for greater involvement of non-state actors. Only the formal rules of Natura 2000 and environmental impact assessment, guarded by a coalition of powerful supranational bodies, non-governmental organizations and scientists, changed the pattern of governmental policy-making. New policy arrangements have increased capacity and legitimacy in the implementation of the European Union rules.

scholarly journals Landscape Changes in Protected Areas in Poland

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 753
Author(s):  
Anna Zbierska
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Ecological Integrity ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
Natura 2000 Network ◽  
Buffer Zones ◽  
Legal Forms

Land-Use Cover Changes (LUCCs) are one of the main problems for the preservation of landscapes and natural biodiversity. Protected Areas (PAs) do not escape this threat. Poland is among the European leaders in terms of the variety of landscapes and the share of an area designated as a protected area. However, as many as 78% of the habitats have poor or bad conservation status based on EEA reports. This article analyzes the LUCCs between 2000 and 2018 in various types of the Polish legal forms of nature protection areas and the European Natura 2000 network within the country. The research material was: the data of Corine Land Cover (CLC), the Central Register of Nature Protection Forms, and high-resolution layers, such as HRL and orthophotos. The results were compiled according to the CLC class and forms of protection. The matrix of transformations showed that the most frequently transformed CLC class was 312 (coniferous forest). It was transformed into class 324 (transitional woodland shrubs). The changes in PAs were usually smaller than in the surrounding buffer zones, which may indicate their effectiveness. The exception was the areas of the European Natura 2000 network. The scale of land-cover flows (LCFs) changed within particular forms of protected areas, though afforestation and deforestation predominating in all area types. National reserves and parks were the most stable in terms of land cover structures. However, human settlements increased around the protected areas, potentially increasing threats to their ecological integrity.

scholarly journals Comparison of Emergency State Regulation Experiences in Latvia, France and Belgium

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (20) ◽  
pp. 40-57
Author(s):  
Ieva Bērziņa ◽  
Coline Jeancourt-Galignani
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
National Security ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
State Regulation ◽  
State Institute ◽  
Legal Norms ◽  
Legal Provisions ◽  
National Legal System ◽  
Historical Comparative ◽  
National Framework

The article analyses the legal framework of emergency state in three countries – Latvia, France and Belgium. The aim of the study is to identify problems thus to improve the national legal framework. Given that the concept of emergency state has gained its relevance in 2020 with the spread of the Covid-19 disease, it has been found that the Emergency State Institute and its legal framework is an important part of every country’s national legal system, as it is a mechanism that helps to strengthen national security in case of external and internal dangers. Analysis of the legal framework of emergency state in Latvia in the context of the selected legal framework of two other countries is an effective way to assess whether the national legal framework requires improvements. In the research such methods were used as cognition, monographic, historical, comparative and analytical method, as well as interpretation of legal provisions recognized in scientific law, which contributed to understanding of the scope of legal norms in national constitutions and other related legislation in the context of the topic. In the result of the study differences in national basic laws and special laws were mainly identified, including the aspect of restriction of human rights, thus contributing to reflection and drawing conclusions on the necessary changes to the national framework. Research also outlines functioning and competence of municipality work in an emergency state.

scholarly journals Principal Threats to the Conservation of Running Water Habitats in the Continental Biogeographical Region of Central Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-61
Author(s):  
Mirosław Grzybowski
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
Commercial Development ◽  
Habitat Directive ◽  
Running Water ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Biogeographical Region ◽  
Negative Impacts

AbstractThis paper discusses the threats to the running water habitats that are highly important to biodiversity the European Community in the Continental Biogeographical Region (CBR) of Europe, specifically in Poland. This study covers four water course habitat types distinguished in Natura 2000, which is a network of nature protection areas in the territory (3260, 3220, 3240, 3270 - the code of the habitat, as in Annex I of the Habitat Directive), occurring in 806 Special Areas of Conservation in Poland. Based on a multivariate analysis, we found significant differences in the conservation status of running water habitats resulting from a variety of threats, pressures, and activities. Agriculture has a number of negative impacts on running water habitats, which are most evident for the following habitats: 3260 > 3270. Forest management may have both negative (3260) and positive effects on habitats (3270). Natural system modifications strongly affect habitats 3240, 3270 > 3260. Among the negative anthropogenic influences are pollution (3260 > 3220); human intrusions, disturbances, and tourism (reported most often) (3260, 3270); transportation and service corridors (3260, and 3270); urbanization, residential, and commercial development tourism (3260); biological resource use other than for agriculture and forestry (3270 > 3260); and mining, extraction of materials, and energy production (3270). Geological events and natural catastrophes—most often inundation—were identified as important hazards for habitat 3240. The development of alien and invasive species strongly affects habitats 3240 > 3260, 3270, and natural biotic and abiotic processes affect habitats 3220 > 3260. Negative impacts associated with climate change were detected mostly for habitat 3260. Taking into account the threats identified, a list of recommended practices for running water habitat types is presented, to be considered in habitat conservation programmes.

scholarly journals Population trends of Goričko agricultural landscape birds

Acrocephalus ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (174-175) ◽  
pp. 127-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Denac ◽  
Primož Kmecl ◽  
Gregor Domanjko ◽  
Damijan Denac
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Land Consolidation ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Nature Protection

