How to read a European Species Action Plan

Each plan consists of three main sections.

Part 1 deals with background information about status, ecology, threats and current conservation measures. The threats have been rated according to the following categories:

• Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species or sub-species in 20 years or less
• High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
• Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
• Low: a factor that is only likely to affect the species or sub-species at a local level
• Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species or sub-species but it is unknown to what extent

Part 2 includes the aims and objectives of the plan. The objectives are grouped under the following headings:

• Policy and legislation
• Species and habitat protection
• Monitoring and research
• Public awareness

Each objective is broken down into a series of actions followed by a brief description. These actions are generic and do not usually make reference to any particular country or geographical region. Each action is given a priority rating and a time-scale within which it ought to be carried out using the following categories:

• Essential: an action that is needed to prevent a large decline in the population which could lead to the species or sub-species extinction
• High: an action that is needed to prevent a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
• Medium: an action that is needed to prevent a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
• Low: an action that is needed to prevent local population declines or which is likely to have only a small impact on the population across the range

Time-scale:

• Immediate: completed within the next year
• Short: completed within the next 1-3 years
• Medium: completed within the next 1-5 years
• Long: completed within the next 1-10 years
• Ongoing: an action that is currently being implemented and should continue

In Part 3, priority actions for most of the countries within the species range, cross-referenced to the numbered objectives, are listed to act as a guide for the preparation of national action plans.

Related Links

• View of NGOs on the implementation of the SAPs (PDF 1.5 MB)