“Access to Natura 2000 Data” - Summary report from the meeting on 17 June ’09, Brussels Expert Group on Reporting, 18 June ‘09

Context A discussion on public access to Natura 2000 data took place at the Habitats Committee in October 2008 Agreements that before going public with these data a dedicated meeting with MS should take place, looking at concrete proposals on how data would be made available Precondition: the filtering of sensitive data on species from the database. June 17th Meeting: All presentations on Circa.

Agenda Introduction & Background The online public Natura 2000 viewer Functionalities - demonstration Disclaimer for the Natura 2000 database excluding non-sensitive species Downloading Natura 2000 data from the EEA-Data Service& Terms of use The public Natura 2000 database EEA-Data Service & Terms of use of EEA

The online public viewer Purpose: Give simple & easily accessible information for general public about the network (without sensitive data) – target: late 2009 A draft application (made available before the meeting) was discussed Generally welcomed, some improvements were suggested (so far only FI clearly stated that it wants to opt out) Main comments received on : Search (Include habitat types search, search only for species of the annexes) Speed , screen use Ensure INSPIRE compliance Put the viewer in the context of information on the directives See SPAs / SCIs separately Test it with non-specialists Re-consider the content of pop-up boxes Learn lessons from national viewers OGC Compatible web services: WMS and WFS Use FAQ to clarify data limitations with end-users.

Disclaimer – Natura 2000 database Short introduction to the Natura 2000 database Inform about the absence of sensitive species and list concerned MS Inform on the level of precision of the data What Members States have been excluded – if any Contacts Possible: date of reception of the latest validated database Main comments received: Make clear that data may be out-dated despite the yearly releases Include statement on the legal value (or limitations thereof) of the presented data in the viewer

Public filtered Database Simplified, improved structure of filtered database presented (Favourably welcomed by the group) Because of the heterogeneous approach to declaring sensitive species, it should be considered to ask for justification from the concerned MS. The filtered database is what’s used for the Public Viewer and the EEA Data Service. The choice to opt out of one means to opt out of the other. Cleaning of species names errors: Presentation of automated correction mechanisms on the database to remove the most obvious errors Corrections on national level will be envisaged as well.

Downloading Natura 2000 data from the EEA-Data Service Structure, access and functionalities presented by EEA. Main comments received: Versioning: advantages and disadvantages discussed. UK to clarify licensing issues regarding their spatial data. CZ concern on downloading shapefiles (while agreeing for WMS/WFS service) Consider to accompany every release with a quality control release note.

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