Results from the Working Group on Forests
Led by Dr. Rüdiger Burkhardt, the Federal Government and Länder Working Group FFH-Berichtspflichten Wälder (Reporting Obligations for Forests Listed in the Habitats Directive) completed its work in summer 2003. Using the working group’s results, the Interstate Working Group on Nature Conservation (LANA) and the Forest Management Committee (FCK) drew up cross-Länder recommendations for implementation of the Habitats Directive in forests. The results were confirmed both by LANA and FCK and thus form the basis for a common approach to nature conservation and forest management.
The following 
assessment matrix, PDF, in German was drawn up for thirteen forest habitat types.
Parameters were agreed for the three underlying assessment criteria applied to each habitat type.
Habitat Structures
- Occurrence of areas showing differing
stages of forest development taking into account the degree of overlap, the presence of old tree stocks and the occurrence of stratification.
- Occurrence of dead wood
- Occurrence of habitat trees and old trees.
Characteristic Species Inventory
- Numbers of tree and shrub species, taking rejuvenation into account.
- Characteristic occurrence of ground vegetation.
Although inclusion of information on the occurrence of characteristic animal species is a Länder responsibility, it is nonetheless recommended. In the case of highly important forest habitats as regards fauna (alluvial hardwood forests), the animal species inventory appears especially suited for assessment purposes.
Adverse Effects
Occurrence of specific adverse effects from four defined groups:
- Damage to soil and water resources
- Damage to forest vegetation and structure
- Occurrence of characteristic indicators
- Fragmentation and disturbance.
The threshold values applied to the various classification parameters in each assessment level are highlighted grey in the assessment matrices. Setting the threshold values is a Länder responsibility and must be based on regional and physiographic conditions and features.
The minimum requirements agreed for identification and assessment of forest habitats and recommendations on specific assessment parameters and threshold values have also been published in 
Natur und Landschaft 2004 (Issue 7). The article contains comments on drawing up management plans, monitoring under Article 11 and reporting obligations under Article 17.
