Working with the Habitats Directive: two countries,
two approaches
K-J. Conze & J.H. Bouwman
Introduction The Habitats Directive in short
Over few the last years, the implementation In 1992, the Habitats Directive came into force. of the Habitats Directive has gained more and The main goal of the Habitats Directive is to more in importance. Detailed information about maintain a ‘favourable’ conservation status of dragonflies in relation to the implementation of selected species and habitats.
be the Net- The the Habitats Directive can found for directive contains various annexes, dra- herlands in Bal & Groenendijk (2006), Bouwman gonflies being mentioned in annexes II and
& Kalkman and in Conze & Cocking IV. (2006) (2001) In annex II, animal and plant species are for North Rhine-Westphalia. This article focuses mentioned which are of 'community interest'; on the differences in policy between the Net- their conservation requires the designation of herlands and North Rhine-Westphalia and the special areas of conservation, called Special designation of the special protection areas. Protection Areas (SPA). Until June 1995 the
states member could propose a national list of
Table 1
Overview ofthe present or extinct species of the Habitats Directive in the Netherlands and North Rhine-
Westphalia.
_ Distribution in North Rhine- . , in Species Annex ...... Distribution in the Netherlands Westphalia (NRW)
Quite common in northern peat Sympecma paediscapaedisca IVIV Last record in 1960's.1960’s. marshes.
A single site in the north-eastnorth-east of Coenagrion ornatum II Never recorded.recorded. NRW
About tenten populations are Last certain record in 1929 Coenagrionmercurialemercurials II present. (Winterswijk).
Quite in northern and ... common in .. ncfV . „ Aeshna viridis IVIV Last record in 19601960’ss„ . , .. western peatlands.
Reappearing and outspreading Colonised allall the larger rivers and Gomphus flavipes IV|v since 1998 streams since 1999.
Current statusstatus uncertain,uncertain, some . „ Only at two streams inin the ... presentpresent . . . ’ . , Only Ophiogomphuscecilia II, IV single observations Inin the lastlast south. inin the South of NRW years
Oxygastra curtisii II, IV Last record in 1943, river Sieg. Last record 1982,1982, river Dommel.
Current statusstatus uncertain,uncertain,only a Larger peat marshes and locally onon Leucorrhinia pectoralis II,II |yIV few small fens.fens. ’ very populations.
Recently rediscovered (some
Leucorrhinia caudalis IVIV Last record in the 1940’s. individuals) in southern Limburg
(Huskens, 2006).2006).
In 2007 rediscovered near Recently rediscovered in FrieslandFriesland (de Leucorrhinia albifrons IV|V Paderborn. Boer & Wasscher, 2006)
60 Figure 1. Designatedprotected areas in the Netherlands.
Figure 2. Habitat Coenagrion mercuriale in Southern Talgraben NRW (Photo: C. Göcking).
Brachytron 12: 60-67, 2010 61 Figure 3. Designatedprotected areas in North Rhine-Westphalia.
sites. This list was evaluated by the European where the species is common. Coenagrion orna-
Commission and in June 1998 a draft list of sites tum and Cordulegaster heros were the last new of Community importance was presented. For dragonflies added to the list in 2004. several habitat types and species (varying from state to state) the proposed sites were not suf- Dutch policy ficient the states had to the enough. So propose a During period 1992-2000, although every- new national list of sites. After evaluation by the thing was officially in order, no one took any real
European commission, each memberstates had action. This led to problems when companies to his list Protection Areas wanted to build and had to approve of Special everything stop
(SPA) by June 2004. because someone discovered that a Habitats
Annex IV contains the animal and plant species Directive species occurred on the site. Most of ’community interest1 in need of strict protec- famous were the problems caused by the snail tion. The species of Annex II and IV that occur in Vertigo moulinsiana and the Common Hamster the Netherlands and / or North Rhine-Westphalia (Cricetus cricetus). After these incidents, it be- are shown in table 1. This list will probably only came clear thataction was needed; construction be expanded through proposals made by new firms and private enterprises were getting ner- members of the Union. which and demanded from the European Species vous clarity govern- are rare in one country but are quite common ment. From 1992 onwards, the EU ordered its
in another will not be selected simply because it members to designate protected areas. This, would create too many problems in the country together with pressure from non-governmental
62 Table 2
Numberofdesignatedareas for the dragonflies of Annex IIof the Habitat directive.