AbstractDue to numerous bird surveys in the past 20 years, the avifauna of Goričko is relatively well known. For some species, the very first national ecological researches were conducted in this area. The article summarizes all bird surveys so far. It presents population trends of farmland species which is one of the most threatened bird groups in Europe. Most of the qualifying species of this habitat that are protected within the Natura 2000 network have suffered a decline at Goričko, specifically QuailCoturnix coturnix, Scops OwlOtus scops, HoopoeUpupa epops, WoodlarkLullula arboreaand White StorkCiconia ciconia. The number of breeding pairs of the latter has not changed, but its fecundity has decreased. Furthermore, populations of other farmland bird species have decreased, for example SkylarkAlauda arvensis, StonechatSaxicola rubicola, SerinSerinus serinusand Common LinnetLinaria cannabina, as well as butterfly populations and tracts of grassland habitat types. National agricultural and nature conservation policies are evidently inefficient in protecting the biodiversity of Goričko. The most probable cause for bird population decline is agricultural intensification, which manifests itself at Goričko as disappearance and intensification of meadows, land consolidation, degradation of traditional orchards and use of pesticides. As a result of land consolidation hedges, uncultivated strips between fields, individual trees and bushes and minority habitat types are disappearing, whereas the surface of arable fields is increasing. Nature conservation measures performed by the Public Institute Goričko Nature Park with the support of DOPPS – BirdLife Slovenia volunteers seem to be efficient, but are spatially and temporally constrained. For this reason, they cannot serve as a substitute for insufficient systemic financing which could be improved by substantive and financial reform of the agri-environmental scheme. Currently, a negligible percentage (1% in 2016) of Goričko is covered by agrienvironmental scheme measures with positive influence on qualifying species and habitat types. As a consequence, only an insignificant share of subsidies from the Rural Development Plan is used for nature protection at Goričko. If the system of agricultural subsidies remains unaltered, no improvement of the conditions for bird conservation at Goričko can be expected.

scholarly journals Management analysis of the opportunities of managing the privatization process

Tehnika ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-497
Author(s):  
Nemanja Pantić ◽  
Irena Milojević ◽  
Andrej Mićović
Keyword(s):  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Historical Period ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Weak Institutions ◽  
Legal Provisions ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Privatization Process ◽  
Basic Features ◽  
Democratic Transformation ◽  
Relationship Of

The transformation of ownership, often reminiscent of the earlier historical period of the original accumulation of capital, is an opportunity for the rapid enrichment of those who had a monopoly in former socialist societies. At the same time, the redistribution of national wealth encourages changes in the relationship of forces in the social structure of power, which makes privatization the scene of sharp conflicts of interest with controversial consequences for the entire society. Weak institutions of the rule of law cannot limit the aspirations of different interest groups to gain economic power, so privatization is an area of great economic risk. That is why the greatest attention of both the public and specialized non-governmental organizations in the EU candidate countries is devoted to monitoring the privatization process. The paper aims to point out the basic features of the privatization process in Serbia. In this regard, we have analyzed the cause and effect relationships of the economic phenomena associated with this process, that is, we have pointed out the fact that certain legal provisions also contribute to the spread of abuses in this area. The importance of transparency in the privatization process, as an important precondition for economic growth and democratic transformation, was particularly emphasized.

scholarly journals IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE FORESTS WITHIN POTENTIAL NATURA 2000 HABITATS: CASE STUDY VRANICA MOUNTAIN

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-51
Author(s):  
Dženan Bećirović ◽  
Amila Brajić ◽  
Bruno Marić ◽  
Sabina Delić ◽  
Špela Pezdevšek Malovrh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Conservation Value ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
Forestry Sector ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Guiding Principles

UDK: 630*9:502.1(234.422 Vranica) Nature conservation and sustainable management of forest resources become more important in Bosnia and Herzegovina, driven by the accession process toward the European Union as well as other international processes directed toward responsible management of forest resources. The forest certification has been widely adopted in the forestry sector and it implies meeting the sustainable forest management standard, whereas identification and proper management of high conservation value forests are one of the basic requirements. The NATURA 2000 ecological network is to become an important driver of reforms in the field of nature protection and forestry sector, due to the designation of new sites in forest area, which are under the responsibility of forestry institutions. This paper illustrates the scientific understanding of identification and management processes related to high conservation value forests that were proposed within potential NATURA 2000 habitats. The paper is based on analysis of main guiding principles for site designation and the role of the cross-sectoral approach applied identification and management of sites with high conservation value attributes. The case study research design was selected focusing on the Vranica Mountain due to recent activities implemented in this site. The in-depth face-to-face interviewing was used to collect qualitative data containing the key stakeholders' attitudes regarding the harmonization of NATURA 2000 habitats with the high conservation value forests – (HCVF), as well as the involvement of stakeholders in the processes of cross-sectoral cooperation. Results of this paper can be useful for the key forest and nature protection policy-makers, as well as to those responsible for managing of protected areas, or other stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in the process of identification and management of HCVFs and NATURA 2000 sites. Harmonisation of guiding principles and cross-sectoral cooperation during the identification and management of HCVFs and NATURA 2000 forest habitats enables the proper implementation of conservation and management measures based on sustainable forest management activities.

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