A broadly composed expert community proposes to supplement the state’s rescue list with four new nature types: Sukkertareskog Delta Edellauvskog Groundwater swamp More about the four nature types Delta A delta is an area that is formed where a river meets more stagnant water and material transported by the river is then sedimented from the river mouth. It is available all over Norway. Deltas are important nesting and resting places for wetland birds, habitat for pollinators and can potentially bind large amounts of carbon. Delta is included in the Bern Convention’s list of nature types that need special conservation measures, and is considered a vulnerable nature type. Southern sugar kelp forest Sugar kelp forest can be found along the entire Norwegian coast in the more protected parts from the shore down to a depth of 20 metres. Sørleg is the part found in the North Sea and Skagerrak, where the largest part of the population is found in Vestland county. Sugar kelp can absorb nutritional salt and CO₂ and clean the water of unwanted emissions. We are obliged through the Ospar convention to take special care of southern sugar kelp forests, and the habitat is highly threatened. Kilde broadleaf forest Kilde broadleaf forest is a wetland forest type dominated by broadleaf species. It is found in areas associated with calcareous springs, for example at the edge of larger bogs, by lakes and other areas with periodically high water levels. The forest type has small occurrences along the entire coast from the Oslofjord to the Nordfjord in Sogn og Fjordane, and probably also has small outposts further north. Larger occurrences of heat-loving spring deciduous forest are limited to the Oslofjord area and certain areas in Western Norway. Rich, open southern groundwater bog Rich, open southern groundwater bog is highly to extremely calcareous groundwater bog and is linked to areas with base-rich soil in the lowlands. There are many threatened species associated with rich mires. A total of eight mosses and 35 vascular plants are known. It is rich in species and is therefore of great importance to pollinators. Bogs are the main nature type that stores the most carbon per unit of area. Rikmyr is among the mire types that are the least important as a carbon store, but at the same time their importance is greater than for most other nature types on dry land. Rikmyr is highly threatened and is included in the Bern Convention’s list of nature types that need special conservation measures. Source: Environmental status The expert group asks the government to prioritize a joint effort to improve the red list status of these nature types by 2035. Today, 12 nature types are being followed up through the Follow-up plan for endangered nature. If the Norwegian Environment Agency and the rest of the professional community get what they want, the number will be 16. The four “new” nature types are particularly represented in Western Norway (see external map). ElvedeltaEdelløskogJordvansmihrSukkertareskog – Norway has a special responsibility for these nature types Director of the Environment Directorate, Ellen Hambro, bases the extension on the nature agreement from Montreal and that the aforementioned nature types are “critical or highly threatened”. – Norway has a special responsibility for several of these nature types, she says. She adds that the plan corresponds to the fourth goal in the nature agreement to implement measures to slow down the risk of extinction of endangered nature. – These are natural types that contribute to nature-based solutions by storing carbon, retaining water and protecting against silt. Director of the Norwegian Environment Agency, Ellen Hambro, bases the extension on the nature agreement from Montreal and that the nature types mentioned are “critical or highly threatened”. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB news has previously written that the global agreement to protect 30 percent of nature creates new debate about several large road and cottage projects. The same agreement is also the background for the government’s announcement earlier in February that they are starting work on a new national nature plan. In October, the government decided to give coral reefs and high marshes the status of “selected nature types”, which means better protection. – Now it will be important that the government does not procrastinate – This is just something to cheer for, says Ola Elvestuen (V), parliamentary representative for the Liberal Party. He adds: – Now it is important that the government does not procrastinate, but follows up on the proposals, and quickly makes decisions that give these natural types the status of selected natural types. At the same time, the government must ensure that action plans are drawn up to take care of the area. Storting representative for SV, Birgit Oline Kjerstad, says she has confidence that the Norwegian Environment Agency makes good proposals based on professional priorities. – But the biggest problem is not the definitions. The biggest problem is that too little consideration is given to nature in development matters and planning processes. She points out that coastal heather is threatened by large amounts of nitrogen (fertiliser) and that coral reefs are threatened by bottom trawling and ocean acidification. – It is good to have extensions with important nature types. But there are many more types of nature that need protection. Norwegian nature is on its way to becoming a patchwork of small areas with special qualities, in a sea of ordinary nature that is being destroyed at a great pace, says MDG deputy director Ingrid Liland. – We need to keep a closer eye on how the natural types are affected by business activity and use, says Storting representative for SV, Birgit Oline Kjerstad. Photo: Remi Sagen / news – We need a paradigm shift Secretary General of WWF, Karoline Andaur, calls for stronger protection of eel grass beds and stream gorges. – We are in an acute nature crisis where we are losing nature at a furious pace. It is then important to have stricter protection so that we do not risk exterminating unique nature. A similar signal comes from other environmental organizations (see below). – We are happy that the rescue plan is being expanded Christian Steel, Sabima – If we are to take the recent Nature Agreement seriously, the Norwegian authorities must take powerful measures to reverse the negative trends for our most threatened nature. It is good that the Norwegian Environment Agency is proposing to add four new nature types to the list of those that should have special follow-up. It is nevertheless far too bad that far less than half of the most threatened nature types receive special follow-up. Sabima also believes that far more nature types must become “selected nature types” according to the Natural Diversity Act, so that efforts to take care of them get a stronger legal basis – and not just become “good wishes”. Frode Pleym, Greenpeace Norway – We are happy that the rescue plan is being expanded in line with the global nature agreement, but it must be followed up with powerful action defined by the environmental authorities and not sector interests. All too often, nature has to give way when new roads, huts and other invasive measures are planned and implemented. We need a paradigm shift where the main rule is that we should not lose more nature. Mitigating management measures can be of great value, but what is primarily needed is a stop to the degradation of nature. Karoline Andaur, secretary general of WWF – We are in an acute nature crisis where we are losing nature at a furious pace. Many threatened nature types are also disappearing bit by bit. It is then important to have stricter protection so that we do not risk exterminating unique nature. In addition to the four new nature types that are now proposed to be included in the Follow-up plan for endangered nature, eel grass beds and stream gorges should also receive stronger protection. The eelgrass bed, which is an important breeding area for several marine species, is threatened by pollution and construction, while the creek gorge, with many unique species that are found almost only there, is threatened by felling and power development. We should also have seen that the authorities gave stricter protection to species by appointing more priority species. This is a measure that was originally supposed to be used on a much larger scale than today, and the Storting has requested far more priority species. Although the environmental authorities have been positive about this, other parts of the government have acted as a brake. Ingrid Liland, MDG – It is good to have extensions with important nature types. But there are many more types of nature that need protection. Norwegian nature is on its way to becoming a patchwork of small areas with special qualities, in a sea of ordinary nature that is being destroyed at a great pace. The point of the nature agreement is precisely that we must preserve and rebuild normal nature. The focus on rarity and vulnerability is a pleasant solution for all interests that wish to take more area from Norwegian nature. Barth Eide has announced a parliamentary announcement to follow up on the nature agreement in Montreal. It must primarily ensure a large-scale protection of the common nature. – We need a paradigm shift. Management measures can be of great value, but what is primarily needed is that we stop destroying nature, says Frode Pleym of Greenpeace Norway. – There are many more types of nature that need protection. Norwegian nature is on its way to becoming a patchwork of small areas with special qualities, says MDG deputy director Ingrid Liland. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB
ttn-69
The state wants to save four new nature types – news Vestland
