Nature Conservation Authorities Research Articles

The German insect monitoring scheme: Establishment of a nationwide long-term recording of arthropods

A standardised monitoring is indispensable to identify trends of insect populations. However, until recently, a systematic monitoring of insects in Germany was missing. Therefore, the German federal ministry for the environment funded the conceptualisation of an insect monitoring scheme.Here, we inform about the general concept and structure of the German insect monitoring scheme (GIMS) and the steps taken and still to be taken for the implementation of the scheme. A first step was the development of the objectives, general concept und structure of the GIMS in close collaboration with the nature conservation authorities at the national and federal state levels, as the latter are responsible for the implementation of nature conservation-related monitoring schemes. The GIMS is structured into two sections: section 1 ‘Monitoring of common insects’ and section 2 ‘Monitoring of rare insects’. Both sections contain modules that focus on selected aspects of insect diversity. In section 1, insect communities of the wider countryside will be monitored. Section 2 focuses on insect communities in rare habitats and species of high conservation value (e.g. threatened species). The next step was to develop standardised sampling methods for the modules in collaboration with experts and the nature conservation authorities. Wherever appropriate, synergies with other monitoring schemes were created, e.g. for combined analyses with environmental variables.Parallel to the development of the concept, several federal states have already implemented selected modules of the GIMS. Furthermore, the module ‘Grasshoppers in grasslands’ was tested during a pilot phase. By using the data from the pilot phase and the High Nature Value Farmland Monitoring scheme the relationship between high nature value farmland and grasshopper diversity was evaluated. This indicated the great potential of using synergies among monitoring schemes for joint data analyses and showed that it is worth exploring such approaches in greater depth.

Spectral-temporal traits in Sentinel-1 C-band SAR and Sentinel-2 multispectral remote sensing time series for 61 tree species in Central Europe

Tree species maps derived from satellite imagery increasingly support forest administrations and nature conservation authorities with large-scale and up-to-date information. However, many species are often excluded or aggregated in classification tasks due to a limited knowledge of the most suitable predictors. Our study aims to gain a better understanding of optical and polarimetric traits for tree species mapping by examining Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 time series from 61 tree species in temperate Europe. For a selection of 32 optical, polarimetric and structural variables, the principal component analysis revealed that Sentinel-2 variables mainly explain the variance in the data by contributing to the “seasonality” and “foliage color” components. Sentinel-1 contribute most to the “texture” component. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Tasseled Cap Greenness (TCG) and Radar Vegetation Index (RVI) were chosen as key variables for further analysis. Seasonality was found to be the most dominant aspect in all vegetation indices. Furthermore, the TCG was found to be useful to distinguish between early and late budding species. The RVI showed a large potential to discriminate conifers, which is attributed to the crown volume effect of C-band SAR. Using exploratory data analysis, we further examined the influence of management, biogeographical and meteorological factors on the time series from Fagus sylvatica, Pinus sylvestris, and Picea abies. The NDVI and TCG are relatively robust to different conditions. For the two conifer species however, we found strong spatial variations of the RVI which are presumably caused by different crown conditions across the study area. Using Sentinel-1 data could therefore lead to uncertainties in tree species mapping across large biogeographical gradients. This study contributes to the improvement of tree species mapping based on optical and dual-polarimetric data and thus benefits forest authorities and other stakeholders in their monitoring tasks and decision-making.

Nová paleobotanická data prokazují původní status modřínu opadavého (Larix decidua Mill.) v severních Čechách

Using pollen analysis, phytolith analysis and radiocarbon dating of newly discovered sedimentary archives, here we prove the native status of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) in two sandstone rocky areas of north Bohemia (Czech Republic). At the end of the Last Ice Age and at the beginning of the Holocene, European larch was relatively common in Central Europe. In most critical period of the Middle Holocene, it demonstrably retreated to exposed rocky habitats, but did not become completely extinct. In the form of relict populations, it survived locally until the modern era, when non-native larch types were artificially introduced into managed forest stands. Our findings call for a radical rethinking of the approach to larch by both foresters and nature conservation authorities. In the future, it is primarily necessary to search for and protect the remnants of its original gene pool.

