A set of criteria (the
Texel-Faial criteria)
(PDF, 125kb) have been developed by
OSPAR Contracting Parties to help identify
species, habitats and ecological processes that are in need of
protection. JNCC contributed to the development of the criteria
which were formally adopted by OSPAR in 2003, and to a process for
their application.
The criteria have been used to develop an initial list of
species and habitats that are considered to be under immediate
threat or subject to rapid decline. Further work has been
undertaken to develop
case studies (PDF, 6.4mb) to support the listing of these
species and habitats, leading to their adoption by OSPAR in 2003
and update in 2004 as the
'initial
list' (PDF, 126kb). Work is underway to assess possible
programmes and measures which may be necessary to help improve the
status of each species and habitat and to assess monitoring and
assessment needs. JNCC is leading a programme to map the 14
habitats on the list.