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Mediterranean Temporary Ponds (MTPs) represent a priority habitat according to Directive 92/43/EEC (Natura 2000 code: 3170*). These are very shallow water habitats only seasonally flooded, with a flora mainly composed of Mediterranean therophytic and geophytic species. Its extreme seasonality and small size make this habitat highly vulnerable and hard to manage. In recent Italian monitoring campaigns, the conservation status of MTP 3170* was considered inadequate. In Apulia, where the habitat is considered as "the most vulnerable type", 73 sites were censused, with a total coverage of about 10,000 m2. The present work refers to the monitoring for three years of a total of 16 habitat 3170* sites, with the aim of better describing faunal indicator species for this priority habitat. A total of 158 taxa of flora and 103 of fauna were identified from 54 floristic and 44 faunistic samplings in total, with a robust updating of the listed biodiversity. For the first time a group of faunal species is proposed as an indicator of the habitat MTP 3170*. The conservation status, assessed on the basis of structural and functional criteria, gave a satisfactory status for seven sites and an unsatisfactory one (variously rated as inadequate or bad) for nine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bryophytes are important elements of plant communities in most habitat types worldwide. However, due to their relatively small size and difficult identification, bryophyte data are missing in many plant community studies. The objective of the present study is to increase the knowledge about EU Habitat directive bryophyte species distribution and conservation in Latvia. We compiled data from the Natural Data Management System OZOLS database about four EU Habitat Directive bryophyte species: Buxbaumia viridis, Dicranum viride, Hamatocaulis vernicosus and H. lapponicus, all indicators of high–value habitats in Latvia. The most common EU Habitat Directive species in this group was Buxmaumia viridis, which showed a significantly higher occurrence in the Western taiga habitat. Most of Hamatocaulis lapponicus and H. vernicosus localities were registered in protected areas with a high and moderate degree of protection. Most of Buxbaumia viridis and Dicranum viride localities were registered outside of the protected areas with a low degree of protection. Our results showed that EU Habitat Directive bryophyte species conservation in the long–term in Latvia is unclear, especially for B. viridis and D. viride populations. In future studies, we recommend initiating large-scale protected bryophyte monitoring programs and population studies that could contribute to plant community and global climate change research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediterranean Temporary Ponds (MTPs) represent a priority habitat according to Directive 92/43/EEC (Natura 2000 code: 3170*). These are very shallow water habitats only seasonally flooded, with a flora mainly composed of Mediterranean therophytic and geophytic species. Its extreme seasonality and small size make this habitat highly vulnerable and hard to manage. In recent Italian monitoring campaigns, the conservation status of MTP 3170* was considered inadequate. In Apulia, where the habitat is considered as “the most vulnerable type”, 73 sites were censused, with a total coverage of about 10,000 m2. The present work refers to the monitoring for three years of a total of 16 habitat 3170* sites, with the aim of better describing faunal indicator species for this priority habitat. A total of 158 taxa of flora and 103 of fauna were identified from 54 floristic and 44 faunistic samplings in total, with a robust updating of the listed biodiversity. For the first time a group of faunal species is proposed as an indicator of the habitat MTP 3170*. The conservation status, assessed on the basis of structural and functional criteria, gave a satisfactory status for seven sites and an unsatisfactory one (variously rated as inadequate or bad) for nine.

