Biodiversity is still in decline in Natura 2000 network sites in the Netherlands, and Natura 2000 sites are heavily influenced by activity in adjacent areas. Threats related to the management of surrounding areas include atmospheric nitrogen deposition, desiccation and acidification. These continue, despite the many actions of groups of farmers and active nature conservation programmes. Consequently, reaching EU biodiversity targets in the Netherlands critically depends on the integration of management within and around Natura 2000 sites. In the Netherlands, not meeting targets for biodiversity is almost always due to: (1) high pressures from outside nature reserves, and (2) the small size of the nature reserves. Pressures, such as nitrogen deposition and low water table levels will be mitigated, and more land bordering current Natura 2000 sites will be improved to increase biodiversity (e.g. better grazing areas for birds, better water quality for aquatic species, etc).
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE IP ALL4Biodiversity project aims to implement the Netherlands Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) for Natura 2000, by restoring and optimising habitat-specific biodiversity. The project partners will address current threats and pressures on Natura 2000 sites related to land use in surrounding areas (such as eutrophication, desiccation, acidification, pollution and fragmentation), in cooperation with all land users and other relevant stakeholders. To achieve this, an integrated approach will be developed for cooperation between managers of Natura 2000 areas and the users of surrounding areas. Close cooperation will be established between governmental organisations, nature conservation groups, farmers organisations, businesses, scientific institutes and other relevant stakeholders, as a prerequisite for the success of the project. The integrated approach is centred on the recognition that nature conservation that enhances biodiversity must be based on the creation of mutual benefits and new agricultural business models. This is now considered a leading principle when developing management plans for rural areas.
The project contributes to a range of EU legislation, specifically the Habitats Directive, Birds Directive, European Green Deal, EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, EU Strategy on Green Infrastructure, Water Framework Directive, Nitrates Directive, Climate Adaptation and Climate Mitigation strategies, Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and tourism policy.
A significant amount of complementary funding has been identified for the LIFE IP, of which almost 350 million can be considered mobilised, including some of the following: European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (23.7 million); European Rural Development Fund (7 million); Green Circle Cheese and Subsidence Initiative (222 000); Nature Network South Holland; Regional Deal South Holland; Circular Agriculture Programme (135 million); Living Labs for Biodiversity (4.5 million); Regional Deal Nature inclusive Agriculture (10 million); Monitoring Programme of Insects by Farmers on Agricultural Land (BIMAG); Interbestuurlijk Programma; and National Climate Agreement (200 million).
RESULTS
Expected results:
A self-sustaining approach developed for the integrated management of Natura 2000 sites and surrounding areas, which is broadly supported and jointly implemented by all land-users and other relevant stakeholders;
Successful demonstration of this approach in a number of concrete implementation actions, based on the threats and opportunities in each specific Natura 2000 site;
Innovative business models and best practices showing how conservation in Natura 2000 sites can be integrated in the land-use of surrounding areas, to minimise negative externalities that can inspire conservation action in other densely populated parts of Europe; and
As a result, the project makes a crucial contribution to the implementation of the Netherlands PAF with regard to restoring biodiversity in terrestrial Natura 2000 sites.