THE ECOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS OFWATER-DEPENDENT HABITATS ANDSPECIES DESIGNATED UNDER THEHABITATS DIRECTIVE

摘要

Article 6 of the Water Framework Directive requires member states to compile a Register ofProtected Areas for water-dependent habitats and species lying within each river basin district. Afurther requirement is the definition of the ecological requirements of these habitats and species tomeet conservation objectives and provide linkage to the parameters being used in the classificationof water status. Under the NS SHARE (North South Shared Aquatic Resources) project, data fora range of morphological and physico-chemical parameters were collated from existing literatureand from consultation with experts for 23 selected habitats and species. Individual data sheets wereprepared under a range of headings, and the conservation requirements of each were summarised.The sheets indicate not only the sources of data available but also the major gaps and shortcomingsthat could be addressed through further research.