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European Union law to protect wild species of plants and animals is generally considered as ‘strict’. Opponents of nature conservation law often pick the species protection components of the EU Bird Directive and Habitat Directive as a prime example of an unnecessary strict regulatory scheme that results in limitations of economic developments. Based on case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, this paper explores to what extent EU species protection rules are indeed as rigid as its opponents often depict them. The article starts with a presentation of some general considerations regarding the motivations underpinning species protection law (Section II). Based on a brief discussion of the various “human-nature-attitudes” as distinguished in environmental philosophy, the authors show that at the level of international nature conservation law, an interesting shift in human-nature relationships from mastery towards stewardship and even to the ecocentric attitudes can be recognized; however, despite this shift, many of the nature conservation goals have not been met. One of the common weaknesses of many of the international conventions is that the wording of obligations and prohibitions leaves much leeway for balancing interests, prioritizing short term economic benefits and - consequently - for mastery behaviour. This helps to understand that in the EU, with 80% of the important natural values in an unfavourable conservation status, species protection law is meant to be more concrete and strict (Section III). The discussion of the case law of the EU Court of Justice in this article shows that in the last two decades many attempts have been made by Member States to find the weak components of the system in order to find space for prioritizing economic interests; however, the analysis also shows that in all these situations the Court has closed the backdoor for mastery by enforcing the strict character of the regime (Section IV). The article concludes with the observation that this strict character of the system appears to be an important fundament for developing new innovative approaches (Section V): Governments and businesses start to understand that a willingness to take nature conservation law seriously and by conducting active initiatives to restore species in a favourable conservation status, there is less need and space for legal procedures and more space for economic developments.

European Union law to protect wild species of plants and animals is generally considered as ‘strict’. Opponents of nature conservation law often pick the species protection components of the EU Bird Directive and Habitat Directive as a prime example of an unnecessary strict regulatory scheme that results in limitations of economic developments. Based on case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, this paper explores to what extent EU species protection rules are indeed as rigid as its opponents often depict them. The article starts with a presentation of some general considerations regarding the motivations underpinning species protection law (Section II). Based on a brief discussion of the various “human-nature-attitudes” as distinguished in environmental philosophy, the authors show that at the level of international nature conservation law, an interesting shift in human-nature relationships from mastery towards stewardship and even to the ecocentric attitudes can be recognized; however, despite this shift, many of the nature conservation goals have not been met. One of the common weaknesses of many of the international conventions is that the wording of obligations and prohibitions leaves much leeway for balancing interests, prioritizing short term economic benefits and - consequently - for mastery behaviour. This helps to understand that in the EU, with 80% of the important natural values in an unfavourable conservation status, species protection law is meant to be more concrete and strict (Section III). The discussion of the case law of the EU Court of Justice in this article shows that in the last two decades many attempts have been made by Member States to find the weak components of the system in order to find space for prioritizing economic interests; however, the analysis also shows that in all these situations the Court has closed the backdoor for mastery by enforcing the strict character of the regime (Section IV). The article concludes with the observation that this strict character of the system appears to be an important fundament for developing new innovative approaches (Section V): Governments and businesses start to understand that a willingness to take nature conservation law seriously and by conducting active initiatives to restore species in a favourable conservation status, there is less need and space for legal procedures and more space for economic developments.

European Union law to protect wild species of plants and animals is generally considered as ‘strict’. Opponents of nature conservation law often pick the species protection components of the EU Bird Directive and Habitat Directive as a prime example of an unnecessary strict regulatory scheme that results in limitations of economic developments. Based on case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, this paper explores to what extent EU species protection rules are indeed as rigid as its opponents often depict them. The article starts with a presentation of some general considerations regarding the motivations underpinning species protection law (Section II). Based on a brief discussion of the various “human-nature-attitudes” as distinguished in environmental philosophy, the authors show that at the level of international nature conservation law, an interesting shift in human-nature relationships from mastery towards stewardship and even to the ecocentric attitudes can be recognized; however, despite this shift, many of the nature conservation goals have not been met. One of the common weaknesses of many of the international conventions is that the wording of obligations and prohibitions leaves much leeway for balancing interests, prioritizing short term economic benefits and - consequently - for mastery behaviour. This helps to understand that in the EU, with 80% of the important natural values in an unfavourable conservation status, species protection law is meant to be more concrete and strict (Section III). The discussion of the case law of the EU Court of Justice in this article shows that in the last two decades many attempts have been made by Member States to find the weak components of the system in order to find space for prioritizing economic interests; however, the analysis also shows that in all these situations the Court has closed the backdoor for mastery by enforcing the strict character of the regime (Section IV). The article concludes with the observation that this strict character of the system appears to be an important fundament for developing new innovative approaches (Section V): Governments and businesses start to understand that a willingness to take nature conservation law seriously and by conducting active initiatives to restore species in a favourable conservation status, there is less need and space for legal procedures and more space for economic developments.

