C: Developing the thresholds for habitat loss
Orientation values for non-significant losses were developed by a habitat-specific and species- specific approach using a set of criteria. The thresholds were defined taking into account the vulnerability of the habitats, which was estimated on the basis of 3 main criteria and 4 secondary criteria: Main criteria for habitat types: ecological minimum viable area of the habitat; average area of the habitat in Natura 2000 sites; total area of the habitat in the Natura 2000 network; Secondary criteria: rarity/frequency of the habitat type; status as priority habitat; threat situation of the habitat; regeneration capability. Five vulnerability classes for terrestrial habitats and two classes of marine habitats were defined (see Table 1), based on an evaluation of the nationwide stock of habitats in the Natura 2000 network. A matrix was then established that related the vulnerability classes with 3 levels of relative area loss (level I, II and III), corresponding to 1 %, 0,5 % and 0,1 % relative loss. Thresholds of tolerable absolute area loss for each habitat class were estimated for each class of habitat and each level of relative loss s (see Table 1). Table 1 Orientation values (OV) for absolute and relative thresholds of tolerable non-significant losses of protected habitats of Annex 1 of the Habitats Directive In practice this means that for 21 of the 91 habitat types occurring in Germany, no loss is acceptable, while for the remaining habitats some loss may be considered insignificant if the orientation values defined for each habitat are not exceeded. Relating the absolute area loss to the relative loss implies that a larger habitat area will allow a greater absolute loss as long as it represents a smaller proportion of affected surface area. For the establishment of thresholds, the minimum viable area of habitat was considered. Orientation values for habitat loss defined for some Annex I habitat types in Germany are presented in Table 2 below. Table 2 Orientation values for habitat loss defined for some Annex I habitat types in Germany
Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-25 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.