Review of grassland habitats and development of distribution maps of heathland/scrub habitats of EUNIS habitats classification.

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The EU and global biodiversity targets for 2020 call for an enhanced capability of monitoring, reporting and assessing progress in the thematic area of biodiversity. A review of the available tools used to describe components of biodiversity at a European scale is a necessary preparatory action to meet the needs of the new biodiversity targets.The EEA hosts and maintains the biodiversity data centre, where European data sets and information on the sites, species and habitats of Europe are published. Together with data sets provided by other environmental data centres, these data sets support the assessment of progress in achieving biodiversity targets as shown in the biodiversity information system for Europe (BISE ).The EEA has developed the European nature information system (EUNIS) habitat classification and maintains it as part of the biodiversity data centre. The aim of the EUNIS habitat classification is to provide a pan-European reference set of habitat units with a common unit description within a hierarchical classification aiming to fulfil specific objectives and support specific applications related to biodiversity monitoring and reporting at the European scale. Such applications include reporting for the implementation of the EU Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention, as well as providing information in the context of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and the Regional Development Funds. A European standard list of habitat types is also necessary for the implementation of the Inspire Directive, to which other national or regional classifications will have to make reference to be comparable.Further to the above, the EEA is participating in the mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services (MAES), an activity within the framework of the EU biodiversity strategy. Relevant to this activity, and in support of the ecosystem assessment of Europe, is the development of a baseline for documenting, monitoring and assessing the quality of habitats across Europe, by analysing existing 'in situ' vegetation monitoring data in accordance with the EUNIS habitat classification.The services to be provided are divided into 2 work packages:work package 1: review of EUNIS — level 3 grassland habitats;work package 2: distribution maps and descriptions of heathland/scrub habitats.