Species NRW Netherlands
Coenagrionomatumornatum 1 -
Coenagrionmercuriale 6 -
Ophiogomphus cecilia - 1
Leucorrhinia pectoralis 15 9
organisations, finally made the government ditional fieldwork). The main goal of the govern-
ment to the take action. Since the year 2000 the Natuurloket was get up-to-date information on was opened (www.natuurloket.nl), this is an of- occurrence of populations of species mentioned fice where, after payment, governmental orga- in the Annexes of the Habitats Directive from nisations and building companies can access 2000 onwards. Both professional researchers all biological distribution data available. Further, and volunteers have put in a lot of effort to get protected areas have been designated (figure 1) all the necessary fieldwork done. The main goal
to and money and time have been invested in map- was visit those areas where species were ping schemes. seen in the past but have not been seen since
2000. Besides this, a few kilometre grid squares
schemes Mapping were visited because a certain dragonfly species
to In 2004 and 2005, a large investmentwas made was expected be present. As a consequence, in the development of a biological database we have now a much better idea of the actual
(internet applications, validation of data and ad- distribution of the dragonfly species listed in
Figure 4. A totalof 14 protected areas are designated in both countriesfor Leucorrhinia pectoralis (Photo:
J. Bouwman).
Brachytron 12: 60-67, 2010 63 Figure 5. Distribution map of Leucorrhinia pectoralis in the Netherlands and in North Rhine-Westphalia
(period 1995-2003).
annex II and IV of the Habitats Directive (Bouw- Coenagrion mercuriale and C. ornatum man & Kalkman, 2006). Both species are present in North Rhine-West-
phalia but do not occur in the Netherlands. The
Policy in North Rhine-Westphalia populations of Coenagrion mercuriale in NRW
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the govern- have been known for at least ten years (Cocking ment was slow to act up till 1995, only making et al., 2008). At present, six sites have been a small effort to fulfil the aims of the Habitats designated as a SPA for the conservation of C.
Directive. However, pushed by a ‘shadow list’ of mercuriale (figure 2). There are still some more non-governmental organisations, an official sur- areas that are being investigated, which may
out to vey is being carried since 1996 build up a be designated later on. Coenagrion ornatum is network of sites. The field mapping of habitats relatively recently added on the Annexe of the brought knowledge of the distribution of animals Habitats Directive. In NRW it is only present at and plants. The field mapping for dragonflies one location (Clausen, 2003). Here, its habitat was done by volunteers (the AK Libellen NRW). partly overlaps that of C. mercuriale. Efforts
Today, there are about 500 Special Protection are being made to protect both species in an
Area’s, occupying 6 % of the country’s territory enlarged area although the habitat (a system of
(figure 7). The internet site www.natura2000.mu ditches) is negatively influenced by neighbouring nlv.nrw.de is a good source of information. agriculture.
Species of the Habitats Directive Leucorrhinia pectoralis (figure 5)
Cross-border distribution maps were made In the Netherlands, nine areas have been de- especially for the symposium. The distribution signated for Leucorrhinia pectoralis and in North
the maps of the various species show that North Rhine-Westphalia, fifteen. Our knowledge on
Rhine-Westphalia and the Netherlands have dif- actual population size in NRW is nevertheless ferent responsibilities for the species mentioned quite poor and the status in most areas has to be in the Habitats Directive. In Table 2 the number clarified. It has only been observed every year in of for the of II of few and is not designated areas species annex very areas reproduction always the Habitats Directive are mentioned. certain. Concerning the status, the populations
64 Figure 6. De Weerribben is one ofthe specialprotection zones for Leucorrhiniapectoralis in The Netherlands
(Photo: R. Manger).
Figure 7. The Roerdal is one of the special protection zones for Ophiogomphus cecilia in The Netherlands
(Photo: R. Manger).
Brachytron 12: 60-67, 2010 65 in the Netherlands can be divided into two. The
populations in the larger peat marshes are quite
big and currently not under threat. The situation
outside the large peat marshes is somewhat dif-
ferent and resembles the situation in NRW, It is
not clear if there is a population present at all si-
tes and whetherthere is successful reproduction
(Termaat, 2006). An exception is Lonnekermeer
in the province of Overijssel quite close to the
German border, where a large population is
present.
Ophiogomphus cecilia
In the Netherlands, only one area has been de-
signated for Ophiogomphus cecilia, namely the
Roerdal where it has been found since 2000. Be-
sides this, there are another five areas designa-
ted where this species is a complementary goal.
