PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Greece is located at the crossroads of four different regions: Euro-Asia; the Mediterranean; Pontic-Asia/Minor; and North Africa. As a result, its biodiversity is particularly rich and contributes greatly to that of the European Union.
This project took as its starting point the need and desire to implement the European Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) in Greece and establish the Natura 2000 Network.
There were many gaps of knowledge concerning the identification of habitat types and their geographical distribution, as well as the distribution of wild fauna and flora species. This information was an essential pre-condition of effectively implementing the Habitats Directive.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the project was to prepare the Greek National List of Sites according to the guidelines of the Habitats Directive.
The project intended to provide standardised data forms for NGOs, universities and scientific institutes to use in monitoring sites across the entire country and identifying and recording the appropriate habitats and species, as per Annex I & II of the Directive.
The project would also collect and evaluate existing information on the habitats and wild flora and fauna and take contributions from other related projects.
All the information would be processed and stored according to EC systems and procedures. The project expected to identify potential sites for the Natura 2000 network. These would be proposed to the relevant Ministries for submission to the Commission by June 1995. It would produce maps of all sites.
RESULTS
This project greatly advanced the Natura 2000 programme in Greece. It helped standardise information on Greek biodiversity, notably the status of key habitats and species, and identified 296 potential sites for the Natura 2000 network.
The project undertook the data collection process using standardised forms. It created a new computer database “BioGreece ’95”, which provided a comprehensive inventory of sites using the collated information. Complete lists of Annex I habitats and Annex II species were compiled.
Following evaluation, an initial national list of 296 sites was proposed for designation, including 26 sites already protected by the Birds Directive (SPAs). The surface area of the 296 sites covered 3 029 930 ha, representing 19% of the national land surface and 550 000 ha of Greek territorial waters. All Annex I habitats and Annex II species present in Greece occur in at least one of the proposed sites.
The sites were evaluated based on criteria in Annex III of the Habitats Directive and additional scientific information. They were divided into three categories:
Category A sites (189) were priority sites, including Annex I habitats or Annex II species – especially those not found elsewhere - high levels of biodiversity, and sites with high numbers of other important Greek species.
Category B sites (43) were significant sites for biodiversity and merit inclusion in the Natura 2000 network, but without unique habitat types or species and less priority habitat and species than category A.
Category C sites (44) were considered potential sites for future inclusion in the Natura 2000 network, but insufficient data was available to justify their immediate inclusion.
The project made a significant contribution to developing the Natura 2000 network in Greece, but further work would be required to complete the information on habitats and species on some sites and extend the remit to include criteria from the Birds Directive.This project greatly advanced the Natura 2000 programme in Greece. It helped standardise information on Greek biodiversity, notably the status of key habitats and species, and identified 296 potential sites for the Natura 2000 network.
The project undertook the data collection process using standardised forms. It created a new computer database “BioGreece ’95”, which provided a comprehensive inventory of sites using the collated information. Complete lists of Annex I habitats and Annex II species were compiled.
Following evaluation, an initial national list of 296 sites was proposed for designation, including 26 sites already protected by the Birds Directive (SPAs). The surface area of the 296 sites covered 3 029 930 ha, representing 19% of the national land surface and 550 000 ha of Greek territorial waters. All Annex I habitats and Annex II species present in Greece occur in at least one of the proposed sites.
The sites were evaluated based on criteria in Annex III of the Habitats Directive and additional scientific information. They were divided into three categories:
Category A sites (189) were priority sites, including Annex I habitats or Annex II species – especially those not found elsewhere - high levels of biodiversity, and sites with high numbers of other important Greek species.
Category B sites (43) were significant sites for biodiversity and merit inclusion in the Natura 2000 network, but without unique habitat types or species and less priority habitat and species than category A.
Category C sites (44) were considered potential sites for future inclusion in the Natura 2000 network, but insufficient data was available to justify their immediate inclusion.
The project made a significant contribution to developing the Natura 2000 network in Greece, but further work would be required to complete the information on habitats and species on some sites and extend the remit to include criteria from the Birds Directive.