Robuuste natuur (NAPRO) (BO-11-019.01-008)

The Government Vision for Nature 2014 and the Fitness Check 2015 notice a need to define and assess Natura 2000 site targets with more flexibility and emphasis on natural processes and dynamics. This will result in more robust (resilient) nature. More emphasis on natural processes is essential to achieve internationally important biodiversity objectives outside Natura 2000 as well. In 2016 the final report "Opportunities for more naturalness in Natura 2000-sites" (in Dutch) has been published. Based on this, a follow-up was started with some provinces to explore how the recommendations from this report can be implemented both ecologically and dministratively.

Our conclusion is that a landscape ecological systems analysis (LESA) is needed to provide consistent and urable conservation targets. First, we propose to apply the LESA to nature values (instead of objectives) and to include non-Natura 2000 values to anticipate interactions and possible conflicts. Based on this LESA, agreement on an explicit systems vision must result in prioritized nature values, both biotic and abiotic, and corresponding objectives (‘constitutive characteristics’ related to the integrity of the site). Secondly, we introduce the distinction between vulnerable and robust objectives. The latter only need site-specific lower limits for area or population size. Above these limits fluctuations in area or size are considered favourable which ensures the extra room needed for natural dynamics. The approach is illustrated for the coastal Natura 2000 site Schoorlse Duinen and quantified for its dune grasslands and heath types.