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Area B Preservation and enhancement of ecosystems and their services
Objective B.3
Measure B.3.4 Develop a strategic framework for setting priorities for ecosystem restoration and to prepare and implement a program of revitalization of wetlands and river ecosystems, as a contribution to reducing the impact of climate change
Proposed tasks:
Area C Biodiversity Conservation in the State Policy of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Objective C.4
To achieve this goal it is necessary to:
High bogs, peatlands and fens are habitats where changes in the hydrological regime and poor management cause the deterioration of status or even degradation of habitat. Their condition in Slovakia is assessed as unfavourable-unsatisfactory or even unfavourable -bad.
Another group of habitats, whose condition is assessed as unfavourable-unsatisfactory, is group of sand habitats, occurring only in the Borská lowland on unpaved acidic sand dunes. They are at risk of afforestation and succession.
Sclerophyllous scrubs are represented by the habitat of juniper stands. Their condition, compared to the previous reporting period, has changed to unfavourable-unsatisfactory. It is associated with adversely assessed future prospects, which are based on the effects of succession and cleaning of extensively used grasslands from seeding trees and shrubs.
Aquatic habitats (mountain rivers, standing waters) dependent on the dynamics of watercourses and adequate quality, heathlands and shrub habitats dependent on occasional and targeted management, and grasslands habitats requiring regular management are located between the assessment of the favourable to unfavourable-bad.
Relatively the least vulnerable groups are rock and scree habitats and caves.
Conservation status of habitats of European interest
Last update of indicator20.12.2023
Indicator definition
The indicator evaluates the share of the conservation status (overall, or by formation group) of natural habitats of European interest in accordance with Art. 17 of the EU Directive of Natural Habitats and the related reporting (the evaluation reports issued every six years; 2004–2006 / 2007–2012 / 2013 – 2018), as well as the annual development comparison of this share from the monitoring results by the State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic (the SNC SR) in the Complex Information and Monitoring System (KIMS).
Related policy documents and targets
Vision and Strategy for the Development of Slovakia until 2030 - Long-term Strategy for the Sustainable Development of the Slovak Republic - Slovakia 2030 (2021)
1. Integrated Development Program I. Resource conservation and development
I.5 Ensure effective and sustainable management of natural resources
1. Ensure the protection, restoration and improvement of natural resources, including ensuring the stability and health of ecosystems and their services and mainstreaming adaptation and mitigation measures to the adverse effects of climate change into all departmental strategic documents and municipal and regional development documents as an overriding public interest (e.g. in transport planning, energy, spatial planning, water management, agriculture, forestry, sustainable tourism, overall landscape care, etc.).
10. Develop and implement a water policy that ensures the gradual restoration of water bodies, the protection and restoration of natural floodplains, peatlands, wetlands and small reservoirs, which will prevent water pollution, the decline of groundwater and ensure the sufficiency of drinking water in the regions;
15a. Restore at least 15% of degraded ecosystems compared to 2018
15b. Increase the proportion of habitats and species of Community importance in favourable condition from 1/3 of habitats and 1/4 of species in 2018 to 2/3 of habitats and 1/2 of species by 2030.
Greener Slovakia - Strategy of the Environmental Policy of the Slovak Republic until 2030 (Envirostrategy 2030) (2019)
Slovakia will prevent the deterioration of protected species and habitats.
Slovakia will prevent the deterioration of protected species and habitats.
2.1 Stopping the Loss of Biodiversity
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Conditions to minimize the negative impacts of anthropogenic activity will be created, including the impacts of climate change, causing the reduction of biological diversity of plant and animal species and loss of habitats, and the law enforcement in the field of nature protection will be enhanced.
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The completion of the national part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas and the systems of internationally important territories with appropriate protection, will further enhance the conditions for the protection of internationally and nationally important species and habitats and they will also increase the contribution of the Slovak Republic to halting the global loss of biodiversity.
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By 2030, at least 15% of degraded ecosystems in Slovakia will be restored.
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The protection of primeval forests and their habitat, as well as an appropriate management of their protection zones will be ensured.
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The wetland restoration program and their ecosystem services, based on the participation of all concerned parties, will be implemented.