Simple Summary: The Habitats Directive is the main legislative tool to protect European biodiversity and aims to ensure the persistence of species listed in its annexes. Here, we document the changes in abundance and occurrence of the Italian agile frog (Rana latastei) within Monza Park, which currently represents the area closest to the type locality of the species. We found that the range of the species inside the park strongly contracted in the early 2000s due to the destruction of breeding sites. Then, around 2021, the species completely disappeared from the area, probably due to the joint effects of inappropriate management and droughts. The extant legal protection did not prevent the local extinction of the Italian agile frog from a core area of its range; hence, we call for more effective tools for the conservation of European biodiversity. Detecting the trends of species and populations is fundamental to identifying taxa with high conservation priority. Unfortunately, long-term monitoring programs are challenging and often lacking. The Italian agile frog Rana latastei is endemic to Northern Italy and adjacent countries, is considered vulnerable by the IUCN, and is protected at the European level. However, quantitative estimates of its decline are extremely scarce. In this study, we document the trends in abundance and distribution of Rana latastei within Monza Park, which currently represents the area closer to the type locality of the species and holds unique genetic features. Wetlands within the park were monitored from 2000 to 2023; counts of egg clutches were taken as a measure of reproductive output and the abundance of breeding females. In 2000, the species occurred over a significant proportion of the park. Total abundance showed strong yearly variation but remained rather constant from 2000 to 2019. However, Rana latastei disappeared from the park around 2021 and was never detected in 2022–2023. The decline is probably related to the joint effect of multiple factors, including the conversion of breeding sites for farming, inappropriate water management, invasive alien species, and severe drought. The local extinction of Rana latastei occurred despite legal protection, highlighting the need for more effective and stringent tools for the conservation of European biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting the trends of species and populations is fundamental to identifying taxa with high conservation priority. Unfortunately, long-term monitoring programs are challenging and often lacking. The Italian agile frog Rana latastei is endemic to Northern Italy and adjacent countries, is considered vulnerable by the IUCN, and is protected at the European level. However, quantitative estimates of its decline are extremely scarce. In this study, we document the trends in abundance and distribution of Rana latastei within Monza Park, which currently represents the area closer to the type locality of the species and holds unique genetic features. Wetlands within the park were monitored from 2000 to 2023; counts of egg clutches were taken as a measure of reproductive output and the abundance of breeding females. In 2000, the species occurred over a significant proportion of the park. Total abundance showed strong yearly variation but remained rather constant from 2000 to 2019. However, Rana latastei disappeared from the park around 2021 and was never detected in 2022–2023. The decline is probably related to the joint effect of multiple factors, including the conversion of breeding sites for farming, inappropriate water management, invasive alien species, and severe drought. The local extinction of Rana latastei occurred despite legal protection, highlighting the need for more effective and stringent tools for the conservation of European biodiversity.

The geographical distributions of the two cryptic species of the wetland moss Hamatocaulis vernicosus were mapped for western, central and northern Europe, based on identifications of the two by the nuclear ITS1 + 2 and the plastid rpl16 and trnL–trnF. The distributions of the two cryptic species overlap to a large extent. However, in the west and south-west only cryptic species 1 is present, whereas in the boreal north only cryptic species 2 occurs, which agrees with its distribution in Scandinavia. Despite these differences in distribution, no differences between the two cryptic species were revealed in habitat water chemistry, elevation distribution or climatic niches. The difference in distribution therefore suggests that cryptic species 1 could have survived the glacial period in southern Europe and cryptic species 2 in northern or eastern Europe. However, the studied molecular markers did not reveal geographical patterns suggesting origins in different glacial refugia. Although populations of both cryptic species have decreased in large portions of western Europe, a significantly negative Tajima's D may reflect the long-term expansion south of Scandinavia since the glacial bottleneck, potentially correlated with the expansion of earlier extensive agricultural management of wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prioritization is crucial in nature conservation, as land and financial resources are limited. Selection procedures must follow objective criteria, and not primarily subjective aspects, such as charisma. In this study, we assessed the level of charisma for all European butterflies. Based on these data, we analysed the charisma values of the species listed on the annexes of the EU Habitats Directive and of the species being of conservation priority according to criteria derived by three objective criteria: Species ecological specialisation, distribution, and threat. The mean level of charisma was higher for species of the EU Habitats Directive than for species of conservation priority and for not-listed species. Five of the twenty most charismatic species were also listed on the EU Habitats Directive, but none occurred on the list of species being of conservation priority. A trait space analysis revealed remarkable differences between the different species assortments: The species listed on the EU Habitats Directive covered a large trait space and included many species with high charismatic value, but low ecological and biogeographical relevance, while species of high conservation priority covered a restricted trait space and did not overlap with charismatic species. According to our findings, the selection of species for nature conservation still follows a mix of being aesthetic combined with some ecological criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To combat biodiversity loss, the European Union (EU) established a network of protected areas to be implemented by 2000, termed Natura 2000 (N2000). However, several N2000 sites remain unmapped, and various habitats remain undefined. Delayed