YIR01BIO01 Dry and mesic grassland habitats - pressures and state
A. Pressures
Figure 1A
Main impacts and activities in lowland areas with more than 30 % dry or mesic
grassland habitat coverage in potential sites of Community interest
Main impacts and actvities in lowland pSCI’s w ith dry/mesic grassland habitats per
Country
Urbanization and
industrialization
% of impacts and activities occurring in lowland
sites with dry/mesic grasslands
100%
Transportation and
communication
90%
80%
Pollution
70%
Natural Processes
(biotic and abiotic)
60%
50%
40%
Mining and extraction
of materials
30%
Leisure and tourism
20%
Human induced
changes in hydraulic
conditions
Hunting and collecting
10%
0%
AT - 6
3,9
FI - 8
0,177
FR 131
536
GR - 11 IE - 6
254
0,22
IT - 391 PT - 11
ES 1 340
604
144
4
274
SE 147
18
Agriculture, forestry
Country, number of sites and total surface areas in thounsands of hectares
Note: Data as reported in NATURA2000 forms by end of 1999 by 9 countries.
Figure 1B
Main impacts and activities in mountain areas with more than 30% dry or mesic
grassland habitat coverage in potential sites of Community interest
% of impacts and activities occurring in mountain sites with dry/mesic
grasslands
Main impacts and actvities in mountain pSCI’s with dry/mesic grassland habitats per Country
100%
90%
Urbanization,
industrialization and similar
activities
80%
Transportation and
communication
70%
Pollution and other human
impacts/activities
60%
Natural Processes (biotic
and abiotic
50%
Mining and extraction of
materials
40%
Leisure and tourism
30%
Human induced changes in
hidraulic conditions
20%
Hunting and collecting
10%
Agriculture, forestry
0%
AT - 1
0,4
FI - 1
0,004
FR - 13
7,1
GR - 11
27,9
IR - 1
0,134
IT - 49
42,5
SP - 3
2,2
Country, number of sites and total surface areas in thounsands of hectares
Note: Data as reported in NATURA2000 forms by End 1999 by 7 countries
.
1
Notes:
- The number after the country code indicates the number of pSCIs analysed per country, and
the number below indicates the sum of the surfaces of those sites in thousands of hectares.
- The EC Habitat Directive reflects the European share of global concern for habitat types for
conservation. It includes dry and mesic grasslands listed in Annex I of the Habitat Directive. EU
Member States propose candidate Sites of Community Interest (pSCIs), to be further
designated as Special Areas of Conservation and be part of the NATURA2000 Network.
Depending on the biogeographic context and countries, the pressures due to human activities
that may influence the conservation status of such habitat vary in nature and intensity. The
analysis is based on data by 1999 from 984 pSCI sites (91 mountain sites, 893 lowland sites)
where dry or mesic grassland covered more than 30 % of the area. Data on impacts was
available only from 9 countries for lowland areas and 7 countries for mountain areas.
Source: ETC/NC, analysis based on data in European Commission database on pSCIs.
Key messages
K Except for very limited areas of special natural grassland types, all European
grasslands are maintained through grazing or cutting, the continuation and intensity of
which are crucial for the protection of the grasslands and the species they harbour.
Lafforested
Pressure on grassland habitats is increasing steadily. Sixty percent of the newly
area in the EU was formerly permanent pasture or meadows, 37 % was
arable land and only 3 % was permanent cropland.
B. Area of land
Figure 2
Permanent grassland and pasture in EU15 in 1995 in percent of utilised
arable area (UAA)
Source: (XURSHDQ&RPPLVVLRQ$JULFXOWXUHHQYLURQPHQWUXUDOGHYHORSPHQW)DFWVDQG
)LJXUHV$&KDOOHQJHIRU$JULFXOWXUH'DWDVRXUFH(XURVWDW
2
Figure 3
Area of permanent grassland and pasture in EU9, 1975 to 1995 (million ha)
PLOOLRQ
Source: (XURSHDQ&RPPLVVLRQ$JULFXOWXUHHQYLURQPHQWUXUDOGHYHORSPHQW)DFWVDQG
)LJXUHV$&KDOOHQJHIRU$JULFXOWXUH'DWDVRXUFH(XURVWDW
Figure 4
Change in use of permanent pastures and meadows. Agricultural land
afforested between 1993 and 1997 in EU15: previous use of the land (as percentage of the
areas).