Aeshna viridis, a dragonfly generally considered to be a specialist as it in most cases choosesStratiotes aloides as its habitat, have suffered badly from habitat loss and fragmentationsthroughout Europe under the last century as the human demand of land use have grown. It´sthereby considered near threatened on EU red list and is included in the Habitat Directive.This means that it is protected by EU law as all EU Member States is committed to protect,monitor and report back to EU the status of the species. Several European countries havedesigned protection plans for S. aloides to improve the preservation of A. viridis. My study inSouth and Central Sweden shows that the strong connection between A. viridis and S. aloidesmay not be consistent all over the distribution range of A. viridis, as my survey showed thatlarvae occur among other water plants when S. aloides is not present. Another aim in thisstudy was to evaluate the possibility to use occurrence data on A. viridis and S. aloides fromthe Species Observations System to monitor A. viridis distribution and dispersal. My studyimplies uncertainties of how well the datasets reflects reality and more research is necessarybefore clarifying if datasets could be a possible tool in conservation management of A. viridis.

Nell’Orto Botanico di Bologna e nel Parco Regionale dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell’Abbadessa sono stati realizzati degli small green roof e coperture a verde caratterizzati da una biodiversità autoctona, con il fine di mostrarne le potenzialità nel campo della conservazione vegetale.

The implementation of the EU Bird and Habitat Directives by the ports and dredging industry caused severe project disruptions across North-West Europe in the past. The prevalence of negative experience triggered a new approach, which aims to integrate site-specific ecosystem characteristics and project objectives during the development of the initial project design. This approach is termed ‘Building with Nature’. The authorities and practitioners hope that the new approach will improve project implementation within the existing framework of the Bird and Habitat Directives. In this paper we review a total of twelve projects in the field of dredging against the definition of ‘Building with Nature’. For each project we highlight the outcome of assessment according to article 6 of the EU Habitat Directive. In conclusion we assess if there is a connection between the application of Building with Nature and the outcome of assessment under article 6 Habitat Directive.

National audience; Some new French and Spanish records of Rhysodes sulcatus (F., 1787) are presented with up to date distribution maps. Occurence in France of Omoglymmius (s. s.) germari (Ganglbauer, 1892) is considered. Habitus of the four European species of Rhysodidae are presented

