Prioritized Action Framework
for the Flemish Region
Financing Natura 2000 workshop – Belgium
December 11th 2013
Content
Prioritized action framework
Natura 2000 in Flanders
Nature Conservation
Objectives for the Flemish region
Strategic conservation priorities 20142020
Priority Measures for Natura 2000
Current estimate of financial needs for
management of Natura 2000
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Content of a PAF
PAF in Flanders
Prioritized action framework
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Content of a PAF
A. Overview of Natura 2000 network
B. Status of the Habitats and Species
C. Provisions for protection and management
of sites
D. Current experience with EU financial
instruments
E. Current estimate of financial needs
F. Strategic conservation priorities 2014-2020
G. Key measures to achieve priorities
H. Monitoring, evaluation and updating PAFs
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PAF = synthesis
Note on NCO implementation strategy
Art. 17 report on conservation status
Regional NCO basis report
EU Biodiversity Strategy
“Vlaanderen in Actie”
Estimate of the benefits provided by
the Flemish NATURA 2000 network
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The map
The figures
Its ecosystem services
Natura 2000 in Flanders
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46 (9*)
27 annex II
67 annex I + 19 MS
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Sites of Community
Importance (SCIs)
Total SCI sites: 38
Total SCI area (km²): 1,048.88
Terrestrial SCI are (km²): 1,048.88
% of national area: 7.8%
Marine SCI area (km²): -
Special Areas of
Conservation (SACs)
-
Special Protection Areas
(SPAs)
Total SPA sites: 24
Total SPA area (km²): 982.43
Terrestrial SPA are (km²): 982.43
% of national area: 7.3%
Marine SPA area (km²): -
Total Natura 2000
terrestrial area
Total Natura 2000 sites: 52
Total Natura 2000 area (km²): 1,661.87
% of national area: 12.3%
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Total Natura 2000
marine area
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ANB. 2013. Prioritized Action Framework for the Flemish region
Relative surface (%) of clustered land cover types
for the Natura 2000 network in Flanders (2011)
The clustered land cover types according to Corinne (2011) are
mentioned between brackets.
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FV – Favourable; U1 – Unfavourable inadequate; U2 – Unfavourable bad; XX - Unknown; NA – Not reported
Conservation status
Habitat types (I) and species (II&IV) cf. Habitats directive (2007)
Region /
Conclusion
HABITATS
SPECIES
FV
U1
U2
XX
NA
FV
U1
U2
XX
NA
Range
28
9
10
0
-
37
5
13
4
-
Area /
Population
14
18
15
0
-
18
14
18
9
-
Structure /
Habitat
2
9
33
3
-
1
13
11
34
-
Future
Prospects
16
18
11
2
-
24
12
14
9
-
Flanders
3
7
37
1
-
16
12
22
9
-
Annex I and migratory species1 cf. Birds directive (2009)2
Region /
Conclusion
Range
Area /
Population
Structure /
Habitat
Future
Prospects
Flanders
1at
ANNEX I
MIGRATORY SPECIES
FV
U1
U2
XX
NA
FV
U1
U2
XX
NA
19
0
11
3
30
17
2
0
0
-
16
1
14
2
30
17
1
1
0
-
16
6
10
1
30
16
3
0
0
-
16
6
11
0
30
13
4
1
1
-
14
4
15
0
30
14
4
1
0
-
present or on date of entry into force of BD 1 % of the biogeographical population
the approach for species cf. art. 17 HD
2Using
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Nature Conservation
Objectives for the Flemish region
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A nested approach to setting NCOs
Regional NCOs (R-NCOs)
When in FCS on Flemish level?
