important plant areas in central and eastern europe - Plantlife

Section 5
Recommendations
■ Further development of the national
IPA network, as information on new sites
becomes available (80-100 more sites are
expected to be added).
■ More extensive inclusion of spore
plants and fungi into the network.
■ Larger scale application of Criterion B
in identification of future sites.
The quality of data and especially the long-term trend information varies considerably
from site to site.The best information comes from sites that have been extensively
studied by the scientific community, such as national parks and a few nature reserves, or
those sites with rare or interesting species. However, since the introduction of several
monitoring schemes such as Ramsar, NATURA 2000, and red list projects, data flow has
notably increased and the IPA programme will also be able to contribute to improving
trend assessments and monitoring possibilities.
Key threats to IPAs in Poland
■ Establishing a monitoring programme
for IPAs already identified.
■ “Lobbying” for inclusion of IPAs that
are not otherwise protected into some
formal network of protected areas; if
feasible, also promotion of increased
protection for sites with low levels of
protection.
No. of
IPAs
■ Actions towards securing permanent
financial support from the Ministry of
Environment (or other sources), to
guarantee the existence and development
of the national IPA network.
■ Integration of the nationally identified
IPAs into pan-European networks of
protected areas.
Tourist and recreation development is the single most widespread threat to IPAs in
Poland (68 IPAs). Inappropriate forestry practices affect 56% of IPAs (intensified
forest management (IFM) 53, deforestation 27, afforestation 25). Infrastructure and
transport development is also one of the most significant threats (56 IPAs), as well as
urban development (45 IPAs) and industrial development (38 IPAs). Inappropriate
water management systems, including drainage, extraction, and canalisation, affect 49
IPAs, and eutrophication affects 28 IPAs. Burning of vegetation and aquaculture and
fisheries also threaten IPAs in Poland.
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