PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Lists of threatened and protected species are a key tool in nature conservation. They help in the planning of conservation measures to preserve biodiversity and in the sustainable use of environmental resources. It is important that lists of threatened and protected species are up-to-date and based on scientific evidence, to help protect species by preventing and/or diminishing threats. During the last 20 years, the actual conservation status of many species has changed (some species have become threatened or their status has improved), whereas the protected species lists have not been revised. There are also new species found in Latvia, including species listed in the EU Birds Directive and Habitats Directive. The current legally binding protected species list and micro-reserve species list are therefore not effective in ensuring appropriate protection of threatened species in Latvia as they are outdated and lack strict criteria. Considering the current situation, prior to evaluating all species groups to be potentially included in the threatened species list, it is impossible to estimate the number of species which actually need a protected and/or threatened species status.
OBJECTIVES
LIFE FOR SPECIES will develop drafts for national legislative amendments or new legislative drafts that define the lists of legally protected species, including species listed in the EU Birds Directive and Habitats Directive, and species dependent on habitats of EU importance.
The projects specific objectives are to:
Compile a list of threatened species, based on IUCN criteria and using the newest available data;Develop data sheets for each threatened species and species of Community interest with a concise description (scientific information ecology, distribution, threats, etc.) and conservation and management recommendations in Latvian with English summaries to be applicable not only in Latvia, but also elsewhere in Europe;Develop a new, updated list of protected species to be approved as a legally binding list and a new, updated list of micro-reserve species;Develop clear criteria for including threatened species in the national list of legally protected species/micro-reserve species and develop a flexible system for modifying the list (adding/removing species); and Prepare a draft amendment for improving the national legislation concerning conservation of legally protected species and species of limited use (permits on use/acquiring of protected species, access to vulnerable species data).>/li>
The project aims to considerably improve the quality and quantity of species data in the existing National Biodiversity Data System OZOLS (official state information system), along with national monitoring methods and data protocols concerning threatened and protected species to ensure data consistency. More consistent data will improve the national reports required by the EU Habitats Directive and Birds Directive (Articles 17 and 12, respectively).
RESULTS
Expected results:
New up-to-date threatened species list for Latvia;New up-to-date protected and micro-reserve species lists for Latvia;A proposal for establishing a way to supplement or remove species from protected species lists a new approach for Latvia and for other EU countries;Proposal for improved national regulation on issuing permits on use and acquiring of protected species, and access to vulnerable species data;Data sheets for each threatened species (up to 4 pages, at least 750800 species), including scientific information, threats, recommendations for conservation/management, in a series of six books (3 000 copies each);Improved quantity and quality of species distribution data (at least 100 000 records), improved data forms (geodatabase) for protected species, new electronic monitoring forms for threatened species monitoring, re-evaluated classification of all species data, improved access to vulnerable species data (separating public and restricted information) in the National Biodiversity Data System OZOLS; andMore consistent data to improve national reporting required by the EU Habitats Directive and Birds Directive.