Criteria of article 17 evaluation (HD)
Distribution of R-NCOs over Natura
2000 sites: specific NCOs (S-NCOs)
One approach for Natura 2000:
SAC (HD) and SPA (BD)
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Participatory process
Sense of ownership helps in achieving
NCOs faster and with fewer troubles
Opportunity costs 
Detects weaknesses in our set of
implementation measures
Shows pitfalls to avoid in the
implementation
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Regional
nature conservation objectives
Creation of 41,000 to 55,000 ha of
European protected habitat types
Creation of 4,000 to 7,000 ha of
habitat of species (not European
protected habitat types)
In addition to existing approximately
74,000 ha
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EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020
“Vlaanderen in Actie” (VIA)
Strategic conservation priorities
2014-2020
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Flemish roadmap to
favourable conservation status (FCS)
1. Halt and prevent deterioration of the
present conservation status
2. Reach FCS or improve status by
2020 for 16 habitats
3. Reach FCS for all habitats by 2050
4. Reach FCS or improve status by
2020 for protected species
5. Reach FCS for all species by 2050
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BRON: INBO – ontwerprapportering cf. artikel 17 van de Habitatrichtlijn
The Challenge
Target
Habitats
Species
Conservation status of habitats and species protected by
the Habitats Directive in Flanders
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1. Halt and prevent
deterioration of present CS
By 2020 all the necessary local interventions
will have to be carried out in those sites
(SAC or SPA) for which a negative trend in
the local conservation status is reported
while formulating the nature conservation
objectives or where deterioration threatens
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2. Reach FCS or improve
status by 2020 for 16 habitats
Realistic list based two criteria (stakeholder
input)
proper management is achievable by 2020
FCS or at least a significant improvement is
achievable by 2020
Priority actions are related to
development and proper management
elimination of local environmental issues
Reduction of acidifying and eutrophying
depositions demands a regional approach
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Reach FCS or improve status for 16
habitats by 2020
3. Reach FCS
for all habitats by 2050
Interim 2020 targets for remaining habitats
surface owned by public authorities or nature
conservation NGOs under proper management by
2020
surface under proper management on private land
in an officially recorded operational management
plan
1/3 of remainder under proper management by
2020
Priority actions are related to:
proportional development and proper management
proportional reduction of acidifying and eutrophying
depositions in a regional approach
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4. Reach FCS or improve
status by 2020 for protected species
34% of annex II species have FCS
Over 50% of birds (BD annex I and
MS) have FCS
No specific goals for 2020 are
formulated; knowing full well that
realisation of the 2020 habitat goals
(2. and 3.) will benefit the species.
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5. Reach FCS
for all species by 2050
Interim 2020 targets for all species
realisation of 2050 habitat goals should
ensure FCS for most species
some species need extra efforts
interim goals for “extra space needing”
species
improvement of existing habitats &
1/3 of targets for additional habitat
Species protection programmes
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© Patrick Keirsebilck
10* ‘extra space needing’ species will
have interim goals for 2020
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*Hamster
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is not linked to Natura 2000
NCOs outside Natura 2000
22,788 ha forests
Evaluation of conservation status on
the whole of the region
Not possible to reach FCS in the site
because of the characteristics
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From planning to acting
The strategic management plan Natura 2000
Distribution of NCOs over subareas
Define priority actions on development and
management for each subarea
measures to stop or avoid deterioration
measures to achieve 2020 targets
measures to achieve 2020 interim targets
Define priority actions on environmental
conditions for each subarea
measures reducing environmental pressures to stop
or avoid deterioration
measures reducing environmental pressures
hindering the 2020 targets
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Overall strategic priorities
Regional priority action on eutrophying
and acidiphying depositions
programmatic approach set up by end 2015
Defining ecological thresholds to
mitigate local environmental pressures
uniform reference framework  local
conservation status, appropriate
assessments, E.I.A. and S.E.A., and