Source:)RUHVWU\0HDVXUHVXQGHUWKH&RPPRQ$JULFXOWXUDO3ROLF\ In: (XURSHDQ&RPPLVVLRQ
$JULFXOWXUH(QYLURQPHQWUXUDOGHYHORSPHQW)DFWVDQG)LJXUHV$&KDOOHQJHIRU
$JULFXOWXUH'DWDVRXUFH(XURVWDW
3
L1995,Thewithtotalonlyareasome
of grassland in the average EU9 country fell by 12 % between 1975 and
areas of increase. The total area of permanent grassland will increase
Key messages
significantly with further enlargement of the EU.
&6SHFLHVLQJUDVVODQGV
Figure 5
Importance of dry and mesic grassland habitat types for orchid species
in selected countries.
Species of orchids in selected countries. Number of species
Netherlan
Belgium
Luxembour
France
ds
g
vulnerable extinc tot vulnerabl extin tot vulnerable extin tot vulnerabl extin tot
t
al e
ct
al
ct
al e
ct
al
9
dry/mesic
3 17
14
1 18
8
3 16
46
0 72
grassland
s
other
14
4 27
24
6 35
11
5 23
46
0 75
habitats
total
23
7 44
38
7 53
19
8 39
92
0 147
Note: Though only one orchid species is protected under NATURA2000 (Habitats Directive
Annex II), the importance of grasslands for orchids is very high. In the four countries for which
data were available, the proportion of orchids present in dry and mesic grasslands was high: 50
% in France and between 35 and 42 % in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Source: ETC/NC, analysis based on literature and information for the EC Habitats Directive.
Figure 6
Percentage of threatened butterflies occurring in broad habitat types, including
dry and mesic grasslands in European countries.
Dry/Mesic
grasslands
34%
Woodland and
scrub
29%
others
12%
heath, bog and
fen
8%
Alpine
Humid
grasslands grasslands
10%
7%
Note: The assessment covers all known Butterflies species in all Europe including Madeira, the
Azores, the Canary islands, Cyprus, the whole of Turkey and Russia east of the Urals (no
information was received from the Caucasian Republics). This is the first comprehensive
assessment of European status of Butterflies since a first preliminary review by John Heath in
1981.
4
Source: ETC/NC, analysis based on Council of Europe, 1999. Red Data Book on
European Butterflies (Rhopalocera)
L Out of a total of 576 European butterfly species 71 are threatened. Of these around 50 %
Key messages
occur in grasslands with 34 % alone in dry/mesic grasslands.
D. Protection measures
Figure 7
Variation in surface area for sites with dry or mesic grassland habitat types,
proposed for nature protection under the Flora, Fauna and Habitats Directive (pSCIs).
Percentage per country of site numbers in 5 size categories. Lowland and mountain areas.
Figure 7A
Variation in surface area for pSCIs in EU lowland areas
Surface area of lowland pSCIs with dry/mesic grassland habitats per country
100%
80%
> 10 000 ha
60%
1000 to 9 999 ha
100 to 999 ha
10 to 99 ha
< 10 ha
40%
No data
20%
0%
AT - 6
Figure 7B
BE - 9
DE - 4
FI - 8
FR - 131 GR - 11
IE - 6
IT - 391
NE - 1
PT - 11 ES - 144 SE - 147 UK - 24
Variation in surface area for pSCIs in EU mountain areas
Surface area of m ountain pSCIs w ith dry/m esic grassland habitats per country
100%
80%
> 10 000 ha
60%
1000 to 9 999 ha
100 to 999 ha
10 to 99 ha
40%
< 10 ha
20%
0%
AT - 1
BE -1
FI-1
F R - 13
GR - 11
IE - 1
IT - 49
5
ES - 3
SE - 4
UK - 3
Note: The analysis is based on data by the end of 1999 from 984 pSCI sites (91 mountain sites,
893 lowland sites) where dry or mesic grassland covered more than 30 % of the area.
Source: ETC/NC, analysis based on data by End 1999 in European Commission database on
pSCIs.
Figure 8
Increase in European Community support to projects for restoration and
management of habitats and species. Examples of use of EC LIFE funds 1992-1999 for
dry/mesic grassland areas.
Country
Restoration and management projects including
dry grassland habitat types and species
Austria
Finland
France
Pannonian sand dunes, Alluvial flood plain
Grasslands and pastures in Archipelago
Germany
Greece
Italy
Portugal
Spain
United Kingdom
Projects
1992-1994
Dry grasslands, chalk and limestone grasslands,
Xerotermic habitats, grassland species
Dune and meadow habitats, species
Dry grasslands
Various grassland habitat types and species
Grassland habitat types, Montados, steppic birds
Steppic and dry grasslands and species
Chalk grassland habitat types
2
3
2
3
Projects
From 1995
2
1
7
4
1
12
1
3
1
Source: ETC/NC, analysis based on European Commission LIFE-Nature Database
http://europa.eu.int/comm/life/nature/databas.htm
K The number of projects that aim to ensure the conservation of dry and mesic grasslands and
Key message
associated species is increasing.
