Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process – Mediterranean Region Workshop on Mediterranean forest management and Natura 2000 Parc naturel regional du Luberon, Monday, 9 to Wednesday, 11 May 2016 Workshop Report An initiative of the
Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process – Mediterranean Region
Workshop on Mediterranean forest management and Natura 2000
Parc naturel regional du Luberon, Monday, 9 to Wednesday, 11 May 2016
Workshop Report
An initiative of the
Mediterranean forest management and Natura 2000, 9 to 11 May 2016 - Workshop report 2
ECNC-European Centre for Nature Conservation, Final version 26 July 2016
Prepared by: ECNC-European Centre for Nature Conservation (NL)
Authors: Astrid van Hemert, ECNC-European Centre for Nature Conservation
Neil McIntosch, ECNC-European Centre for Nature Conservation
With contribution of: Sophie Bourlon, Parc Naturel Regional du Luberon, France
Ludovic Le Maresquier, European Commission
Copyright: © European Union, 2016
Reproduction is authorised, provided the source is acknowledged.
Funding: European Commission as part of contract number
07.0307/2012/60517/SER/B.3. Disclaimer: The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinion of
the European Commission, nor is the European Commission responsible for any use that might be made of information appearing herein.
Mediterranean forest management and Natura 2000, 9 to 11 May 2016 - Workshop report 3
ECNC-European Centre for Nature Conservation, Final version 26 July 2016
Contents
1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................. 4
2.1 Day 1 - Introductory presentations ...................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Day 2 – Field trip .................................................................................................................................. 5
2.3 Day 3 - Break out group presentations ................................................................................................ 6
3 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................... 13
Mediterranean forest management and Natura 2000, 9 to 11 May 2016 - Workshop report 4
ECNC-European Centre for Nature Conservation, Final version 26 July 2016
1 Introduction
This document presents the main outcomes from the Mediterranean forest management and
Natura 2000 workshop organized in the context of the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process. This
workshop was a follow-up event identified during the Mediterranean Biogeographical Kick-off
Seminar, which was held in Thessaloniki, Greece in May 2014.
The workshop addressed current issues in Mediterranean forest management, focusing in
particular on integrated management approaches, benefiting both forestry and nature
conservation. The participants presented examples of approaches applied in the implementation of
Natura 2000, shared project results and management experiences, and discussed strategies and
good practices that could contribute to the improved conservation and restoration of ecological
networks in Mediterranean managed forests.
The workshop was hosted and organized by the Luberon Regional Nature Park in France, from 9 to
11 May 2016, with support from ECNC-European Centre for Nature Conservation. Forty-five
experts (researchers, private and public forest owners, foresters and nature policy officers)
attended the workshop from 7 countries: France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain, as well as the
Netherlands and Belgium.
2 Executive Summary
The three main objectives of this 3-day event were:
1. To share what we know on the ecology of the Mediterranean forests located in Natura 2000
sites;
2. To present the tools that are used to understand, assess, and promote Mediterranean forests’
biodiversity; and,
3. To exchange practical management experiences and success stories.
2.1 Day 1 - Introductory presentations
On the first day, the challenges and threats of two examples were provided by representatives from
Luberon Regional Nature Park.
The workshop was opened by Ms Jacqueline Combe, President of Natura 2000 sites and of the
Biodiversity Committee and Natural areas of the Luberon Regional Nature Park. She addressed the
three main objectives of this 3-day workshop as stated in the executive summary.
Dr Jacques Blondel, Director of Research Emeritus at the Centre of Functional and Evolutionary
Ecology (CNRS) in Montpellier explained in detail how to keep biodiversity in Mediterranean
forests through scales of space and time. See this presentation.
Dr Thierry Gauquelin, Doctor of Science of the Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Marine
and Continental Ecology (CNRS) and Professor of Functional ecology at the Aix-Marseille University,
explained the threats and challenges for Mediterranean forests and used the Regional Natural Parc
of the Luberon as example. See this presentation.