environmental priority actions
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General Measures
Agricultural and forest habitats and species
Marine and coastal habitats and species
Wetlands habitats and species (including peatlands)
Heathland habitats and species
Securing ecosystem benefits
Sustainable tourism and employment
Programmatic approach to nitrogen deposition
Priority Measures for
2014-2020
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General Measures
Preparation of management plans, strategies and schemes
Establishment of management bodies
Review of management plans, strategies and schemes
Staff (conservation/project officers, wardens/rangers, workers)
Measures to remove migration and dispersion barriers and
bottlenecks
Land purchase, including compensation for development rights
Monitoring and surveying
Site surveillance
Provision of information and publicity material
Training and education
Infrastructure needed for habitat or species restoration
Infrastructure for public access, interpretation, observatories and
kiosks, etc
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General Measures
species protection programmes
30 protected species mainly outside
Natura 2000
Complement of the Natura 2000
management plan
Lampetra planeri, Crex Crex, Circus pygargus, Chiroptera, Cricetus cricetus,
Botaurus Stellaris, Pelobates fuscus, Lanius collurio, Liparis loeselii, Misgurnus
fossilis, Charadrius alexandrinus, Leucorrhinia pectoralis, Acrocephalus
paludicola, Hyla arborea, Coronella austriaca, Porzana porzana, Circus
aeruginosus, Muscardinus vellanarius, Lucanus cervus, Alytes obstetricans,
Numenius phaeopus, Ixobrychus minutus, Triturus cristatus, Rana arvalis, Bufo
calamita, Pernis apivorus, Nycticorax nycticorax, Anser brachyrhynchus, Castor
fiber, Lutra lutra
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Agricultural and forest
habitats and species
Development, restoration and management
of grasslands & forests
Restoration of natural or appropriate
groundwater levels and / or flooding regime
Mitigation of N or P influx
Agri- & forest-environmental measures
Compensation for income forgone
Risk management (e.g. fire)
Countermeasures against invasive alien
species
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Marine and coastal
habitats and species
Restoration and management of estuaries
Restoration, development and management
of coastal habitats
Restoration of natural or appropriate
groundwater levels and / or flooding regime
Mitigation of N or P influx
Agri- & forest-environmental measures
Compensation for income forgone
Countermeasures against invasive alien
species
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Wetlands habitats
and species (including peatlands)
Restoration, development and management of wetland
habitats
Restoration of natural or appropriate groundwater
levels
Restoration watercourse structure and / or flooding
regime
Improvement of surface water quality and water
bottom quality
Mitigation of N or P influx
Agri-environmental measures
Compensation for income forgone
Countermeasures against invasive alien species
Risk management (e.g. fire)
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Heathland habitats and species
Development, restoration and
management of heathland
Restoration of natural or appropriate
groundwater levels and / or flooding
regime
Mitigation of N or P influx
Compensation for income forgone
Risk management (e.g. fire)
Countermeasures against invasive alien
species
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Securing ecosystem benefits (e.g. climate change)
Provisioning
Goods and services produced by
ecosystems
enhance water infiltration
Regulation & Maintenance
Non-material benefits provided by
ecosystems
protection flooding by sea
more space for recreation
© Tom Linster
© Tom Linster
© Wouter Pattyn
Cultural
Natural processes regulated of
maintained by ecosystems
protection flooding by rivers
© Tom Linster
enhance denitrification
© Patrick Van Keirsbulck
© ANB
enhance nutrient retention
© Laurent Vanden Abeele
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store carbon in biomass
store carbon in soils
© Wilfried Rentmeesters
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Sustainable
tourism and employment
AgentschapsDomeinen
Als
Goede gastheer
Inrichten
Onderhouden
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Financial support &
compensation for public
access
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Programmatic
approach to nitrogen depositions
Systematic reduction of atmospheric N
depositions to ensure favourable conservation
status for sensitive habitats and species by 2050
and prevent further deterioration.
Set up by the end of 2015.
This program will comprise
generic and area-specific policy measures
a recovery package
can lead to room for new local development
whereby renewal of permits and limited expansions
might be possible.
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There is a return-on-investment!