E. Results and assessment (level of the indicator)
Relevance of the indicator for describing developments in the environment
Permanent grasslands play a major, but not always well recognised or understood role for
society (production, employment), the environment, and biodiversity. The grasslands are key
habitats for many species: herbs, grazing animals such as deer and rodents, butterflies and
reptiles, and many bird species.
Dry grasslands contain some specialist species, for example orchids and butterflies, which can
survive only in dry well-lit conditions. Grasslands, particularly calcareous grasslands, are an
important habitat for orchids, and half of the orchid species in France, and between 35 and 42
% in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, occur in dry and mesic grasslands. A high
proportion of these are either in a highly vulnerable state or close to becoming extinct.
Butterfly species are generally more specific to particular plant species than to habitat types, but
it is possible to categorise the main broad habitat types where these plants - and therefore the
butterflies - occur. Out of a total of 576 European butterfly species 71 are threatened. Of these
around 50 % occur in grasslands with 34 % alone in dry/mesic grasslands.
Grasslands, especially those visibly rich in species (flowering plants, insects, raptors) have high
recreation value. Grasslands have long been an important feature for landscape painting and
the appreciation of the countryside. Grasslands such as steppes are the homes of ancestors to
several of the now most widespread crops, garden bulbs, several spices and medicinal plants.
Permanent grasslands are therefore gradually becoming an important issue of concern in
6
global, European, European Community and national decision-making, although to a widely
varying extent.
The indicators used describe the central elements of the general trends of grasslands and
responses to their problems, especially concerning nature conservation issues for dry and
mesic permanent grasslands. The data do not allow appreciation of how much permanent
grasslands is intensively or extensively managed. As a result of the Habitats Directive, EU
countries now have some indication of the area of dry and mesic grasslands and of major
impacts and initiatives in proposed sites of Community Interest (pSCIs). However, data
limitations preclude the development of indicators to describe specific impacts or the
effectiveness of specific measures (CAP, Birds and Habitats Directive) or the identification of
links with climate change and desertification. The data based on agricultural statistics have
some temporal information, but there are as yet very limited temporal data on nature
conservation.
Policy relevance and policy references
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, Rio de Janeiro, 1992) was ratified by the
European Community on 21 December 1993. It calls for an ecosystem approach in assessing
and ensuring the sustainable use and development of biological resources. This approach
prioritises some of the big biomes (global main groups of ecosystems) of the world such as
forests, agro-ecosystems, wetlands, coastal and marine areas and permanent grasslands.
Global CBD grassland interest is focused on dry grasslands, both natural and semi-natural,
including steppes and savannas in all climatic zones, particularly on those most threatened in
tropical and sub-tropical regions (UNEP/CBD/COP/5/V23). The CBD concerns for dry
grasslands are associated with the global Conventions on Climate Change and on
Desertification.
In Europe, grasslands range from the dry, almost desertic types in the southeast of Spain to
steppic, mesic and very humid types. They can be found in the whole of Europe, the very dry
types being concentrated mainly in southern and southeastern Europe, although important dry
and mesic types also occur in colder climates where rainfall is low. The importance of
grasslands differ greatly, as does the extent of implementation of measures to intensify
production, maintain, abandon or convert them to other uses (other crops, Christmas trees and
decoration greenery, afforestation, urbanisation, recreation). Almost all European grasslands
are under management and their condition depends on the implementation of legal and financial
instruments. The interests and regulations support developments which may clash: aiming for
higher yields in improved grasslands (for production interests for grass or animal grazing)
conflicts with aiming for lower yields in un-improved grasslands (for wildlife and landscape
protection). The Common Agricultural Policy measures in the EU (covering around 20 % of the
agricultural area) and its implementation in the Member States (through cattle and milk quotas,
subsidies to preserve grassland biodiversity, restrictions on stock levels, continuation of farming,
afforestation, reduction or non-use of inputs, raising water levels, maintenance of smaller
biotopes, promotion of rare breeds) and several other regulatory instruments (use of genetically
modified organisms, seed regulations) influence grasslands directly or indirectly. Local propertyrelated implications may result in neighbouring farmers taking completely opposite decisions.
The main EU regulations for directly protecting or influencing grasslands habitat types and the
species associated with them are: Directive 79/409/EEC on conservation of wild birds (Birds
Directive, covering several species); Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats
and of wild flora and fauna (Habitats Directive covering several habitat types and reptiles and
insects); Directive 85/337/EEC (with amendments) on environmental impact assessment; and
Regulation (EC) No 1467/94 on conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of
genetic resources in agriculture.