The reintroduction project ofCypripedium calceolusin Switzerland

SummaryIn 2013, a project to reintroduceCypripedium calceolusin the Swiss Jura was organised between the Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Herbarium of JanyRenz, Basel, Switzerlandand Anthura B.V., Bleiswijk, Holland with the approval of the Nature Conservation authorities of nine cantons in the Swiss Jura. Seed was legally collected from sites in the nine cantons and was successfully grown to flowering size by the commercial nursery in the Netherlands. Three thousand flowering sized plants were successfully reintroduced to 43 sites in the summer of 2018. Monitoring in successive years has shown a success rate of over 50% and much higher in some sites. The successful collaboration of conservation authorities, a charitable foundation (Swiss Orchid Foundation) and a commercial company (Anthura B.V.) in the conservation of an endangered plant might serve as a model of how other projects might be run. A version of this paper, in German may be found inBauhinia.

Understanding technological, cultural, and environmental motivators explaining the adoption of citizen science apps for coastal environment monitoring

Environmental and nature conservation authorities are calling for a collective effort to break or reduce the current cycle of environmental degradation. Much of the response depends on scientific knowledge production based on thematically and geographically comprehensive datasets. Citizen science (CS) is a cost-effective support tool for scientific research that provides means for building large and comprehensive datasets and promoting public awareness and participation. One of the greatest challenges of CS is to engage citizens and retain participants in the project. Our work addresses this challenge by (1) defining the role that technological, cultural, and environmental dimensions play in the adoption of CS apps for coastal environment monitoring, and (2) providing base knowledge about the profile of the apps’ most likely users and the functional features they require to be successful. Collectivists and people who assume a green identity are the most likely users of these apps. Drivers of their use are the promotion of citizen empowerment, habit development, provision of facilitating conditions, and proof of environmental performance.The outcome of this study is a set of guidelines for project managers, app developers, and policymakers for citizens’ engagement and retention in CS coastal environment monitoring projects through their apps.

Invading non-native populations replace native ones of the endangered freshwater snail Theodoxus fluviatilis in the river Rhine

In the past, the freshwater snail Theodoxus fluviatilis was abundant in the river Rhine, but was considered to be extinct in the Upper and HighRhine in 2004. We found individuals of T. fluviatilis for the first time at sites in the southern part of the Upper Rhine and High Rhine in 2020,where this species went extinct 16 years ago. There are several distinct haplotypes of this species; some of them occurring in geographicallyseparated regions of Europe. We used mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, COI) to trace the origin of the newly arrivedT. fluviatilis. We examined 269 individuals collected at 29 sites and compared their sequence data with known haplotypes of T. fluviatilisand other species of Theodoxus deposited in GenBank. We also analysed a historical sample from 1995 (collected before the species wentextinct), which revealed that the haplotype of the native T. fluviatilis in the High Rhine at that time was F28. In the recent samples, however,we found T. fluviatilis with the haplotypes F31 and “euxinus”, which are reported in the Ponto-Caspian region. Both haplotypes are crypticinvaders, colonizing the Rhine via the Rhine–Main–Danube canal and adversely affecting the remaining native populations of T. fluviatilisin Western Europe. Our findings are important for this species management by nature conservation authorities: lineages of endangeredspecies should be preserved and supported, while the spreading of invasive, non-native lineages (or species) should be prevented.

The vegetation of rich fens (Sphagno warnstorfii-Tomentypnion nitentis) at the southeastern margins of their European range

