Reporting under Article 12 of the Birds Directive DRAFT Explanatory Notes & Guidelines for the period 2013 2018 EXTRACT FIELD-BY-FIELD GUIDANCE 19 April 2016 DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 1
This document is a draft of a central section of the planned Explanatory Notes and Guidelines for the period 2013-2018 which will be published end 2016. It only includes the field-by-field guidance to completing the revised Art 17 reporting format. Sections which remain to be agreed or which make reference to other sections of the guidelines not yet prepared are highlighted in grey. Guidelines compiled and edited by the N2K Group, the European Environment Agency and its European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity With the contributions from the Expert Group on Reporting under the Nature Directives and its expert ad hoc groups. DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 2
Table of Contents 1. THE REPORTING FORMAT FOR 2013 2018 FIELD-BY-FIELD GUIDANCE 5 1.1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO AND STRUCTURE OF THE REPORTING FORMAT 5 1.2. GENERAL REPORT FORMAT (ANNEX A) 6 1.3. THE BIRD SPECIES' STATUS AND TRENDS REPORT FORMAT (ANNEX B) 11 DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 3
DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 4
1. THE REPORTING FORMAT FOR 2013 2018 FIELD-BY-FIELD GUIDANCE 1.1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO AND STRUCTURE OF THE REPORTING FORMAT Reporting under Article 12 of the EU Habitats Directive uses a format initially agreed by the Ornis Committee in 2011 and first used for the period 2008-12. Experience gained during that report led to some changes. The Article 12 reporting format consists of two distinct Annexes (A, B), as set out in the following sections of this guidance document: Annex A (General report) The general report gives overview information for the public, but also the Commission, on measures taken under the Birds Directive. This should be completed by each Member State. Section 1.2 provides field-by-field guidance for completing the general report for the period 2013 2018. Annex B (Bird species status and trends report) Bird species reporting. Section 1.3 provides field-byfield guidance for completing the information for the relevant species from the Birds Directive. DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 5
1.2. GENERAL REPORT FORMAT (ANNEX A) Field-by-field guidance for completing the general report The general report is a brief structured format aimed at summarising the most important facts and figures on the general implementation of the Directive, including links to more detailed information sources. It is mainly targeted at the interested public, but also at informing the Commission. Each Member State is expected to prepare one general report. It includes obligatory information about several provisions of the Birds Directive. In addition, the main achievements under the implementation of the Directive and the main measures taken to ensure coherence of the SPA network should be briefly described. The report should include information of relevance for the period 2013 2018. Please note that information provided (e.g. number of management plans) should be the figures on 31 December 2018, i.e. at the end of the reporting cycle, unless otherwise stated. Language any EU official language can be used. The reporting format tries to minimise the difficulties of using different languages by requesting numerical information wherever possible. However, the use of English is recommended as this gives the widest readership. All Internet addresses in the reporting fields should be given in full including the initial http://..., if applicable. NB: The titles in bold below correspond to the numbering and naming of the fields in the report format. 0 Member State Select the two-digit code for your country from ISO 3166. For the United Kingdom, UK should be used instead of GB, in accordance with the list to be found on the Reference Portal. Do not submit separate general reports for subnational units 1. 1 Main achievements under the Birds Directive This section aims to inform the interested public about the main achievements under the Birds Directive and the SPA network in the Member State during the reporting period. The information should primarily be given in the national language (field 1.1), plus a translation into English if possible (optional field 1.2), as this information is likely to be of interest to readers in other Member States. Describe briefly the main achievements under the Birds Directive during the reporting period, with a special emphasis on the SPA network. This can include, for example: demonstrated benefits for different species; experiences with new or improved management techniques; positive changes in public acceptance of biodiversity protection; improved cooperation between authorities, nature conservationists and other interest groups; initiatives to combine establishment of Natura 2000 sites and the local economy; measures taken to minimise the impact of invasive species on native bird species, in line with EU Regulation 1143/2014 on invasive alien species 2 ; 1 http://biodiversity.eionet.europa.eu/article17/reference_portal 2 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/invasivealien/index_en.htm DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 6
information complementary to that given in Section 6 on research and work required as a basis for the protection, management and sustainable use of bird populations. This might include suggestions for urgent research that requires EU coordination (e.g. via LIFE funding). The text should be kept to a maximum of two pages. If a Member State wishes to add further documentation to that requested, it should note these Annexes and their file names at the end of this free text field, and upload the relevant files to the EEA's Central Data Repository together with the rest of the report. 