Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (AlnoPadion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae) (habitat code 91E0) is a habitat listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. This habitat’s name is often shortened to “alluvial woodland” in Ireland. Under the Habitats Directive, member states must designate a representative national sample of each habitat listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). The criteria for undertaking the selection of sites is set out in Annex III of the Directive. A series of Biogeographical Seminars between EU Member States in the Atlantic region and the EU Commission, and subsequent bilateral meetings between Ireland and the EU Commission, established that the network of terrestrial SACs meets EU sufficiency targets for the protection of Ireland’s habitats and species. The Habitats Directive also defines favourable conservation status of a habitat across the entire national resource, including areas outside SACs. Under Article 17 of the Directive, Member States are required to report on the national conservation status of each habitat listed in Annex I every six years.
The EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) entered into force on 18 August 2024. It sets out a framework for EU Member States to restore nature, with legally binding targets for the restoration of a wide range of ecosystems; namely rivers, forests, oceans, urban and agricultural areas, and including protected habitats and species. The NRR reflects the ambition of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 by making provision for the non-deterioration of the condition of habitats that are listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. Article 4(12) of the Regulation indicates that “…….Member States shall, by the date of publication of their national restoration plans in accordance with Article 17(6) of this Regulation, endeavour to put in place necessary measures with the aim of preventing significant deterioration of areas where the habitat types listed in Annex I to this Regulation occur and which are in good condition or are necessary to meet the restoration targets set out in paragraph 17 of this Article.” Annex I of the NRR comprises the list of habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive, including Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (AlnoPadion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)..
