Overview of the NATURA 2000 Network

Menu left NATURA 2000 Network Overview of the NATURA 2000 Network

2. Overview of the NATURA 2000 Network
   The total forest area in NATURA 2000 Network is 491 thousand ha.
   It is considered, that distribution of the NATURA 2000 Network in the forests territories according property rights corresponds to distribution of the total forest area in the country according property rights. At present 49.8 % of all Lithuanian forests are of state importance, 17.5 % - forests reserved for restitution, 32.7 % - private forests.

2.1. Overview: territories important for conservation of birds
   Selection of potential SPAs according assigned criteria and their establishment is being implemented since 2003. 77 (from 79 foreseen) territories were approved in 2004-2005, the total area of them is 541 thousand ha or 8.2 % of Republic territory; SPAs consist of 301 thousand ha in the forests.
   In all newly established SPAs specific restrictions for forest management were introduced: variuos zones important for birds protection was determined (e.g. breeding, feeding, sleeping, intensive migration places, etc.). In existing protected areas, which were nominated as SPAs, specific restrictions will be introduced gradually through management plans.
   In the near future strengthening measures for conservation of birds should be implemented (improvement of juridical documents, management plans, etc.).
2.2. Overview: territories important for conservation of natural habitats or species
   Selection of territories according assigned criteria is being performed. The whole Lithuania’s territory is considered to be in Boreal biogeographical region.
   The list of proposed Sites of Community Importance (pSCI) was approved by the Minister of Environment and submitted to EC. The pSCIs list comprises 266 territories; the total area is 649 thousand ha or 10 % of Republic territory; in 120 sites of 39 thousand ha there are natural forest habitats.
   The pSCIs list was evaluated by EC in biogeografical seminar held in Lilaste, Latvia (2005-12). Selection of additional sites must be performed, and the list must be improved according recommendations of biogeografical seminar. EC has intention to approve first part of pSCIs list of Boreal region in the end of 2006 or beginning of 2007. After that approval during 6 years special areas of conservation in proposed sites must be established.
   The values and current conservation status in territories from potential list must be preserved (maintained or restored) until these territories will get the status of protected areas.
Forest habitat types and areas to be protected under Directive 92/43/EEB
(on current pSCI list) and decisions of biogeografical seminar

Code	Forest habitat type	Area	EC decision
2180	Wooded dunes	515 ha	SUF
9010	Western taiga	7543 ha	IN MOD
9020	Old brad-leaved deciduous and mixed forests	2097 ha	IN MOD
9050	Fenn. herb-rich forests with Picea abies	1178 ha	Scient. res.
9060	Coniferous forests on, or connected to, eskers	-	Scient. res.
9070	Fenn. wooded pastures (together with 6530 Fenn. Wooded meadows)	93 ha	IN MOD
9080	Fenn. deciduous swamp woods	3619 ha	IN MOD
9160	Oak or oak-hornbeam forests of the Carpinion betuli	4252 ha	IN MOD
9180	Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines	760 ha	IN MOD
9190	Oak woods with Quercus robur on sandy plains	187 ha	Scient. res.
91D0	Bog woodland	17010 ha	IN MIN
91E0	Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior	1573 ha	IN MOD
91F0	Riparian mixed forests along the great rivers	105 ha	SUF
91T0	Central European lichen scots pine forests	500 ha	Scient. res.
Total:		39 430 ha