2 General information sources on the implementation of the Birds Directive links to information sources of the Member State This section aims to inform the interested public where they can find information relating to the Birds Directive and the SPA network in the respective Member State. In general, only links to Internet addresses are required. However, free text can also be used where there is a need to explain how to access the information source, e.g. in the case of multiple sources of information. All fields should be completed, as follows: General information on the Birds Directive (field 2.1) Information on the Natura 2000 (SPA) network (field 2.2) Monitoring schemes (Art. 4(1) and Art. 10) (field 2.3) Protection of species (Art. 5 8) (field 2.4) Transposition of the Directive (legal texts) (field 2.5) 3 Natura 2000 (SPAs) site classification (Art. 4) Member States should provide this information at the national level: Number and total surface area (km 2 ) of all SPAs (field 3.1) Terrestrial surface area (km 2 ) of all sites (excluding marine area) (field 3.1.1) Number and total marine surface area (km 2 ) of marine sites (field 3.1.2). Marine sites are any sites which include any area of sea (seaward side of the coastline). Marine area of sites is the area on the seaward side of the coastline. The definition of the coastline used to define the marine boundary should follow international 3 or national 4 legislation. This approach is the same as that adopted for the Standard Data Forms (SDFs) for individual Natura 2000 sites. Thus, a site located at the coastline and stretching out into the sea should be counted as a marine site, although it might include a terrestrial component (to be included in the figure to be reported in field 3.1.1) as well as a marine component (to be included in the figure to be reported in field 3.1.2; see map Figure 1). 3 UN Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS). 4 See Natura 2000 Reference Portal, http://bd.eionet.europa.eu/activities/natura_2000/reference_portal. DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 7
Terrestrial area of sites is any area of a site which is not marine (as defined above). In the reporting format the terrestrial area of sites in km 2 (field 3.1.1) plus the area of marine sites in km 2 (field 3.1.2) together should give the total area of all sites (field 3.1). Member States are also asked to give the date when the Natura 2000 database used to provide the information in section 3 was submitted to the Commission (field 3.2). Figure 1. Examples of terrestrial and marine Natura 2000 sites. Note: A is a terrestrial site (the site is located in the terrestrial domain only). B is located in a coastal area, and should be counted as a marine site, consisting of both terrestrial (green) and marine areas (blue), to be reported under fields 3.1.1 and 3.1.2, respectively. C is a marine site and is located in the marine domain only. 4 Set of conservation measures and management plans for Natura 2000 sites (SPAs) Conservation measures and management plans are considered as operational instruments that outline practical measures to achieve the conservation objectives for the sites in the network. For this purpose, only conservation measures and management plans covering an entire Natura 2000 site (or sites) and fulfilling the following minimum requirements should be reported. They should: indicate the habitat types and/or species and their localities for which conservation measures are planned; identify the actual status of the habitat types and species and the desired status which should be reached through the conservation measures; define clear and achievable conservation objectives; DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 8
identify the necessary measures together with the means and a time schedule which can contribute to meeting those objectives. Give the number of sites and the proportion of the network for which necessary conservation measures have been established (field 4.1) and for which conservation measures have been set out in a comprehensive management plan or a similar instrument (field 4.2). Although the Standard Data Form (SDF) for individual sites includes information on management plans (i.e. yes/no/in preparation ), it is also useful to have information about the overall number of comprehensive management plans. To put this number in context, the proportion of the network area that is covered by such plans is also requested. 5 Measures taken in relation to approval of plans and projects (Art. 6(4) and Art. 7 of the Habitats Directive) This section relates to projects and plans for which compensatory measures were necessary during the reporting period. Any sites affected in this way should be listed, and the following information is requested for each of them 5 : site code (field 5.1.1) site name (field 5.1.2) title of project/plan (field 5.1.3) year in which the Commission was informed of compensatory measures (field 5.1.4) year project/plan was started (field 5.1.5). In addition, an optional field is available for Member States to describe the impact of such projects/plans on the status of relevant bird species (field 5.1.6; free text, maximum 250 characters). Repeat fields 5.1.1 to 5.1.6 as necessary for each project/plan. 6 6 Research and work required as a basis for the protection, management and sustainable use of bird populations (Art. 10) This section relates to the obligation under Article 10(2) of the Birds Directive that Member States shall send the Commission any information required to enable it to take appropriate measures for the coordination of research and any work required as a basis for the protection, management and use of bird populations. The information requested is limited to: 5 For birds, there are no priority species in the meaning of Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive. Thus, the obligation to ask for the Commission's opinion before the approval of a plan or project does not apply to SPAs, and there is no need for a field corresponding to Commission opinion requested in the general reporting format for Article 17 of the Habitats Directive. 6 Further guidance on Article 6 of the Habitats Directive may be found at DG Environment's website (e.g. the document Managing Natura 2000 sites: The provisions of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC published by DG Environment in 12 EU languages) http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/management/guidance_en.htm#art6 DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 9
