Brussels, 20/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - Biodiversity in Europe continues to diminish though, for some species and some habitats, the situation is improving according to a report The State of Nature in the European Union and a technical report published on Wednesday 20 May by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) respectively.
“This report … clearly demonstrates that efforts to improve vulnerable ecosystems can be highly effective. It also underlines the scale of the challenges that remain”, said European Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella. The findings will feed into the fitness check being carried out on the two directives being examined under the REFIT programme, he stated.
Hans Bruyninckx, EEA executive director, said: “The results are mixed but clear. When implemented well, conservation measures work and improve the status of habitats and species on the ground. Such improvements remain limited and patchy, and unfortunately Europe's biodiversity is still being eroded overall and the pressures continue”.
The report The State of Nature in the European Union provides the most comprehensive picture yet of the state of conservation and trends in the habitats and species covered by the EU's two nature protection directives - the habitats directive (Directive 92/43/EEC) and the birds directive. In all 240 bird species protected under the habitats directive and over 1,200 other species of EU interest are covered. The report, based on information provided by the member states between 2007 and 2012, shows that, while most habitats and species are in a poor state of conservation, notable improvements have been recorded for some species, such as the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) and the White Headed Duck (Oxyura leuocephala). These improvements are to be laid at the door of Natura 2000, the EU-wide network of protected natural reserves covering 18% of the land surface area of the EU and 4% of its seas.
According to the reports, 52% of all wild bird species assessed have a secure status. However, 17% of species are still threatened and another 15% are near threatened, declining or depleted. 23% of the other species protected under the habitats directive have a favourable assessment but 60% are still in an unfavourable status. Grasslands, wetlands and dune habitats are of particular concern. Some species and habitats have a favourable conservation status.
Intensive farming and changes in natural conditions (major hydrological changes) are among the main threats to both birds and terrestrial species and habitats. Changes in hydrology, pollution and overfishing are identified as being among the main threats in freshwater and marine ecosystems. It is in ecosystems associated with agriculture that the least favourable conservation status for species and habitats is to be found.
WWF has welcomed the report as it shows for the first time and through concrete examples from across Europe that, when properly protected and managed, nature can recover. For WWF, therefore, it is important that the EU birds and habitats directives are recognised to be the main legislative tools to ensure the conservation of nature in the EU. “President Juncker should read carefully this report prepared by his own Commission and showing which are the proper tools to save Europe's nature and by this to support the recovery of our economy. Europe has an enormous treasure in its hands that needs to be defended against increasing threats by intensive agriculture, and unsustainable energy and transport developments”, commented Tony Long, director of WWF European Policy Office. (Aminata Niang)