This research starts considering that Posidonia oceanica, seagrass endemic in the Mediterranean Sea, has a fundamental role in coastal marine ecosystems; it is responsible for forming underwater meadows with high ecological value as a climax community of Mediterranean Sea. Meadows protect the coastline from erosion by reducing the waves’ energy. This seagrass is also responsible for oxygen production, it is involved in the hydro-sedimentological coastal dynamic, hosts several invertebrates species and it is nursery of a number of fish species. These are the main reasons for which this ecosystem has been defined as priority habitat (sensu Directive 92/43/CE), for which is foreseen the designation of Site of Community Importance (SCI). The conservation status of Posidonia meadows today is seriously threatened by the increasing level of anthropication of the landscape and by humans’ activities, which can relevantly affect this ecosystem even at high distance from the source of impact due to the continuity of the sea. The ultimate aim of this study is to identify a way for defining management guidelines for Posidonia oceanica meadows (habitat 1120* sensu Directive 92/43/CE). A case study has been chosen for this purpose: Santa Marinella meadow, which is located within a Site of Community Importance (code: IT000007, “Fondali antistanti S. Marinella”). Through an integrated and multidisciplinary approach it has been verified the perimeter of the site, it has been done the mapping of the biocenosys, it has been assessed the conservation status of the Posidonia meadow, it has been identified the humans activities and their impacts on the meadow, it has been developed the strategic management priorities and it has been defined the guidelines for the Management Plan implementation. The processed map of the Posidonia at the site allowed the identification of the real distribution of the ecosystem and showed how the perimeter of the SCI (IT000007, “Fondali antistanti S. Marinella) and the Standard Data Form of the N2000 site should be updated. It also allowed the identification of high surface of dead matte below 17 m depth and highlighted the regression of the lower limit of the meadow. The assessment of the conservation status of the meadow was performed analyzing data on coverage, density and rhizomes production, collected on 20 sample station points located within 2 areas of the meadow, during a three years campaigns (2006-2007-2008). In every sample station, depth, area and bottom types have been recorded; also sediment samples were collected ones in every station, during the three year. Statistical processing has shown how absolute density and coverage (relative density) are inversely correlated with depth. Correlation has not been found between density or production and sedimentogical data. Following the Pergent et al. (1995) classification, the meadow resulted disturbed. Thanks’ to the use of a predictive model (PosiPred), expected absolute density and expected rhizome production have been calculated for each sampling station, comparisons have been performed. Real density was lower then the predicted one and rhizomes production was higher then the predicted one, showing an anomalous behaviour of the meadow. Human activities map has been processed using, as baseline CLC2000, the database of Lazio Region (SIRA), the interpretation of aerial image and sites visiting; the results of the map have been used to calculate the Index of Conservation Landscape of the whole water basin which was classified as medium. The analysis of data related to marine water quality and ephemeral streams, collected from the Regional Body for environmental protection (ARPAL), showed that the streams are highly polluted, highlighted by the BOD5 values and the high turbidity level. There have not been recorded high significant differences between nitrogen suspended sediment in the targeted area and near Tevere mouth; this can be assumed as an evidence of high level of nutrients in Santa Marinella sea area. This equality is unexpected considering how distant is the study site from the source of impact (mouth of Tevere). The collection of these data and the analysis of the literature on Posidonia meadow allowed the identification of the effects that human activities can have on the meadow. Considering the area occupied by each activity, the influences of them on the site have been assessed. This has shown that SDF needs to be updated on this issue too. With the aim of identifying possible management solutions to reduce the impacts described, also other biological features characteristic of the site have been considered as suggested by the Guidelines of EC to marine N2000 sites management. Besides, in collaboration with the Human Computer Studies Department of Amsterdam University, an original qualitative model has been developed (within Garp3 software) with aim of representing the dynamics determining the meadow fragmentation and net growth in the study site in relation with anchoring impact. The model implemented can be a useful tool to transfer knowledge to stakeholders when decision-making process starts for planning and managing the N2000 site. Overall the model can help in simulating the change of the conservation status caused by unregulated anchoring. Operational proposes facing this problem, have been thus developed. Qualitative reasoning can also help in deepen the dynamic processes that characterized structure and function of this complex ecosystem. Moreover the use of generic standard ecological and physical concepts in the model implementation makes the model re-usable in areas with similar problems and values. More valuable tools for meadows’ monitoring (e.g. sediment traps) and supporting identification of early indicators for nutrients over-enrichment are described as priorities actions when managing the site, together with the designation of areas where anchoring would be temporary forbidden. In general Tevere (which waters move mainly north outside the mouth) and ephemeral streams polluted waters are the main cause of high turbidity and of high values of nitrogen particulate substance recorded. Sediments and nutrients cause low levels of transparency, which are responsible of the regression of the lower limit of the meadow and therefore they are the main limiting factors for seagrasses growing below certain depth. High levels of total nitrogen and nitrogen particulate substance recorded (although they are not enough to determine eutrophic water), can be assumed as the cause of high values of rhizomes production and primary production per shoots recorded. These values have been assumed as mainly linked with the level of anthropication of the terrestrial area southern to the site (where is the city of Rome) and to the intensive agricultural activities around the site. Therefore, it is clear how an integrated management strategy of land and sea is the only way to reduce the threats now affecting the study site in particular and, in general, all marine Natura 2000 sites with similar threats and conditions. In this way Member States will be able to identify and undertake appropriate steps to avoid the deterioration of natural habitats for which the SCIs have been designated and thus respect the commitment signed with ratification of the Habitat Directive. The involvement in the decision making process through “concerting table” of the regional and local administrations responsible for both sea and water basin area and, thus, the developments of tools useful to communicate and “teach” scientific concepts to stakeholders, administrators and population is a fundamental step to help implementing protection of Posidonia oceanica meadow for future generations. Il presente lavoro prende spunto dalla considerazione che la Posidonia oceanica, fanerogama marina endemica del Mediterraneo, riveste un ruolo fondamentale negli ambienti marino costieri, formando praterie sommerse di notevole importanza ecologica, che costituiscono una comunità climax del Mar Mediterraneo ed esercitano una importante azione nella protezione della fascia costiera dall'erosione. Le praterie