Gathering of biodiversity data for establishment of Natura

Gathering of biodiversity data for establishment of Natura 2000 network in Montenegro Milan Janák Podgorica, 25 th November 2011

Data gathering – aim and focus Aim: To gather data on the distribution of Habitats Directive annex habitat types and species in CG Scope: 1. ) 65 HD Annex I habitat types, 78 HD Annex II animal species and 33 plant species included on the Reference list of Habitats Directive annex habitat types and species for CG (incl. those proposed to be added to the annexes from CG); 2. ) Other species (Annex IV, V, nationally important, etc. )

Inventory workflow Desktop inventory of species and habitats Methodology for gathering of existing biodiversity data Baseline biodiversity data review Reference lists of HD habitats and species for CG Defining structure of BIS Methodology for field mapping Draft catalogue of N 2 K habitats for CG Catalogue of habitats final draft Training on field mapping of habitats Field mapping of species and habitats BIS Distribution maps for species and habitats Validation of maps by local experts GIS calculations on grid layers Selection of pre-p. SCIs / additional sites for field mapping Final p-SCIs proposal

Geographical scope of data inventory • Both ALP and MED biogeographical regions of CG • Are borders of the regions OK? • If NOT, the borders should be refined as well

Inventory of Habitats Directive habitat types and species in CG INVENTORY OF HD HABITATS AND SPECIES Desktop inventory of species and habitats • Gathering of existing data • Excerption from literature (published data) • Gathering data from experts (unpublished data) Field mapping of species and habitats • Gathering of new data • Field mapping of habitats • Field mapping of species

A. Desktop Inventory

Desktop inventory – requirements on data quality 1. 2. 3. 4. Data sources: published or unpublished, digital (database, GIS) or analogue (scientific articles, books, reports, etc. ). Analogue data to be digitalized and delivered only in agreed structure/format. Data existing in digital form can be delivered in original structure/format if it is compatible with agreed format Only geographically localized data are gathered Most recent and/or most reliable data (normally not older than 15 years); exceptions are possible only if there is no other choice Desktop inventory of data on habitats consist of digitalization of the existing maps of real vegetation

Desktop inventory – technique of data collection 1. 2. 3. 4. Each identified locality of habitat / species is recorded into a GIS layer as a point, line or polygon. For each habitat / species a separate GIS layer(-s) was created Locality of habitat / species = clearly geographically differentiated area (with distinct borders), e. g. water course, valley, mountain massif, area with specific vegetation, distinct habitats, etc. For each recorded locality the expert filled in the attribute table of the GIS layer. Attribute table is similar to format of Microsoft Excel Detailed instructions, background maps M 1: 25 000, Quantum GIS software and ready-made (empty) GIS layers provided for each expert involved.

Desktop inventory – results

B. Field inventory of habitats

Field inventory of habitats 1. Mapping of all habitats which are valuable from a nature conservation point of view - Natura 2000 habitat types or other natural habitat types (e. g. in the case of habitat complexes) 2. Methodology for field inventory of habitats in Montenegro – methodological framework – can be used for mapping of any natural, semi-natural or even artificial habitats 3. Minimum area for mapping: • Polygon 1 hectar • Line at least 25 metres wide • Point 0. 01 ha (Grasslands and forests are mapped only as polygons) 4. Mapping units – habitat types according to draft Catalogue of Habitats for Montenegro (2011)

For the field work the topographical map 1: 25 000 are used, satellite images or aerial photos can be used as well but currently not available The mapper delineates the mapped objects on the map first and then fills in the field mapping form.

Some areas are not easy to access and do mapping, in such cases some representative area is mapped to fill in the mapping form but the area is mapped as one large polygon of certain habitat type or complex of habitats

Field form – habitats

Name and the code of the mapper: the name of the person responsible for the data in the form and his code Date: date of mapping (in particular the date of data sampling) Code of the object: the code relating the form to the object (polygon, line or point) drawn on the map. This number of the form has to be the same as the number of the polygon drawn on the map. Each polygon has to have unique number on one map sheet. Map code: the code of the map used for mapping where the polygon related to the form has been drawn (code of the map sheet, unique number of satellite image or an aerial photo)

Vegetation coverage vertical structure: in coverage layers in vertical structure in % of the mapped area E 0 – bryophytes layer – mosses and lichens; E 1 – herbs layer – include all herbs and shrubs and trees, height of which does not exceed the height of the herbs present on the mapped object; E 2 – shrub layer – includes all shrubs and trees, height of which does not exceed 3 m or the tallest shrubs (if their height is larger than 3 m) present on the mapped object; E 3 – tree layer – all trees above the shrub layer).

Fill in the mapping form for every mapped homogenous area larger than 1 ha (except artificial objects covering more than 1 ha) Areas smaller than 1 ha are mapped as complex of mapping units All mapping units in the complex and their coverage in % should be recognised and recorded. Sum coverage of all mapping units/polygon should give 100 %. Representativity of the habitats (according to explanatory notes of the Standard data form – SDF – Official Journal of the European Communities No L 107/1 - 1997): Degree of representativity of the natural habitat types (mapping units) on the site. The degree of representativity gives a measure of “how typical” is the habitat type present on the site. A - excellent representativity B - good representativity C - significant representativity D - non-significant presence Use the expert judgement to estimate the representativity of the habitat type.