National bird atlas published during the reporting period (field 6.1), with information about the year of publication (field 6.1.2) and web link or bibliographic reference (field 6.1.3). National bird monitoring overviews published during the reporting period (field 6.2), with information about the year of publication (field 6.2.2) and web link or bibliographic reference (field 6.2.3). Fields should be repeated if more than one overview has been published. A brief description (maximum 500 characters) can also be provided of species covered, main results, etc. National bird red lists published during the reporting period (field 6.3), with information about the year of publication (field 6.3.2) and web link or bibliographic reference (field 6.3.3). Other publications of EU-wide interest (e.g. national overview of action for threatened species) published during the reporting period (field 6.4), with information about the year of publication (field 6.4.2) and web link or bibliographic reference (field 6.4.3). Fields should be repeated if more than one overview has been published, and a maximum of 10 publications should be reported. A brief description (maximum 500 characters) can also be provided of species covered, main results, etc. In cases where, e.g., a national bird atlas or national Red List does exist, but was not published during the reporting period, Member States are encouraged to provide details of the most recent publication anyway (for the benefit of the interested reader). More general information about the implementation of Article 10 can be provided in a free text field under Main achievements under the Birds Directive in Section 1. 7 Non-native bird species (Art. 11) This section relates to the obligation following from Article 11 that Member States shall see that any introduction of species of bird which do not occur naturally in the wild state in the European territory of the Member States does not prejudice the local flora and fauna. In this connection they shall consult the Commission. Each species should be reported, as follows: Species scientific name (field 7.1.1; not to be filled in if no introductions pursuant to Article 11 have been consulted upon, decided upon or carried out during the reporting period). Subspecific unit, where relevant (field 7.1.2). Main contents of the legal decision for introduction; free text (maximum 250 characters), to include information about justification, number of individuals and duration (field 7.2). Date of consultation with the Commission (field 7.3). DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 10
1.3. THE BIRD SPECIES' STATUS AND TRENDS REPORT FORMAT (ANNEX B) This species-focused report format comprises nine sections, as follows: 1. Species information 2. Population size 3. Population trend 4. Breeding distribution map and size 5. Breeding distribution trend 6. Progress in work related to Species Action Plans (SAPs), Management Plans (MPs) and Brief Management Statements (BMSs) 7. Main pressures and threats 8. Conservation measures 9. Natura 2000 (SPAs) coverage 10. Information related to Annex II species (Art. 7). Section 1 should be completed for all species or subspecific units (hereafter simply species ) in all relevant seasons, as listed in the Art. 12 species checklist 7. Sections 2 and 3 should be completed for all regularly breeding or wintering species. Sections 4 and 5 should be completed only for regularly breeding species. Section 6 should be completed only for the subset of species with SAPs, MPs or BMSs (as specified in the Art. 12 species code list) 8. Section 7 should be completed only for Annex I species and other species with a non-secure status at the EU level. Section 8 should be completed only for the subset of Annex I and other key migratory species triggering SPA designations nationally (as indicated in the Art. 12 species checklist 9 ). Section 9 should be completed only for species listed in Annex II of the Directive. All Internet addresses in the reporting fields should be given in full, including the initial http://..., if applicable. 1 Species information 1.1 Member State Field-by-field guidance to fill in the format Select the two-digit code for your Member State from ISO 3166. For the United Kingdom, UK should be used instead of GB. The relevant three- or four-digit code should be selected for subnational units, as specified on the Reference Portal. 7 The updated version of the checklist will be available on the Art. 12 Reference Portal (Appendix 1): http://biodiversity.eionet.europa.eu/activities/article_12_birds_directive/reference_portal. 8 The updated version of the code list will be made available on the Art. 12 Reference Portal (Appendix 1; URL as above). 9 i.e. species season combinations listed with Y in the spa_trigger column. DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 11
For a few Member States, separate reporting for subnational units is applied, with reference to the status of particular species or populations in distinct geographical areas. This applies to the Azores (Portugal), Madeira (Portugal), the Canary Islands (Spain) and Gibraltar (UK). 1.2.1 & 1.2.2 Species codes Use the Natura 2000 (field 1.2.1) and EURING (field 1.2.2) codes given in the species checklist on the Reference Portal (Appendix 1). Unique EURING codes have been allocated to every native bird species in Europe for the purposes of coordinating European bird ringing, and are widely used 10. The Natura 2000 codes are also used in the Standard Data Form (SDF) for Natura 2000 sites so that a consistent and unique identifier is used across the different reporting periods; new codes will be allocated as necessary to ensure that all species and subspecific units are covered. 1.2.3 Species scientific name Use the scientific names given in the species checklist on the Reference Portal, which has been updated to reflect the nomenclature and taxonomy adopted in latest version of the List of birds of the European Union 11. 1.2.4 Subspecific population Where relevant, use the subspecific populations given in the species checklist on the Reference Portal XX. For details of the rationale explaining which subspecific populations should be reported, see Chapter IV. 1.3 Alternative species scientific name (optional) If the name given under field 1.2.3 differs from that in common national usage, Member States may enter an alternative here. 1.4 Common name (optional) If a Member State wishes to enter the common name of the species (or subspecies) used in its country, it may do so here. This could be useful if the Member State wishes to circulate the draft report for comments to people who may not be familiar with the scientific name, or when communicating the report with the public. 