Improving biodiversity data flows in Catalonia

First case study is related to reporting Article 17 (Habitats directive) and article 12 (Birds directive). European Union requires member States every six years about the progress made with the implementation of these directives. The main focus of the directives is on maintaining and/or restoring a favourable conservation status for habitat types, the species of community interest and the birds. We use monitoring & reporting data using a standard methodology to conclude the status of conservation for each element.
In order to be able to accomplish this task, scientific relevant actors involved has been identified, data sources needed and the proper information flows. This allows you to plan this task properly and identify the information gaps and problems to be solved.
Second case study is in planning protected areas. Legal framework (regional, national and European) ask protected areas to provide a protection and management plan. We developed a methodology of biodiversity data flow used and structured to articulate all the elements in the planning process of the natural protected areas of Catalonia.
This is a good example about how scientific data and its treatment within a logical planning and adaptive management framework allows generate operational objectives, normative documents, zoning maps, action plans and management guidelines of the protected areas network and asses objectives achievement.