A measure involving a zoning : the Natura 2000 network Seminar EBP-BIOSOC Paris 18 and 19 June, 2007

Plan  I. Presentation of the Natura 2000 network  II. Implementation of Natura 2000 in four French departments  III. Presentation of first results  IV. Further work to be done

I. Presentation and history of the Natura 2000 Network

Definition: Natura 2000 is a European ecological network built for the conservation of natural habitats and wild species (fauna and flora). Objectives : The objective of the natura 2000 network is to preserve biological diversity (biodiversity) on the territory of the European Union (EU), in conformity with the european directives « Birds » (1979) et « Habitats » (1992).

Procedure for designing Natura 2000 zoning : 3 actors at region and department levels  Schéma de Carine Lecoeur Environment Minister European Commission Directives Birds and Habitats ’ Department and Region National lists of Birds and Habitats. DIREN (region, Dir. Envr) DDAF (Department, Dir. Agri) Préfet Propositions of zones Local consultations Birds Zones Propositions of Habitats European Sites Habitats Zones

First phase of Natura 2000 zoning : to avoid overlaping and conflicts between agriculture and conservation objectives. ex. Ille et Vilaine ..

History of the Natura 2000 network in France A lack of political commitment  1992 : Habitats Directive  : Inventory and scientific work to identify relevant sites  1996 : Scientific validation of the sites at national  : Concertation with local authorities (« maires »), representatives of users and managers of rural areas  1998 : Official consultation and proposals of the sites to the European Commission  2001 List of sites rejected in France by the «Conseil d’Etat » because of lack of consultation with local authorities  : New consultations and building of the technical content of the measure (DOCOB)  2004 : Building of the new Natura 2000 network  2006 : New proposal of sites to the European Commission. Demand to increase the area under Natura 2000 regulation

In comparison with other countries, the total area under Natura 2000 regulation is low. (Habitats) Directive in Europe in 2004) Member states Number of sites Total area (Km2) Percentage of the territory France ,6 Allemagne Royaume Uni ,1 Belgique ,4 Autriche ,6 Suède ,4 Finlande ,7 Italie ,7 Luxembourg ,9 Portugal ,9 Pays Bas ,1 Grèce ,9 Espagne ,5 Danemark ,8 Source: European Commission, Information letter Natura 2000, june2004

For the next phase, possibility or more conflicts between agriculture and nature conservation objectives ( more overlaping between agricultural areas and conservation areas)

II. Implementation of the survey on Natura 2000 in four départements in France

Surveys conducted so far 2 to 3 institutions according to local procedure Departements ArdècheLoir et cherIlle et vilaine Vendée Conducted so far 1  Co nservatoire régional de l’environnement 2  Region Dir.environment,  Departement Dir agri 1  Region Dir.environment, 2  Prefecture  Departement Dir agri Remaining 2  Region Dir.environment,  Departement, Dir agri 01  Departement Dir agri 1  Region Dir.environment,

Zoning : according to the departement, stakeholders who are involved differ  Ille et Vilaine : DIREN (Region, dir.envir) of Brittany plays a central and driving role in the propositions of the perimeters of sites Natura on It leans on an observers' strong network: botanical National Conservatoire of Brest and a network of associations of the nature  Loir et Cher : for the region centre and the department of the, the dialogue between the DIREN (Region, dir envir) and the DDAF (department, dir agri) is the method adopted to realize the demarcation of sites. They use the scientific competence of associations environmentalists  Vendée :the service in charge of environmental issues at the “prefecture” is a tool for coordination and preparation of the decisions of the préfet. The overall technical design of the perimeters of sites is under the responsibility of the DIREN (region, dir. Envir)

Knowledge mobilized for the zoning  The actors participating in the zoning of sites, take as reference for the scientific knowledge the European directives "Birds" and “Habitats".  This base of scientific evidence is completed by local studies realized by experts, at the request of the environmental services of the institutions  Geographic Information Systems ( GIS), are used by the Diren (Region, Dir. Environment) to draw the perimeters of the sites on specific maps  There is no national scientific data base regarding Natura 2000 sites

 III Présentation of first results

N° and identification of questionnaires  1 Préfecture de Vendée  2 DDAF de Vendée  3 DIREN du Centre  4 DDAF du Loir et Cher  5 DIREN de Bretagne

Main sources of information (often or always used) (Questions 31, Natura 2000) N° b Published scientific papers (always/often) ●●● 31cPublished article ●●● 31dPublished technical reviews, books, handbooks² ●●●● 31eMagazines ●● 31fUnpublished reports ●●● 31gElectronic / web-base material ●●●●● 31hExpert opinion from outside the working group ●●● 31iPersonal documentation, traditional practice in the field ● 31jOther sources ●● questionnaire questions

Difficulties to access information (Natura 2000) N° What was the level difficulty to find documentation to support your decision-making ? (1=easy, 10 =difficult) In your experience, how much published information is available to support your decision-making? (1=none, 10 =enough) Were you able to identify knowledge gaps that required further research ? NOONO 48Did you search information enabling you to evaluate the outcome of the measure according to the farm size? NONNN 51Have you approached any person or organisation to implement further research? NONNO 52If yes: Was this person an expert? A private consultant ? A university?.. (number of contacts) 31 53Has any research subsequently been initiated? 1 questionnaire questions

Where are we?  The natura 2000 Network. A network that is changing, some technical content still to be decided, new contradictions between conservation and agricultural development objectives may arise  The work to be completed 4 surveys to be completed at department and region levels + surveys at national and EU level. Data processing and analysis To organize a meeting with people who were interviewed Later on, analyse first results for ET3 implementation