Conservation status of species of European interest

The Habitats Directive (Council Directive no.92/43/EEC on the Protection of natural habitats, wild animals and plants) implies also species protection for selected taxa of plants and animals, including the obligation to monitor the conservation status of species listed in the Annexes to the Directive (species of European importance (EI)).
 

Assessment as part of the reporting to the EC

Assessment of the conservation satus of EI species according to the 3rd assessment report (2013 – 2018)

The new report for 2013 – 2018 is primarily based on KIMS data, which has significantly reduced the number of unknown assessments of the status of habitats and species of European interest.

It contains comprehensive information on population sizes, future prospects, mapped distribution, impacts and threats, and other important parameters. Overall, 150 species of animals and 50 species of plants were assessed, of which 5 species have not occurred in the long term and only short information about them is provided.

Comparison of the conservation status of 9 groups of CI species between 2007, 2013 and 2019 reports

Lower plants

A comparison of the overall assessments of lower plants between reporting periods shows that knowledge of all species in this group has improved due to the introduction of systematic monitoring (since 2013), as none are rated in unknown status (XX). Out of a total of 11 assessments, 3 species are in favourable condition – Dicranum viride (ALP), Buxbaumia viridis (ALP) a Leucobryum glaucum (PAN). 50% of the assessments are in unfavourable condition.

Source: SNC SR

Higher plants

Currently, we have a record of the occurrence of 42 taxa of higher EI plants in Slovakia, of which one taxon – common club moss (Lycopodium spp.) aggregates 6 species. The discovery of a new locality of the Thesium ebracteatum is a positive, as it was until recently considered extinct in Slovakia, and this new locality has been included in the national list of SCIs. Plant species which occur in the Alpine biogeographical region (central and northern part of Slovakia) have a better conservation status, which results from less disturbance of the natural environment.

The most threatened species of the group include the Eleocharis carniolica, marsh gladiolus (Gladiolus palustris), four leaf clover (Marsilea quadrifolia) and fen orchid (Liparis loeseli) assessed in U2 status because they are dependent on the specific water regime of their habitats. Due to the limited number of sites of occurrence or low population numbers, they are one of the most endangered species (U2) Iris humilis subsp. arenaria (1 site in SCI Čenkov), Klasea lycopifolia (1 site in SCI Žalostiná), four leaf clover Marsilea quadrifolia (only sites in SCI Latorica). As a “specialist” can also be considered the species evaluated in U1 status, Asplenium adulterinum, which requires specific conditions of the geological substrate and microclimate – it occurs only on serpentine rocks, where it grows on bare rocks and semi-shaded crevices.

Some species of the alpine zone in Slovakia are in favourable condition, e.g. Tatra scurvy-grass (Cochlearia tatrae), white genepì (Artemisia eriantha), or certain species whose range is restricted exclusively to the territory of Slovakia – Cyclamen fatrense, Thlaspi jankae, Daphne arbuscula and grow precisely in areas with an adequate degree of protection and category of protected areas, which provide them with suitable conditions for their long-term survival.

The following graphs show the average estimated population sizes of higher plant species, calculated from 2019 reporting data.

Estimated average population size of selected species of higher EI plants in Slovakia

Source: SNC SR

Estimated average population size of selected species of higher EI plants in Slovakia

Source: SNC SR

Estimated average population size of selected species of higher EI plants in Slovakia

Source: SNC SR

Invertebrates

In the 2019 reporting, 16 butterfly species were assessed, with up to 78% of butterfly assessments in unfavourable - unsatisfactory condition and only 7% in favourable condition. This is a significant downgrade from the 2013 reporting due to the use of more accurate data on these species and their habitats obtained from systematic monitoring. The most threatened species include Lopinga achine and Colias myrmidone.

A total of 15 beetle species of European interest were also assessed, of which up to 94% are in unfavourable condition. Although the knowledge about them has improved, their status in the wild in Slovakia is alarming and it is necessary to develop measures for their improvement. The most endangered species include Boros schneideri, Carabus hungaricus and Bolbelasmus unicornis.

In the dragonfly group, 6 species were assessed in the 2019 reporting and a new species Leucorrhinia caudalis was added, which occurs only in one sites in the Slovak Republic. All reported dragonfly species were assessed to be in unfavourable condition, however, this is not considered a deterioration from the 2013 reporting, but a better quality data base from regular monitoring.

The group of orthoptera is represented by 7 EI species. In the 2019 reporting, the species Isophia costata (U2 ALP) was added, which occurs at 1 site in Slovakia. Other U2 species include Saga pedo and Paracaloptenus caloptenoides. Compared to the 2013 reporting results, species knowledge has improved, with all reported species in unfavourable condition.