di Posidonia sono inoltre responsabili della produzione di ossigeno, intervengono nella dinamica idrosedimentologica dei litorali, ospitano numerose specie di invertebrati marini e sono “nursery” per molte specie ittiche. Per queste ragioni, questi ecosistemi sono definiti habitat (sensu Direttiva 92/43/CE)prioritari, e per i quali è prevista l’istituzione di Siti di Interesse Comunitario (SIC). Lo stato di conservazione delle praterie oggi è fortemente minacciato dal livello di antropizzazione del territorio e dalle attività umane in esso praticate, in grado di influenzare in maniera rilevante praterie localizzate anche a distanza molto considerevole dalla fonte di impatto. La ricerca svolta si è posta l’obiettivo di sviluppare una metodologia per l’individuazione di strategie per la gestione sostenibile e la conservazione delle praterie di Posidonia all’interno di un Sito di Importanza Comunitaria (IT000007, “Fondali antistanti S. Marinella”). L’obiettivo è stato sviluppato attraverso un approccio integrato e multidisciplinare che ha compreso: la verifica della perimetrazione del sito e la mappatura della distribuzione della biocenosi; la valutazione dello stato del posidonieto; l’individuazione e la classificazione delle attività umane e degli impatti che queste causano sulla prateria; l’individuazione delle priorità strategiche di gestione; la definizione delle linee guida per lo sviluppo del Piano di Gestione. L’elaborazione della cartografia delle biocenosi del sito ha permesso l’identificazione della reale distribuzione del posidonieto evidenziando che il perimetro del SIC e la scheda N2000 debbano di essere aggiornati, che la gran parte del limite inferiore del posidonieto è in regressione e che ampie superfici sotto i 17 m di profondità sono occupate da matte morta con solo ciuffi sparsi di Posidonia. La valutazione dello stato di qualità del posidonieto è stata effettuata analizzando i dati di densità, copertura e produzione del rizoma raccolti in 20 stazioni nell’ambito di campagne di monitoraggio, durante tre anni (20062008) in due aree campione della prateria. Per ogni stazione di monitoraggio, la profondità, l’area e la tipologia di substrato sono state registrate; anche il sedimento, raccolto in ogni stazione durante la campagna del dicembre 2006, è stato analizzato. Le elaborazioni statistiche hanno mostrato come le densità assoluta e la copertura (densità relativa) siano funzione della profondità, mentre i dati sedimentologici non hanno mostrato nessuna correlazione con la densità o la produzione. Secondo la scala Pergent et al. (1995) la prateria può essere classificata come disturbata. Grazie all’utilizzo di un modello predittivo (PosiPred), la densità assoluta e la produzione del rizoma attese per le 20 stazioni di campionamento sono state calcolate e confrontate con i valori medi reali misurati nelle medesime stazioni. La densità assoluta è risultata minore di quella attesa e la produzione del rizoma maggiore di quella attesa; confermando quindi la presenza di una situazione anomala. La cartografia delle attività antropiche è stata elaborata utilizzando come base il CLC2000, il database della Regione Lazio (SIRA), la fotointerpretazione e i rilievi su campo; il risultato ha permesso il calcolo dell’Index of Conservation Landscape di tutto il bacino idrico che è risultato di valore medio. L’analisi dei dati raccolti dall’ARPAL, relativi alla qualità delle acque marine e dei ruscelli stagionali ha mostrato come i ruscelli siano altamente inquinati per i valori di BOD5 riscontrati e la torbidità sia elevata considerati i bassi valori di trasparenza dell’acqua marina nell’area. Non sono, inoltre, state riscontrate elevate differenze tra i valori di azoto particolato sospeso e azoto totale registrati nell’area di studio e alla foce del Tevere, mostrando che l’area di Santa Marinella e la foce del Tevere siano entrambi caratterizzati da elevati livelli di nutrienti. Per quanto riguarda l’area di studio, tali livelli non erano previsti, considerando la notevole distanza dalla principale fonte d’impatto (foce del Tevere). L’analisi di questi dati e della letteratura esistente in materia hanno permesso l’individuazione degli effetti che le attività antropiche osservate possono causare sulla prateria; partendo dall’analisi delle superfici occupate da ciascuna attività, è stata calcolata l’influenza di ognuna di esse sul sito. Anche questa analisi ha mostrato come la scheda N2000 necessiti di essere aggiornata. Per l’individuazione di possibili soluzioni di gestione atte a ridurre gli impatti individuati, si è tenuto conto delle altre componenti biologiche esistenti nel sito di interesse, come suggerito nelle linee guida della Commissione Europea per la gestione dei siti marini N2000. Inoltre, in collaborazione con il Dipartimento “Human Computer Studies” dell’Università di Amsterdam, è stato implementato un modello qualitativo originale (utilizzando il software Garp3), volto a rappresentare in maniera esaustiva le dinamiche che determinano la frammentazione e la crescita netta della prateria in relazione all’impatto degli ancoraggi. Il modello implementato e descritto vuole essere proposto come utile strumento di trasferimento del sapere scientifico agli stakeholders durante il processo di pianificazione e gestione del Sito. Il modello prodotto permette la simulazione dei cambiamenti del Posidonieto nel tempo a causa della non regolamentazione degli ancoraggi. A partire da ciò sono state sviluppate proposte concrete per il contenimento di questo impatto. L’utilizzo del “qualitative reasoning” ha permesso l’approfondimento dei processi che influiscono sullo stato di conservazione del posidonieto e caratterizzano la struttura e le funzioni di questo complesso ecosistema. Inoltre l’aver utilizzato concetti ecologici e parametri fisici generici durante l’implementazione del modello rende possibile il suo riutilizzo in aree con problemi e caratteristiche simili. Strumenti più efficaci per il monitoraggio della prateria (p.e. le trappole di sedimento) e il supporto alla ricerca di indicatori precoci per determinare il sovrarricchimento da nutrienti, sono stati identificati come misure prioritarie per la gestione del sito, assieme alla proposta di creare aree dove l’ancoraggio possa essere temporaneamente proibito. In generale, si può ipotizzare che il Tevere (le cui acque muovono prevalentemente lungo costa verso nord) e, stagionalmente, le acque inquinate trasportate dai ruscelli sono la causa dell’eccessiva torbidità e dell’elevato livello di nutrienti riscontrati. Sedimento e nutrienti causano bassi livelli di trasparenza, responsabili della regressione del limite inferiore del posidonieto e dell’impossibilità per lo stesso di crescere sotto una certa profondità. Le alte concentrazioni di azoto totale e di azoto particolato riscontrate (pur non in quantità tale da causare eutrofia), sono probabilmente la causa prevalente degli alti valori di produzione primaria per fascio e del rizoma osservati e sono connesse all’elevata antropizzazione del territorio a sud del sito (Roma) e all’agricoltura praticata in prossimità del sito. Da questo quadro, si evince come una gestione e pianificazione integrata del sistema terra-mare sia l’unica strada per ridurre le minacce esistenti. Solo in questo modo gli stati membri potranno identificare e adottare le opportune misure per evitare il degrado degli habitat naturali per i quali sono stati designati siti di interesse e così rispettare l’impegno sottoscritto con la ratifica della Direttiva Habitat. Il futuro coinvolgimento nel processo decisionale dei portatori di interesse (amministratori locali, associazioni di pescatori, capitaneria di porto, ecc.), attraverso l’efficace comunicazione degli strumenti conoscitivi e descrittivi implementati nel presente lavoro, rappresenta un passaggio di fondamentale importanza al fine di rendere efficaci e duraturi i risultati delle iniziative di protezione degli ecosistemi, caratterizzati dalla presenza di praterie di Posidonia oceanica, che si intendano intraprendere in futuro. Dottorato di ricerca in Ecologia e gestione delle risorse biologiche