Question: Rich fens of the Sphagno warnstorfii-Tomentypnion nitentis alliance require a specific combination of base richness and climate to occur. Their rarity at the southeastern margins of their European range has previously prevented rigorous vegetation classification. We asked how many associations may be delimited here and whether some of them are restricted to the high Balkan Mountains showing high endemicity. Study area: Entire territories of Bulgaria and Romania. Methods: We compiled all available vegetation-plot records, including some hitherto unprocessed data. We classified them by both divisive (modified TWINSPAN) and agglomerative (beta-flexible clustering) numerical classification method, with OPTIMCLASS1 applied to set the number of clusters. A semi-supervised approach (k-means) was additionally applied to confirm the classification of Southern-Carpathian (Romania) rich fens, where some Balkan taxa occur. Differences in base richness and elevation were tested by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s pairwise test. Results: Three associations were delimited and all three occur in Bulgaria, from where only one association had been previously reported. Two associations characterised by Sphagnum contortum and Balkan and Southern-European species occur in Bulgaria, but not in Romania, one at lower elevations around 1,200 m, and one at higher elevations around 2,000 m where pH is lower. One lower-elevation (around 1,300 m) association with S. warnstorfii and S. teres is shared between Romania, Bulgaria and Central Europe. Conclusions: We have described a new high-mountain association, with two subassociations that differ by successional stage and dominant peat moss species (S. contortum and S. warnstorfii, respectively). These subassociations could be reconsidered when more data from other Balkan countries are available. Rich fens in southeastern Europe are rare, have a diverse vegetation, and are deserving of the further attention of nature conservation authorities and vegetation scientists. Taxonomic reference: The nomenclature was harmonized following The Euro+Med PlantBase (Euro+Med 2021) for vascular plants and Hill et al. (2006) for bryophytes, except of Angelica pancicii that is accepted as a separate taxon in Bulgaria (Andreev et al. 1992; Delipavlov et al. 2003). Critical taxa, not always reliably differentiated in the field and in literary sources, were merged to aggregates: Alchemilla vulgaris agg. (all Alchemilla species), Anthoxanthum odoratum agg. (A. alpinum, A. odoratum), Molinia caerulea agg. (M. arundinacea subsp. arundinacea, M. arundinacea subsp. freyi, M. caerulea), Palustriella commutata agg. (P. commutata, P. falcata), Plagiomnium affine agg. (P. affine, P. elatum, P. ellipticum), Sphagnum palustre agg. (S. centrale, S. palustre). Syntaxonomic reference: Peterka et al. (2017) for alliances.

Introduction of the Predatory Land Snail Species Poiretia delesserti (Spiraxidae) in France

We report an introduction of the predatory land snail Poiretia delesserti (Bourguignat, 1852) (Spiraxidae) from Albania and Greece in Cagnes-sur-Mer in southeastern France discovered by a citizen scientist. An uncontrolled expansion of this species in this region, which is characterized by a high number of endemic land snail species, is likely to result in extinctions. Therefore, we recommend the nature conservation authorities to survey the site to quantify population density and extent and to eradicate the introduced population of P. delesserti via manual collection.

European Hamster at the edge: declining in nature and rare in owl pellets×

Abstract Over the last decades, the European Hamster (Cricetus cricetus) has been declining in many parts of its European range. Due to the lack of recent information on the occurrence and status of the European Hamster in the south-western Carpathian Basin west of the Danube, we used information gathered from prey remains in Common Barn-owl (Tyto alba) pellets. In spite of considerable sampling effort, we retrieved only few hamster remnants. Two skulls were found in Podolje (Croatia) in 2007 and 2016, respectively. Further five hamsters were retrieved from pellets collected in 2017, 11 km to the northwest in Udvar (Hungary). In Sátorhely, 5 km north from Udvar, one roadkill male was found on 27.07.2019. Testimonies from local inhabitants confirmed the current presence of the European Hamster in the area. Our results suggest the presence of a small isolated population in the border area of Croatia (UTM 10 km grid square CR27) and Hungary (CR18, CR19). This small isolated population is on the south-western limit of the range of the species. We presume that the population requires conservation attention because of its isolated position at the edge of the species’ range, its small size and low abundance. We call for a transboundary action by nature conservation authorities in Croatia and Hungary.

Geotouristic Potential of Former Quarries in Northern Bohemia

Former quarries are among the places that are interesting for geotourism: they are mineralogical or paleontological sites; some quarries are valuable from an aesthetic or environmental point of view. In the quarries where mining was stopped centuries ago, traces of earlier mining technologies can be found, having significant historical value. Despite all the listed values, it is a sad fact that most of the quarries in the Czech Republic are revitalized after the end of mining in a way that destroy the values of the geosite. If nature conservation authorities intervene, it is usually because geosite is also a habitat for endangered species of fauna and flora, not for the protection of inanimate nature. The article analyses the process of making former quarries accessible to the public. First, the geosite evaluation methodology is presented, on the basis of which the localities with the greatest tourist potential and the lowest risks are selected. The methodology is based on six synthetic indicators, which are scientific value, cultural-historical value, aesthetic value, educational value, tourist value and vulnerability of the site. The methodology is explained on two examples of former quarries in northern Bohemia: Panská skála and Hamerský Špičák. The purpose of the methodology is to select suitable geosites, whose values should be protected and used to popularize geosciences and for geoeducation. The discussion points to good examples of making former quarries accessible to geotourism from nearby regions (e.g. UNESCO Geopark Muskauer Faltenbogen / Łuk Mużakowa). On the contrary, the issue of safety of visit to the geosite is mentioned too, which is in some cases the biggest obstacle to access to quarries. The conclusion summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of the use of former quarries for geotourism purposes.