Since 1981, the Council of Europe has recognised the importance of grassland habitat types,
particularly dry grasslands, as a priority for conservation in Europe, encouraging member
countries to include such habitat types in the network of European Biogenetic Reserves.
Grasslands (natural and semi-natural humid, mesic and dry) are taken into consideration in the
Bern Convention and in action theme 8 of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape
Diversity (PEBLDS).
7
Many countries have included permanent grassland considerations into national sustainability
programmes, conservation regulations and recently the first Biodiversity Action Plans (national
CBD implementation). Some countries have general protection of all permanent grasslands.
Red Data books are being produced in most countries as a background for assessing the threat
status of species. They are widely used as background for national and international
conservation strategies and for identification of species to be conserved under legal instruments
such as NATURA2000 and Bern Convention. Though most use the global IUCN threat
categories, Red Data books are not yet developed to a fully harmonised methodology and are
only infrequently updated. Data can therefore not yet be used directly for long-term
assessments.
Assessment
There are permanent grasslands throughout Europe, ranging from the driest, almost desertic
types as in the southeast Spain, to steppic, mesic and humid types, depending on the
biogeographic context, local soil conditions and exposure. The focus in this fact sheet is mostly
on dry to mesic types. The larger areas of these are concentrated on plains and in valleys or
along flat coasts, but significant areas occur in mountains. Present Europe-wide mapping
systems allow identification of larger areas and of general habitat types with some restrictions.
Data on total area and distribution of special grassland types are poor, precluding detailed
analysis.
Grasslands in Europe are nearly all fully dependent on maintenance through grazing or cutting.
They are also highly changeable and dynamic and are influenced by various simultaneous
pressures, making them particularly vulnerable. They change typically in decades, not in
generations, as do forests. Predicted climatic changes are expected to result in expansion of dry
and arid grassland types (even in desertification) in some parts of southern Europe, and change
towards more mesic-humic types in northern Europe: dry grassland types can be expected to
expand to the Apennines foothills, Southern Alps, Cévennes and Pyrenees. Atmospheric
deposition of nitrogenic compounds destabilises the normal competition between plant species
and facilitates the introduction or invasion of robust plants and insects. Since these influences
are unevenly distributed over Europe, outlooks for grasslands and grassland types will vary
geographically.
Maintenance of permanent grasslands was formerly done through haymaking and grazing in
integrated labour-intensive systems. Maintenance at present tends to be either through grass
cutting or grazing, and the intensity of cutting and grazing (over- or under-cutting or grazing) is a
major issue for continuation of specific grassland types. Cattle farming with full or partial stabling
and concentration of cattle geographically has caused considerable problems for the
continuation of many grazing schemes for nature protection. Decrease or disappearance of old
grazing regimes (mountain dairy meadows) and of transhumance (annual migrations of grazing
flock) has led to the abandonment and disappearance of large grasslands.
Grasslands are maintained with different grazing animal types throughout Europe: cattle,
horses, sheep, goats, and reindeer. Grazing by old breeds is being introduced in some areas for
nature, historic and gene-pool conservation reasons. There is also some nature conservation
grazing with exotic cattle, such as Scottish Highland. Natural grazing (maintenance, over- or
under-grazing) is dependent on deer, rodents and birds, including large populations of migrating
birds (geese, swans).
With the enlargement from EU9 to EU15, the total EU area of permanent grasslands and
pastures in 1995 reached about 44,000,000 ha, but the generally tendency is downwards: the
total grassland area in the EU9 countries fell by an average of 12 % between 1975 and 1995,
with only some areas of increase.
The change of grassland areas to other use depends on the land-use policies of different
countries; for example the threat to permanent grasslands reflects national plans for the
conversion of grasslands to forests. For the EU15 as a whole, the breakdown of newly planted
areas according to the previous use of the land shows that 60 % was formerly permanent
8
pastures or meadows, 37 % was arable and only 3 % had been under permanent crops. The
distribution, however, varies widely: In the Netherlands and Denmark trees are planted on
arable land, while in Ireland and Austria the planting is on permanent pastures and meadows.
The total area of permanent grassland will increase significantly with further enlargement of the
EU. The Accession countries contain large areas of highly valuable and vulnerable permanent
grassland, and the expected increase in agricultural intensification will place these areas under
great pressure.
