BIOSCORE 2.0 – Improved Assessments of the Effects of Environmental Pressures on Biodiversity in Europe

Abstract

Biodiversity loss is a problem on all scales and levels, from global to local. This paper focuses on the European scale and the European Biodiversity Strategy, in which the Birds and Habitats Directives and Natura 2000 areas are important. A short analysis reveals that biodiversity loss is not evenly distributed, neither globally nor within Europe. Therefore, it is argued that EU biodiversity policies could be more successful if they would vary over Europe. In order to develop and evaluate such policy options, insight is needed into the local pressures on biodiversity in different regions and Member States. In this respect, the BIOSCORE model may be helpful. Version 1 of this model is already available and provides good indications of the different effects on biodiversity. It shows the effects of changes for 28 pressure factors on the local abundance of over 1000 species in nine species groups. A concept for version 2.0 is outlined in this paper. This new version of the model will use more precise data on the sensitivity of species to pressure factors, and on actual and potential species distribution within Europe. The spatial basis of BIOSCORE 2.0 will be extended to comprise over 26,000 Natura 2000 areas, which were designated in 2009. Recent and accurate data are expected to become available from 2013 onwards, as this year Member States have to report on the conservation status of species and habitats (Article 17 of the Habitats Directive). Institutes and researchers who are interested in contributing to the model development and possible new applications are invited to join in.