Publications

Health in a changing climate: In August 2007, local health authorities in Italy detected a high number of cases of an unusual illness in Castiglione di Cervia and Castiglione di Ravenna, two small villages divided by a river. Almost 200 people were affected and one elderly man died (Angelini et al., 2007).
Located in Signals — every breath we take › Signals 2011 › Articles
Corine biotopes: The Corine biotopes (Version 2000) database is an inventory of major nature sites
Located in Data and maps › Datasets
Change in species diversity as a result of climate change - outlook from EEA (Outlook 004) - Assessment published Jun 2007: Significant changes in the distribution of plant species in Europe are expected by 2100 due to increase of global temperature by about 3.10C. Such temperature increase going to be well above the long-term sustainable objective set in the 6th EAP. The Southwestern part and the most Eastern part (Russia) of Europe may suffer the highest changes in biodiversity; the loss of species might exceed 50 % by 2050. By 2100 most European Member States are expected to lose more than 50 species compared with the 1995 situation.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Change in species diversity as a result of climate change - outlook from EEA
Distribution of animal species (CLIM 024) - Assessment published Sep 2008: Europe's birds, insects, mammals and other groups are moving northwards and uphill, largely in response to observed climate change. But rates of distribution change are not necessarily keeping pace with changing climate. A combination of the rate of climate change, habitat fragmentation and other obstacles will impede the movement of many animal species, possibly leading to a progressive decline in European biodiversity. Distribution changes are projected to continue. Suitable climatic conditions for Europe's breeding birds are projected to shift nearly 550 km northeast by the end of the century, with the average range size shrinking by 20 %. Projections for 120 native European mammals suggest that up to 9 % (assuming no migration) risk extinction during the 21st century.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Distribution of animal species
Distribution of plant species (CLIM 022) - Assessment published Sep 2008: Climate change, in particular milder winters, is responsible for the observed northward and uphill distribution shifts of many European plant species. Mountain ecosystems in many parts of Europe are changing as pioneer species expand uphill and cold-adapted species are driven out of their ranges. By the late 21st century, distributions of European plant species are projected to have shifted several hundred kilometres to the north, forests are likely to have contracted in the south and expanded in the north, and 60 % of mountain plant species may face extinction. The rate of change will exceed the ability of many species to adapt, especially as landscape fragmentation may restrict movement.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Distribution of plant species
Freshwater biodiversity and water quality (CLIM 021) - Assessment published Sep 2008: Several freshwater species have shifted their ranges to higher latitudes (northward movement) and altitudes in response to climate warming and other factors. There are European examples of changes in life cycle events (phenology) such as earlier spring phytoplankton bloom, appearance of clear-water phase, first day of flight and spawning of fish. In several European lakes, phytoplankton and zooplankton blooms are occurring one month earlier than 30-40 years ago. Climate change can cause enhanced phytoplankton blooms, favouring and stabilizing the dominance of harmful cyanobacteria in phytoplankton communities, resulting in increased threats to the ecological status of lakes and enhanced health risks, particularly in water bodies used for public water supply and bathing. This may counteract nutrient load reduction measures.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Freshwater biodiversity and water quality
Impact of climate change on bird populations (SEBI 011) - Assessment published May 2010: Climate change is having a detectable effect on bird populations at a European scale, including both negative and positive effects. The number of bird species whose populations are observed to be negatively impacted by climatic change is three times larger than those observed to be positively affected by climate warming in this set of widespread European land birds. The Climatic Impact Indicator, which illustrates the impact of climate change on bird populations, has increased strongly in the past twenty years, coinciding with a period of rapid climatic warming in Europe. Potential links between changes in bird populations and ecosystem functioning and resilience are not well understood.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Impact of climate change on bird populations
Red List Index for European species (SEBI 002) - Assessment published May 2010: To date, the Red List Index has been calculated only for bird species at a European level, so the information in the current indicator is limited to European birds. The overall risk of extinction among Europe's birds has generally been on the rise over the last decade. While the status of some species has due to conservation action, many more have deteriorated because of worsening threats and/or declining populations.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Red List Index for European species
Sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives (SEBI 008) - Assessment published May 2010: By mid-2008, most EU Member States were close to reaching the target levels for designation of Natura 2000 sites thought necessary to protect habitats and species targeted by the Habitats Directive. Twentyone countries had a sufficiency of above 80 % and the new Member States (EU-10+2) were doing well given their recent accession. This is measured against a threshold that is considered adequate to achieve a favourable conservation status for the species and habitats of concern.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives
Species-ecosystem relationship (CLIM 026) - Assessment published Sep 2008: The stability of ecosystems and, therefore, the services that they provide, will become increasingly affected by climate change due to species-specific responses and, thus, the disruption of established biotic interactions. The changing range of host species has major implications for range expansions of species and places additional pressures on those of conservation importance.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Species-ecosystem relationship