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In cooperation with owners and land managers, via utilization of all available resources, the protection and restoration of forests, meadows and pastures that represent the highest biodiversity ecosystems and the creation of a groforestry systems will be supported.
Climate Change Adaptation Strategy of the Slovak Republic - Update (2018)
Proposed ecosystem-based biodiversity adaptation measures:
- Restoration of degraded wetlands (revitalisation of peatlands, restoration of disturbed water regime, prevention of overgrowth of trees) and floodplains
- Sustainable grassland management
The updated National Biodiversity Strategy up to 2020 (2014)
Area A Nature protection
Objective A.1 To stop the deterioration of the status of all species and habitats, especially those covered by the EU legislation and achieve a significant and measurable improvement in their status
Area B Preservation and enhancement of ecosystems and their services
Objective B.3 By 2020, to ensure the preservation and enhancement of ecosystems and their services by establishing green infrastructure and restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems
Area C Biodiversity Conservation in the State Policy of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Objective C.4 By 2020, to implement the Common agricultural policy measures favourable for biodiversity at all utilized agricultural areas in order to measurably improve the conservation status of species and habitats
Objective C.5 Within the implementation of caring for forests programs, to ensure the measurable improvement in the conservation status of those species and habitats that depend on sound forest environment or on which the forestry has a major impact, and ensure measurable improvement in the provision of ecosystem services in line with sustainable forest management compared to the reference scenario of the EU (2010)
Objective C.6 To ensure a favourable conservation status of aquatic and water-bound habitats and species, in line with the aim of achieving the good environmental status of aquatic ecosystems by 2020, whereby – within the development and regulation of aquaculture - it is necessary to provide such form of water use, which does not adversely affect aquatic species, habitats and ecosystems.
Objective A.1 To stop the deterioration of the status of all species and habitats, especially those covered by the EU legislation and achieve a significant and measurable improvement in their status
Area B Preservation and enhancement of ecosystems and their services
Objective B.3 By 2020, to ensure the preservation and enhancement of ecosystems and their services by establishing green infrastructure and restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems
Area C Biodiversity Conservation in the State Policy of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Objective C.4 By 2020, to implement the Common agricultural policy measures favourable for biodiversity at all utilized agricultural areas in order to measurably improve the conservation status of species and habitats
Objective C.5 Within the implementation of caring for forests programs, to ensure the measurable improvement in the conservation status of those species and habitats that depend on sound forest environment or on which the forestry has a major impact, and ensure measurable improvement in the provision of ecosystem services in line with sustainable forest management compared to the reference scenario of the EU (2010)
Objective C.6 To ensure a favourable conservation status of aquatic and water-bound habitats and species, in line with the aim of achieving the good environmental status of aquatic ecosystems by 2020, whereby – within the development and regulation of aquaculture - it is necessary to provide such form of water use, which does not adversely affect aquatic species, habitats and ecosystems.
Action plan for implementation of measures resulting from the updated National Biodiversity Strategy up to 2020 (2014)
Area A Nature protection
Objective A.1
Achieving the EU´s objective: up to 2020, to stop the deterioration of the status of all species and habitats, and achieve a significant and measurable improvement in their status so that (compared to the current assessment) by 100% more habitat assessments under the Habitats Directive would show improvement in the conservation status.
In Slovakia, it is necessary to improve the conservation status of 30 habitats, while at the same time it is necessary to retain (not to worsen) the conservation status of 30 habitats, whereby wetland habitats are prioritized.
Measure A.1.1 Consistently implement the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive, adopted resolutions and decisions of international conventions, organizations and programs and improved national legislation in order to strengthen the protection of species and habitats and also link the network of protected areas on a scientific basis
Proposed tasks:
Objective A.1
Achieving the EU´s objective: up to 2020, to stop the deterioration of the status of all species and habitats, and achieve a significant and measurable improvement in their status so that (compared to the current assessment) by 100% more habitat assessments under the Habitats Directive would show improvement in the conservation status.
In Slovakia, it is necessary to improve the conservation status of 30 habitats, while at the same time it is necessary to retain (not to worsen) the conservation status of 30 habitats, whereby wetland habitats are prioritized.