1.5 Season Select the season in which the data being reported were collected, with the options Breeding, Winter and Passage. Member States should report on all regularly occurring breeding species, in order to allow an EU-wide picture of their population size and trend to be compiled. Member States should also report on all regularly occurring wintering waterbirds, especially migratory wildfowl (ducks, geese and swans) and waders (shorebirds), whose population size and trend are often best monitored in the winter, when they congregate in large numbers. Details of which species/populations should be reported in which season by each Member State are set out in the species checklist on the Reference Portal. When 10 Source file: http://blx1.bto.org/euringcodes/species.jsp 11 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/wildbirds/eu_species/index_en.htm DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 12
reporting for more than one season is requested for a single species, separate forms should be used for each season. In general, Member States are not required to report on species or populations on passage, because country-level data cannot be combined or used to draw conclusions about their overall population sizes or trends (due to the risk of duplicative counting). In some cases, however, Passage season reports are required for the subset of species whose occurrence on passage triggers SPA classifications in Member States (as indicated in the species checklist on the Reference Portal), and for these species reporting is requested only under Sections 1 and 8 (plus Sections 6 and 7, where relevant) 12. 2 Population size 2.1 Year or period Enter the year (e.g. 2017) or period (e.g. 2013 2016) during which the population size was last determined. (N.B. many reports will involve periods, because the population size of many species is commonly estimated during national atlas projects, which usually involve several years of fieldwork. Where such reference material does not exist, Member States should try to report the most up-to-date figure, e.g. by recalculating the national population estimate using the results of annual monitoring schemes.) 2.2. Population size Use the units specified for each species/population in the species checklist on the Reference Portal. To allow the total EU population size of a species to be calculated, all Member States should report their national data using the same population unit. For the vast majority of breeding birds, numbers should be reported in units of breeding pairs, noting that the estimates for many species, including many common and widespread ones, are in practice often based on counts of the number of occupied territories during the breeding season. When the breeding population size is reported as breeding pairs, but the figures are derived from primary field data collected using another population unit (e.g. apparently occupied nests for some seabirds), this information should be provided in field 2.8 ( Additional information ). In a small minority of cases involving species with an unusual or complex breeding biology or cryptic behaviour, other units (such as breeding females or calling males 13 ) are more appropriate than pairs for reporting population size. Such species might include various harriers, crakes, bustards and grouse. The units for reporting the populations of such species are indicated in the species checklist, to be found on the Reference Portal. For the winter season, numbers should be reported using the unit individuals. For species to be reported on passage, information has to be provided only for Sections 1, 7 and 8. 12 This includes cases where a Member State has classified SPAs for species on passage, although the Member State does not hold any breeding or wintering populations. 13 Note that the proposed unit lekking males was subsumed within calling males (under code cmales ) in order to keep the Art. 12 population units consistent with those used in the Natura 2000 Standard Data Form (SDF). DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 13
For most bird species in most Member States, exact estimates of the population size rarely exist, with estimates only available as a range (minimum maximum) or within a class (see proposed classes in Table 1 below). Where raw data exist they should be reported without rounding at Member State level; any such rounding will be done later at EU level, as necessary. For species for which a precise estimate is available, Member States should report this under Best estimate (field 2.2.d). In cases where only very approximate population estimates are available, classes can be used (see Table 1); these should be entered in the Minimum and Maximum fields (2.2.b and 2.2.c). The quality of such estimates (field 2.5) should be reported as 1 = poor. Table 1 Classes for reporting population size Class Population 1 0 50 2 50 100 3 100 500 4 500 1 000 5 1 000 5 000 6 5 000 10 000 7 10 000 50 000 8 50 000 100 000 9 100 000 500 000 10 500 000 1 000 000 11 1 000 000 5 000 000 12 5 000 000 10 000 000 13 10 000 000 50 000 000 14 50 000 000 100 000 000 2.3 Type of estimate Enter one of the following options, which are derived from Baker et al. (2006) 14 : Best estimate the best available single figure or range (minimum maximum), as derived from e.g. a national atlas project, a national census, compilation of regional figures, or expert opinion, but for which 95% confidence limits could not be calculated. Five-year mean average minimum maximum of published figures for rare breeding species; or five-year peak mean for non-breeding species, e.g. waterbirds. 95 % CI range estimates derived from sample surveys in which 95% confidence intervals could be calculated (cf. Best estimate above). Minimum for estimates where insufficient data exist to provide an accurate estimate (but where the figure reported is believed to be a considerable underestimate). 2.4 Method used Use one of the following categories: 3 = complete survey or a statistically robust estimate 2 = based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data 14 Baker, H., Stroud, D., Aebischer, N.J., Cranswick, P.A., Gregory, R.D., McSorley, C.A., Noble, D.G. & Rehfisch, M.M. (2006). Population estimates of birds in Great Britain and the United Kingdom. - British Birds 99: 24-44; http://www.britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/apep21.pdf DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 14