Of the 7 species of molluscs reported, only 1 species is in favourable condition (Roman snail, Helix pomatia). The remaining assessments are unfavourable – up to 2/3 of the assessed species are in unfavourable - unsatisfactory condition. Vertigo moulinsiana and Vertigo angustior are assessed as being in poor condition in the Pannonian biogeographical region. The most serious negative impacts are interference with the water regime, wetland drainage and over-fertilisation, as well as intensive grazing and eutrophication.

Of the two crayfish species assessed (Astacus astacus, Austropotamobius torrentium), one is in poor and one in unsatisfactory condition. Changes in the hydrological regime, pollution from agricultural activities (e.g. pesticides, contaminated sludge, wastewater – silage runoff) and invasive species pose the biggest threats to crayfish.

Of the large number of 44 arthropod EI species, the Bolbelasmus unicornis and the Danube clouded yellow (Colias myrmidone) are in poor condition in both bioregions. Some beetle species bound to dead wood are also in poor condition. The overall status of EI butterflies in Slovakia is unfavourable (up to 90% of their status assessments are unsatisfactory or poor).

Vertebrate

Out of 40 assessments (23 species) of reptiles and amphibians of EI in Slovakia, only 3 assessments are favourable for the species Pelophylax ridibundus (FV ALP/PAN) and Ablepharus kitaibelii (FV PAN). Overall, up to 90% of the assessments are unfavourable, which also reflects the negative status of the habitats in which these species live. The U1 status of most representatives of this group is unchanged since the first reporting in 2007. The species Emys orbicularis has a minimum number of reproductive sites in Slovakia, therefore the priority is to implement the measures of the conservation programme for this species in the field of legislation, monitoring, but especially practical care of water bodies where the turtle occurs.

In the 2019 reporting, 24 species of EI fish and lamprey were assessed. Acipenser ruthenus was also reported for the first time in the Danube River. Apart from two species in favourable status - Lampetra planeri (FV ALP) and Rhodeus amarus (FV PAN), three species in unknown status – Eudontomyzon mariae (XX PAN) and Eudontomyzon vladykovi (XX PAN/ALP), the rest of the species are in unfavourable status mainly due to taxonomic uncertainties. Compared to 2013, however, the knowledge about them has improved. There is an alarming situation with some formerly common fish species (huchen, grayling, barbel), populations of which are now threatened mainly by the regulation of streams, the construction of barriers (small hydropower plants) and the predation of the great cormorant.

The 48 mammal species assessed are the best studied group of animals in Slovakia. Exceptions include 28 species of bats and some species of rodents recorded in our country. A positive trend was observed for the following species: European bison (Bison bonasus), Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica), Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber), Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), brown bear (Ursus arctos) and gray wolf (Canis lupus). A negative trend was assessed for the following species: forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula), Central European tundra vole (Microtus oeconomus mehelyi),Tatra tundra vole (Microtus tatricus), steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanii), European polecat  (Mustela putorius) and European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus). The status of most bat species was assessed as favourable, a change from the 2013 reporting where up to 75% of assessments were in unknown status.

Trend assessment

Comparison of the trend in the unfavourable status of EI species

Assessment by biogeographical region

Overall assessment of the status of EI species by biogeographical regions of Slovakia for the period 2013 – 2018

The Slovak Republic has also submitted to the European Commission a report on exemptions under Article 16 of the Habitats Directive (for the years 2017 – 2018). Report is available on the following website https://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/sk/eu/habides/

Assessment of the conservation satus of EI species according to the 2nd assessment report (2007 – 2012)

• The better conservation status is achieved by plants which occur in Alpine bioregion (the central and northern part of Slovakia), which results from smaller deterioration of environment. The most endangered species still include e.g. Sand saffron (Colchicum arenarium) and Sand iris (Iris humilis subsp. Arenaria) which grow only on one locality in Slovakia, on the north border of its range. The majority of species being in the unfavourable conservation status occur in very specific and vulnerable types of habitats (moorlands, fens, waterlogged meadows, drift sands, etc.). The biggest group consists of plants being in unsatisfactory status. The species in the favourable status of conservation in Slovakia are e.g. Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis), Scheuchzer's bellflower (Campanula serrata) and others, which are rather rare in the Western Europe or they don´t occur there at all; e.g. Cyclamen fatrense, Tatra scurvy-grass (Cochlearia tatrae) or Carpathian tozzia (Tozzia carpathica). As for Thallobionta, currently the status of bryophytes conservation is unknown for 45% of them. However, the established systematic monitoring improves the knowledge of Thallobionta of European interest in a significant extent, and in a further reporting round all species of EI Thallobionta will be assessed regarding their status.