The preliminary results of an INTERREG project (III A Greece-Italy 2000-2006) congerning the monitoring of "Saline di Punta della Contessa" Regional Natural Park are here presented. The knowledge on vegetation, communitary habitats and distribution of threatened species has been updated. The agricultural areas have been monitored, taking a census of each agrarian cultivation and of the respective surface. The collected data have been organized in a GIS and the following thematic maps have been produced: land use map (according to the CORINE Land Cover legend), vegetation map, Habitat map (according to the 92/43 EEC directive). The distribution maps of the threatened plant species have been implemented

Urban parks can harbour small populations of saproxylic insects of high conservation concern, such as Osmoderma eremita and other rare beetles. These areas often host old trees which have become very uncommon in rural areas where they are threatened by commercial forestry management procedures based on frequent tree cutting. Nevertheless, old trees of urban parks may represent a hazard for public safety and are sometimes cut by management authorities. The aim of this work was to assess the loss of reproductive sites for saproxylic beetles of the Scarabaeidae, Lucanidae and Cerambycidae, when felling plans are adopted according to a Visual Tree Assessment Procedure (VTA), in a Mediterranean urban park. On July–August 2004, 1,247 holm oaks were surveyed within the border of an urban park of Rome (Villa Borghese). The occurrence of saproxylic beetles (i.e. the presence of frass, living insects or their remains) was verified in 66 old holm oaks, 41% of which were doomed to cutting by VTA. Eleven of these trees (41% of the trees doomed to be cut) held fragments of adults and sometimes living larvae of Osmoderma eremita, and four of them (36%) were included in the felling plan. The presence of Osmoderma eremita in tree holes was more frequent in deep cavities. The presence of frass in the cavities was positively associated with tree height and a high degree of damage at the root collar and negatively with the presence of hole-nesting birds.