The Forest Stakeholders’ Perception towards the NATURA 2000 Network in the Czech Republic

Natura 2000 is a network of European protected areas, established under the provision of two directives of the European Union: the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC; 2009/147/EU). The Natura 2000 network can be considered an interesting instrument to maintain and improve ecosystem services provided by protected sites. The European Union member countries are free to organize the participatory process in the implementation of the Natura 2000 network. The participatory process is often overlooked despite it being an important tool to increase the social acceptance and reduce conflicts among stakeholders with different interests. The aim of the present study is to investigate the stakeholders’ perceptions towards the ecosystem services provided by the Natura 2000 sites in the Czech Republic. The data was collected through a questionnaire survey involving 53 stakeholders (forester managers and nature conservation authorities) in all regions of the Czech Republic. The results show that for the respondents, the implementation of the Habitats and Birds Directives in the Czech Republic is very or quite important (54.7%), but at the same time, many respondents consider the Natura 2000 network an obstacle for economic activities close to the sites (66.0% of total respondents). In accordance with the stakeholders’ opinions, the three most important human activities near and inside the Natura 2000 sites are agricultural activities, followed by nature conservation interventions and forestry activities. The representatives of environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and academia emphasize the importance of nature conservation interventions, while the other groups of interest consider the provisioning services supplied by agricultural and forestry activities as the most relevant ecosystem services. The results of this study can be considered as the starting point aimed to improve the participatory process in the establishment and management of the Natura 2000 sites based on the stakeholders’ feelings and opinions.

Resisting Legibility: State and Conservation Boundaries, Pastoralism, and the Risk of Dispossession through Geospatial Surveys in Tanzania

This article illustrates how the introduction of modern geospatial surveying technology in Tanzania has failed to resolve a boundary conflict between the state and nature conservation authorities on one side and a rural community of pastoralists on the other. Far from fixing a contested geography by resurveying its boundaries and facilitating stakeholder participation for conflict resolution, digital cartography has made visible and reanimated the buried history of mismatched and conflicting logics between state-led territorial administration and conservation, and pastoral land use practices. The article shows how state and conservation officials have relied on the insights from fact-finding exercises to dismiss rural land use practices that are not represented in official maps. Pastoralists resist these state- and conservation-centred cartographic practices of fixed boundaries to maintain a historical, vital geography of seasonal access to pastures and water. By way of conclusion, this article highlights the pitfalls of geospatial land surveys and fact-finding exercises that unearth and lay bare a boundary conflict previously hidden from the state’s view. Through enhanced legibility, rural communities may become visible to the state, risking dispossession and evictions.

Indicator-Based Soil Moisture Monitoring of Wetlands by Utilizing Sentinel and Landsat Remote Sensing Data

Precise and region-wide information about soil moisture with a high spatial resolution is required for river flood plains to fulfil statutory provisions from the EU Water Framework Directive. Influenced by constraints like precipitation and vegetation cover, this complex parameter is often measured point-by-point. Continuous soil moisture products derived from remote sensing are currently available only at coarse spatial resolutions. In this context, plants are of special interest, as their growth and distribution is determined by soil properties. Plant characteristics can be utilized as indicators or proxies of mean soil moisture. This study focuses on the derivation of top soil layer moisture content based on these indicator values by synergistically utilizing different methods and active as well as passive sensors. Subsequently, a joint model was developed to derive a high spatial resolution soil moisture product for the investigated wetlands. This model reached a coefficient of determination of 0.93. The result is valuable to many different user groups like water or nature conservation authorities of all administrative levels. The implementation is mainly based on Sentinel-1 and -2 along with Landsat data sets. The high repetition rate of the Sentinel sensors can increase the classification accuracy of the bio-indicators by a precise mapping of the phenological stages. The results indicate that the method is transferable to other riparian areas to a certain degree. In addition, a time series analysis covering a period of 16 years based on a soil moisture index derived from Landsat data sets was realized. Changes in soil moisture, following restoration measures, emerge clearly and thus allow for a remote sensing-based monitoring of restoration success.