• As for fish species, only Asp (Aspius aspius), Amur bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus amarus) and European bullhead (Cottus gobio) are in favourable condition in the Alpine bioregion, the populations and areas of which were assessed as satisfactory. With all other fish species, they should be bigger as at present. The total status of many other species is classified as unknown. Generally we can say that protected fish species are not much explored, therefore it will be needed to pay greater attention to them. In spite of the fact that in the last decade the purity of water improved in our water flows, we have huge reserves in the field of revitalisation of damaged sections of flows and making rivers passable.

• The total status of reptiles and amphibians conservation resulting from reporting data is very negative. None of evaluated species of EI reptiles was assessed as being in a favourable condition. As many as 3 species of reptiles are in a bad status. All other reptiles are evaluated as being in an unfavourable condition. Within the whole Europe, the group of reptiles and amphibians seems to be most endangered from all EI species, and it is necessary to pay a big attention to them.

• Within mammals, 48 species were assessed. With the exception of 28 species of bats reported in our territory, it is the best explored group of animals.

• Within the group of rodents, only a European beaver Castor fiber is evaluated as being in a favourable condition. All other species of rodents are in an unfavourable condition which is quite a negative result.

• From EI carnivorous animals only species of Brown bear (Ursus arctos) and Gray wolf (Canis lupus) were evaluated as being in a favourable condition in the Alpine bioregion. All other species were evaluated as being in an unfavourable condition. Masked polecat (Mustela eversmanii) was evaluated as being in a bad condition.

• The status of majority of bat species was evaluated as unknown. Despite the implementation of partial bat monitoring, the estimate of their populations is very problematic.

• Within the group of ungulates, two species were assessed; Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica) and European Bison (Bison bonasus). The positive result is that in case of chamois, its status has improved from the category of unfavourable-bad to the category unfavourable-unsatisfactory, and that also thanks to the fact that in the period of six years from the last evaluation, the size of population has almost doubled.  European Bison has the status evaluated as unfavourable- unsatisfactory.

Comparison of the status of species in the Alpine and Pannonian biogeographic region for the 1st and 2nd assessment periods


Note: a wider line in a graph corresponds to the reporting period for 2007 – 2012, a thinner line below it displays data from the reporting period for 2004 – 2006. The quantity in brackets states the number of status evaluations in individual bioregions in the period of years 2007 – 2012.

Assessment under continuous monitoring from KIMS

Assessment of the conservation satus of EI species according to KIMS (as of 2022)

In 2022, 1,848 field visits of permanent monitoring sites were conducted under KIMS.

According to continuous monitoring results from KIMS, as of 2022, 26% species of EI were in a favourable condition, 48.5% species of EI in an unsatisfactory condition and 25.5% of species of EI in a bad condition.

Conservation status of EI species according to taxonomic groups in 2022 (%)

Source: SNC SR (KIMS)

Assessment of the conservation satus of EI species according to KIMS (as of 2021)

In 2021, 2,237 field visits of permanent monitoring sites were conducted under KIMS.

According to continuous monitoring results from KIMS, as of 2021, 25.6% species of EI were in a favourable condition, 48.8% species of EI in an unsatisfactory condition and 25.6% of species of EI in a bad condition.

Assessment of the conservation satus of EI species according to KIMS (as of 2020)

KIMS was supplemented in 2020 with 19,221 zoological, 23,431 botanical and 429 habitat occurrence records, including protected species. The occurrence of invasive plant species was also recorded in 738 observations.

Monitoring data in KIMS were supplemented in 2020 with 612 new records from permanent monitoring sites.

According to continuous monitoring results from KIMS, as of 2020, 25.5% species of EI were in a favourable condition, 48.4% species of EI in an unsatisfactory condition and 26.1% of species of EI in a bad condition.

Conservation status of EI species according to taxonomic groups in 2020 (%)

Source: SNC SR (KIMS)

Conservation status of EI species by biogeographical regions in 2020 (%)

Source: SNC SR (KIMS)

Assessment of the conservation satus of EI species according to KIMS (as of 2019)

KIMS was supplemented in 2019 with 37,153 zoological, 45,594 botanical and 1,218 habitat occurrence records, including protected and invasive species. 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.

Conservation status of EI species according to taxonomic groups in 2019 (%)

Source: SNC SR (KIMS)

Conservation status of EI species by biogeographical regions in 2019 (%)

Source: SNC SR (KIMS)

Assessment of the conservation satus of EI species according to KIMS (as of 2018)

According to continuous monitoring results from KIMS, as of 2018, 25.5% species of EI were in a favourable condition, 47.9% species of EI in an unsatisfactory condition and 26.6% of species of EI in a bad condition.