Key topics for reaching the EU 2020 Biodiversity Target in Sweden

• Threats from specific sectors: The greatest priority for conservation action is in the agricultural and forestry sectors. The agri-environmental payments for semi-natural grasslands are currently not satisfactory for the maintenance of biodiversity. E.g. large areas without thick swards or too many trees are excluded from the payments and the farmers move the grazing animals to areas with full payment. In the coastal grasslands, the habitats for many endangered wader species, particularly large areas have been excluded.

Another important area is the energy sector and how the transition to green energy will be enabled without affecting biodiversity adversely. Development of wind power and removal of biomass from the forest, for example, should not be at the expense of biodiversity. Lifestyle issues are also intimately linked to the need for reduced energy use. Without direct political action within these fields, the objectives for the conservation of biological diversity, including the 2020 target can hardly be reached.

 

• Site protection: The conservation measures and management actions undertaken in many protected areas in recent years have had an important impact to promote biodiversity, including birds. However, to be able to halt the loss of biodiversity more funding is urgently needed for species protection. Increased, but still far from adequate, conservation measures in recent years in managed forests have contributed to reversal in the downward trend for several forest species. This shows that an increase in populations may be reached if further action is taken[1].