The preliminary results of an INTERREG project (III A Greece-Italy 2000-2006) congerning the monitoring of "Torre Guaceto" State Natural Reserve are here presented. The knowledge on vegetation, communitary habitats and distribution of threatened species has been updated. The agricultural areas have been monitored, taking a census of each agrarian cultivation and of the respective surface. The collected data have been organized in a GIS and the following thematic maps have been produced: land use map (according to the CORINE Land Cover legend), vegetation map, Habitat map (according to the 92/43 EEC directive). The maps of the distribution of the threatened plant species have been implemented

L’articolo ha per oggetto una breve presentazione delle comunita vegetali (associazioni) forestali sino ad oggi riconosciute per il territorio del Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga (Appennino centro-meridionale). I dati sulle formazioni forestali che vengono forniti riguardano una sintetica diagnosi dell’associazione con l’indicazione delle specie caratteristiche ed un rilievo fitosociologico esemplificativo, la distribuzione nel Parco Nazionale e i relativi riferimenti bibliografici. Le comunita forestali vengono presentate in relazione con il macrobioclima e le caratteristiche del substrato. Le stesse vengono suddivise nei seguenti gruppi: boschi zonali, legati al clima regionale e caratteristici di una zona bioclimatica (boschi mesofili di caducifoglie (faggete), boschi termofili e submesofili di caducifoglie (querceti a Roverella e Cerro e boschi di Carpino nero), boschi di Pioppo tremolo; boschi extrazonali, presenti al di fuori della zona biogeografica e bioclimatica tipica (boschi misti di sclerofille sempreverdi e di caducifoglie); boschi azonali, svincolati da un’area biogeografica e bioclimatica (boschi di Carpino bianco e Nocciolo, boschi di forra con Aceri, Tigli e Olmo montano, saliceti arboreo-arbustivi e ontanete). Vengono in totale discusse e presentate 26 associazioni forestali appartenenti a 4 classi di vegetazione, la cui posizione gerarchica risulta dall’allegato schema sintassonomico. Da ultimo viene presentato il quadro delle tipologie di habitat forestali, sensu Direttiva (92/43/CEE), presenti nel Parco, che rappresentano una parte importante della biodiversita ricadente nel suo territorio.