How difficult is it to reintroduce a dragonfly? Fifteen years monitoring Leucorrhinia dubia at the receiving site

Conservation translocations (including reintroductions) are potentially powerful tools for wildlife conservation, and their use has increased worldwide. However, most studies have focused on vertebrates, with the long-term impact and ecological progress of translocations being neglected. Moreover, such projects rarely target insects. The present study reports the long-term persistence of a population of Leucorrhinia dubia (Odonata: Libellulidae) reintroduced to artificially created bog pools in the Czech Republic. Eighty (pen)ultimate instar L. dubia larvae were translocated in 2001, and the dragonfly assemblage at the reintroduction site was monitored for 15years following larvae release. In 2015–2017, the capture-mark-recapture method, the Jolly-Seber model, and exuviae collection were used to evaluate the demography of the translocated population. Microsatellite analysis was performed to assess the genetic variability of source and reintroduced populations. Over the monitored period, population size increased (80 larvae released vs. 108–115 exuviae and 75 adults at the end of the study) and L. dubia became a dominant species, whereas the composition and abundance of the local dragonfly assemblage were not substantially changed. These results indicate that reintroductions are effective measures for dragonfly conservation, as translocating a relatively small number of individuals led to the establishment of a self-sustaining population. Using (pen)ultimate instar larvae was optimal for dragonfly translocation, but the availability of a high-quality habitat and the active collaboration with nature conservation authorities were vital for the successful outcome. Genetic analysis suggested that the translocated population might serve as a source of genetic variation for the original population, if depleted.

Taxonomic checklist of the day geckos of the genera Phelsuma GRAY, 1825 and Rhoptropella HEWITT, 1937 (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

The day geckos of the genus Phelsuma have their center of diversity in Madagascar and the adjacent archipelagos in the western Indian Ocean, especially the Mascarenes, Comoros and Seychelles. Their brilliant colours, diurnal activity, and interesting behaviours have resulted in a long lasting high demand for the pet trade. Accordingly, the international trade of all Phelsuma species is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Floras (CITES) where all species are included in CITES appendix II. In order to facilitate operating and control of these regulations by national and international nature conservation authorities we provide an updated taxonomic checklist for all species and subspecies of the genus Phelsuma and for Rhoptropella ocellata (a taxon resurrected from the synonymy of Phelsuma). Since a few species (especially P. dubia, P. grandis and P. laticauda) have become invasive across different countries and political territories, updated distributional data is also provided. Although a substantial number of the currently accepted taxa is well defined, the taxonomy of several species and subspecies is in need of revision and taxonomic changes are expected in future. We designate Phelsuma ornatum Gray, 1825 as type species of the genus Colobopus Fitzinger, 1843 in order to allow an unambiguous interpretation of this genus name.

Taxonomic checklist of chameleons (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae)

Due to their often brilliant colours, diurnal activity, and fascinating behaviours there is a long lasting high demand for chameleons in the pet trade. Accordingly, the international trade of most chameleon genera is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Floras (CITES). In order to facilitate operating and control of these regulations by national and international nature conservation authorities an updated taxonomic checklist of the family Chamaeleonidae (202 species plus 23 subspecies in 12 genera) is provided. A comparison with the last taxonomic checklist published in 1997 (132 species plus 39 subspecies in six genera) demonstrates the enormous progress in chameleon taxonomy and systematics in recent years. Although a substantial number of the currently accepted taxa are well defined, the taxonomy of several species and subspecies is in need of revision and many new species both from Africa and Madagascar still await their scientific description.

Preferences of International Tourists for Conserving Ecosystem Services at Langtang National Park (Nepal)

The establishment and management of protected areas are costly, and nature conservation authorities especially in developing countries face huge problems in financing these costs. While it is well established that effective biodiversity conservation increases the attractiveness of a protected area for visitors, the management effectiveness in many parks suffers from the lack of funds. This paper deals with the willingness to pay of international visitors for an increase of admission fees in order to cover management costs in a prominent national park in Nepal (Langtang national park). The results of the on-site survey indicate that international visitors would be willing to pay entry fees that are much higher than those currently charged (local visitors are currently exempt from paying entry fees). Compared to the existing entry fees of 30 USD, visitors would – on average – be willing to pay about 64 USD per visit. An econometric estimation of the determinants of WTP shows that visitors whose experience in the park is above average are also willing to pay higher entry fees. In addition, visitors would also accept temporary or spatial restrictions of access if these policies would improve the conservation of biodiversity. With respect to conclusions regarding the management of protected areas, the study clearly shows that entry fees of international visitors may be significantly increased in order to broaden the financial basis for effective and efficient biodiversity conservation with the ultimate goal of sharing the benefits of conservation with the local population.

