Natura 2000 Seminars New Biogeographical Process Expert meeting on marine Natura 2000 sites 6 November 2013 Natura 2000 Seminars New Biogeographical Process

Things to remember… Natura 2000: Is more than a network of protected areas ! It is also a network of people and sectors working together, experts exchanging knowledge, practitioners sharing experience and best practice.

The New Biogeographical Process is focusing on improving the management of Natura 2000 sites and aiming at FCS of selected habitats and species; directly linked to targets 1 & 2 of the EU biodiversity strategy; not an instrument to assess progress of MS, based on voluntary cooperation between all actors; strongly depending on active involvement of MS and stakeholders / NGOs. Natura 2000 Seminars

The process enhances networking and cooperation between experts and practitioners; the coordination and facilitation of cross boundary and in-country projects (LIFE nature and other projects); the exploration of opportunities & synergies (e.g. for cross-border cooperation); the pooling and dissemination of habitat management expertise. It will provide a Communication platform with free access to information Natura 2000 Seminars 4

The state of play so far Seminar cycles have been launched for the Boreal, the Atlantic and the Alpine biogeographical regions There has been active input and support from the Member States involved, in particular from the respective lead countries Finland, the Netherlands and Austria One pilot seminar and two preparatory workshops have been successfully organised

Main documents Pre-scoping document Background document Workshop report Seminar document Seminar report

Working methods (1) Selection of 'top 20 habitat types' and main associated species Clustering of habitat types in habitat groups One lead country and one working group on each habitat group Compilation of information on major challenges, management experience and best practice in a 'background document'

Working methods (2) Knowledge based facilitation of workshops and seminars Discussion of major issues and possible recommendations for action (preparatory Workshop) Preparation of 'A4 sheets' for each selected habitat type (working groups & networking) Preparation of a seminar document, compiling workshop results & identifying issues for discussion/conclusion at the seminar

Working methods (3) Discussion & conclusions on major issues and recommendations, agreement on cooperative action compiled in a seminar report Ad-hoc expert meetings on specific issues Active networking on habitat types/habitat groups between experts involved Networking events and trans-boundary projects

Working methods (4) Exchange of information (results from activities, publications, guidance, new events, experience, incl. LIFE, best practice, etc.) through the communication platform Natura 2000 Seminars and workshops organized according to need

Examples of (forest-related) issues discussed at the Boreal Seminar Management and restoration Mimicking natural disturbances Non-intervention management: how much management can be accepted; sustainable use issues; etc Connectivity issues outside N2K

Examples of freshwater-related issues discusssed at the Boreal Seminar: Catchment approach Ecological functionality eg Hydropower, etc Cross sectoral cooperation (eg synergies with WFD, etc) Complexity of habitat

Elements of initial evaluation (1) The process has been successfully launched for three biogeographical regions The involvement of and support by Member States and stakeholder organisations (incl. NGOs) was strong (and on a voluntary basis) The contribution from ETC/BD was very important and highly appreciated There was a clear interest from experts for more networking and cooperation

Elements of initial evaluation (2) Working with habitat clusters and dedicated working groups chaired by lead countries was effctive Input and assistance from the contractor was effective and much appreciated Time for preparing the seminars was probably too short (also because the process is new and networking is only starting) The background document was sometimes felt as being too heavy and should maybe be replaced by a database structure

Elements of initial evaluation (3) The communication platform is currently being established. It will be a key instrument for communication, networking and cooperation The Boreal Workshop and Seminar, as well as the Atlantic Workshop were very well organized by the lead countries, field trips were very useful and the hospitality of the lead countries was exemplary The process illustrated a huge potential for further developing cooperation and networking on conservation management in Natura 2000

Some issues to be considered for the way ahead (1) Member States' and stakeholder engagement Availability of resources Prioritization / Focusing the scope of process Focusing on evidence from management experience, rather than on policy recomendations Identifying research neeeds, rather than trying to solve them

Some issues to be considered for the way ahead (2) Cooperation & networking on species action plans Sharing experience on conservation status assessment Assuring continuity of cooperation and networking also between the events (role of node persons/organisations) Engaging existing networks (LIFE, Interreg, specialist networks, etc.)

Some issues to be considered for the way ahead (3) A new biogeographical process also for the marine areas? Planning of the seminar cyles for the remaining biogeographical regions Structure and use of the Communication Platform (e.g. Portal based, partly decentralized approach)

Tentative C New proposed planning Seminar Preparatory workshop Boreal 25/26 Jan. 2012 28/29 May 2012 Atlantic 20/21 June 2012 3/4 Dec. 2012 Alpine May/June 2013 October 2013 Mediterranean / Macaronesian Nov./Dec. 2013 Spring 2014 Continental / Pannonian / Steppic / Black Sea Autumn 2014 Spring 2015 Marine ?