1 = based mainly on expert opinion with very limited data 0 = insufficient or no data available Where data have been compiled from a variety of sources, indicate the category for the most important source of data. 2.5 Quality Enter one of the following options, by making a judgement that takes into consideration: the reliability of the estimate at the time it was made; how recently it was made; and, the method used to derive it. 3 = good reliable quantitative data available (e.g. atlas, survey or monitoring data) for the whole period and country. 2 = moderate generally well known, but only poor, outdated or incomplete quantitative data available. 1 = poor poorly known, with no quantitative data available. It may also be helpful to think about this in the way defined by Heath and Evans (2000) 15 : 3 = reliable probably accurate to within 10% of the real population size. 2 = incomplete probably accurate to within 50% of the real population size. 1 = poor probably not accurate to within 50% of the real population size. 2.6 Sources To create the necessary audit trail for the data reported in fields 2.1 to 2.5 above, enter the details of the key references or other sources of information used to complete these fields. Such sources may include, for example, published papers, unpublished data held in databases, websites and expert working groups. The idea is not to create a long bibliography, but to provide enough information so that anyone reviewing the report (or updating it in six or 12 years' time) will be able to understand the origin of the data reported. 2.7 Change and reason for change (since previous report) This is a new field for the 2013 2018 reporting round (and beyond). To avoid potential misinterpretation and to clarify potential differences in population between reporting rounds, indicate whether: a) The value reported at 2.2 has changed since the previous report (YES/NO). If there are differences, indicate whether the change is due to (select one of the options): b) genuine change c) improved knowledge or more accurate data d) use of a different method (including taxonomical change or use of different thresholds) e) if there is no information on nature of change 15 Heath and Evans (2000, eds) Important Bird Areas in Europe: Priority sites for conservation. 2 volumes. BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 8), Cambridge, UK. DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 15
Only the main reason for change should be reported. It is a common phenomenon for a rare species to attract increased attention. As a result more people search for it and find it, causing the population size estimate to be revised and often substantially increased. At the same time, though, it may be clear that the species is actually declining, based on analyses of data from sites with reliable historical trends. The optional field 2.8 (below) allows a Member State to provide additional information about why population size estimate has increased, even though it is reporting a population decline in Section 3 below. 2.8 Additional information (optional) This optional section can be used to provide supplementary free-text information (maximum 500 characters) relevant to the data provided for the assessment of population size under fields 2.1 2.7, e.g. details of any conversion factors used to convert field estimates of population size to breeding pairs (see field 2.2.a). For example, if, because of a change in methods, a Member State reports the same population figures in sequential reports even though there has been a genuine change, this can also be noted here. 3 Population trend 3.1.1 Short-term trend period The period for short-term trend is 12 years (two reporting cycles). For the 2013 2018 reports, this means the period is 2007 2018, or a period as close as possible to this. Thus, some flexibility is permitted, so that although trends would ideally be reported for 2007 2018, data from e.g. 2004 2015 will be accepted if the best available data relate to surveys in those years, or if using an earlier end point means that the national Article 12 report can be delivered without delay (and no later than December 2019 16 ). Indicate the period in this field. 3.1.2 Short-term trend direction Indicate whether the population trend over the period reported in field 3.1.1 was: 0 = stable F = fluctuating + = increasing - = decreasing u = uncertain x = unknown. Fluctuating defines species whose average population level does not change (i.e. in the long term), but which are characterised by large interannual variations in abundance, sometimes of one or two orders of magnitude. Species that typically show such dynamics include many boreal and arctic breeding 16 Date to be possibly changed following decision at the NADEG meeting. DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 16
species, such as some owls and crossbills, whose abundance is closely linked to the availability of food that shows cyclical peaks and troughs. As such, fluctuating is a very different trend category to stable. Indeed, species with small populations and ranges and whose numbers fluctuate are considered to be at a much higher risk of extinction than those with stable populations (IUCN, 2012) 17. 3.1.3 Short-term trend magnitude If increasing or decreasing is reported in field 3.1.2, enter the overall percentage change in population size over the relevant period. This might be a precise figure (e.g. 27 %), in which case the value should be provided under Best estimate (3.1.3.c), or a banded range (e.g. 20 30 %), in which case the lower and upper limits should be entered in fields 3.1.3.a and 3.1.3.b, respectively. If the data are sourced from a complete survey or statistically robust sample scheme (i.e. category 3 under field 3.1.4 Method used ), the confidence intervals (CI, often 95 %) should also be reported, entering the lower limit in field 3.1.3.a and the upper limit in field 3.1.3.b. 3.1.4 Method used Use one of the following categories: 3 = complete survey or a statistically robust estimate 2 = based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data 1 = based mainly on expert opinion with very limited data 0 = insufficient or no data available. Where data have been compiled from a variety of sources, use the category for the most important source of data. 3.1.5 Quality Indicate whether the quality of the estimate is: 3 = good reliable quantitative data available for the whole period. 