implementation allows continued habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. Targeting biogenic reefs by blue mussels (Mytilus edulis and Mytilus trossulus), this study 1) compared blue mussel reef definitions across EU member states surrounding the North Sea and Baltic Sea, 2) scrutinized biological mechanisms underpinning the habitat definitions, and 3) provided suggestions for harmonized habitat definitions, respecting spatial and biological variation. By comparing official definitions of blue mussel reefs applied in Denmark, Sweden, The United Kingdom, and Germany, this study revealed A) decadal delay in implementation, B) reef definitions varying significantly regarding number of parameters used for identification (e.g., mussel seabed area (m2), and proportion seabed mussel coverage (%)) and the associated parameter limits (e.g., 2.500 m2, and 30%, respectively). Specifically, parameter limits for identification of reefs range between 1 and 10,000 m2 for mussel area and between 5% and 30% seabed mussel coverage. The study failed to identify biological mechanisms justifying this variation. Variable habitat definitions, unjustified by biological and spatial variation, may result in uneven protection levels across borders, potentially compromising connectivity of the N2000 network. To avoid this scenario, our study highlights the need for compatible biogenic reef definitions reflecting spatial and biological properties and suggests moving from protection of individual reefs to protection of areas where habitat forming blue mussels are regularly occurring. • First trans-national comparison of EU Habitat Directive habitat type definitions. • Evaluating the environmental bases for marine habitat type definitions. • Study reveals significant differences in habitat definition between countries. • Environmental bases unable to explain definition differences. • Reappraisal of marine habitat identification and protection is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For centuries, rivers have experienced massive changes of their hydromorphic structures due to human activities. The Danube River, the second largest river in Europe, is a case in point for long‐term societal imprint. Resulting human‐induced pressures are a key issue for river management, aiming to improve the ecological conditions and guarantee the provision of ecosystem services. As the most international river basin in the world, the management of the Danube is particularly challenging and needs a well‐organized cooperation of 19 nations. The recent river basin management plan has identified pollution and hydromorphological alterations as most pressing problems, but it has also acknowledged newly emerging issues. In this article, we present 3 specific examples of highly relevant issues for the future river basin management of the Danube: (a) long‐term impacts in the catchment such as changes in flood patterns and potential ecological consequences; (b) complex feedback loops linking the spread of neozoa with intertwined stressor responses due to river engineering for different purposes; and (c) linkages between different assessment approaches based on European legal frameworks to analyse the specific pressures at different spatial scales. These examples highlight the need for a more integrated approach in future Danube River Basin management schemes. Furthermore, large‐scale effects such as climate change and interactions of multiple pressures need to be addressed in future management to increase resilience of the river system and to allow a sustainable ecosystem‐based management of rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptic species are rarer than their combined, morphologically recognisable species. Each cryptic species may have its own habitat requirements and distribution, and each should be considered separately in biodiversity conservation. This investigation explores how well the two cryptic species of the wetland moss Hamatocaulis vernicosus (Mitt.) Hedenäs s.l., included in Annex II of the EU Habitat Directive, are safeguarded in existing protected sites in Sweden. Further, the northern distribution limit of the southern of the two cryptic species is explored. The distributions of the two cryptic species and their intraspecific variation are judged by the nuclear ITS1 + 2 and the two chloroplast markers rpl16 and trnL-trnF for a set of 89 specimens. The genetic differences between the two cryptic species are significant, but there are no differences between the protected and non-protected subsets within the respective species. The protected areas therefore represent these two species’ genetic variation well. The populations of both cryptic species appear stable, according to their genetic signals. One of the two cryptic species occurs almost throughout Sweden, whereas the other occurs only to the south of the southern limit of the southern boreal zone, except for two finds slightly further north in climatically mild areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Illegal wolf kills happens around in Europe despite the European wolf is protected under the EU Habitats Directive. The reason for this is conflicts with farmers and local hunters and in some instances also direct fear. In April 2018, a wolf was killed in Denmark after 1st recolonization since the 18th century. This caused a heated debate and calls for better communication and management of the Danish and entire European wolf population. Here we discuss the challenges of illegal wolf kills and call for European governments to take action. We specifically encourage European governments to create facilitated spaces for public deliberation on wildlife management by integrating facts and values, not separating them. Highlights • Illegal wolf kills happens around in Europe. • The European wolf is protected under the EU Habitats Directive. • Fake news and social media accelerate the local conflicts. • This call for political accountability and a sufficient management. • European governments should integrate facts and values not separate them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Springs are biodiversity hotspots and unique habitats that are threatened, especially by water overdraft. Here we review knowledge on ambient-temperature (non-geothermal) freshwater springs that achieve sufficient oversaturation for CaCO 3 -by physical CO 2 degassing and activity of photoautotrophs- to deposit limestone, locally resulting in scenic carbonate structures: Limestone-Precipitating Springs (LPS). The most characteristic organisms in these springs are those that contribute to carbonate precipitation, e.g.: the mosses Palustriella and Eucladium , the crenophilous desmid Oocardium stratum , and cyanobacteria (e.g., Rivularia ). These organisms appear to be sensitive to phosphorus pollution. Invertebrate diversity is