scholarly journals Shedding light on typical species: implications for habitat monitoring

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-166
Author(s):  
Gianmaria Bonari ◽  
Edy Fantinato ◽  
Lorenzo Lazzaro ◽  
Marta Gaia Sperandii ◽  
Alicia Teresa Rosario Acosta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Random Distribution ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Habitat Monitoring ◽  
Typical Species ◽  
Functional Conservation ◽  
Vegetation Science ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Characteristic Species ◽  
Shed Light

Habitat monitoring in Europe is regulated by Article 17 of the Habitats Directive, which suggests the use of typical species to habitat conservation status. Yet, the Directive uses the term “typical” species but does not provide a definition, either for its use in reporting or for its use in impact assessments. To address the issue, an online workshop was organized by the Italian Society for Vegetation Science (SISV) to shed light on the diversity of perspectives regarding the different concepts of typical species, and to discuss the possible implications for habitat monitoring. To this aim, we inquired 73 people with a very different degree of expertise in the field of vegetation science by means of a tailored survey composed of six questions. We analysed the data using Pearson's Chi-squared test to verify that the answers diverged from a random distribution and checked the effect of the degree of experience of the surveyees on the results. We found that most of the surveyees agreed on the use of the phytosociological method for habitat monitoring and of the diagnostic and characteristic species to evaluate the structural and functional conservation status of habitats. With this contribution, we shed light on the meaning of “typical” species in the context of habitat monitoring.

scholarly journals What are the "characteristic species" of the habitats directive? A new statistics-driven approach connecting species, habitats and key habitat characteristics

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Müller-Kroehling
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Habitat Isolation ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Character Species ◽  
Characteristic Species

A new understanding of ”characteristic species“ according to the Habitats Directive is presented, including a suggested definition from a scientific point of view and practical implementation. The Habitats Directive includes the mandatory evaluation criterion “characteristic species”. Although obligatory, it has largely been neglected and applied inconsistently. Reasons are the undefined character of the term and very different attempts for its interpretation. In several cases, particularly from the field of carabidology, maximum fidelity of the species has been suggested as the best criterion for defining characteristic species. In other words, the species must not occur in any other habitat type, but should be restricted intirely to the habitat it is characteristic for. As a result, for many habitats there are no, or at best very few characteristic species if this definition is strictly applied, and in many cases no characteristic species could be found even in very well-devolped and large-enough sites where the habitat occurs. Here, a completely different definiton is presented. Exclusive fidelity is decidedly not required, since this criterion aims at defining character species, which by definition serve a different purpose, which is defining a habitat, not characterizing its conservation status. The set of characteristic species of a habitat should be defined based on their statistically confirmed affinity to the habitat and an affinity or fidelity to at least one key habitat factor of the habitat type concerned. Such a key factor could be wetness in the case of wetlands, or peaty soil for bog habitats, or scree for ravines, etc. The application of characteristic species in practice, like in the mandatory assessment of projects and plans under article 6 of the habitats directive should primarily focus on the effects of the plan or purpose to be assessed. Out of the pool of characteristic species of a given habitat, those species which depend on the relevant key factors of the habitat which are possibly altered by the project or plan to be assessed can be selected and their well-being evaluated or monitored. In a second application, which is that for management of a site (also under article 6), the degree of completeness of the pool of characteristic species allows the evaluation of the conservation status. Important conclusions as to which key factors might be lacking or are in an insufficient stage can be drawn from the characteristic species missing at a given site. This can be a property related to habitat tradition, size of the habitat, isolation or certain traits of the soil or the stand types to be evaluated, depending on the particular species and their statistically proven requirements.

scholarly journals The Dessau Grassland Experiment—Impact of Fertilization on Forage Quality and Species Assembly in a Species-Rich Alluvial Meadow

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 339
Author(s):  
Sandra Dullau ◽  
Knut Rydgren ◽  
Anita Kirmer ◽  
Urs Georg Jäger ◽  
Maren Helen Meyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Long Term Experiment ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium ◽  
Eu Habitats Directive ◽  
Summer Flood ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Species Assembly

