SUMMARY

FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Action plan geographical scope

2. DEFINITION, ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION

2.1 Habitat definition

2.1.1 Habitat definition according to the Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats

2.1.2 Habitat definition according to the EUNIS habitat classification

2.1.3 Habitat definition based on the European checklist of vegetation

2.1.4 Habitat description from the Red list of European habitats

2.2 Differences across countries and regions. Interpretation problems

2.3 Ecological requirements and management needs

2.3.1 Lowland, upland and coastal dry heaths

2.4 Related habitats

2.5 Related species

2.5.1 Plants

2.5.2 Birds

2.5.3 Amphibians and Reptiles

2.5.4 Invertebrates

2.5.5 Mammals

2.6 Ecosystem services and benefits

2.7 Geographic distribution

3. CONSERVATION STATUS, THREATS AND PRESSURES

3.1 Conservation status and trends

3.2 Conservation status of the habitat in Natura 2000 sites

3.3 Methodologies for conservation status assessment

3.3.1 Favourable Reference Values

3.4 Threats and pressures

3.4.1 Identification of main threats and pressures for the habitat

3.4.2 Abandonment of traditional grazing and unsuitable grazing by livestock

3.4.3 Eutrophication and nitrogen deposition

3.5 Climate change effects

3.6 Conclusions and Recommendations

4. HABITAT CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

4.1 General framework and context

4.2 Overall objective of this action plan

4.3 Setting objectives at biogeographical and country level

4.4 Setting objectives at the national level

4.5 Setting conservation objectives in Natura 2000 sites

4.6 Setting objectives outside Natura 2000 sites

4.7 Determining objectives and management approaches in a particular area

5. CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION MEASURES

5.1 Key management practices for maintenance of the habitat in good condition

5.1.1 Grazing

5.1.2 Cutting

5.1.3 Burning

5.1.4 Management of Nitrogen deposition impacts

5.2 Heathland restoration and defragmentation

5.3 Conservation management and restoration for wildlife

5.4 Planning for conservation management in a specific area

5.5 Criteria to prioritise measures and to identify priority areas for action

5.6 Main stakeholders to define and implement the measures

5.7 Challenges, difficulties and possible solutions

5.8 Conclusions and recommendations

6. COSTS, FUNDING AND SUPPORTING TOOLS

6.1 Cost of conservation measures

6.1.1 Cost assessment

6.2 Potential sources of financing

6.2.1 Common Agricultural Policy funding

6.2.2 LIFE projects

6.2.3 Structural Funds

6.2.4 Other approaches and supporting tools

6.3 Main funding gaps and difficulties

6.4 Conclusions and recommendations

7. MONITORING

7.1 Habitat monitoring methods

7.2 Monitoring effectiveness of the action plan and conservation measures

7.3 Review of the action plan

8. REFERENCES

ANNEX

1. Habitat type definition and interpretation problems

1.1 Definition across countries

1.2 Interpretation problems

2. Methodologies for conservation status assessment in some Member States