2 = moderate generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available. 1 = poor poorly known, with no quantitative data available. 3.1.6 Sources To create the necessary audit trail for the data reported in fields 3.1.1 to 3.1.5 above, enter the details of the key references or other sources of information used to complete these fields. Such sources may include, for example, published papers, unpublished data held in databases, websites and expert working groups. The idea is not to create a long bibliography, but to provide enough information so that anyone reviewing the report (or updating it in six or 12 years' time) will be able to understand the origin of the data reported. 17 IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Version 3.1. http://www.iucnredlist.org DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 17
3.2.1 Long-term trend period 18 The ideal period for reporting long-term trends is from c.1980 (when the Birds Directive was adopted/entered into force) until c.2018. However, there is some flexibility here, and hence if a Member State has conducted national censuses in (for example) 1980, 1995 and 2015, the trend between 1980 and 2015 should be reported. Indicate the period in this field. Member States lacking data from before 2000 could consult the two editions of Birds in Europe 19, which present banded national trends for species for 1970 1990 and 1990 2000. 3.2.2 Long-term trend direction See field 3.1.2 above. 3.2.3 Long-term trend magnitude See field 3.1.3 above. 3.2.4 Method used See field 3.1.4 above. 3.2.5 Quality See field 3.1.5 above. 3.2.6 Sources See field 3.1.6 above. 3.3 Additional information (optional) This section can be used to provide supplementary free text information (maximum 500 characters) relevant to the data provided for the assessment of population trends under sections 3.1 and 3.2. 18 The period for assessing long-term trend is still to be confirmed. 19 Tucker, G.M. & Heath, M.F. (1994) Birds in Europe: their conservation status. BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 3), Cambridge, UK. BirdLife International (2004) Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status. BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 12), Cambridge, UK. DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 18
4 Breeding distribution map and size Sections 4 and 5 apply only to those species for which Breeding season reports are requested, as listed in the species checklist on the Reference Portal (Appendix 1). National breeding bird atlases already exist for most EU Member States, and additional fieldwork for a new European Breeding Bird Atlas ( EBBA2 ) is being undertaken during 2013 2017 20. In contrast, very few countries have published national wintering bird atlases, and many birds are much more mobile in winter anyway. Hence, no winter distribution data are requested. 4.1 Year or period Enter the year (e.g. 2015) or period (e.g. 2013 2017) when the breeding distribution was last determined. Many reports will involve periods, because the distribution of most species is commonly mapped during national atlas projects, which usually involve several years of fieldwork. Where no recent atlas information exists, Member States should try to report a more up-to-date figure, by remapping the national distribution using other data, such as the results of annual monitoring schemes, data gathered from the Internet, and national or regional surveys. 4.2 Sensitive species Sensitive species are defined as those that are particularly vulnerable to persecution, illegal hunting or collecting, and hence might face genuinely increased risks to their conservation or management if detailed information about their distribution were to be made publicly available. In a minority of cases, Member States may consider a species to be at risk if its distribution is made publicly available at the standard 10 10 km grid scale requested (see Section 4.3). Ticking Yes here means that the map resolution is reduced before publication, so that the information is presented at a coarser scale (50 50 km). 4.3 Distribution map Submit a distribution map in GIS format. The standard is 10 10 km ETRS89 grid, projection ETRS LAEA 5210 21. Submit the map together with relevant metadata. The map should show the breeding occurrence (i.e. presence or absence) of the species in each grid cell. As a general rule, only grid cells where breeding is confirmed or probable should be included; for definitions of breeding categories and codes, refer to Table 2 in the Methodology for the new European Breeding Bird Atlas 22. However, in cases where survey coverage and data availability are believed to be poor, cells considered likely to hold breeding populations (especially common species) may be included as well, using expert knowledge (see also Section IV.c). 4.4 Method used Use one of the following categories: 3 = complete survey or a statistically robust estimate 2 = based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data 20 http://www.ebba2.info/what-is-ebba2-and-why-ebba2/ 21 For small Member States such as Luxembourg, Malta and Cyprus, maps of 5 5 km or 1 1 km grids are allowed. These will then be aggregated by ETC/BD to 10 10 km for visualisation at the European level. 22 http://www.ebba2.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ebba2_methodology_final.pdf DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 19
