High-latitude EU Habitats Directive species at risk due to climate change and land use

The Habitats Directive of the European Union is a key legislative instrument in Europe, supporting conservation rare, threatened or endemic species. It aims at ensuring that species listed Annexes show favourable status, i.e., they are able to maintain viable populations and their natural range sufficient not decreasing currently, nor will future. However, climate change may hamper achieving (or maintaining) particularly when these impacts amplified by adverse land use. Here, we studied Finland for which ?70% occurrences were recorded with resolution ?100 m. number occurrence sites 52 ranged from one site 13,653 sites, summing up 19,367 sites. For all surroundings, assessed vulnerabilities caused exposure was measured based on rapidity climatic changes (i.e. velocity) three variables (growing degree days, mean January air temperature, water balance) each site. Risks use using two negative four positive respectively described quantity cover habitats either harmful (e.g. clear-cut forest drained peatlands) supportive (protected areas suitable habitats) occurrences. To complement land-use variables, additional describing protection status same landscape examined. Comparison vulnerability values showed some inhabit, average, high exposure. Moreover, certain change-induced consistently coincide many there large variation levels between individual concerning both variables. Considering due separately, 40–60% expected face rapid summer winter temperatures, presents challenges maintaining status. Our results also revealed numerous where velocity coincided amount low habitat, climate-wise planning could be targeted.