Nicola Arndt und Matthias Pohl - Neobiota

For example for Mediterranean sclerophyllous forests & scrub (formation ‘J’) 8 of the 10 rarest types
with the smallest area and only one or few polygons in the map according to the database associated
with the EPNV map can be considered as covered by Annex I (see Table 2). The recent publication of
the data sheets for each maping unit will improve the ability to identify mapping units with the
relevant Annnex I habitats (BOHN et al. 2003; BOHN et al. 2004).
6 Combining EPNV with other datasets
The EPNV map shows 'natural' or 'potential' vegetation rather than actual vegetation and other types of
land cover and the ETC/NPB is unaware of any European scale map of actual vegetation in sufficient
detail for our needs. It is likely that EPNV combined with other data (e.g., from CORINE Land Cover)
will at least partially help overcome this problem (see HETTWER 2004, VESTERGAARD 2004, both this
volume). It may also be possible to predict the distribution of some anthropogenic habitat types where
they can be identified as replacement vegetation for EPNV mapping units. Publication of the digital
EPNV map as an interactive CD-ROM will also make such analysis easier (BOHN et al. 2004).
The WCMC & WWF work on forests (WCMC 2000) combining EPNV and CORINE land cover
datasets appears promising but the rationale used poses problems as the CORINE land cover mapping
units are very broad and do not differentiate between 'natural/seminatural forests' and plantations.
An area mapped as 'F1 West Irish-West British hyperoceanic moss and lichen-rich sessile oak forest'
and shown as 'Coniferous forest' by CORINE LC can be assumed to be a plantation and that the
original deciduous vegetation has been lost. However an area mapped as 'D50 Scottish dwarf shrubrich
pine forests' and as 'Coniferous forest' by CORINE LC could be a natural pine forest ('Caledonian
forest', a priority Annex I habitat of international importance) or a plantation of Picea sitchensis of
very limited conservation interest.
Conclusion
The EPNV map is a valuable source of data at a Pan-European scale but its full value for NATURA
2000 and probably other applications will be realised by combining it with other spatial datasets.
Acknowledgments
Marc Roekaerts helped with the section on the biogeographical regions and Gabriela Augusto
produced Figures 3 & 4. This paper has benefited from discussions with other participants during the
meeting on Vilm. The views expressed are those of the author and should not be taken as the views of
the EEA or the ETC/NPB.
References
BOHN, U. (1993): Natural Vegetation of Europe and Turkey – General Map 1:15.000.000. – Bonn-
Bad Godesberg (Bundesamt für Naturschutz).
BOHN, U.; GOLLUB, G. & HETTWER, C. [Bearb.] (2000): Karte der natürlichen Vegetation
Europas/Map of the Natural Vegetation of Europe. Maßstab/Scale 1:2.500.000. Teil 2/Part 2:
Legende/Legend, 153 S.; Teil 3/Part 3: Karten/Maps (9 Blätter/Sheets, Legendenblatt/Legend
Sheet, Übersichtskarte 1:10 Mio./General Map 1:10 million). – Münster (Landwirtschaftsverlag).
202