DataSheet_1_Are we overlooking Natura 2000 sites? Lessons learned from a transnational project in the Adriatic Sea.docx

Since the adoption of the Habitats and Birds Directives by EU governments, marine Natura 2000 (N2K) sites have been established in the European Mediterranean Sea, creating one of the largest international networks of protected areas. Nevertheless, to date, marine N2K sites are generally scarcely implemented, studied and monitored, and thus their management effectiveness is weak, and their environmental status is often unknown. The Interreg Italy-Croatia ECOSS project aimed at establishing the ECOlogical observing system of the Adriatic Sea (ECOAdS), to integrate the existing research and monitoring activities in the area, and to promote data sharing at international level, for enhancing monitoring and conservation in Adriatic N2K network. In the framework of ECOSS, a conceptual model was developed and applied to selected N2K sites, to review the existing knowledge, assess site effectiveness, and suggest possible improvements in their monitoring and management based on the contribution that ECOAdS can provide to their implementation. Information on social, ecological, and oceanographic elements related to the conservation and management of these case studies was gathered by consulting the project partners involved in the management and monitoring of the sites and through a literature review. The results of this study revealed a discouraging condition with no management plan in most of the sites, while regulatory measures are generally in place but without surveillance. Monitoring activities are performed occasionally, and information on presence and status of protected species is often lacking or outdated. Although the N2K network provides a unique opportunity to advance marine conservation and achieve the 30% conservation target by 2030, the biggest challenge ahead is the proper management and monitoring of N2K sites. The proposed conceptual model may be taken as a framework to properly set up ecological observing systems in the N2K network and help overcome current limitations, integrating scientific research within the N2K conservation strategies.

自欧盟政府采纳《栖息地与鸟类指令》以来，地中海地区的海洋Natura 2000（N2K）保护区得以建立，形成了世界上最大的国际保护区域网络之一。然而，截至目前，海洋N2K保护区普遍存在实施、研究和监测不足的问题，因此其管理效能较弱，环境状况往往不明确。意大利-克罗地亚Interreg ECOSS项目旨在构建亚得里亚海生态观测系统（ECOAdS），整合该区域现有的研究和监测活动，并促进国际层面的数据共享，以加强亚得里亚海N2K网络区域的监测与保护。在ECOSS框架下，一个概念模型被开发并应用于选定的N2K保护区，以回顾现有知识、评估保护区效能，并基于ECOAdS对其实施所能提供的贡献，提出可能的监测和管理改进建议。通过咨询参与保护区管理和监测的项目合作伙伴以及文献综述，收集了与这些案例研究相关的社会、生态和海洋学要素信息。研究结果显示，大多数保护区缺乏管理计划，尽管监管措施已普遍设立，但缺乏监督。监测活动偶尔进行，有关受保护物种的存在和状况的信息往往缺失或过时。尽管N2K网络为推进海洋保护并实现到2030年30%的保护目标提供了独特机遇，但眼前的最大挑战在于对N2K保护区的适当管理和监测。所提出的概念模型可作为在N2K网络中正确建立生态观测系统的框架，并有助于克服当前局限，将科学研究融入N2K保护策略之中。