modest, and highest in pools with an aquatic-terrestrial interface. Internationally, comprehensive legislation for spring protection is still relatively scarce. Where available, it covers all spring types. The situation in Europe is peculiar: the only widespread spring type included in the EU Habitat Directive is LPS, mainly because of landscape aesthetics. To support LPS inventorying and management to meet conservation-legislation requirements we developed a general conceptual model to predict where LPS are more likely to occur. The model is based on the pre-requisites for LPS: an aquifer lithology that enables build-up of high bicarbonate and Ca 2 + to sustain CaCO 3 oversaturation after spring emergence, combined with intense groundwater percolation especially along structural discontinuities (e.g., fault zones, joints, schistosity), and a proper hydrogeological structure of the discharging area. We validated this model by means of the LPS information system for the Emilia-Romagna Region (northern Italy). The main threats to LPS are water diversion, nutrient enrichment, and lack of awareness by non-specialized persons and administrators. We discuss an emblematic case study to provide management suggestions. The present review is devoted to LPS but the output of intense ecological research in Central Europe during the past decades has clearly shown that effective conservation legislation should be urgently extended to comprise all types of spring habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Springs are autochthonous aquatic ecotones with complex functional properties and heterogeneous eco-morphological structures. Within a small spatial extent, invertebrates are highly diverse and mainly composed of species adapted to the surface–subterranean water interface, the aquatic–terrestrial interface or to the spring habitat itself. In this publication, a first synopsis of limno-ecological case studies of springs from the Lowlands of Schleswig-Holstein, the low mountain ranges of Hesse and Thuringia, the pre-Alps of the Jura Mountains in Switzerland and the Alps in Germany and Switzerland is presented. The field surveys conducted in the different areas focus on an ecological assessment of spring habitats, distribution patterns of the invertebrate fauna and specific regional characteristics. A regional faunistic differentiation of spring-related invertebrate species is evident. A change in the faunistic composition in general and a loss of crenobionts owing to climatic and land-use changes are expected. In addition, it should be noted that long-term monitoring data required to make reliable statements about future developments in the distribution of spring species and to predict habitat conditions are not available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many European Union countries there is little scientific work to assess the need to conserve ultramafic areas for their biodiversity attributes. Recognition of serpentine landscapes in the Habitat Directive of the European Union has been poor. Furthermore, there is little scientific literature assessing the need to conserve ultramafic areas for their biodiversity attributes in many European Union countries. This situation is critical in Spain: the largest serpentine outcrop in the Iberian Peninsula, called the Sierra Bermeja, supports a distinctive flora and fauna with numerous uncommon or rare endemic species. These species are at risk from high levels of disturbance and habitat destruction, and have unequal levels of protection. We review the biodiversity attributes of the Sierra Bermeja, and examine the need for conservation implementation from a policy perspective. This study provides the background and a framework for characterizing the biodiversity of Sierra Bermeja, highlighting 39 endemic species. Proposals for the declaration of this mountain as a national park are reinforced, and the policy and implementation shortcomings to creating a park are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandy shores are generally considered important sinks for marine litter and the presence of this litter may represent a serious threat to biotic communities and dune integrity mostly due to cleaning activities carried out through mechanical equipment. In spring (April–May) 2012 we sampled 153 2 × 2 m random plots to assess the spatial distribution patterns of litter on Central Italy sandy shores. We analysed the relationship between the presence of litter and coastal dune habitats along the sea-inland gradient. Our results showed that the most frequent litter items were plastic and polystyrene. Differences of marine litter spatial distribution were found between upper beach and fore dune habitats and fixed dune habitats: embryo dune and mobile dune habitats show the highest frequency of litter, but, surprisingly, marine litter did not impact fixed dune habitats, these possibly acting as a natural barrier protecting the inner part of the coast from marine litter dispersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We quantified the financial costs and benefits of implementing a set of measures, based on the National Strategy on Biological Diversity in Germany (NBS). [•] The measures of the NBS contribute to social benefits (contingent valuation), water protection (abatement, cost approach) and climate protection (damage cost approach). [•] Results indicate that the implementation of the NBS leads to significant financial costs, but the benefits exceed the financial costs of measures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The choice of method for aggregation of ecological indicators is important for the outcome of the aggregation. • Detrimental ecosystem changes may be ignored when an additive aggregation method is applied. • We recommend the risk of system failure method when developing habitat quality assessment systems. The choice of method for aggregation of ecological indicators is important for the outcome of the aggregation. We demonstrate and discuss how additive versus risk of system failure (i.e. use of one-out-all-out logic) aggregation methods can result in opposing outcomes when assessing the conservation status of habitat types under the EU-habitat directive. In additive aggregation systems, failure to meet a given ecological indicator that is required for favorable conservation status can be compensated by other indicators. The consequence is that ecosystem changes that are detrimental in the long term may be ignored when an additive aggregation method is applied. Despite this, additive aggregation systems appear to be dominant among conservationists and are frequently used to assess habitat status. We recommend the risk of system failure method when developing habitat quality assessment systems instead of only relying on additive aggregation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]