§3.2.3 Step 3: Ascertain the effects of the plan or project on the integrity of the Natura 2000 site

The information collected and the predictions made about the degree and level of intensity of the impacts and changes that are likely to result from the different stages of the plan or project should now make it possible to assess the extent of the effects of the plan or project on the integrity of site. The description of the site’s integrity and the impact assessment should be based on the parameters that determine the conservation objectives and that are specific to the habitats and species of the site and their ecological requirements. This can also be useful for the subsequent monitoring of the impact of the plan or project during implementation. As regards the connotation or meaning of ‘integrity’, this clearly relates to ecological integrity. This can be considered as a quality or condition of being whole or complete. In a dynamic ecological context, it can also be considered as having the sense of resilience and ability to evolve in ways that are favourable to conservation. The ‘integrity of the site’ can be usefully defined as the coherent sum of the site’s ecological structure, function and ecological processes, across its whole area, which enables it to sustain the habitats, complex of habitats and/or populations of species for which the site is designated. A site can be described as having a high degree of integrity where the inherent potential for meeting site conservation objectives is realised, the capacity for self-repair and self-renewal under dynamic conditions is maintained, and a minimum of external management support is required. See the Article 6 Guide – section 4.6.4. The ‘integrity of a site’ thus relates to the site’s conservation objectives, its key natural features, ecological structure and function. If the site’s conservation objectives are not undermined by the proposed plan or project (alone and in-combination with other plans and projects) then the site’s integrity is not considered to be adversely affected. Site ‘integrity’ also concerns the main ecological processes and factors that sustain the long-term presence of the species and habitats in a Natura 2000 site. This will normally be covered by the conservation objectives for the site (e.g. to improve the quality of a habitat or extend the range of a species within the site). An impairment of these factors may jeopardise achievement of these objectives and have an adverse effect, even if the species or habitats are not directly impacted. For instance, the hydrological regime of a river, fluvial morphology processes, erosion, sediment transport and accumulation are crucial factors for conserving river habitats and species, reflected in their conservation objectives. Influencing these processes could have an impact on the site’s integrity, even if known patches of natural habitats and localities with confirmed species presence are not directly impacted. When a permanent loss of a part of a habitat or a species population significantly present on the site, or a long-lasting deterioration of the site ecological structure, function and processes are identified as an impact resulting from the project or plan, it can be concluded that the plan or project will cause an adverse effect on the integrity of the site. Nevertheless, it has also to be considered that the capacity for self-repair or resilience could in some cases allow the ecological structure and functions of the site to recover within a relatively short period of time, e.g. a community or a species population could recover naturally after some temporary disturbance. If so, it might be considered that the development would have no adverse effects on the integrity of the site. The capacity for self-repair would be normally reflected in the conservation objectives of the protected features (e.g. identifying certain thresholds or limits of change, like for instance allowing a certain level of temporary turbidity due to the maintenance works on rivers or other water bodies). The degree of temporary adverse effects can determine whether an adverse effect on the site can be concluded. If the time needed for the habitat to recover is estimated in days, weeks or even a couple of months, it might be considered that there will be no adverse effects on the integrity of the site. A short period of disturbance, while affecting some habitats or species, might thus not cause an adverse effect on the integrity of the site. However, this must be carefully analysed on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the cycles of the ecosystems in the particular site, the structure of the communities, ecological functions and the processes in the site. Assessing the effects on the integrity of the site may be relatively straightforward in small sites with just one or a few habitats or species and clear ecological functions. But it will be more difficult to assess in large sites with complex ecosystems and ecological functions, which host many habitats and species. To assess the effects on the integrity of the site in a systematic and objective manner, it is important to have established thresholds and targets for each of the attributes that define the conservation objectives for the habitat types and species protected in the site. In order to help determine whether the integrity of a Natura 2000 site is affected, Box 12 below provides an indicative checklist reflecting the parameters used to define the conservation objectives for the habitats/species protected in the sites. Box 12 Assessing the effects on the integrity of the site: a checklist example Does the plan or project have the potential to: — hamper or cause delays in progress towards achieving the site’s conservation objectives? — reduce the area, or quality, of protected habitat types or habitats of protected species present on the site? — reduce the population of the protected species significantly present on the site? — result in disturbance that could affect the population size or density or the balance between species? — cause the displacement of protected species significantly present on the site and thus reduce the distribution area of those species in the site? — result in a fragmentation of Annex I habitats or habitats of species? — result in a loss or reduction of key features, natural processes or resources that are essential for the maintenance or restoration of relevant habitats and species in the site (e.g. tree cover, tidal exposure, annual flooding, prey, food resources)? — disrupt the factors that help maintain the favourable conditions of the site or that are needed to restore these to a favourable condition within the site? — interfere with the balance, distribution and density of species that are the indicators of the favourable conditions of the site?

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-07