Household Firewood Utilization Around the Hlathikulu Forest Reserve, South Africa

A study to define firewood use and sustainability was commissioned by South Africa’s Kwazulu-Natal nature conservation authorities to define current use around a small afromontane forest reserve situated in the Maputaland – Pondoland – Albany biodiversity hotspot and resource availability within that reserve in order to plan the delivery of alternatives and preserve the forest. As a step in this process, a total of 121 rural households were surveyed to define current use patterns. The results regarding firewood particulars are presented here for the first time. Rural communities used and average of 134 firewood bundles per year, representing an annual volume of 25.4 m 3 firewood. Firewood bundles lasted six days in summer and two days in winter. While 29 woody species were used, six species constituted the bulk of utilisation (70.8% of volume). Among these, Diospyros dichrophylla (5th position, 7.90% of volume used) is an abundant rapidly growing shrub occurring on degraded forest sections or fallow fields, with potential as an alternative firewood resource. The study results highlight the reliance on firewood (>90% households).

Control of the toxic plantColchicum autumnalein semi‐natural grasslands: effects of cutting treatments on demography and diversity

SummarySemi‐natural grasslands are important habitats for the conservation of biodiversity in Europe. High population densities of toxicColchicum autumnalein these grasslands may cause problems for livestock and the marketing of hay. Consequently, farmers may either intensify grassland management to reduceC. autumnalein the fodder or abandon the land; both practices will lead to a loss of biodiversity. Previous studies suggesting early cutting to controlC. autumnaledid not consider population dynamics and the effects on plant diversity.We conducted a four‐year experiment in six regions within Austria and Germany, applying five cutting treatments in 16C. autumnalepopulations to test the effects of cutting date and frequency onC. autumnaleand co‐occurring vegetation. Demographic data were evaluated with matrix population models, life‐table response experiment (LTRE),anovaandmanova. Vegetation data were analysed with multiresponse permutation procedures (MRPP),anovaandmanova.Population growth rate was significantly reduced in plots cut in early and late May compared to plots cut in June (control).Plants cut in late April or early May showed the lowest survival probability. Significantly fewer large vegetative plants developed capsules in the following year when cut in early or late May.LTREanalysis showed that differences in the population growth rate between the control and early cut treatments were mainly the result of a reduced survival and growth and an increased retrogression to smaller stages.Multiresponse permutation procedures revealed no differences in vegetation composition between treatments except for one site in 2011. There were no differences in Shannon index, evenness or species turnover rate within any year.Synthesis and applications. The greatest reduction in vitality ofColchicum autumnalewas observed in grasslands cut in late April or early May. After three years of early cutting, no reduction in plant species diversity was observed. The second cut should be postponed to July to enable seed shed of plants. Grassland management decisions to control toxicC. autumnalemust be made in close cooperation with nature conservation authorities to consider site characteristics and requirements of endangered species.

The Role of Published Information in Reviewing Conservation Objectives for Natura 2000 Protected Areas in the European Union

Protected areas are designated to protect species and other features known to be present at the time of designation, but over time the information about the presence of protected species may change and this should call for a continued review of conservation objectives. Published scientific literature is one of the possible information sources that would trigger a review of conservation objectives. We studied how published data on new discoveries of protected animal species were taken into account by the nature conservation authorities in updating species lists of Natura 2000 sites in the European Union, which are the basis for conservation planning at the site-level. Over the period studied (2000-2011) only 40% of published new protected species records were recognized by the authorities. The two main reasons for this seem to be a reliance on other sources of information by authorities and the difficulty in finding relevant information in scientific papers. The latter is because published faunistic information is very fragmented among different journals, and often insufficient in details. We recommend better cooperation between authors, publishers, and nature conservation authorities in terms of information presentation, publishing policy, and a regular review of published information.