Ground Beetles as characteristic Species according to Article 1 of the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive in Bavaria's Forests and Bogs

The evaluation criterion of the "characteristic species" of the EU Habitats Directive (FFH Directive) is so far ambiguous and undefined. A new application-oriented approach and a scientifically based definition is presented, using the example of ground beetles in natural forest and bog habitats. Characteristic species are thus to be distinguished clearly from character species, around which most former suggested definitions have centered. Contrary to these characteristic species are not confined to one habitat type, but only have a statistically significant affinity to this habitat and thus occur there preferentially and frequently. A second prerequisite is an attachment to at least one key habitat characteristic of the habitat in question, although not necessarily to all key characteristics. The definition is thus aimed at usage in the context of applications, especially the evaluation of all measures that can alter the conservation status of the habitats and their key characteristics, i.e. in proper assessments of plans and projects as foreseen in article 6(3). Further applications exist in the habitat management (article 6(1)), in linking of occurring and missing characteristic species to habitat characteristics of the habitat to be evaluated.