The change in area alone presents a steadily increasing spatial pressure on grassland habitat
types and their associated species. The data do not allow the increase or decline of the various
types of grasslands to be followed in detail. The sites proposed under the Habitats Directive
vary in number and size in the Member States, depending on the climate, the character of the
landscape and historic and current land-use patterns. Based on the data available by the end of
1999, the Mediterranean biogeographic region comprises the highest proportion of proposed
large sites with significant dry grassland habitat areas, including more than 80 sites between 1
000 and 10 000 ha. Among the sites more than 10 000 ha, 2 sites in Spain are about 25 000 ha,
1 is 52 000 ha and 1 is 75 000 ha. Though data coverage is till incomplete, the Continental
biogeographic region can be seen to include also a significant proportion of large sites (larger
than 1 000 ha): extensive drylands areas in France (in Burgundy, Massif Central, Cévennes,
Jura) and in Austria, where important western outposts of Pannonic steppes remain. Data from
Germany for that region are lacking. The large extensions of drylands generally correspond to
low-intensity farming areas, in which biodiversity interest will be maintained through extensive
grazing and hay cutting.
Analysis of data on national occurrence and area of grassland habitats listed for protection
under the Directive (delivered under the pSCI process by Member States), of national Red Lists
for species, and from other sources, indicates the awareness of the importance of permanent
grasslands for nature conservation. The number of projects to ensure conservation of dry and
mesic grasslands and associated species is increasing. The EC Life-nature projects show the
trend in European Community interest: starting with a few projects in 1992 there has been a
clear increase in the number of projects since 1995-1996. Several other projects related to large
carnivores or raptors involve large areas of grasslands under extensive management in a
mosaic of other habitat types.
Public and private interest in grassland species or in creating grassland habitats is manifest in
the trade in wild flower seeds and use of wild flower seeds for road-verges, gardens and parks
during the 1990s. This practice has led to domestication and subsequent spread of selected
straits (gene pools) of wild flowers. Data on this are poor.
DATA
Grassland ecosystems including dry and mesic grasslands have never been described as such
in Europe and coordinated data and analysis are scarce. Analyses must be based on data sets
from separate sources.
9
Table 1A (for Figure 1A)
Main impact and activity types in lowland areas with more than
30 % dry or mesic grassland habitat coverage in potential sites of Community interest under the
Flora, Fauna and Habitats Directive (pSCIs). Data as reported in NATURA2000 forms by the
end of 1999.
Main impacts and activities in percentage
In lowland pSCI’s with dry/mesic grassland habitats per country
COUNTRY Agricultur Hunting Human
Leisure Mining
Natural
Pollution Transportation
e, forestry and
induced
and
and
Processes and
and
collectin changes tourism extractio (biotic
other
g
in
n of
and
human commun
impacts/ ihydraulic
materials abiotic)
activities cation
conditions
AT – 6
71.9
6.3
3.1
6.3
3.1
3.1
0.0
3.1
FI – 8
47.1
0.0
0.0
5.9
5.9
17.6
5.9
Urbanization,
industrialization
and similar
activities
3.1
0.0
17.6
FR – 131
40.1
15.8
3.4
13.6
2.3
5.7
4.4
7.7
6.9
GR – 11
29.7
21.7
8.6
5.7
2.9
8.0
4.0
12.6
6.9
IE – 6
39.4
6.1
0.0
3.0
12.1
9.1
3.0
21.2
6.1
IT – 391
46.6
11.9
3.1
6.8
2.2
3.4
2.9
15.8
7.4
PT - 11
38.0
10.9
5.8
10.2
3.6
8.8
10.9
5.8
5.8
ES – 144
28.9
12.8
3.7
16.2
5.6
7.9
6.4
11.0
7.5
SE – 147
64.4
2.2
0.0
6.7
0.0
8.9
15.6
2.2
0.0
Table 1B (for Figure 1B)
Main impact and activity types in mountain areas with more
than 30 % dry or mesic grassland habitat coverage in potential sites for nature protection under
the Flora, Fauna and Habitats Directive (pSCIs). Data as reported in NATURA2000 forms by the
end of 1999.