Conservation status of the habitats (according to explanatory notes of SDF – Official Journal of the European Communities No L 107/1 - 1997) : Degree of conservation of the structure and functions of the natural habitat type and restoration possibilities. A: excellent conservation = excellent structure well conserved and excellent future prospects B: good conservation = one or two of the indicators are not in the perfect stage (f. e. structure is excellent, but the conservation is not excellent and future prospects also) C: average or reduced conservation = bad structure with insufficient conservation and unfavourable future prospect Thus for a woodland habitat such processes would include regeneration and nutrient cycling and structure would include elements such as the age class structure and presence of dead wood. It may not be necessary for all elements to be present on all sites. Similarly for mires the eco-hydrological regime can be essential, so that disruptions to it by e. g. drainage can be C – average or reduce conservation status. Although fragmentation is not mentioned, it is clear that fragmentation can disrupt habitat function and is a factor that should be taken into account when assessing structure & function Use the expert judgement to estimate the conservation status of the habitat type.

Only forest habitats Large Deadwood – estimated amount of large deadwood per ha (Large deadwood - more than 2 m long and more than 50 cm wide in diameter). Mapper should also recognize if the deadwood is proportionally distributed on the polygon (yes/no) and if the structure of deadwood is diverse (marked in the mapping form as “D”), or if only fresh (recent, hard) deadwood is present (marked as “H”) or only decomposed (old, soft) deadwood (marked “S”) is present.

Large diameter trees on the polygon – estimated amount of large diameter trees per ha (Large diameter trees, i. e. diameter in 1, 3 m height (d 1, 3 m) is more than 50 cm). Mapper should also recognize if the large diameter trees are proportionally distributed on the polygon (yes/no).

“Origin” of the forest – estimate the origin of the forests (estimation to be made for entire mapped polygon in general – prevail “origin”) Original – primary high forests (with insignificant signs of human caused influence) Secondary high forests (forests evidently influenced by human activities, but with relatively natural structure and components) Coppice forests – with relatively natural components of forests Plantation – artificial forest with unsuitable structure, allien tree species or not origin tree species according to area conditions All cathegories of forest origin have to cover 100% of the total area of forest polygon.

All species of higher plants determined on the transect made through the polygon (mapped object) are recorded in the form with their coverage on the mapped object indicated in the Tansley`s scale. Bryophytes, lichens or fungi may be recorded, if they are determined by mapper, but it is not an obligation. For the minor units recorded in the complex of mapping units only characteristic species with their coverage related to the entire area of the complex are recorded.

C. Field inventory of species

Field inventory of species 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Instructions provide guidance for field inventory of species in Montenegro listed under Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC annexes DO NOT provide guidance on the field techniques to be used Only geographically localized data are gathered – each species record needs to refer to locality marked in the map or localised using GPS Inventory focused on pre-selected areas with high probability of occurence of target species (eg. Emerald sites) Data collected in the field need to be digitalised into database & GIS

Technique of the field inventory – how to use maps 1. 2. Delineate the locality on the topographical map or the aerial photo by drawing polygon (preferred), line or point Number mapped locality. On one map sheet each locality has to have a unique number. One locality may consist of several polygons, lines or points.

Field form – species

Technique of the field inventory – how to use forms Pt. 1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Fill out a separate form for each mapped locality!!! Record the Name of mapper, in case there are more persons, person responsible for data is first. Record the Date the survey was conducted in format dd. mm. yyyy; eg. 08. 07. 2011 Indicate map code and locality number on the form Record precise position of the locality with X, Y coordinates (from GPS or map) - OPTIONAL Record Area (in m 2) of the mapped locality for point localities, or those located via GPS Record Width (in m) of mapped locality delineated as line Note any of your comments

Technique of the field inventory – how to use forms Pt. 2 9. Fill out names of mapped Taxon recorded on the locality – all HD Annex species are obligatory to be recorded, other species can be recorded too. 10. Indicate Population size/ information by giving: A. precise Number in individuals (i) or pairs (p); B. Range of abundance: 1 -5, 6 -10, 11 -50, 51 -100, 101 -250, 251 -500, 501 -1000, 1001 -10. 000, > 10. 000 C. Descriptive abundance: C - common, R – rare, V – very rare

Technique of the field inventory – how to use forms Pt. 3 11. Indicate Character of occurrence for each species: • Resident – to be found throughout the year on the site • Breeding/reproducing – use the site to breed and raise young • Staging – site used on migration or for moulting outside the breeding grounds • Wintering – uses the site during the winter 12. Mark whether the mapped locality is a TOP locality for the respective species in MNE, i. e. the locality supports largest, most vital population in the country, or has best habitat for species, etc.

Technique of the field inventory – how to use forms Pt. 4 13. Assign Conservation status to the species population on the site A. Conservation excellent = elements in an excellent condition, independent of the grading of the possibility of restoration B. Good conservation = elements well conserved independent of the grading of the possibility of restoration; or elements in average or partially degraded condition and easy to restore C. Average or reduced conservation = all other combinations

Field Inventory - data digitalisation Each habitat/species mapper receives his/her own database MS Access 2007 or Access. Runtime. exe have to be installed Map. Win. GIS Active. X 4. 8. 2 (Map. Win. GIS-only-v 482 -installer. exe) have to be installed for GIS module – if not database will work without it Field mapping data are digitalized into database Finished, filled, database and appropriate shapefiles are send to BIS Central DB Data Manager

Field Inventory - data flow Field mapping data Field form mapping data Field - A 4 format Field form - A 4 format Mappers` databases Database form -databases Mappers` MS Access Database form - MS Access BIS - Central Database All mappers databases and their GIS Layers Field map - A 3 format GIS map - MS Access BIS Data Manager(s) N 2000 BIS Outputs Data evaluation Maps of distribution p. SCI pre-selection

Field Inventory – BIS Central Database Gather data from databases and shapefiles of all mappers Recomeded is full version of MS Access 2007 Recomeded is full version of ESRI Arc. View 9. x This database needs Data Manager(s)

Thank you for attention! For any questions contact: Milan Janák DAPHNE – Institute of Applied Ecology Tel. : 00421 -2 -45524019 janak@daphne. sk