Description

The Indicator describes the extension, measured in hectares, of Site of Community Importance (SCI) and/or Special Protection Areas (SPA) in the study area.

These indicators assess whether the study area is classified as a protected area or is within a protected area belonging to Natura 2000 network.

Scale as linked to D2.2 framework

• City
• Neighborhood

Data source [ link to data framework]

• Natura 2000

Data needs

• Information on spatial distribution of SCI and SPA. Each EU Member has a Natura 2000 webpage, where the SCI and SPA maps can be consulted and, in some cases, downloaded. Considering that areas eligible as SCI are proposed to the Commission by the State Members, information from local authorities are needed.

Expected Outputs

• Ha

Calculation methods

• The indicator is easily calculated using a simple GIS routine, as follows:
  •  The intersection between the shapefile of the SCI and SPA and the shapefile of the study area is achieved using the geoprocessing tool “Intersect”;
  • The spatial extension of the output of the previous step, i.e., the portion of SCI and SPA falling within the study area, is calculated using the “calculate geometry” tool.

Links and references

• Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (art 1 k).