Main impacts and activities in percentage in mountain pSCI’s with dry/mesic grassland habitats
per country
COUNTRY Area Agricul Hunting Human Leisure Mining Natural Pollutio Transports Urbaniza
number of
-ture, and
and
-tion,
Processes n and and
induced and
sites forestr collectin changes touris extractio (biotic
communi industria
other
of
and
in
m
human -cations -lization
sites
y
n of
g
in hy1000
material abiotic) impact
and
draulic
ha
s/
s
similar
conditio
activitie
activities
ns
s
AT - 1
0,4
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0,004
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
FR - 13
7,1
20
9
1
18
0
4
6
9
3
GR - 11
27,9
43
22
0
15
1
23
6
7
0
IR - 1
0,134
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
IT - 49
42.5
22
9
1
10
1
1
3
11
1
SP - 3
2.2
2
1
0
2
0
1
0
1
0
FI - 1
10
Note: Information based on data from a selection of 984 sites proposed by Member States to European
Commission DG Environment by the end of 1999. The sites were selected for analysis if they contained
more than 30 % dry grassland habitat area of types from ANNEX 1 of the Habitat Directive and also
contained impact information. The present analysis identified 893 sites situated in lowlands, and 91 in
mountains. Only those sites where there was also impact information were analysed. The NATURA2000
process is continuing and more sites will be proposed during 2000.
Data are delivered in an agreed standard format (the NATURA2000 format) including
presence and coverage of habitat types and influence of human activities according
to standard lists. The descriptions are based mainly on information from local experts
and are harmonised nationally. The area coverage is mostly based on expert
judgement, not measurements or remote sensing.
List of dry-mesic grasslands habitat-types considered of such importance that they are
included in of Annex I of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC to ensure EU protection.
Dry/mesic habitat types in lowland/mid-mountain areas:
Code
1510
1520
1530
6110
6120
6130
6180
6210
P
*
*
6220
6240
6250
6260
6270
6280
6510
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Description
Mediterranean inland salt steppes
Iberian gypsum vegetation
Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes
Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi
Xeric sand calcareous grasslands
Calaminarian grasslands of the Violetalia calaminariae
Macaronesian mesophile grasslands
Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco
Brometalia)(*important orchid sites)
Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea
Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands
Pannonic loess steppic grasslands
Pannonic sand steppes
Fennoscandian lowland species-rich dry to mesic grasslands
Nordic alvar and precambrian calcareous flatrocks
Lowland hay meadows
Dry/mesic habitat types in higher mountain areas
6140
6150
6160
6170
6230
Siliceous Pyrenean Festuca eskia grasslands
Siliceous alpine and boreal grasslands
Oro-Iberian Festuca eskia grasslands
Alpine and sub-alpine calcareous grasslands
* Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and
submountain areas in Continental Europe)
6520
Mountain hay meadow
*: indicates habitat types considered as of priority importance at Community level.
*
*
Source: ETC/NC analysis based on data in European Commission database on pSCIs by 1999
11
Table 2 (for Figure 2) Permanent grassland and pasture in EU15 in 1995 in % of utilised
arable area (UAA)
Percentage of Utilised Arable Area (UAA)
Arable land
57
Permanent grassland and pasture
35
Permanent crops
8
Source: (XURSHDQ&RPPLVVLRQ$JULFXOWXUHHQYLURQPHQWUXUDOGHYHORSPHQW)DFWVDQG
)LJXUHV$&KDOOHQJHIRU$JULFXOWXUH'DWDVRXUFH(XURVWDW Table 3 (for Figure 3) Trend in permanent grassland area in EU9 between 1975 and
1995 (in million ha). Includes permanent grassland and pasture.
1 000 ha
Total utilised
arable land
(UAA)
Arable land
of which
fallow
Permanent
grassland and
pasture
Permanent
crops
EU 9
EU 10
EU 12
EU 15
1975
1995
1983
1995
1987
1995
1995
86 549
87 087
88 745
90 552
115 401
119 707
44 875
50 426
46 549
52 325
63 195
67 436
73 653
1 015
36 687
4 524
32 448
1 043
36 551
4 587
33 014
4 101
41 430
8 358
42 238
8 784
44 604
4 835
4 107
5 528
5 094
10 613
9 881
9 967
128 384
Source: (XURSHDQ&RPPLVVLRQ$JULFXOWXUHHQYLURQPHQWUXUDOGHYHORSPHQW)DFWVDQG
)LJXUHV$&KDOOHQJHIRU$JULFXOWXUH'DWDVRXUFH(XURVWDW Table 4A (for Figure 5) Importance of dry and mesic grassland habitat types for orchid
species in selected countries. Number of species.
Species of orchids in selected countries. Number of species
Netherlan
Belgium
Luxembour
France
ds
g
vulnerable Extinc tot vulnerabl extin tot vulnerable extin tot vulnerabl extin Tota
t
al e
ct
al
ct
al e
ct
l
9
dry/mesic
3 17
14
1 18
8
3 16
46
0 72
grassland
s
other
14
4 27
24
6 35
11
5 23
46
0 75
habitats
total
23
7 44
38
7 53
19
8 39
92
0 147
12
Table 4B (for Figure 5) Importance of dry and mesic grassland habitat types for orchid
species in selected countries. Species percentage.