Since the publication of the Habitat Directive, France must evaluate the conservation status of natural habitats and species in its territory. With this perspective, we chose the habitat – EU-3260 - “Running chalk streams with Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus spp.)” to test the impact of human pressure such as channelization on the conservation status of this habitat. Our objective was to determine which environmental and biological structures and functions were affected by channelization and could introduce possible impairments of the habitat.Seventeen reaches, in four rivers with similar geomorphology, were monitored in several seasons during two successive years (2006 and 2007). Among these reaches, 6 were considered as reference reaches and 11 as channelized reaches. The latter were distinguished by the method of channelization which could be an embankment, a straightening, or the presence of rigid structures in the stream bed. On the 17 reaches, we then measured several physical and chemical variables, monitored three biological communities (birds, aquatic plants, benthic macroinvertebrates), and tested different biological indices often used in river evaluation.Results showed that channelization led to physical changes of the habitat in several spatial scales: the reach, the riffle-pool sequence, and the microhabitat. For biological communities, taxonomic richness was lower in channelized reaches than in control reaches whatever the community. Dominant taxa were ubiquitous and resistant to environmental stresses. Tested biological indices, and notably IMBR, then showed more debased values in the presence of channelization. Aquatic vegetation was the most interesting biological community to study channelization impact because plants were linked to the different spatial scales, and especially to that of the riffle-pool sequence. Adaptive strategies linked to biological traits of plant taxa were more diverse in channelized reaches in response to the modifications of the spatial and temporal dynamics of the EU 3260 habitat.Our whole study stresses the most appropriate environmental and biological tools for providing information on the impact of channelization. These tools allow us to recommend certain management measures for conserving habitat EU 3260., Depuis l’établissement de la Directive Habitats, la France doit évaluer l’état de conservation des habitats naturels et des espèces de son territoire. Dans cette optique, nous avons choisis l’habitat –UE-3260- « Rivières des étages planitaires à montagnard avec végétation du Ranunculion fluitantis et du Callitricho-Batrachion » pour tester l’impact de pressions anthropiques, type chenalisation, sur l’état de conservation de cet habitat. Notre objectif a été de déterminer quelles structures et fonctions environnementales et biologiques répondent à la chenalisation et pourraient présenter d’éventuelles altérations de l’habitat. 17 stations, sur quatre rivières similaires d’un point de vue géomorphologiques, ont fait l’objet de suivis saisonniers au cours de deux années consécutives (2006 et 2007). Parmi ces stations, 6 sont considérées comme référence et 11 comme chenalisées. Les stations chenalisées se distinguent par la méthode de chenalisation qui peut être un endiguement, une rectification ou la présence de structures rigides dans le lit de la rivière. Sur les 17 stations, nous avons alors mesuré plusieurs variables physiques et chimiques, suivi trois communautés biologiques (oiseaux, plantes aquatiques, macroinvertébrés benthiques), et testé différents indices biologiques couramment utilisés en rivière.Les résultats montrent que la chenalisation conduit à des changements physiques de l’habitat à plusieurs échelles spatiales : la station, la séquence en faciès d’écoulement (ex : radier, mouille) et le microhabitat. Au niveau du compartiment biologique, la richesse taxonomique est plus faible en situation chenalisée quelque soit la communauté. Les taxons dominants sont des taxons ubiquistes et résistants aux stress environnementaux. Les indices biologiques testés, et notamment l’IMBR, montrent alors des valeurs plus dégradées en présence de chenalisation. La végétation aquatique est la communauté biologique la plus intéressante car ses réponses sont associées aux différentes échelles spatiales, et spécialement à celle de la séquence en faciès d’écoulement. Les stratégies adaptatives liées aux traits biologiques des taxons végétaux sont plus diversifiées dans les stations chenalisées en réponse aux modifications des dynamiques spatiales et temporelles de l’habitat UE 3260.L’ensemble de notre étude souligne les outils environnementaux et biologiques les plus pertinents pour renseigner l’impact de la chenalisation. Ils nous permettent de préconiser certaines mesures de gestion afin de préserver l’état de conservation de l’habitat UE 3260.

This study analyses the benthic invertebrate fauna of the brackish-water zone of the Weser estuary from km 45 to km 115, based on personal sampling and observation in the years 1994 to 2002 and additional data from the region since 1980. In order to provide the biological information for an evaluation and the conservation management of the Weser estuary, the spatial distribution of benthic invertebrates and their sensitivity to human interference was investigated in three case studies. Additional external data of benthic invertebrates were added to provide a comprehensive database that allows a transfer of recognized principles from the case studies to a benthic characterisation of the entire estuary.By including the supratidal areas in the analysis, 10 brackish subzones were identified and compared by area and benthic assemblages. In contrast to earlier characterisation by dominant or frequent species, a biotope characterisation by brackish-water species is suggested, which allows the identification of small-structured biotopes. The strong gradients from land to water and river to ocean result in a variety of special biotopes demanding extreme adaptive skills from benthic inhabitants. A low point diversity, which reflects the strong species selection of such an environment, combined with an increase of species richness on larger scales is found to be characteristic for a transitory environment as represented by an estuary.Sensitivity to impacts depended on certain biological criteria both at the species and the community level. An efficient conservation and management strategy for estuarine features as recently claimed by the EU directives needs to take into account the observed different spatial scales of individually structured biotopes and the specific sensitivity of estuarine benthic communities to impacts to ensure the continuance of the estuarine environment as an entity.

