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Performance of the species listed in the European Community ‘Habitats’ Directive as indicators of species richness in Denmark

2002; Elsevier BV; Volume: 5; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s1462-9011(02)00031-x

1873-6416

Mette Palitzsch Lund,

Forest Management and Policy

The 'Habitats' Directive is a contribution of the European Community to the conservation of biodiversity. Species listed in Annex II of the Directive are the basis for the designation of a European reserve network (along with Annex I natural habitat types, not tested here). The indicator potential of the Annex II species occurring in Denmark for capturing and representing other Danish species is tested. Species listed in Annex IV were also analysed as they should receive 'strict protection' according to the directive. Further, the location of Danish reserves was compared to an optimal solution for maximum representation of Annex II species. Areas representing Danish Annex II species at least five times also represent other known Danish species effectively (with the possible exception of plants). Areas representing Annex II+IV species at least five times represented other Danish species even more effectively. Species richness in member states with similar species distributions may benefit from early incorporation of Annex IV in the designation process. The Danish reserves were not optimally located in respect to maximum representation of Annex II species. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of Danish reserves at representing other Danish species was equivalent to the effectiveness of the near-optimal area solution for Annex II species tested here.