Mediterranean forest management and Natura 2000, 9 to 11 May 2016 - Workshop report 5
ECNC-European Centre for Nature Conservation, Final version 26 July 2016
The main threats identified arise from:
1. Climate Change;
2. Fragmentation;
3. New forest use demands (timber, wood fuel, recreational activities), and;
4. Invasive species.
This presentation was followed by a note of thanks from Mr Ludovic Le Maresquier, Nature Policy
Officer at DG ENV at the European Commission. He expressed sincere gratitude to the host for
their organisation of this workshop and gave a brief presentation on what the Natura 2000
Biogeographical Process is in terms of goal, organisation and expectations. The Process is made for
and by the Member States and its primary aim is to help them to achieve the 2020 Biodiversity
Strategy targets, in particular Target 1.
Ms Sophie Bourlon, Natura 2000 Project Manager at the Luberon Regional Nature Park, introduced
the field trip to the participants. (This field trip took place on the second day of the programme.)
Her presentation highlighted several actions which are taken to maintain and restore the Luberon
Forest’s biodiversity, in particular related to Natura 2000. Other actions were shown and discussed
‘on the ground’ during the field trip of the Luberon Park and the Mont-Ventoux.
2.2 Day 2 – Field trip
The field trip on day two was used to enable participants to see two examples of Mediterranean
public forest management (with the French National Forestry Office (ONF)) and one example of
management of a private forest, with several owners grouped on one specific property. Each site
visited includes networks of old-growth forests and are included in the Natura 2000 network for
biodiversity conservation in the Luberon Regional Nature Park and Mont-Ventoux UNESCO
Biosphere Reserve.
The first phase to define these networks in the Luberon consisted of mapping ancient forest and
forests of high biodiversity value. Scientists have demonstrated that a forest’s ancientness has an
influence on its biodiversity (no matter what method of management is used). The high
biodiversity value forests are classified according to their importance in the retention of old-growth
features, for example ancient solitary trees, and according to the WWF’s assessment tool to assess
degree of naturalness. The second phase to define and implement these networks, in both the
Luberon and Mount Ventoux, involved a theoretical framework approach establishing ecological
corridors at three scales:
1. Large scale (mountain range); area from 10 to more than 100 ha;
2. Forest scale; conservation of ‘senescence islands’; area from 1 to 10 ha; and
3. Plot scale; trees of ecological interest; at least 5 trees per ha.
Both phases required and depended on establishing positive contact with landowners. The French
Mediterranean Forest Natura 2000 contract for trees of ecological interest and senescence islands
conservation were applied as a single tool to implement this network. Today in the Luberon and
Ventoux forests, 22.2 ha are managed under such contracts and 12.1 ha are still in the project
phase. Their designation is continuing as part of the operational forest management.
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In public forests, the ecological network is established together with the National Forestry Office
(ONF), in particular in two strict reserves in the Luberon (915 ha) and in the Ventoux (906 ha), and
also in private forests with owners and the Regional Centre for Private Forests.
During the field trip, the participants were divided in working groups, first to describe the trees of
ecological interest, and second to apply an inventory method by using a quick naturalness
assessment tool developed by WWF. This tool improves the drawing-up of inventories and the
determination of appropriate management measures which may be used.
Knowledge Market
The Knowledge Market took place at the end of Day 2, where 11 posters were presented from
various managed forest projects from France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
This resulted in a lively exchange of information about the management of Mediterranean forests
and options for possible future networking between the different European countries.
The posters presented during the Knowledge Market can be viewed on the Natura 2000 Platform.
2.3 Day 3 - Break out group presentations
The programme on day three consisted of three thematic break-out groups. Each included two 15
minute case study presentations in each group. Per Group, the case studies, drawn from five
different European managed forests, presented concrete examples as follows:
Group 1 The state of scientific knowledge and knowledge gaps concerning ecological connectivity,
in particular networks of old growth forests in the Mediterranean region;
Group 2 Strategies for the implementation and monitoring of old growth forest networks in the
Mediterranean region;
Group 3 Forest management to preserve biodiversity.
At the end of day 3, the groups were able to:
Identify common threats affecting Mediterranean forest habitat types
Discuss and identify appropriate conservation objectives
Identify practical steps to implement conservation measures
Discuss the main barriers and challenges involved in implementation
The following tables summarise the themes discussed in each of the three working groups, group
participants’ observations from the site visits, the main barriers and challenges identified in
practical management for ancient forests and the scope for future cooperation in the form of
possible solutions.
