1. Conservation Guidance Concept Form
Marc Thauront
Brussels 30 June 2008

2. Basic similarities and differences between BHD & WFD
Is there a conformity between BHD habitats and types for coastal and transitional waters
structure and functions in BHD and WFD
Preliminary conclusions

3. Two spatial levels for WFD:
HFF and WFD: basic similarities and differences for transitional waters
Two spatial levels for WFD:
river basin
water body (delimited  ± site level)
Two spatial levels for HFF:
biogeographical area in the territory of MS
Designated Natura 2000 site
Differences between mandatory results and means
Similar ecosystems focused?
Comparison of the scope of FCS and GES
Authorization/exemption processes (see undertaking a new project)

4. HFF and WFD: basic similarities and differences for transitional waters
In the Protected Areas (e.g. Natura 2000 sites), Member States shall protect, enhance and restore all coastal and transitional Water Bodies, with the aim of achieving good status for 2015 (determined by the poorer of its ecological status and its chemical status)
Management plan and programmes of measures at the river basins level
WFD
 Mandatory results at “site” level (Water bodies of the Natura 2000 site)
 Mandatory means at “global ” level

5.  Mandatory results at “global” level
HFF and WFD: basic similarities and differences for transitional waters
HFF art 2 (large geographical level):
…ensuring bio-diversity through the conservation of natural habitats …in the territory of the Member States.
Measures shall be designed to maintain or restore at favourable conservation status, natural habitats….
HFF article 6.1 & 6.2 (site level)
MS shall establish the necessary conservation measures (proactive approach)
MS shall take appropriate steps to avoid the deterioration of natural habitats (defensive approach)
BHD:
 Mandatory results at “global” level
 Mandatory means at “site level”

6. HFF and WFD: habitats and types
GCF: Is there a conformity between BHD habitats and types for coastal and transitional waters

7. BHD and WFD: habitats and types
At least 3 HFF habitats may be described, at least partly, with descriptors (particularly system B) proposed in WFD annex 2 for the characterisation of surface water body types : estuaries-1130, lagoons*-1150, bays Furthermore the same habitats are frequently SPAs.
The 3 are considered within WFD Guidance n°5
The 3 may include other HFF habitats as sandbanks-1110, mudflats-1140 or salt marshes-1310 to 1330
This 3 HFF habitats types will be considered as habitat with a wide spectrum by opposition to the others ones with a narrow spectrum
Wide spectrum habitats are directly focused by WFD and GES and FCS have to be combined at least partially

8. HFF and WFD: habitats and types
Wide spectrum HFF habitats in transitional waters
Coastal waters CW
Transitional waters TW
either CW or TW
Estuary 1130
Bay 1160
Coastal lagoon*
1150

10. HFF and WFD: habitats and types
Wide spectrum habitats in transitional and coastal waters: different driving forces
Areas in Natura 2000 sites
Estuaries 1130
Lagoons* 1150
Bays
1160
North east Atlantic
387,327
50,653
711,930
Baltic
112,520
146,662
314,432
Mediterranean
14,329
177,393
46,982

11. HFF and WFD: habitats and types
North east Atlantic: tidal dynamic
Baltic and Mediterranean: longitudinal dynamic
Estuarine habitats in both case
+ tidal estuaries
+ lagoons*
Common features: sediments, brackish species and habitats, oxygen…
Grey area: e.g. zalew

12. GCF: structure and functions in BHD and WFD

13. BHD and WFD: structure and functions
WFD: "Ecological status" is an expression of the quality of the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems.
Annex 5 define key parameters in transitional waters with quality elements for the classification of ecological status and normative definitions of ecological status classifications, i.e. :
Biological elements (phytoplankton, other aquatic flora, benthic invertebrate fauna and fish fauna)
Hydro-morphological and chemical and physico-chemical elements supporting the biological elements

14. BHD and WFD: structure and functions
HFF: The conservative status of a natural habitat will be taken as "favourable" when:
its natural range and areas it covers within that range are stable or increasing ( biogeographical level, no direct link with WFD)
the specific structure and functions which are necessary for its long-term maintenance exist and are likely to continue to exist for the foreseeable future  biogeographical level considered by EAA, site level for article 6 ?
the conservation status of its typical species is favourable  MS level (article 17), site level for article 6?

15. HFF and WFD: structure and functions
structure and functions are not defined in BHD but the Decision 97/266/CE made a link for the structure with the description of the Interpretation Manual and consider 'the conservation of functions` by the prospects (capacity and probability) of the habitat type concerned on the site in question to maintain its structure for the future.  the Interpretation manual has to be accurate and coherent
structure and functions are well defined in WFD (despite of the value issues)
WFD annex 5 is using group of species (Phytoplankton, macrophytes and phytobenthos, benthic invertebrate fauna and fish fauna). A link with HFF typical species has to be proposed for habitats occurring in transitional waters.

16. HFF and WFD: structure and functions
Typical species in article 17 reports for 1130 :
UK: not applicable (physiographic description only)
FR: 10 benthic invertebrates as malcoma baltica
DE: 46 typical species (16 birds, 18 plants, 8 fishes, 4 carabidae)
Lack of guidance from the interpretation manual ?
Dead mudflats may exist in case of ecological crisis
Typical species are key features to be studied for conservation objectives or for art. 6.3 and 6.4 process. Benthic invertebrates are considered in WFD annex 5.

17. Preliminary conclusions

18. Preliminary conclusions 1
Dynamic estuarine and coastal BHD habitats are at least connected to WFD transitional and coastal waters types
BHD and EC: no guidance at site level concerning FCS: it means differences within member states may exist
The common reference is the Interpretation manual which has to be revised to express coherence with WFD guidance document n° 5 (e.g. there was no debate concerning the navigation waterways in the estuarine water bodies). Furthermore it has has to be revised to strengthen the structure description (FCS)
The question of coastal wetlands (e.g. salt marshes) will mainly concern the BHD and “indirectly” the water bodies

19. Preliminary conclusions: 2
At site level, structure and functions criteria for habitats falling in transitional waters should be partly covered by WFD (potentially the same for typical species)
The use of structure and functions as defined in WFD implies a coherence between Interpretation Manual and the Guidance document n° 5 on transitional and coastal waters
A first conservation objective for the focused Natura 2000 sites could be to reach GES for the transitional water bodies. The GES of wide spectrum HFF habitats in coastal and transitional waters has to be reached for 2015
Other potential descriptors specific to wide spectrum BHD habitats have to be searched for (if any ? Birds ?)

20. Preliminary conclusions: 3
The conservation objectives at site level will have to take into account :
Conservation of structures and functions (± dynamic)
Typical species + other annex II and IV species and birds
narrow spectrum habitats which are “typical components”

21. Ecosystems approach
Ecosystem approach developed in the framework of CBD and/or Harbassins is covering both WFD and BHD needs
"Ecosystem" means a dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit.
The ecosystem approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. It is based on the application of appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels of biological organization which encompass the essential processes, functions and interactions among organisms and their environment. It recognizes that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of ecosystems.
Key conservations objectives and/or EIAs have to be more focused on ecological features than limits and typologies