Measure A.1.1 Consistently implement the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive, adopted resolutions and decisions of international conventions, organizations and programs and improved national legislation in order to strengthen the protection of species and habitats and also link the network of protected areas on a scientific basis
Proposed tasks:
3. To monitor the species and habitats of European importance
7. To ensure the revitalization of the most threatened habitats (notably sands, salt marshes, xerothermic h.)
8. To improve nesting possibilities of selected and also other bird species in the Special protection areas (SPAs) and in urban habitats, and ensure the mapping and protection of feeding habitats of criteria species of birds in SPA
Area B Preservation and enhancement of ecosystems and their services
Objective B.3
Measure B.3.4 Develop a strategic framework for setting priorities for ecosystem restoration and to prepare and implement a program of revitalization of wetlands and river ecosystems, as a contribution to reducing the impact of climate change
Proposed tasks:
78. To prepare and implement a national program of revitalization of wetlands and river ecosystems
Area C Biodiversity Conservation in the State Policy of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Objective C.4
To achieve this goal it is necessary to:
- implement measures with positive effects on biodiversity, species, habitats and protected areas in order to maximize the contribution of farmers to the conservation of biodiversity at the national level
- identify species and habitats dependent on the mode of management, and to prepare and implement concrete measures with the support of European funds intended to improve their conservation status
Measure C.4.3 To identify habitats and species dependent on the mode of management and to prepare and implement particular measures with the support of respective European funds for their conservation status improvement
Proposed tasks:
Proposed tasks:
107. To realize PRV scheme "Protection of permanent grassland habitats", within the "Agri-environment-climate measure"
109. To develop principles and proposals for the management of selected habitat types (e.g. grassland habitat TR1 (6210), Lk4 (6410), bog habitat Ra3 (7140), Ra6 (7230), Ra1 (7110)
Objective C.5
Measure C.5.2 Integrate biodiversity measures in forest care programs also in connection with the integration of forest care programs and care programs for protected areas
Proposed tasks:
Proposed tasks:
117. To improve the condition of habitats for animal species (retention of deadwood, exhibitions, hollow trees, creating an appropriate structure of stands for gallinaceous birds, support of valuable tree species - yew, fir, limba, valuable hardwoods) in protected areas and outside them.
Updated Programme of the care of wetlands of Slovakia for 2015 – 2021 (2015)
Strategic intentions
Intention 1: Solving causes of loss and degradation of marshes
Intention 2: Effective protection and management of the system of Ramsar sites
Intention 3: Sustainable utilization of all marshes.
Key question
What is the conservation status of habitats of European interest?Key messages
- In 2019, the third 6-year assessment report was drafted on the conservation status of habitats and species of European importance (for 2013 – 2018) under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive and submitted to the EC;
- Overall, the status of habitats deteriorated, but this result is mainly due to the introduction of improved monitoring system knowledge, improved expert estimates and the identification of relevant data that were previously unknown. Therefore, the assessment of the latest situation is closer to reality when compared to previous reporting periods. In fact, the report doesn´t show a deterioration compared to previous periods, but a better and more realistic assessment of the situation, which is more or less the same as in previous periods;
- According to the results of the 3rd reporting period, as of 2018, 60.4% of species of European interest were in an unfavorable (unsatisfactory or bad) conservation status.
- The only real change compared to the previous assessment was recorded in the case of habitat 9190 – Old acidophilous oak woods (the area was reduced by 17% due to negative human interference).
| Change since 2005 | Change since 2015 | Last year-on-year change |
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| Compared to the previous evaluation periods, there was an improvement in knowledge and the consequent deterioration of the habitats, but in fact their condition is more or less the same. | Compared to the previous evaluation periods, knowledge improved again in 2019, in fact the state of the habitats remains more or less the same, namely unfavorable. | The conservation status of habitats of European interest is evaluated in 6-year intervals as part of the reporting for the EC. However, according to the records from KIMS (ongoing monitoring), it can be concluded that their condition has not changed significantly. |
Summary assessment
Detailed assessment
The Habitats Directive (Council Directive no.92/43/EEC on the Protection of natural habitats, wild animals and plants) implies also habitats protection for selected types of habitats, including the obligation to monitor the conservation status of habitats listed in the Annexes to the Directive (habitats of European interest (EI)).
