3.d. Main Gaps in Data

It should be emphasised that this survey has been concentrated on data related to fauna and flora species, habitats and sites. These data are mostly the result of inventories and, to a minor extent, of monitoring programmes.

The functionalities of ecosystems, which are of major importance for Nature conservation and Biodiversity issues are not reflected in such a survey, since they refer to specific, often interdisciplinary, programmes of research, which cannot be described in easy standardised data bases.

Integrated impact assessments should incorporate complementary data sources to those described here, in the framework of pilot studies for example.

Taking this into account, the information gaps should be assessed according to the needs of the information users.

The most obvious needs to identify are, as a priority, the needs linked with the implementation of Natura 2000 Network. For the time-being, only this aspect will be worked on according to the EC-DG XI needs. But, it is obvious that, regarding biodiversity, there are much more important gaps; for example, Invertebrates which are very important for the functioning of the ecosystems (i.e. soil fauna).

Species

Table 4 summarises the main information gaps on Habitats Directive Annex II species; these gaps are very different depending on groups and countries.

In general, data on populations are rare. It would be worthwhile going into this point more closely later.

Habitats

The weakness of habitats information is mostly linked to a problem of availability. There are few surveys on habitats as such. Existing data are often associated with species and sites and it is then often impossible to reach information on a given type of habitat. Otherwise, until the implementation of CORINE-BIOTOPES programme and then of the Habitats Directive, the concept of « habitat » was not clearly identified in European documents.

As the countries have to provide a list of Sites of Community Interest, there is an incentive to establish such databases.

It is also necessary to complete quantitative data to improve the knowledge on habitat surface area.

? data pending

? data pending

Table 4 : Number of Annex II species taken into account in data sources / Number of Annex II species existing in each country (according to source : EEC-DG XI, 1995)