Interpreting ‘favourable conservation status’ for large carnivores in Europe: how many are needed and how many are wanted?

摘要: The EU Habitats Directive is a key biodiversity conservation instrument. It contains legal obligations for the 28 member states in order to safeguard ‘favourable status’ (FCS) selected species and habitat types. crucial FCS concept itself, however, remains subject considerable confusion regarding its proper interpretation operationalization, impairing Directive’s effective implementation. Diminishing this purpose of review. focuses specifically on large carnivores—wolf (Canis lupus), brown bear (Ursus arctos), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) wolverine (Gulo gulo). These pose particular challenges, given their low densities, transboundary populations, human-wildlife conflict potential. Large carnivores are also only which specific guidance has been adopted by European Commission—and subsequently contested. Our methodology combines analysis with an understanding species’ ecology associated social, economic cultural dimensions. We analyze methods processes through law interpreted, implemented, enforced, states, Commission, Court Justice—which ultimate authority interpretation. On that basis, we engage three particularly complex questions great practical significance: (1) appropriate scale achieve (national or population level); (2) respective roles demographic, genetic ecological factors determining FCS; (3) use extinction versus carrying capacity as benchmark. Regarding these questions, identify approaches workable effective, well likely be endorsed Court.