1. Public access to Natura 2000 geo-database
Habitats Committee Meeting, 22nd October 2008
Danny Charbonneau, Angelika Rubin

2. Structure of presentation
Background
Building a filter for sensitive data (species)
Outlook
DG ENV web update on europa
Discussion

3. Why do we need to go public with the Natura 2000 Database?
Policy of open & easy access to information - Aarhus, INSPIRE, …
Show/promote the richness of Natura 2000, improve visibility
Natura 2000 geo-database is valuable dataset - of potential use to many processes
Many requests received by DG ENV (researchers, NGOs, planners, …) - for positive use

4. Many Member States have Natura 2000 information online
We looked at websites of 19 Member States websites (including some regions), the results are:
13 MS have GIS search functions on their Natura 2000 websites
9 MS have detailed descriptive information for their sites
Ireland and some regions (Wallonia, 3 German Länder) have download functions
While this overview is by no means complete it clearly indicates that the publication of Natura 2000 information to a broader public is considered useful by many MS

5. What shall be published on EU-level and where?
Approach: reach maximum transparency
The Natura 2000 geo-database consists of:
Shapefiles containing al Natura 2000 sites
A filtered (ie. non sensitive) descriptive Natura 2000 database
Quality control & management: EEA & ETC/BD
Publication to general public via EEA website
Terms of use:
see EEA’s “Access to data” information under
includes: No commercial use, acknowledging the source

6. Legal aspects
What are acceptable justifications for not allowing access to Natura 2000 data?
Most important legal acts: Regulation 1049/2001 & Regulation 1367/2006 (“Aarhus regulation”)
Exceptions to discloure for eg. public security, defence and military matters, etc. also protection of the environment
For Natura 2000 data primarily the issue of sensitive information on species seems applicable
Other exceptions need to be justified

7. Building a filter for sensitive information
Focus: sensitive species (in sites under Birds & Habitats Directive)
Need to consolidate information received over the last years & bring it together in one “filter”
Options: Filter species in whole MS or specific sites
Note sent on 16 September 2008 to coordination group (cc Habitats Committee & Ornis Committee) including a template per MS
Deadline to reply: 20th October 2008
9 MS have replied (DK, CZ, DE, BG, FI, LU, CY, AT, UK, (SK))

8. Specifying sensitive species

9. Preparing the public database
N2K Database
Application
of filter
Updates every 6 months
N2K Public Database

10. Outlook: New Online GIS Tool
Developed by the European Environment Agency (EEA)
Released in the course of 2009
Allowing to:
View Natura 2000 data
Create interactive maps
(add layers, change background)
Download data (tabular & spatial)
Links to other online resources

11. Website updates – new links to MS & maps

12. Website updates – GIS area calculations
Latest figures:
A total of Natura 2000 sites cover 16,9% of
EU terrestrial territory

13. Discussion Sensitive species filter
Any observations?
Any reactions still outstanding?
Going public with Natura 2000 – any suggestions for…
Online viewer
Static maps, Google Earth, Google Maps
Downloadable geo-database (eg. shape-files,…)

14. Thank you for your attention!
Have a look at our “nature and biodiversity” homepage:
environment/nature/index_en.htm
“Natura 2000 databases & GIS”
natura2000/db_gis/index_en.htm