Assessment as part of the reporting to the EC
The SOP SR collects and prepares documents for the assessment report on the status of habitats and species of European interest within the meaning of Article 17 of the Habitats Directive. The first report was prepared and submitted to the EC in 2007 (for the years 2004 – 2006), the second in 2013 (for the years 2007 – 2012) and the third in 2019 (for the years 2013 – 2018).
Assessment of the conservation status of EI natural habitats according to the 3rd evaluation report (2013 – 2018)
The new report for the 2013 – 2018 period is based primarily of data from KIMS (Complex Information Monitoring System), which has significantly reduced the number of unknown species and habitats assessments.
For the Slovak Republic the report evaluates 66 types of habitats of EI, which can be categorized into nine groups. The groups of forest (19) and grasslands (15) habitats are numerous. In our territory, the group of halophytic habitats - salt marshes (2), sands (1) and sclerophyllous scrubs (1) is the least represented. Besides them we distinguish freshwater habitats (9), heaths and scrubland habitats in temperate zones (5), bogs (6) and rocky habitats and caves (8).
Saltmarsh habitats - in Slovakia, habitats associated with highly saline soils: they are among the most endangered habitats on a pan-European scale. In Slovakia, their condition is persistently poor. As a result of the intensification of agriculture in the past, which persists to this day, large areas have been destroyed, mainly by activities such as drainage, eutrophication and ruderalisation, direct destruction of sites e.g. by ploughing, afforestation and successional changes caused by the absence of traditional farming. A prerequisite for improving the status of the habitat is the improvement of the structure and the restoration of management in the form of grazing or the restoration of the water regime.
Within the sand habitat group, only acid sands (inland Pannonian sand dunes) are assessed and they are in poor condition. The overall adverse situation can only be avoided by preventing the spread of non-native plant species and avoiding natural or targeted afforestation.
The condition of the sclerophyll shrubs (juniper stands) is unsatisfactory in the long term, which is related to their future prospects. The habitat is threatened by succession, as well as by clearing of grasslands, afforestation, eutrophication and sand extraction.
Raised bogs, peatlands and fens belong to rare habitats in Slovakia with a small area, but in unfavourable to poor condition. They are threatened by changes in the water regime, other negative factors affecting the quality and condition of the habitats include succession, eutrophication, peat extraction, accumulation of organic material and sport and recreational activities.
Across the grassland-herbaceous habitat group, the number of unfavourable (unsatisfactory) condition assessments increased, while the number of habitats in favourable condition decreased slightly compared to the 2013 reporting. In general, this may not be a deterioration per se, but an increase in the level of knowledge and understanding of habitat complexes and their typical structure. There are 2 habitats in favourable condition - pioneer stands of Alysso-Sedion albi and dry dealpine grass-herb stands, which require only occasional maintenance management or have a relict character. The improvement of the status (from poor to unsatisfactory) occurred in the case of 2 habitats: xeric sand calcareous grasslands (pioneer vegetation) and Pannonic sand steppes (structurally and species-rich). The unsatisfactory to poor condition is mainly related with the land abandonment and subsequent succession, as well as changes in land use, afforestation, sand and stone extraction and changes in the water regime.
Trends in the overall condition of aquatic habitats have changed only slightly from the 2013 reporting. The number of habitat assessments in favourable condition decreased from 6 to 4, the number of unknown assessments remained the same. In general, backwaters, flowing waters and lakes are in a long-term unsatisfactory condition Aquatic habitats are very sensitive to changes in the water regime and to different trophic levels (eutrophic, oligotrophic to mesotrophic and dystrophic). They are particularly sensitive to anthropic influences, so any interference with the natural regime will have a negative impact on the species richness and natural structure of the habitats. Only 2 habitats have a favourable assessment: naturally eutrophic and mesotrophic standing waters with submerged or floating vegetation and also watercourses with Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation.