At one of these localities, the Swalm, the species
was discovered in 2006 (van Schaijk, 2006). In
NRW, no areas are designated because the spe-
cies’ status is unclear. Reports are either single
individuals or exuviae. At present, not enough
information is known to justify the designation of Figure 8. The Talgraben is one of the special a special protection area in NRW. protection zones for Coenagrion mercuriale in
North Rhine-Westphalia (Photo: C. Göcking).
Klaus-Jürgen Conze
LökPlan
Daimlerstr. 6
59609 Anröchte
Germany
J.H. Bouwman
Unie van Bosgroepen
PO Box 8187
NL-6710 AD Ede
The Netherlands
Email:[email protected]
66 References
D. D. Bal, & Groenendijk, 2006. De gevolgenvan de Göcking, C., T. Hübner & K. Röhr, 2010. Status and
Habitatrichtlijn voor de wettelijke bescherming van conservation of Coenagrion mercuriale in North
libellen in Nederland. Brachytron 9(1 &2): 38-48. Rhine-Westphalia. Brachytron 12 (1/2): 11-17.
De E.P. & 2006. Boer, Wasscher, M.T., Oostelijke Huskens, K., 2006. Sierlijke witsnuitlibel op Sint-
witsnuitlibel (Leucorrhinia albifrons) herontdekt in Pietersberg; laatste waarneming uit 1970, ook
Nederland, Brachytron 9(1/2): 14-20. uitgestorven in België. Natuurhistorisch Maandblad
Bouwman, J.H. & V.J. Kalkman, 2006. Verspreiding 95(7), 177-178.
van de libellen van de habitatrichtlijn in Nederland. Schaik, V.A. van, 2006. Gaffellibellen langs de
Brachytron 9(1 &2): 3-13. Roer: Een tweede populatie voor Nederland. NVL-
Conze, K.-J. & C. Göcking, 2001 : FFH-übellenarten Nieuwsbrief 10(3): 9.
in Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW), Abhandlungen Termaat, T, 2006. Status en habitat van de Gevlekte
und Berichte des Naturkundemuseum Görlitz Bd. witsnuitlibel in Noord-Brabant. De Vlinderstichting,
73, H 1: 13-15. rapport VS2006.038, Wapeningen.
Clausen, W., 2003. Die Bestandesentwicklung von
Coenagrion ornatum in Ostwestfalen, Nordrhein-
Westfalen (Odonata: Coenagrionidae). Libellula
22 (1/2), 1-10.
Summary van zogenaamde Speciale Beschermingszones (SBZ).
Deze moeten worden aangewezen voor de soorten die
in Conze K-J. & Bouwman J.H., 2010. Working genoemd staan Bijlage II van de Habitatrichtlijn.
two two with the Habitats Directive: countries, Zowel de verspreiding van deze soorten als de
12 60-67. hoeveelheid verschilt approaches. Brachytron (1/2): aangewezen gebieden
behoorlijk tussen beide landen.
The Habitats Directive is getting more and more
important in Europe. The Netherlands and North Zusammenfassung
Rhine-Westphalia implement the Habitat-directive in Die FFH-Richtlinie wird immer wichtiger für den
their own way in local laws. One ofthe most important Naturschutz in Europa. Die einzelnen Mitgliedsstaaten
parts of the Habitats Directive is the designation of setzen die Richtlinie in ihren nationalen Gesetzen und
Protected have to be Special Areas. They designated praktisch graduelldurchaus unterschiedlich um. Eines
for all species mentioned in Annex II of the Habitats der wichtigsten Elemente der FFH-Richtlinie ist dabei
Directive. Both in distribution and in designating die Ausweisung von speziellen Schutzgebieten. Auch
Protection Areas there’s für alle der Special (SPA) quite a im Anhang II Richtlinie genannten Arten
difference between both countries. sind solche Gebiete auszuweisen. Sowohl die aktuelle
Verbreitung der Anhang-II-Libellenarten selbst als
Samenvatting auch der Stand und die Qualität der Ausweisung
De Habitatrichtlijn wordt steeds belangrijker binnen von speziellen Schutzgebieten für sie sind in beiden
het natuurbeleid in Europa. Nederland en Noordrijn- Ländern unterschiedlich.
Westfalen echter elk hun gaan op eigen wijze om
met de implementatie van de Habitatrichtlijn in Keywords: Odonata, conservation, Habitat
het landelijke beleid. Een van de belangrijkste Directive, special protection zones, the
onderdelen van de Habitatrichtlijn is de aanwijzing Netherlands. North Rhine-Westphalia
Brachytron 12: 60-67, 2010 67