1 = based mainly on expert opinion with very limited data 0 = insufficient or no data available Where data have been compiled from a variety of sources, use the category for the most important source of data. 4.5 Additional maps (optional) This is for cases where a Member State wishes to submit an additional map different from the standard submission map under field 4.3. Note that this is an optional field and does not replace the need to provide a map under 4.3. Maps at a resolution other than 10 10 km or with grids other than the ETRS89 LAEA 5210 grid, close to the 10 10 km may be reported here. 4.6 Quality Enter one of the following options, by making a judgement, combining the reliability of the distribution at the time it was mapped, how recently it was mapped, and the method used to map it (see section 2.5 for further guidance): 3 = good 2 = moderate 1 = poor It may also be helpful to think about this in the way defined by Heath and Evans (2000) 23 : 3 = reliable probably accurate to within 10 % of the true area 2 = incomplete probably accurate to within 50 % of the true area 1 = poor probably not accurate to within 50 % of the true area 4.7 Distribution surface area Enter the total surface area of the current distribution in the Member State, in km². In most cases this will be the number of occupied 10 10 km squares multiplied by 100. 4.8 Sources To create the necessary audit trail for the data reported in fields 4.1 to 4.7 above, enter the details of the key references or other sources of information used to complete these fields. Such sources may include, for example, published papers, unpublished data held in databases, websites and expert working groups. The idea is not to create a long bibliography, but to provide enough information so that anyone reviewing the report (or updating it in six or 12 years' time) will be able to understand the origin of the data reported. 23 Heath and Evans (2000, eds) Important Bird Areas in Europe: Priority sites for conservation. 2 volumes. BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 8), Cambridge, UK. DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 20
4.9 Additional information (optional) This section can be used to provide supplementary free-text information (maximum 500 characters) relevant to the data provided for the assessment of breeding distribution under fields 4.1 4.8. 5 Breeding distribution trend 5.1.1 Short-term trend period The period for short-term trend is 12 years (two reporting cycles). For the 2013 2018 reports, this means the period is 2007 2018, or a period as close as possible to this. Thus, some flexibility is permitted, so that although trends would ideally be reported for 2007 2018, other data spanning a different but similar time period (e.g. 2004 2015) will be accepted if these are the best available data relating to surveys between those years. Indicate the period used in this field. 5.1.2 Short-term trend direction Indicate whether the distribution trend over the period reported in field 5.1.1 was: 0 = stable F = fluctuating + = increasing - = decreasing x = unknown 5.1.3 Short-term trend magnitude If increasing or decreasing is reported in field 5.1.2, enter the overall percentage change in distribution surface area over the relevant period. This might be a precise figure (e.g. 27 %), in which case the value should be provided under Best estimate (5.1.3.c), or a banded range (e.g. 20 30 %), in which case the lower and upper limits should be entered in fields 5.1.3.a and 5.1.3.b, respectively. If the data are sourced from a complete survey or statistically robust sample scheme (i.e. category 3 under field 5.1.4 Method used ), the confidence intervals (CI, often 95 %) should also be reported, entering the lower limit in field 5.1.3.a and the upper limit in field 5.1.3.b. 5.1.4 Method used Use one of the following categories: 3 = complete survey or a statistically robust estimate 2 = Based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data 1 = Based mainly on expert opinion with very limited data 0 = Insufficient or no data available Where data have been compiled from a variety of sources, use the category for the most important source of data. DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 21
5.1.5 Quality Indicate whether the quality of the estimate is: 3 = good reliable quantitative data available for the whole period 2 = moderate generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available 1 = poor poorly known, with no quantitative data available. 5.1.6 Sources To create the necessary audit trail for the data reported in fields 3.1.1 to 3.1.5 above, enter the details of the key references or other sources of information used to complete these fields. Such sources may include, for example, published papers, unpublished data held in databases, websites and expert working groups. The idea is not to create a long bibliography, but to provide enough information so that anyone reviewing the report (or updating it in six or 12 years' time) will be able to understand the origin of the data reported. 5.2.1 Long-term trend period 24 The ideal period for reporting long-term trends is from c.1980 (when the Birds Directive was adopted/entered into force) until c.2018. However, there is some flexibility here, and hence if a Member State has conducted national atlas surveys in (for example) 1980, 1995 and 2015, the trend between 1980 and 2015 should be reported. Indicate the period in this field. Member States lacking data from before 2000 could consult the EBCC Atlas 25 or Birds in Europe 26, which present banded national range trends for species between 1970 and 1990. 5.2.2 Long-term trend direction See field 5.1.2 above. 5.2.3 Long-term trend magnitude See field 5.1.3 above. 5.2.4 Method used See field 5.1.4 above. 5.2.5 Quality See field 5.1.5 above. 24 The period for assessing long-term trend is still to be confirmed. 25 Hagemeijer, E.J.M. & Blair, M. (1997, eds) The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds: their distribution and abundance. Poyser. 26 Tucker, G.M. & Heath, M.F. (1994) Birds in Europe: their conservation status. BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 3), Cambridge, UK. DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 22
