Identifying Habitat Type Conservation Priorities under the Habitats Directive: Application to Two Italian Biogeographical Regions

Abstract

The ongoing biodiversity crisis necessitates greater efforts to ensure the adequate conservation of critical habitat types. Even though the identification of protected areas is still required in Europe, conservation efforts are now focusing on management requirements for protected areas and habitat types. Establishing effective management approaches is important for the conservation of the natural and semi-natural habitat types that are identified under the Habitats Directive framework. In this study, we propose a methodology for determining priorities in the conservation management of habitat types based on readily available data. This method relies on four simple criteria to rank habitat types, which includes: conservation condition, biodiversity value, pressure factor, and the cover relevance of habitat types (indicating regional responsibility in terms of area covered). After ranking the habitat types based on the sum of the scores given to all of the criteria, the 25% top-ranking habitat types were prioritized. The pressure factors are analyzed using cluster analysis to better convey information regarding the management needs of groups of habitat types. This prioritization method was tested in habitat types occurring within the Italian Alpine and Continental biogeographical regions. From this analysis, forests, bogs and fens, and dry grasslands were identified as conservation priorities for the Alpine region; meanwhile, a wider variety of habitat types were identified for the Continental region. Important pressure factors were identified (e.g., roads and motorways) for these two biogeographical regions of Italy, which could be used to suggest specific conservation measures. The proposed approach represents a transparent and reliable method for outlining habitat-type priorities based on conservation, biodiversity, pressure, and cover factors, which can be applied to identifying conservation measures that can help achieve biodiversity targets.

Benefits of conservation-driven mowing for the EU policy species Gladiolus palustris Gaudin in mountain fen meadows: a case-study in the European Alps

“…Grave can be assigned to H6210 (Seminatural dry grasslands and shrubland facies on calcareous substrates; Festuco-Brometalia). It is important to mention that H6210 is a habitat of high conservation interest for the alpine biogeographical region (Campagnaro et al 2018). It is rich in plant species, including taxa of conservation interest such as Gladiolus palustris (Figure 2 C, 2D, 2E), and it is considered an important site for the presence of several wild orchid species such as Dactylorhiza maculata (L.) Soó subsp.…”

A GIS-based policy support tool to determine national responsibilities and priorities for biodiversity conservation

“…Additionally, it might be possible to integrate more options for particularly spatially-oriented conservation priority assessments with similar approaches, e.g. [31].…”

Altitudinal Shift of Tetrao urogallus in an Alpine Natura 2000 Site: Implications for Habitat Restoration

“…Data for 2001 highlighted the necessity of maintaining both mature and over-mature stands. Therefore, actions should integrate conservation measures for multiple benefits [47], thus address both forests and open habitats such as shrublands. In the first case, recommended actions include low-impact forestry practices that emulate natural disturbances and ensure the presence of not too dense stands, where there are mature development stages [46].…”

“…For example, in pastures not completely encroached by mountain pine, it is appropriate to promptly intervene, making openings according to an irregular design and subsequently mowing them, so that a mosaic of bushes and open areas is kept for as long as possible. These actions may be in conflict with the limitations imposed by environmental regulations, such as the Habitats Directive [47,54]. For example, any land use change that involves trimming of dwarf mountain pine may contrast with the need to protect the priority European Union habitat 4070 * "Bushes with Pinus mugo and Rhododendron hirsutum (Mugo-Rhododendretum hirsuti)".…”

“…with the limitations imposed by environmental regulations, such as the Habitats Directive [47,54]. For example, any land use change that involves trimming of dwarf mountain pine may contrast with the need to protect the priority European Union habitat 4070 * "Bushes with Pinus mugo and Rhododendron hirsutum (Mugo-Rhododendretum hirsuti)".…”