Species of orchids in selected countries. Percentages
Netherlan
Belgium
Luxembour
France
ds
g
Vulnerable extin tot vulnerabl extin tot vulnerable extin tot vulnerabl extin tot
ct
al e
ct
al
ct
al e
ct
al
21.4
dry/mesic
7.1 35.7
26.4
1.9 34.0
20.5
5.1 41.0
31.3
0.0 49.0
grassland
s
other
33.3
2.4 64.3
45.3
9.4 66.0
28.2
7.7 59.0
31.3
0.0 51.0
habitats
Source: ETC/NC, analysis based on : Landwehr, L. 1983, Les orchidées sauvages de Suisse
et d’Europe, Vol I, II; Société Française d’orchidophilie, 1998, Les orchidées de France,
Belgique et Luxembourg
Table 5 (for Figure 6) Percentage of threatened butterflies occurring in broad habitat types,
including dry and mesic grasslands in European countries.
Broad habitat
types
Corine habitat type
Average percentage
occurrence of SPEC 13
Dry/meso grasslands
dry calcareous grasslands and steppes
Dry/meso grasslands
mesophile grasslands
15,5
11
Alpine grasslands
alpine and subalpine grasslands
9,6
Dry/meso grasslands
dry siliceous grasslands
8,4
Humid grasslands
humid grasslands and tall herb communities
7,3
Woodland and scrub
broad-leaved deciduos forests
5,5
Woodland and scrub
heath and scrub
5,5
Woodland and scrub
mixed woodland
5,2
heath, bog and fen
raised bogs
3,9
Woodland and scrub
coniferous woodland
3,6
Woodland and scrub
broad-leaved evergreen woodland
3,1
Woodland and scrub
sclerophyllous scrub
others
inland cliffs and exposed rocks
heath, bog and fen
fens, transition mires and springs
2,1
heath, bog and fen
blanket bogs
1,9
Woodland and scrub
Phrygana
1,8
others
agriculture land and artificial landscapes
1,7
others
fallow land, waste places
1,7
others
water-fringe vegetation
1,4
Woodland and scrub
alluvial and very wet forests and brush
1,1
others
Screes
1,1
others
tree lines, hedges, small woods, bocage, parkland dehesa
0,8
others
inland sand dunes
0,6
others
urban parks and large gardens
0,4
others
volcanic features
0,4
others
coastal sand-dunes and saand beaches
0,3
3
2,3
13
others
orchards, groves and tree plantations
0,3
others
towns, villages, industrial sites
0,3
others
cliffs and rocky shores
0,1
others
islets and rock stacks
0,1
Note:
Data quality: The source states that knowledge on some species distribution and trends in
populations is still poor. The habitat types are based on the Palaearctic Habitat Classification.
The assessment covers all known Butterflies species including some genuine steppic species. All Europe
including Madeira, the Azores, the Canary islands, Cyprus, the whole of Turkey and Russia of the Urals
(no information was received from the Caucasian Republics).
Threatened European butterflies include 19 species that are endemic to Europe and considered as
globally threatened (Species of European Conservation Concern - 1 = SPEC1), 5 species concentrated in
Europe and threatened in Europe (SPEC2), 47 species occurring both within and outside Europe, but
threatened in Europe (SPEC3). In addition, 170 species are European endemics and though not
threatened provide a specific responsibility to Europe for their conservation (SPEC4).
Though Butterfly species are more specific to the individual plants that host them than to habitat types, it is
possible to categorise the main broad habitat -types where these plants - and therefore the Butterflies occur. Over half of the most threatened Butterflies species (SPEC1- SPEC3) are linked to grasslands
habitat types, and a large proportion (34%) to dry/mesic grasslands.
The assessment co-ordination was ensured by Dutch Butterfly Conservation and by British Butterfly
Conservation, based on questionnaires in June 1997. It excludes extra-European species,
distinguishes between European endemics and species that can be found outside Europe,
applies new IUCN threat categories (1994), with an assessment of trend over 25 years instead of
10 years. It is the first comprehensive assessment on the European status of Butterflies since a first
preliminary review by John Heath in 1981.
Source: Council of Europe, 1999. Red Data Book on European Butterflies (Rhopalocera)
Table 6A1 (for Figure 7A)
Variation in surface area for sites with dry or mesic grassland
habitat types, proposed for nature protection under the Flora, Fauna and Habitats Directive
(pSCIs). Percentage per country of site numbers in 5 size categories. Lowland sites. Number of
sites.
