Scoping document: analysis of the feasibility of calculating the CMEF Context Indicator 36, “Conservation status of agricultural habitats (grasslands)”, at the NUTS2 level - ETC/BD Working paper N°D/2015

Although the calculation of the CMEF Context Indicator 36, “Conservation status of agricultural habitats (grasslands)”, at the NUTS2 level is feasible from a technical point of view using GIS tools, it must be noted that, due to the methodology used to assess the conservation status in Article 17 of the Habitats Directive, the results are likely to be unrealistic and unreliable at this scale. This document mainly aims at showing the limitations and proposing an approach for calculating this indicator at the NUTS2 level.

The report first provides an overview of the CMEF (Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework) and the Context Indicator C.36 main characteristics (Chapter 2). It then introduces the general concepts and limitations of the assessment of habitat conservation status in Article 17 of the Habitats Directive (Chapter 3). Chapter 4 presents the spatial analysis, which has been performed at different scales (i.e., biogeographical region, NUTS2, habitat, combination of habitat and biogeographical region). The results of the calculation of the indicator at the NUTS2 level following a proposed approach are displayed in Chapter 5. Lastly, Chapter 6 enumerates the conclusions of this analysis.

Prepared by: Celia García Feced and Sophie Condé (from ETC/BD-MNHN, FR)

Download report: Scoping document: analysis of the feasibility of calculating the CMEF Context Indicator 36, “Conservation status of agricultural habitats (grasslands)”, at the NUTS2 level - ETC/BD Working paper N°D/2015 — 1.44 MB