This is the Mersey Estuary baseline survey: Analysis of macroinfaunal samples, literature review and database production report produced by the Environment Agency North West in 2002. This report presents an ecological review of the Mersey estuary along with an extensive bibliography of the available environmental literature for this system. The central objective of this programme has been to provide the information necessary to support the Environment Agency's review of existing and future consents (for discharges, abstractions etc) in the Mersey estuary. This review of consents was required because the Mersey had been designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EC Birds Directive. Therefore under Regulation 50 of the Conservation, the Environment Agency was responsible for reviewing any extant consent, or future applications, which may directly or indirectly, affected this SPA. Environment Agency Archives North West + appendices

Research, monitoring and development of preservation strategies for threatened species are often limited by national borders even though a global perspective would be more appropriate. In this study, we collected data on the occurrence of a threatened beetle, Osmoderma eremita, associated with tree hollows in 2,142 localities from 33 countries in Europe where it is or has been present. The larvae develop in tree hollows and very few observations of larvae have been observed in dead logs on the ground. As long as there is a suitable tree hollow, it appears that O. eremita may use any tree species. Oaks (Quercus spp.) are the trees mainly used by O. eremita, followed by lime (Tilia spp.), willow (Salix spp.), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and fruit trees (Prunus spp., Pyrus spp., Malus domestica). O. eremita is still found in some remnants of natural forest, but is mainly observed on land that has long been used by man, such as pasture woodlands, hunting parks, avenues, city parks and trees around agricultural fields and along streams. The occurrence of O. eremita seems to have decreased in all European countries. Relatively high densities of O. eremita localities occur in Central Europe (northern Italy, Austria, Czechia, southern Poland and eastern Germany), some parts of Northern Europe (south-eastern Sweden, Latvia) and France. In some regions in north-western Europe, the species is extinct or may occur at some single sites (Norway, Danish mainland, The Netherlands, Belgium, north-eastern France). There are few data from south-eastern Europe. Many local extinctions of O. eremita are to be expected in the near future, especially in regions with recent habitat loss and fragmentation. O. eremita is useful as an indicator and umbrella species for the preservation of the entire invertebrate community associated with hollow trees in Europe. A preservation plan for O. eremita should include three aspects that are of general importance in nature conservation in Europe today: (1) preservation of remnants of natural forests with old, broad-leaved trees, (2) preservation and restoration of habitats related to traditional agricultural landscapes and (3) preservation of remaining ‘islands’ of nature in urban areas.

The Habitats Directive (HD) is a very frequent protagonist in national judicial proceedings in the Netherlands, as species and ecosystems struggle to cope with severe human pressures in heavily fragmented landscapes extending across a large number of comparatively small ‘Special Areas of Conservation’ and ‘Special Protection Areas’ together indicated as Natura 2000 areas or sites. The Netherlands has 166 designated Natura 2000 areas; efforts to connect all sites in a network have been dragging on for years. Only 25 % of the species and 4% of protected Natura 2000 sites have a favourable conservation status. This makes the conservation of biodiversity a challenging enterprise, and the need for management particularly great. In particular, the application of Article 6(3) HD, and the underlying appropriate assessment, has led to extensive case law. A big proportion of these cases resolves around the problem of excessive nitrogen deposition caused mainly by agricultural activities. This Chapter begins by briefly setting the Dutch legal context in which the Habitats Directive operates. Before examining the way that the courts deal with (contested) science, it is essential to address the conditions under which NGOs and interested parties have access to the courts. This is especially so since the Dutch courts have increasingly narrowed standing rights in recent years and have recently been critically scrutinized by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in light of the Arhus Convention. Judicial protection, especially before the administrative courts, requires an understanding of the complex technical and scientific environmental issues at hand. The process of integrating expert knowledge into the judicial process, and of reviewing the legality of decisions with a scientific underpinning as required by Article 9(2) Arhus Convention, is considered in this chapter. Finally, we will zoom in on some controversial case law of the Dutch administrative courts regarding the application of articles 6(3) and 6(4), highlighting the shift in the Dutch case law caused by the interpretation of Article 6 by the CJEU.