Since alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii are protected by the EU Habitats Directive, reconciling farmers’ demands for forage quality with the objective of maintaining them in good conservation status is an important issue in grassland research. In a long-term experiment from 2010 to 2018, we investigated the impact of fertilizing on forage quality and species assembly on a species-rich and twice-mown alluvial grassland in the Dessau Elbe floodplain (Germany). The experiment was composed of an unfertilized control, PK, N60, N60PK and N120PK applications. A significant improvement in forage quality was achieved by nitrogen fertilization only for crude protein, with higher feeding requirements for sheep met only in individual years. The legume cycle was inhibited by the application of nitrogen and high grass cover was maintained, but not increased, at the highest nitrogen application after an exceptional summer flood. The target forbs persisted in numbers over the study period in all treatments. For cover, the low-competitive target forbs responded neutrally to nitrogen fertilization, whereas detrimental effects were demonstrated for the competitive ones. Thus, we recommend not applying more than 60 kg year−1 of nitrogen and only in combination with phosphorus and potassium.

scholarly journals Long-term monitoring for the surveillance of the conservation status of Tursiops truncatus in an EU Natura2000 site in the Mediterranean Sea. A pilot study in the Tuscan Archipelago

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTONELLA ARCANGELI ◽  
ROBERTO CROSTI ◽  
ILARIA CAMPANA ◽  
LARA CAROSSO ◽  
MARTINA GREGORIETTI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphin ◽  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Common Bottlenose Dolphin ◽  
The Mediterranean

A pilot study, using the dataset from the research network ‘FLT Med Net’, which regularly monitors transborder regions in the Mediterranean Sea using ferries as platform for systematic surveys, was undertaken to assess common bottlenose dolphin range and population trends within the Natura 2000 EU marine site “Tutela del Tursiops truncatus”. The site was recently designated by the Tuscany Region (Italy) within the requirement of the EU Habitats Directive. In order to evaluate the conservation status of bottlenose dolphin according to the surveillance scheme of the Directive, two six-year periods (2007-2012; 2013-2018) were compared to assess trends in distribution-occurrence (range); Sightings Per Unit of Effort and Density (population). In total, 18146 NM were surveyed along two fixed transects, recording 90 sightings of Tursiops truncatus and a total of 268 specimens. Between the two periods, slight but not statistically significant differences were assessed, with decreasing trend in range and population  of the species; no variation was detected in mean group sizes. Travelling was the most common behaviour, and juveniles were present in 20% of the sightings, concentrated during spring and summer. The consistent FLT Med Net dataset was found to be appropriate to evaluate important parameters for the assessment of trends in the conservation status of Tursiops truncatus at the Natura2000 site scale. 

scholarly journals Unveiling the conservation status of the sessile oak forest for their protection and management in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. e70549
Author(s):  
Jordi Bou ◽  
Lluís Vilar
Keyword(s):  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Oak Forest ◽  
Current Conservation ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Sessile Oak ◽  
Characteristic Species

The sessile oak forests found on the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula are ascribed to the Lathyro-Quercetumpetraeae association and play a key role in understanding the ecology of this habitat, as this region represents its xeric limit. For this reason, we analysed the biodiversity patterns and current conservation status of the sessile oak forests in the region. To do so, we collected Braun-Blanquet inventories of 34 plots randomly distributed throughout the sessile oak forests. The results showed a relationship between the climatic conditions and the biodiversity variables. While the richness of the community increased with decreasing temperatures, the characteristic species found within the community decreased at these same temperatures. This result was due to the presence of most companion species in the cool zones at high elevations.Sessile oaks are found close to other communities, such as silver birches and Scot pine forests.On the other hand, in the warm areas at low elevations, the sessile oak community was more established, with plants typical of this type of forest. These slightly warmer zones with sessile oaks are very important in terms of conservation and more vulnerable to climate change and the thermophilization of the community, as has been studied. As such, protecting and managing these forests is key to conserving this community. Nevertheless, as current protection measures do not safeguard most of these forests, it is essential to define a conservation strategy to preserve them. Using the conservation status, we have established criteria to improve the conservation strategy for sessile oak forest on the NE Iberian Peninsula.

scholarly journals Introduction: Vegetation science and the habitats directive: approaches and methodologies of a never-ending story

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-235
Author(s):  
Fabio Attorre ◽  
Sandro Pignatti ◽  
Francesco Spada ◽  
Laura Casella ◽  
Emiliano Agrillo
Keyword(s):  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Vegetation Science

Assessing the impact of mowing on Common Redshanks Tringa totanus breeding on saltmarshes: lessons for conservation management

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
KLAUS-MICHAEL EXO ◽  
ARNDT H. J. WELLBROCK ◽  
JULIA SONDERMANN ◽  
MARTIN MAIER
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Wadden Sea ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Favourable Conservation Status ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Tringa Totanus

