News item | 31-03-2023 | 11:17
The Ecological Authority has published the first assessment recommendations for a number of nature target analyses. Nature target analyzes indicate how nature is doing in a nitrogen-sensitive nature reserve and what the expected effects of the measures adopted are. This information is an important building block for the area programs drawn up by the provinces. The Ecological Authority tests whether the nature target analyzes are complete and provide sufficient substantiation for the proposed measures to improve nature. All other nature target analyzes will be completed on 1 April 2023, after which the Ecological Authority will also test these analyses.
The provinces, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Ministry of Defense draw up nature target analyzes for the nitrogen-sensitive Natura 2000 areas for which they are responsible. The nature objective analysis describes how protected nature in an area is doing, what the expected effects of planned measures are and in what direction additional measures are needed to restore nature to a healthy state. The analyzes contain the best available factual and scientific knowledge about the state of nature. This information is important for drawing up the area programmes. In this, the provinces describe, among other things, the measures to restore nature and to achieve targets for nitrogen.
After review by the Ecological Authority, the nature target analyzes can be adjusted on the basis of the review advice.
Assessment of nature target analyzes by the Ecological Authority
The first nature target analyzes were tested by the Ecological Authority in the form of a pilot. The purpose of this is to work with the authors of the nature target analyzes to arrive at an efficient working method and consistent testing of the nature target analyses.
Assessing nature target analyzes is an important task of the Ecological Authority. In the autumn of 2022, the authority already issued an opinion on the handbook for nature target analyses.
The tested nature target analyzes can be found at the website of the Ecological Authority.