The presentations with more detailed information can be viewed on the Natura 2000 Platform.
Mediterranean forest management and Natura 2000, 9 to 11 May 2016 - Workshop report 7
Working group – theme Field trip conclusions Barriers and challenges Solutions
1. The state of scientific
knowledge and knowledge
gaps concerning ecological
connectivity, in particular
old-growth networks, in
Mediterranean forests
Adaptive management is necessary to take
into account the needs and specific
circumstances of each site.
There is much value and continuous need to
ensure that the importance of education is
prioritized.
Old-growth forests are a new subject to
discuss.
Links and connectivities between countries
are essential, and networking is a valuable
means to share experiences and gain new
knowledge.
It is important to keep the history of each site
in mind.
Lack of knowledge
Lack of education and appropriate
communication particularly targeting
students, foresters, schools and
municipalities.
There is no Mediterranean vision on
old growth forests
To be effective, education and
communication approaches, including
language, must be adapted for
different target audiences.
There is a need to improve social
knowledge and awareness amongst
respective forest actors, including
those with management
responsibilities.
A European data-base for old growth
forests would be useful.
Networking and maintaining contact
between relevant actors are vital – it is
essential to keep this workshop group
alive and seek to extend the contacts
established by, for example, inviting
the involvement in Medforval.
2. Strategies for the
implementation and
monitoring of old growth
forest networks in the
Mediterranean region
In Spain, the value of networking is recognized,
where experiences can be shared amongst
those working on similar sites and issues – for
example, networking is used to identify
common issues, exchange information and
practical experiences, especially in the
application of management tools, and also
experiences of working with private owners
with Natura 2000 contracts. Often, it is difficult
to convince owners to conserve their forest and
find funds. Training could be a solution.
Climate change: adapting forests or
adapting forestry practices?
Increase of timber extraction
Forest fires
Deer grazing
Foresters old habits (link with
education)
Lack of efficient legal measures (5% of
un-managed forests have to be
designed for old-growth forests)
Lack of knowledge about location and
Network of old growth forests at 3
different scales
Improving forest management
(deadwood, interesting trees)
Knowledge and monitoring
Tools to protect the network: reserves,
retention islands, Natura 2000
contracts, etc. (France)
In some cases, non specific measures
can be useful, as applied in Spain –
here, the approach is to develop
Mediterranean forest management and Natura 2000, 9 to 11 May 2016 - Workshop report 8
Working group – theme Field trip conclusions Barriers and challenges Solutions
The EC has established a guide on financing
Natura 2000 in 2014
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natur
a2000/financing/index_en.htm)
to help MS and stakeholders to mobilise
European funds for Natura 2000. This is
available in different languages. In applying
these guidelines, one key issue relates to the
form of local governance approach that is
applied and which needs, together with the
national level, to structure Natura 2000 policy in
order to give clear rules to people on the ground
about how they can mobilise those funds.
In France, it was observed that Natura 2000
funds were available for quite some time and
the Luberon Regional National Park is able to
demonstrate valuable experience about ways to
use these funds. However, in other areas in
France, there is still a challenge which relates to
how best to use the funds. Private owners are
not always paid in time and, often, there are
long administration processes involved which
limit access to funds and create an
administrative burden.
interest
general measures for good forest
management practices, rather than for
specific conservation objectives. The
end goal is to improve the general
conservation condition of sites.
France: effective Dialogue with
foresters and owners
Spain: apart from sharing management
experiences and gaining new
knowledge, networking can also be
used as educational tool.
3. Forest management to
preserve biodiversity
Quick naturalness assessment tool presented by
Daniel Vallauri (WWF)
Lack of knowledge to define priorities
and actions
Prioritization of actions for funding by
States should be reviewed and
Mediterranean forest management and Natura 2000, 9 to 11 May 2016 - Workshop report 9
Working group – theme Field trip conclusions Barriers and challenges Solutions
The following points reflect the feedback from
and observations by participants about this
tool:
It is an interesting tool, but care should be
taken when forming opinion based on this
quick assessment;
It is useful and can be applicable to most of
the countries;
There is a need to involve private owners and
public communities, in particular to factor in
the social and economic return dimensions:
also, there is a need to reflect social value for
the government / state;
There may be options to pay owners to fund
actions (e.g. aging patches);
There is value in developing common
objectives from different owners.