Current estimate of financial needs
for management of Natura 2000
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40,000,000
35,000,000
30,000,000
25,000,000
Development
20,000,000
Restoration
Maintenance
Total
15,000,000
10,000,000
5,000,000
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
2040
2041
2042
2043
2044
2045
2046
2047
2048
2049
2050
0
Technical costs for nature development and maintenance
Evolution in the period 2014-2050 of cost related to development, restoration and
maintenance of protected habitats and habitats of protected species. Costs are expressed
in EUR (2012) and without VAT.
ANB. 2013. Prioritized Action Framework for the Flemish region
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Type of cost
2014
One-off costs
Land acquisition
Nature
development
Mitigation of
environmental
pressures1
Infrastructure for
access
Recurrent costs
Management
planning
Maintenance and
management
Mitigation of
environmental
pressures2
Monitoring
Surveillance and
supervision
Infrastructure for
access
Licensing and
appropriate
assessment
Coordination and
overhead
Communication
and capacity
building
Total cost
no estimate could be made,
except preliminary studies
2 no estimate could be made
1
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Full
period
2020
20.9
20.9
20.9
20.9
20.9
20.9
20.9
146.3
10.7
11.2
11.8
12.3
12.8
13.3
13.6
85.7
4.3 + ?
4.3 + ?
0.5 + ?
0.5 + ?
0.5 + ?
0.5 + ?
0.5 + ?
11.0
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
7.7
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.6
2.6
19.0
22.1
21.8
21.6
21.6
21.4
22.2
21.7
152.4
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
0.0
6.0
8.5
11.1
13.6
16.1
18.6
21.2
94.8
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
6,3
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
23,8
5.4
5.4
5.2
5.2
5.2
5.2
5.2
36.8
3.6
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
22.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
5.9
81,9
84,2
83,3
86,3
89,1
92,7
95,1
612,4
Current estimate of financial needs for management of
Natura 2000 for the Flemish region in million euros.
ANB. 2013. Prioritized Action Framework for the Flemish region
European funds
LIFE
development & acquisition
European Agricultural Fund for Rural
Development (EAFRD)
maintenance, development, environmental
measures
Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund
(Interreg & EFRD)
development (e.g. species, ecosystem
services), environmental measures
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Flemish financial means
Nature policy
Other government budgets
flanking policy for farming
maintenance of public properties
regular policy
Innovative financing options
being explored
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Ecosystem services
Yearly monetary value of 11 ESS
Ecosystem services


public health related
services (air quality,
recreation, health effects of
contact with nature)


soil carbon sequestration

agricultural production
and nutrient removal

wood production, carbon
sequestration in
biomass, noise nuisance
reduction and water
supply
€ 800 million
to
€ 1.4 billion
additional benefits
of NCOs: € 13 to
93 million extra per
year
REMINDER: NCOs also
include maintenance of the
existing ecosystem services
Broekx Steven, De Nocker Leo, Poelmans Lien, Staes Jan, Jacobs Sander, Van der Biest Katrien, Verheyen Kris. 2013. Raming van de
baten geleverd door het Vlaamse NATURA 2000-netwerk. Studie uitgevoerd in opdracht van: Agentschap Natuur en Bos (ANB/IHD/11/03)
door VITO, Universiteit Antwerpen en Universiteit Gent. 2012/RMA/R/1
PAF Flanders
Financing Natura 2000
workshop - Belgium
Jeroen Panis
policy officer
area-based nature policy
+32 2 553 78 99
jeroen.panis@lne.vlaanderen.be
11 December 2013
Information on NCOs &
Natura 2000 in Flanders
Ward Verhaeghe
Project leader NCOs
+32 3 553 78 85
ward.verhaeghe@lne.vlaanderen.be
ihd.anb@vlaanderen.be
Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos
Koning Albert II-laan 20 bus 8
1000 Brussel
www.natuurenbos.be
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