In order to establish Special Protection Areas (SPA), a designation under the EU Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, it is necessary to develop management plans. Firstly, it is important to gather data about the distribution and condition of different bird species populations in the respective areas. Then, specific measures to preserve their habitats and possible conflicts are identified. The Forest Research Institute (FVA) of Baden-Wuerttemberg is responsible for the data collection in forests. UNIQUE mapped nine bird species on 15,000 hectares of forest on behalf of the FVA and was responsible for the digital processing of the results. Recorded bird species’ occurrences included: the grey-faced, middle-spotted and black woodpecker, eurasian pygmy and boreal owl, stock pigeon, western bonelli’s warbler, capercaillie and the black stork.

• Delineation of possible habitats based on digital data and aerial photos (GIS).
• Local expert interviews on the topic of species’ distribution.
• Coordination of field mapping performed by specialized ornithologists.
• Final digitalization of habitats and areas where special protection measures will be implemented.
• Report writing as a basis for a future management plan.