Optimizing Management Natura Tender

Start Date 01012018End Date 31122027Total Budget 17000044 EU Contribution 10200026 PROJECT DESCRIPTIONBACKGROUNDIn spite of rapid development of the nature conservation framework after Lithuania joined the EU in 2004 a number of gaps and challenges have emerged in the nature conservation management system. There is a need to improve the overall system of Natura 2000 network management in Lithuania including the institutional structure and functions capacity knowledge base cooperation between the main stakeholders and integration with the main economic sectors.Despite intensive conservation efforts protected habitat loss and species decline remain a significant threat. Decline of biodiversity is caused by changing forestry and agricultural practices extensive land-use climate change distortion of natural hydrological regimes and manmade infrastructure disturbing natural ecosystem functionality. There are few studies analysing how conservation measures addressing one species are affecting other protected species in the same habitat. Furthermore there are still knowledge gaps in how to combine conservation measures to achieve the best result for biodiversity as well as a lack of practice in how to set measurable conservation priorities and achieve ecosystem-based conservation instead of a single species protection approach.OBJECTIVESIn order to optimise the functionality of the Natura 2000 network Lithuania has elaborated a prioritised action framework PAF i.e. a planning tool that aims to integrate financing for the Natura 2000 network into EU financial instruments to 2020. The LIFE-IP PAF-NATURALIT project will focus on implementing the PAF which covers the entire Natura 2000 network in Lithuania. Meanwhile demonstration activities will be implemented in selected regions representing different geographical and natural conditions the emaitija Dzkija and Auktaitija natural parks Labanoras regional park and epkeliai nature reserve.The project aims to improve the current Natura 2000 network management system in Lithuania to ensure favourable conservation status of targeted habitats and species. Specifically the project aims to positively change the conservation status of at least 18 habitat types of Community interest 33 of all habitat types nationally reported under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive improve the conservation status of at least 19 species of Community interest 19 of all species nationally reported and improve population trends of at least 23 bird species 11 of all bird species reported under Article 12 of the Birds Directive.KEYWORDS protected area biodiversity forest management nature conservation endangered species