1. EBONE Ilse Geijzendorffer, Bob Bunce and Rob Jongman Copenhagen, 3-10-2011 European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl What can general habitat categories provide EUNIS with?

2. GHC’s General Habitat Categories (GHC): – are based on classic science as defined by Raunkiaer (1908) and transcend species – are based on the regression of Life Forms on the environment Definition of categories and identification of categories is applicable for determination in the field Explicit and mutually exclusive rules for GHC’s and its management and environment qualifiers; No biogeographical terms or local names or species to allow for integration between national approaches on habitat monitoring. European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl

3. 12th EEF Congress 25-29 September 2011, Ávila, Spain 500 m European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl

4. Link between EBONE and EUNIS Eunis is included in the existing GHC methodology In the recent manual for habitat surveillance and monitoring, as developed in the EBONE project, – “the sixth field is for entry of European Habitat classifications, including EUNIS, Annex I and other pan European classifications”. European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl

5. Using GHC to Annex 1 Using GHC as a framework for identifying Annex 1 habitats (include decision tree from EBONE Annex 1 Habitats field key) European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl

6. Field key for Annex 1 using GHC Is element within an Annex 1 landscape unit or habitat complex? Check the GHC and Environmental qualifier If one corresponding Annex 1 habitat, check full description and record element If several corresponding Annex 1 habitat for same GHC, check species indicators and distribution with full description and record element Match element to either coastal landscape, cliff or scree or a habitat complex, check full description and record No Annex 1 habitat, then record as normal habitat Yes No European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl

7. example DCH/EVR: < 0.05 m Stage 1 : no Stage 2: more than 30% shrub, less than 5cm high = DCH which is 6.1 in the key Step 3: offers two possibilities 6.1.1 = DCH/DEC no 6.1.2 = DCH/EVR yes Moist acid So: 6.1.2.1.1 = Moist acid = 4060 Alpina and boreal heath European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl

8. Products available EBONE General Habitat Classification Manual (based on Life forms) for field monitoring; Annex 1 Habitats field key; Software for field computers (handheld and Access); EBONE database for habitat and vegetation monitoring data (INSPIRE based) Implementation in started in countries: Switzerland, Israel, and more to follow..? Compatible with NILS and GBS European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl

9. Cost effectiveness Implementation of methods – Investments are required in training, but the learning curve is steap. – In the field EBONE proved to be 10 times quicker than other protocols (Israel) – The same protocol and terminology for all data collected results in quicker analysis and integration of national results European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl

10. 12th EEF Congress 25-29 September 2011, Ávila, Spain Testing the efficiency of EBONE field protocol Variation in landscape and biodiversity can result in different sampling density requirements (e.g. less time, smaller areas) Finding landscape heterogeneity Time/cost in field – In Spanish squares = 2 days/2 persons per 1x1km – In Portuguese squares = 3 days/2 persons per 500x500m Coarse grain landscapeFine grain landscape European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl

11. 12th EEF Congress 25-29 September 2011, Ávila, Spain 1 km European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl

12. 12th EEF Congress 25-29 September 2011, Ávila, Spain 500 m European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl

13. 12th EEF Congress 2011 25-29 September 2011, Avilla, Spain Habitats can provide proxies for species Is there a correlation between habitat type and species diversity? Better correlation with species composition than species richness. Is there a correlation with habitat across taxonomic groups? Yes Can habitat change be analyzed through time, with corresponding change in species? Yes. European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl

14. Suggestions for the future of EUNIS Depending on the aim, but in general: To be used in the field Consistent methodology Applicable in all countries (in Europe) Common base of terminology for comparison of results Cost effective in implementation European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl Kopenhagen, 3rd of October 2011, ilse.geijzendorffer @wur.nl

15. The future of EUNIS Depending on the aim, but in general: To be used in the field – ghc’s are used in the field successfully in Europe, working on global Consistent methodology – Consistency improved, or use another entry to the Eunis classes as with the Annex 1 key. The GHC’s can be used to enable EUNIS to be mapped consistently in the field. – Editing of current category descriptions to improve ecology terminology e.g. brushes which should be scrub. – Certain terms are not clear and are in need of a definition: Mediteranneo montane what is it? – Percentages cover rules could be added to improve consistency in the application of EUNIS. European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl Kopenhagen, 3rd of October 2011, ilse.geijzendorffer @wur.nl

16. The future of EUNIS Applicable in all countries (in Europe) – Precise definition of the zonal (biographical/geographical) distribution. Montane between Alps, Spain, Brittain. E.g Environmental zones plus altitude ranges. – Geographical indications in classes are difficult for European comparison Common base of terminology for comparison of results – Everyone will want to adapt the terminology. It’s a (political) choice to agree or not with arguments, but be wary of too many categories. However, a common base allows a minimum of analysis, generic comparison and reporting across Europe. European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl Kopenhagen, 3rd of October 2011, ilse.geijzendorffer @wur.nl

17. Suggestions for the future of EUNIS European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl Kopenhagen, 3rd of October 2011, ilse.geijzendorffer @wur.nl Cost effective in implementation Stimulates uptake and implementation Ongoing work to link the habitats to remote sensing

18. Thank you for your attention European Biodiversity Observation Network http://www.ebone.wur.nl Kopenhagen, 3rd of October 2011 Contributed to this presentation: Ilse Geijzendorffer, Bob Bunce and Rob Jongman (Alterra), L. Olsvig-Whittaker, E. Frankenberg, (both Israel Nature and Parks Authority, Israel), Marta Ortega,(Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain ), Carlos Guerra (I.P. Viana do Castelo, Portugal ), João Honrado, (University of Porto, Portugal) Ilse.Geijzendorffer@wur.nl