The assessment of the condition of heathland and scrub habitats in the 2019 reporting has yielded positive results, as the number of habitat assessments in favourable condition has increased from 4 to 6 and only 1 assessment is unfavourable. Most of them are in a favourable condition, which is determined by the inaccessibility and isolation of their habitats. Heathlands located in lowland areas up to foothill areas and xerothermic scrub is threatened by ruderalisation and the subsequent spread of non-native plant species.
From the group of non-forest biotopes the most favourable assessments is for the rock and debris habitats, caves. This is mainly related to the limited interest in their use, but nevertheless the habitats of this group may be threatened (in the case of debris habitats, e.g. by removal of material for construction activities, or by a sudden change in microclimate due to the removal of trees on the site, or by succession).
The overall condition of forest habitats, which are the most widespread group of habitats in Slovakia, is favourable in case of 10 assessments, unfavourable for 13 and in 6 cases the poor condition persists. Forest habitats in Slovakia show overall stability in the long term, mainly due to their quantity.
Assessment of the conservation status of EI natural habitats according to the 2nd evaluation report (2007 – 2012)
Based on the comparison of habitat status with the evaluation in 2007 we can state that the knowledge improved, i.e. less assessments show an unknown status. The total share of habitats with the favourable assessment of the status improved, which is caused mainly by the mentioned improvement of knowledge. The share of species and habitats being in the bad condition almost did not change which indicates that the necessary measures for the re-establishment of habitats, are still applied unsatisfactorily.
For the Slovak Republic the report evaluates 66 types of habitats of EI, which can be categorized into nine groups. The groups of forest (19) and grasslands (15) habitats are numerous. In our territory, the group of halophytic habitats - salt marshes (2), sands (1) and sclerophyllous scrubs (1) is the least represented. Besides them we distinguish freshwater habitats (9), heaths and scrubland habitats in temperate zones (5), bogs (6) and rocky habitats and caves (8).
Salt-marsh habitats are among the most endangered habitats on a Europe-wide scale. Their condition in Slovakia is assessed as unfavourable-bad. As well as partial evaluations of area, structure and functions, also future prospects are rated as unsatisfactory or bad.
High bogs, peatlands and fens are habitats where changes in the hydrological regime and poor management cause the deterioration of status or even degradation of habitat. Their condition in Slovakia is assessed as unfavourable-unsatisfactory or even unfavourable -bad.
Another group of habitats, whose condition is assessed as unfavourable-unsatisfactory, is group of sand habitats, occurring only in the Borská lowland on unpaved acidic sand dunes. They are at risk of afforestation and succession.
Sclerophyllous scrubs are represented by the habitat of juniper stands. Their condition, compared to the previous reporting period, has changed to unfavourable-unsatisfactory. It is associated with adversely assessed future prospects, which are based on the effects of succession and cleaning of extensively used grasslands from seeding trees and shrubs.
Aquatic habitats (mountain rivers, standing waters) dependent on the dynamics of watercourses and adequate quality, heathlands and shrub habitats dependent on occasional and targeted management, and grasslands habitats requiring regular management are located between the assessment of the favourable to unfavourable-bad.
Relatively the least vulnerable groups are rock and scree habitats and caves.
Assessment under continuous monitoring from KIMS
In addition to summary evaluations of the conservation status of species and natural habitats in accordance with the Habitats Directive (for the respective reporting periods), their status is monitored in the Slovak Republic continuously in the Complex Information and Monitoring System (KIMS) of the SNC SR (State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic). The monitoring subject is also, among other things, 66 types of habitats of EI.
Assessment of the conservation satus of EI habitats according to KIMS (as of 2022)
According to continuous monitoring results from KIMS, as of 2022, 54.4% of EI habitats were in a favourable condition, 34.8% in an unsatisfactory condition and 10.8% in a bad condition.
Assessment of the conservation satus of EI habitats according to KIMS (as of 2021)
According to continuous monitoring results from KIMS, as of 2021, 55.6% of EI habitats were in a favourable condition, 33.1% in an unsatisfactory condition and 11.3% in a bad condition.