SummaryInformed application of habitat management measures is crucial, especially in saltmarshes that function as last refuges for breeding waders in Europe. Despite a reduction in agricultural use of saltmarshes since the establishment of the Wadden Sea National Parks at the end of the 1980s, there remains controversy regarding management measures such as the timing of mowing. We modelled the proportion of nests and chicks that would be jeopardised by mowing at different dates, using long-term breeding data of the Common Redshank Tringa totanus – an endangered and widespread indicator species of saltmarshes – from four study sites in the German Wadden Sea. At two study sites in the western Jadebusen, the proportion of broods that were at risk of being killed when mowing began on 1 July ranged between 78% in early, to 96% in late, breeding years, averaging 87%. Although Common Redshanks in the eastern Jadebusen started breeding one week earlier, the model still predicted a loss of 73% of chicks; while 97% of broods were at risk on the island of Wangerooge. Postponement of mowing to 1 August reduced these proportions to 21%, 11% and 32%, respectively. This study is the first to model the positive effects of delayed mowing of saltmarshes on ground-nesting birds. By implementing adjusted mowing dates in addition to previously suggested reductions in artificial drainage, direct and indirect adverse effects caused by mowing and drainage, such as an increased predation risk, are likely to be reduced, such that a ’favourable conservation status’ according to the EC Habitats Directive may be achieved.

scholarly journals Robust monitoring of the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in the Slovak Carpathians reveals lower numbers than officially reported

Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 548-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Kubala ◽  
Peter Smolko ◽  
Fridolin Zimmermann ◽  
Robin Rigg ◽  
Branislav Tám ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Eurasian Lynx ◽  
Favourable Conservation Status ◽  
Scientific Approach ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Eu Habitats Directive ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThe Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx population in the Carpathian Mountains is considered to be one of the best preserved and largest in Europe and hence is a source for past and current reintroduction projects in central Europe. However, its status in Slovakia has been reported to the European Commission on the basis of hunters´ reports and expert estimates that have never been validated by a robust scientific approach. We conducted the first camera-trapping surveys to estimate the density of Eurasian lynx in Slovakia by means of spatial capture–recapture models in two reference areas during 2011–2015. We estimated population density per 100 km2 of suitable lynx habitat (posterior SD) as 0.58 ± SD 0.13 independent individuals (adults and subadults) in the Štiavnica Mountains and 0.81 ± SD 0.29 in Veľká Fatra National Park and surroundings. These are the lowest densities estimated using spatial capture–recapture models so far reported for the species, suggesting the lynx population in Slovakia is below carrying capacity. We suspect that low densities may be attributable to undetected human-caused mortality. Our results imply that official game statistics are substantially overestimated. Moreover, the lynx population in Slovakia may not be at favourable conservation status as required by the EU Habitats Directive. We therefore call for a thorough assessment of the density and trend of the Slovak Carpathian lynx population, and the establishment of a scientifically robust monitoring system.

The Last Say? Comment on cjeus Judgement in the Tapiola Case (C-674/17)

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-130
Author(s):  
Jan Darpö
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Advocate General ◽  
European Court ◽  
Birds Directive ◽  
International Obligations ◽  
Final Question ◽  
The Relationship

This article is a comment to the judgement from October last year by the European Court of Justice’s in the Tapiola case (C-674/17). It can be seen as a follow-up to what I wrote about the Advocate General Henrik Øe’s opinion in the case, which was published in last issue of this journal (J. Darpö, Anything goes, jeepl 2019(3) 305–318). The case concerns a request for a preliminary ruling from the Finnish Supreme Administrative Court about the possibilities open under Article 16(1)(e) of the Habitats Directive (92/43) to perform license hunts on a strictly protected species listed under Annex iv to that Directive, namely the wolf (Canis lupus). This comment first describes the main points in the findings of the cjeu. Thereafter, a discussion follows focusing on three issues. The first concerns the relationship between Article 16(1)(e) of the Habitats Directive and the other derogation grounds in that provision from the strict protection of species. The next issue deals with the relationship between Annex iv and Annex V species, an issue linked to the assessment of the conservation status. The final question relates to how this conservation status is decided concerning species which roam over vast territories, not bothering about administrative restrictions such as national boarders or international obligations. At the end, I will make some concluding remarks about the wider implications of the judgement for the species protection under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive (2009/147).

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