LinkingNatural andCulturalHeritageActivities under the EUNature Action Planfocusing on Natura 2000and cultural heritage
EP Interparliamentary CommitteeMeeting on "European Cultural
Heritage"19/11/2018
Fotios PapouliasDG Environment, Nature Protection
unit
The EU nature legislation andNatura 2000 network
Currently Natura 2000:• 27 758 sites• 1 322 630 km²• >18 % EU land• > 9 % EU seasLargest co-ordinated PAnetwork in world
Birds Directive (1979)Habitats directive (1992)To conserve the mostthreatened and vulnerablebiodivesityand
Natura 2000 and cultural heritage• Cultural landscapes: "the combined
works of nature and man"
• Ecosystems in N2000 sites often resultfrom interaction with human activity(e.g. extensive agriculture) or depend on it.
• Many species and habitats with culturalsignificance
• Significant spatial overlap of cultural andN2000 heritage - sites with multipledesignations
• Biodiversity and cultural assets oftensubject to same threats, hence needintegrated management
A question of shared heritage and values of society!
Integrated management ofNatura 2000 & cultural sites
• Linking cultural assets and Natura 2000 sites can: Improve communication, awareness, education
Enhance public support and community engagement
Establish effective management schemes and measures
Increase synergies of financing sources
Maximise potential of sites to deliver their benefits for peopleand nature
• Protection afforded to cultural assets can benefit natureconservation
• Opportunities offered by N2000
EU Action Plan for nature, people and theeconomy
Priority D: Better communication and outreach, engagingcitizens, stakeholders and communities
Support recognition of goodmanagement of Natura 2000 sitesand awareness-raising of theNature Directives through relevantfora, availing of new technologiesand outreach activities, andstrengthen links betweennatural and cultural heritage,especially in the context of2018 as European Year ofCultural Heritage.
The case studies - 2017Context: growing awareness of the advantages of linking biodiversityand cultural heritage.
Objective: showcasing a seriesof case studies from across theEU that would represent differentaspects of linkingN2000/biodiversity and culturalheritage.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/management/pdf/case_study_natura2000_cultural_heritage.pdf
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A case study: Matera, Italy, whereculture and nature live side by side
The Italian city of Matera is famous for its Sassi (literally “stones”), apeculiar system of dwellings and churches carved into the rock, inhabitedsince the Paleolithic age. The City is both a World Heritage Site and partof the Natura 2000 Network.
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Two very rare bird species, the Lesserkestrel (Falco naumanni) and theLanner falcon (Falco biarmicus), nestunder the Sassi roofs and work isunderway to conserve these colonies.New standards have also been set in theconstruction regulations to ensure theuse of raptor friendly roof tiles andcavities in buildings, thanks tointegrated management planning.
Synergy areas - 2018
Objectives:
1. Evaluate the spatial overlapsbetween Natura 2000 andcultural heritage areas.
2. Identify and analyse areas ofsynergy between nature andculture and key elements ofsuccess for an integratedapproach.
Designation overlaps: Natura 2000 andUNESCO World Heritage Sites
• The overlaps betweencultural World Heritageand Natura 2000 are largerthan one would expect
• Of the 336 unique culturalWorld Heritage Sites in theEU, 49 (or almost 15%) arelocated in or directly bordera Natura 2000 site
• 142 sites (or 42%) arelocated within walkingdistance (2 km radius)
• Of 34 unique natural- andmixed cultural-natural WorldHeritage Sites in the EU, 32 areat least partly designated underthe EU Birds- and HabitatsDirectives
• Of these 32, all but one Natura2000 designations fully orlargely overlapped with theentire World Heritage Sitedesignation
• Example: Dolomites (IT) wherenearly the entire UNESCO site isdesignated Natura 2000 areatoo
SACSPAWHS
Designation overlaps: Natura 2000 andUNESCO World Heritage Sites
Many other overlaps.
Example: EU Cultural Heritage/EuropaNostra award winners
• Nearly half of EU Cultural HeritageConservation Award laureates arelocated within walking distance ofNatura 2000
• Out of 116 laureates since 2009, 18are located inside or directlybordering Natura 2000, 49laureates are within a 2km radius
• Left: Greek laureates 2009-2016,with cut out restoration of LassithiPlateau’s Windmills, Crete in DiktiSAC (GR4320002)
• 21st of May EU Natura 2000 Day
#Natura2000
#LIFEProgramme
Many other overlaps.
• EU Natura 2000 Awards
Common threats:Ancient city of Nessebar (BG) UNESCO
cultural World Heritage SiteReported impacts 2017 UNESCOConservation of Status reporting:• Housing• Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation• Management systems/ management plan• Marine transport infrastructure
Natura 2000 two most recorded highthreats & pressures:• Urbanisation, residential and commercial
development
• Recreation and leisure development
…And no management plans(s) in place!
Common opportunities:Schloss Eggenberg (AT)
Cultural World Heritage Site
• Conservation Order of 09July 2015 setmanagement measuresinto law, obliging sitemanagers to bothimprove castle and park
• Presence of bats nowembraced as anopportunity to bringdifferent audiences to thesite, and its protectionintegrated in cultural sitemanagement
Identify and analyse areas of synergyand key elements of success
The aim of the task is to examine synergies and opportunities to fosterthe integrated management of natural and cultural heritage in order togenerate economic benefits and employment opportunities, esp.sustainable tourism, as well as for supporting investment in Natura2000 areas through public and private funding, including relevant EUfunds.
The task includes:
1- Classification of synergyareas
2 - Assessment and description
3 – Recommendations forintegrated management
Thank you!
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/management/links_natural_cultural_heritage_
en.htm
LietuvaMikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis PASAULIO
SUTVĖRIMAS, IX 1905/6