Assessment of the conservation satus of EI habitats according to KIMS (as of 2020)
According to continuous monitoring results from KIMS, as of 2020, 55.4% of EI habitats were in a favourable condition, 33.2% in an unsatisfactory condition and 11.4% in a bad condition.
Practical habitat care was aimed at replacing the lack of traditional grassland management and consisted primarily in the elimination of woody growth, mowing of biomass and its removal from the sites. These measures were carried out on a total of 155 sites with a total area of 585.84 ha in protected areas and on 28 gene pool areas with a total area of 20.60 ha.
Assessment of the conservation satus of EI habitats according to KIMS (as of 2019)
KIMS was supplemented in 2019 with 37,153 zoological, 1,218 habitat and 45,594 botanical records, including protected and invasive species (occurrence records). This represents an increase of more than 32% in the total number of occurrence records entered into KIMS in 2019 compared to the same period last year.
According to continuous monitoring results from KIMS, as of 2019, 55.1% of natural habitats were in a favourable condition, 33.4% in an unsatisfactory condition and 11.5% in a bad condition.
Practical habitat care
In 2019 it was aimed at replacing the lack of traditional grassland management and consisted primarily in the elimination of woody growth, mowing of biomass and its removal from the sites. These measures were carried out on a total of 140 sites with a total area of 258.86 ha in protected areas and on 21 gene pool areas with a total area of 11.27 ha.
As part of the established internal management fund, practical management measures aimed at replacing the missing traditional management were provided by contractors on a total of 89 sites with a total area of 169.58 hectares.
Assessment of the conservation satus of EI habitats according to KIMS (as of 2018)
According to continuous monitoring results from KIMS, as of 2018, 55.2% of EI habitats were in a favourable condition, 33.3% in an unsatisfactory condition and 11.6% in a bad condition.
Practical habitat care
In 2018 it was aimed particularly at replacing the lack of traditional management and consisted mainly in the elimination of woody growth, mowing of biomass and its removal from the sites. These measures were carried out on a total of 177 sites with a total area of 534.415 ha in protected areas and on 24 gene pool areas with a total area of 13.418 ha. Specific management measures are not carried out separately for habitats only, but synergistically with species conservation in the framework of regulatory measures.
Assessment of the conservation satus of EI habitats according to KIMS (as of 2017)
According to continuous monitoring results from KIMS, as of 2017, 55% of EI habitats were in a favourable condition, 33.1% in an unsatisfactory condition and 11.9% in a bad condition.
Practical habitat care
In 2017 it was aimed particularly at replacing the lack of traditional management and consisted primarily in the elimination of woody growth, mowing of biomass and its removal from the sites. These measures were carried out on a total of 122 sites with a total area of 231.945 ha in protected areas and on 36 gene pool areas with a total area of 28.951 ha.
Assessment of the conservation satus of EI habitats according to KIMS (as of 2016)
According to continuous monitoring results from KIMS, as of 2016, 54.6% of natural habitats were in a favourable condition (by 14.1% more than in the previous year), 33.1% in an unsatisfactory condition and 12.3% in a bad condition.
Practical habitat care
In 2016 it was aimed particularly at replacing the lack of traditional management and consisted mainly in the elimination of woody growth, mowing of biomass and its subsequent removal from the sites. These measures were carried out on a total of 91 sites with a total area of 171.35 ha in protected areas and on 33 gene pool areas with a total area of 27.04 ha.
Assessment of the conservation satus of EI habitats according to KIMS (as of 2015)
According to the continuous monitoring results from KIMS, as of 2015, 40.5% of EI habitats were in a favourable condition.
Practical habitat care
In 2015 it was aimed particularly at replacing the lack of traditional management and consisted mainly in the elimination of woody growth, mowing of biomass and its subsequent removal from the sites. These measures were carried out on a total of 109 sites with a total area of 217 ha in protected areas and on 51 gene pool areas with a total area of 210.02 ha.
International comparison
Chart: International comparison – Conservation status of habitats of EU importance
https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/daviz/proportion-of-habitat-assessments-in-2#tab-chart_1
https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/daviz/proportion-of-habitat-assessments-in-2#tab-chart_1