Category
total
AT
No data
1
< 10 ha 66
10 to 99 ha 140
4
100 to 999 ha 194
337
1
1
1000 to 9 999 ha
BE
Number of pSCI with lowland habitats
DE FI FR GR IE
IT NE PT
1
7
1
2
7
2
25
1
1
1
37
48
2
109
230
19
9
27
> 10 000 ha 155
1
5
ES
1
4
20
5
51
1
11
SE
UK
48
69
2
8
28
2
11
2
88
1
Table 6A2 (for Figure 7A)
Variation in surface area for sites with dry or mesic grassland
habitat types, proposed for nature protection under the Flora, Fauna and Habitats Directive
(pSCIs). Percentage per country of site numbers in 5 size categories. Lowland sites.
Percentage of sites.
Percentage of pSCI with lowland habitats
Category
No data
AT - 6 BE - 9 DE - 4 FI - 8 FR - 131 GR – 11 IE - 6 IT - 391 NE - 1 PT - 11 ES - 144 SE - 147 UK - 24
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
< 10 ha
0.0
10.0
25.0
87.5
1.5
0.0
16.7
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
32.7
8.3
10 to 99 ha
71.4
70.0
50.0
0.0
19.1
0.0
83.3
5.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
46.9
33.3
100 to 999 ha
14.3
20.0
25.0
12.5
28.2
0.0
0.0
27.9
0.0
0.0
3.5
19.0
45.8
1000 to 9 999
ha
> 10 000 ha
14.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
36.6
18.2
0.0
58.8
100.0
0.0
35.4
1.4
8.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
14.5
81.8
0.0
6.9
0.0
100.0
61.1
0.0
4.2
14
Table 6B1 (for Figure 7B)
Variation in surface area for sites with dry or mesic grassland
habitat types, proposed for nature protection under the Flora, Fauna and Habitats Directive
(pSCIs). Percentage per country of site numbers in 5 size categories. Mountain sites. Number of
sites.
Number of pSCI with mountain habitats
Category
Total
AT
BE
1
FI
FR
GR
IE
IT
< 10 ha
3
1
10 to 99 ha
100 to 999 ha
11
24
1000 to 9 999 ha
35
6
5
23
> 10 000 ha
14
5
6
2
ES
SE
UK
1
1
3
1
1
2
7
16
1
3
1
1
Table 6B2 (for Figure 7B)
Variation in surface area for sites with dry or mesic grassland
habitat types, proposed for nature protection under the Flora, Fauna and Habitats Directive
(pSCIs). Percentage per country of site numbers in 5 size categories. Mountain sites.
Percentage of sites.
Percentage of pSCI with mountain habitats
Category
AT – 1
BE - 1
FI - 1
FR - 13 GR - 11 IE - 1
IT – 49
ES - 3
SE - 4
UK - 3
< 10 ha
0
100
100
0
0
0
2.04
0
0
0
10 to 99 ha
0
0
0
0
0
0
14.28
33.33
75
0
100 to 999 ha
100
0
0
15.38
0
100
32.65
33.33
0
100
1000 to 9 999 ha
0
0
0
46.15
45.45
0
46.95
0
25
0
> 10 000 ha
0
0
0
38.46
54.54
0
4.081
33.33
0
0
Note: The analysis is based on data by End 1999 from 984 pSCI sites (91 mountain sites, 893
lowland sites) where dry or mesic grassland covered more than 30 % of the area.
Source: ETC/NC, analysis based on data by End 1999 in European Commission database on
pSCIs.
Table 7 (for Figure 8)
Increase in European Community support to projects for
restoration and management of habitats and associated species. Examples of use of
EC LIFE funds 1992-1999 for dry/mesic grassland areas.
Country
Restoration and management projects including
dry grassland habitat types and species
Austria
Finland
France
Pannonian sand dunes, Alluvial flood plain
Grasslands and pastures in Archipelago
Germany
Greece
Italy
Portugal
Spain
United Kingdom
Dry grasslands, chalk and limestone grasslands,
Xerotermic habitats, grassland species
Dune and meadow habitats, species
Dry grasslands
Various grassland habitat types and species
Grassland habitat types, Montados, steppic birds
Steppic and dry grasslands and species
Chalk grassland habitat types
Projects
1992-1994
2
3
2
3
Projects
From 1995
2
1
7
4
1
12
1
3
1
Source: ETC/NC, analysis based on European Commission LIFE-Nature Database
http://europa.eu.int/comm/life/nature/databas.htm
15
ANNEX
Map 1 Area under permanent grassland in utilised arable area (UAA) in EU15 in 1995.
Area under permanent
grassland
Source: European Commission, 1999. Agriculture, environment, rural development. Facts and
Figures. A Challenge for Agriculture.( Data source: Eurostat, 1999)