5.2.6 Sources See field 5.1.6 above. 5.3 Additional information (optional) This section can be used to provide supplementary free-text information (maximum 500 characters) relevant to the data provided for the assessment of breeding distribution trend under sections 5.1 and 5.2. For example, a Member State may wish to report information about geographical shifts in distribution (short-term or long-term), or fragmentation of the distribution, even though no changes in overall distribution size are reported. 6 Progress in work related to Species Action Plans (SAPS), Management Plans (MPS) and Brief Management Statements (BMSS) This section is designed to capture information about Member States' work on some of the EU's most threatened bird species, for which Species Action Plans (SAPs) or Brief Management Statements (BMSs) have been developed, as well as a suite of huntable species considered to be in a poor condition in the EU and for which Management Plans (MPs) have been prepared 27. The reporting also includes work done within the framework of plans adopted by other international organisations to which the EU is a signatory, such as the Bern Convention 28 and AEWA 29. Since the 1990s, significant EU resources have been spent on the conservation of many of these species (e.g. through LIFE projects), so Member States are requested to summarise what they have done at national level to implement these plans and to improve the status of the relevant species (as specified in the Article 12 species code list; Appendix 1). 6.1 Type of plan Select the type of plan (SAP, MP or BMS), as specified in the Article 12 species code list. 6.2. Has a national plan linked to the SAP / MP / BMS been adopted? Enter Yes or No. If Yes, please provide a web link to the national plan in field 6.4 below. 6.3. If No, please describe any measures and initiatives taken related to the SAP / MP / BMS Briefly outline what actions have been implemented for the species in your Member State, preferably using the code numbers 30 in the plans for recommended actions per Member State, where relevant (maximum of 250 characters). 27 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/wildbirds/action_plans/index_en.htm for Species Action Plans and Brief Management Statements, and http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/wildbirds/hunting/managt_plans_en.htm for the Management Plan 28 https://wcd.coe.int/wcd/viewdoc.jsp?ref=rec(2006)121&language=lanenglish&ver=original&site=dg4- Nature&BackColorInternet=DBDCF2&BackColorIntranet=FDC864&BackColorLogged=FDC864 29 http://www.unep-aewa.org/publications/ssap/index.htm 30 For most of the SAPs and BMSs, proposed actions have a numerical code. DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 23
6.4. Sources of further information In this field, Member States are requested to provide links to appropriate websites, web links and/or bibliographic references for relevant publications (e.g. a national plan), contact details of responsible organisations, etc. 7 Main pressures and threats This section is designed to capture information about the principal factors responsible for causing individual species to decline, suppressing their numbers or restricting their ranges. It should only be completed for Annex I species and other species with a non-secure status (including Unknown ) at the EU level. Pressures are past and present impacts that threaten the long-term viability of the bird species or its habitat(s); threats are future/foreseeable impacts that affect the long-term viability of the species and/or its habitat(s). The threats should not cover theoretical threats, but rather those issues judged to be reasonably likely. This may include continuation of pressures (see Table 2). Table 2 - Definition of a pressure and threat (in the context of Article 12 reporting) Pressure Threat Period of action/definition Acting now and/or during (any part of or all of) the current reporting period Factors expected to act in the future after the current reporting period Time-frame Current 6-year reporting period Future two reporting periods, i.e. within 12 years following the end of the current reporting period 7.1 Characterisation of pressures/threats The list of pressures and threats will be available from the Reference Portal. (http://biodiversity.eionet.europa.eu/article12/reference_portal). Only pressures/threats of high ( H ) and of medium importance ( M ), as defined in table 3, should be reported. Table 3 - Definition of ranked pressures/threats Code Meaning Comment H M High importance/impact Medium importance/impact Important direct or immediate influence and/or acting over large areas Medium direct or immediate influence, mainly indirect influence and/or acting over moderate part of the area/acting only regionally For each bird species: DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 24
a) select from the list of pressures/threats, a maximum of XX entries using the code at the XX level 31 b) for each factor, indicate its ranking, i.e. H for High, M for Medium under both Pressure and Threat. For example if a factor selected from the list represents both a pressure and a threat, H or M should be reported under both headings as appropriate. If it represents a pressure but not a threat, H or M should be reported under the pressure heading and threat left blank. A maximum of XX High level pressures should be noted. This will make it possible to identify the most important factors at a European scale. For example (using the third level for pressure/threat and a maximum of 5 pressures of High importance): Characterisation of pressures/threats a) Pressure/threat List XX pressures/threats, using codes from the list of pressures and threats at level 3 b) Ranking of pressure/threat H = high importance M = medium importance B.01.01 Conversion from agricultural land to forest B.01.02 Drainage and conversion of wetlands, marshes, bogs to forest B05.01 Use of biocides in forestry C03.01 Geothermal power production D01.02 Roads and highways E01.02 Discontinuous settlement development E01.03 Dispersed habitation/rural housing development E04.02 Development of ski resorts and other mountain structures Pressure Threat Where a Member State wishes to give more precise information on the nature of a certain pressure, this can be written in field 7.2 Other relevant information. 7.2 Sources of information (optional) To provide the necessary audit trail for the data reported in fields 7.1.a and 7.1.b above, Member States can enter the details of the key references or other sources supporting evidence of pressures reported as High. Such sources may include, for example, published papers, unpublished data held in databases, websites and expert working groups. The idea is not to create a long bibliography, but to provide enough information so that anyone reviewing the report (or updating it in six or 12 years' time) will be able to understand the origin of the information reported. H M H H H M H - H - M H M H H M 31 The number of threats /pressures and the level for reporting are still to be agreed DRAFT Article 12 reporting field-by-field guidance 25