Lack of tools to take forests into
account in urbanism plans
Lack of coordination between biomass
projects
Lack of funding/ unequal distribution
of funding
Administrative and technical
regulations
Lack of association or exchange of
information among private owners
Lack of ecological links between the
sites
Absence of site specific management
options
improved
There should be more obvious and
better information for the forests
e.g. portals gathering information in
local languages
Improve information exchange on
forests; inventory of private and public
forests
Create a regulation to share
information with Natura 2000
managers (e.g. potential for
conservation)
Working Group Differences in the Management of the Mediterranean forests, its challenges and solutions
1. The state of scientific
knowledge and knowledge
gaps concerning ecological
connectivity, in particular
old-growth networks, in
Mediterranean forests
THE IBERIAN PENINSULA
The objective of the study “Assessing the Relevance of the forest Mediterranean habitats of NATURA 2000 Network in Iberian Peninsula
is to assess the relevance of the Iberian forest habitats according with the new methodology developed. The study area was the Natura
2000 Network, focusing in the Iberian Peninsula. The data were the ones available in the European Environmental Agency in Sept 2013.
The conclusions of this assessment are that:
Habitats with highest relevance index correspond to rare habitats or to highly represented in a region, as in the Iberian Peninsula
case ;
The relevance index is a helpful tool to identify on which we have greater responsibility, providing information to regions and Natura
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Working Group Differences in the Management of the Mediterranean forests, its challenges and solutions
2000 management boards;
The output of this index can support the monitoring/assessment of Natura 2000 habitats ;
To funding projects: priority status is important for conservation planning;
Also relevance index can be considered to support management and financial decisions;
It is important to improve the knowledge of habitat status. Also the National Forest Inventory of each region can be a helpful tool to
provide data to characterise and update the current status of the habitats.
2. Strategies for the
implementation and
monitoring of old growth
forest networks in the
Mediterranean region
FRANCE
There are differences between regions: for example, in the Cévennes National Park in France there are no Natura 2000 contracts used in
the state public forests. The initiative in private forests is though of great interest and can be flexibly applied in different sites – for
example, management approaches and protocols for old growth forests can be simplified for some criteria, such as factors to determine
maturity.
In the Regional Natural Park Ballons des Vosges, there is only 3% of private forest, and they mainly work with ONF. High time
investments are required in developing relationships with local stakeholders – for example, there is a need to convince local
communities not to cut timber in certain areas where hunting is popular.
SPAIN
In Spain, the tool applied is similar to that of WWF, but is adapted - it is simplified, shorter, and questions are easier. Whilst this helps
with the application of the tool, there are other constraints, including limits of time for Spanish rangers.
In the Bioma Forestal in Spain, one particular challenge identified stems from too much importance being attached to money. For
example, in the Iberian Peninsula, the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Range, there has to be 5% minimum of the surface in free evolution,
without money back, in private or public forest. This is a law and sometimes the problem is that this surface area might occur in a region
where conservation is not prioritised (for example, rocky or barren land, or public spaces.
It was noted that the challenge of managing competing priorities is also experienced in France by ONF.
The view of the EC is that it is important that Natura 2000 helps to change practices in order to maintain or, where appropriate, improve
the conservation status of the habitats and species of community interest. Funding can be one means to help convince people to change
their habits, but is not necessarily the only means to ensure effective engagement and involvement in nature conservation management.
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Working Group Differences in the Management of the Mediterranean forests, its challenges and solutions
3. Forest management to
preserve biodiversity
GREECE
The following projects provide useful best practice examples of integrated forest management in Greece:
1. Prespa: restoration of juniper habitat - goats to control broadleaf species
2. Nestos: restoration of riparian forest – connectivity, local species
3. Parnonas: restoration after fires – work from surviving areas
About 65% of Greek forests are owned by the state, with the rest owned by municipalities, the church and other private owners. Forest
management is supervised by the Greek Forest Service (GFS). With minor differences, all forests are managed under the principles of
natural forestry. Non-state owned forests may use coppice management more intensively. Biodiversity is not in the core of management
planning; within Natura 2000 sites (SCI & SPA) some measures may be applied: (e.g. more mature trees are retained, no logging around
trees used by birds of prey for nesting etc.).
The main management challenges of the Prespa’s Juniper Forests include:
High competitive broadleaved species, which suppress junipers and prevent natural regeneration.
Increased risk of crown fires due to high amounts of biomass and very dense stands.
Reduction of available habitats of rare, endemic and threatened plant species.
Loss of a key element of Prespa’s natural heritage and regional identity.
Nestos delta riparian forest was about 10.000 ha in 1928: by 2005, less than 150 ha remain, scattered in patches of the ancient forest.
Clearances for agriculture uses and poplar plantations were the main factors contributing to this reduction in area. However, from 2005
to 2009, more than 280 ha have been restored using funding from EEA Grants: former poplar plantations have been re-populated with
native species and also with a view to restoring ecological connectivity.
During the Summer of 2007, Parnonas black pine forests suffered greatly from mega forest fires which affected large areas of the
habitat types *9530 and 9540. Black pine forests (priority habitat type 9530) are particularly vulnerable to wild fires because they are not
serotinous and during the summer their seeds are immature. Utilising LIFE and EEA grants, more than 500 ha, an area greater than 50%
of the burnt forest of Mount Parnonas, was restored.
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Working Group Differences in the Management of the Mediterranean forests, its challenges and solutions
The advantages of this restoration project are that:
Forest authorities committed their involvement financially, and also by providing access to relevant expertise and experience;
Strong and lasting partnerships between public administration and scientific institutes resulted, which are yielding clear and long-
term benefits;
Low maintenance management regimes were also considered as options following interventions.
The shortcomings of this restoration project include:
That there has been generally very slow integration of results into official guidance;
Exchange of experience and good practices between different forest management units could have been improved;
Limits of funding.
ITALY
This project focuses on the resilience of forests against climate change in Italy, in particular Sicily. Sicily has 258,502 hectares of high
forests and is one of the Italian regions with a lower coefficient of woodiness. It is known that historically forested areas were wider,
forest areas continuing to be lost until the beginning of the last century: at that point, this trend stopped and huge investments were
made to re-forest wide cleared areas. However, the regional forests are at risk of degradation due to the increasing occurrence of forest
fires and exposure to climate change impacts.
This project aims to identify new forest practices in order to promote the ecological resilience of forest communities in Sicily threatened
by risk of desertification. A specific objective is to implement a regional forest policy which is able to increase the resilience of forests in
Sicily, by improving ecosystem efficiency and promoting forest biodiversity conservation.
Identified examples of good management practices include:
The importance of mixing native species, whilst taking steps to eliminate (and prevent) alien species
Measures that restore ecological connectivity
A mixed approach to timber removal, which need not be systematic – according to specific sites and their conditions, this can
involve removal of only some branches in certain areas, entire trees in other areas, or no removal at all in other areas.
The most important challenge is reconciling preventative actions to be taken and the strict regulations that cover the national parks.
ECNC-European Centre for Nature Conservation, Final version 26 July 2016
13 Mediterranean forest management and Natura 2000, 9 to 11 May 2016 - Workshop report 13
3 Conclusions
This highly successful workshop was made possible due to the significant local support provided by the hosts
and the tremendous site visits. Also the programme was developed to benefit from the excellent
presentations from the five Mediterranean countries participating. These provided valuable insights to the
challenges, barriers and solutions involved in old forest management in Natura 2000 sites in the following
regions/countries:
1. Luberon Regional Nature Park, France 2. Mont-Ventoux Regional Nature Park, France 3. The Iberian Peninsula
4. The Spanish forests
5. The Cévennes National Park, France
6. The Greek forests
7. The Sicilian forests
These presentations made during the workshop are available on the Natura 2000 platform. Also, details of
the Knowledge Market and the various case studies can be seen from the Platform.
The pictures have been made during the workshop