Regional Mountain Conference

Effective biodiversity conservation in the Alps requires coordinated, transnational approaches that reconcile regulatory obligations, national priorities, and scientific evidence.  

This contribution presents a methodological framework developed to support Alpine-wide cooperation on species and habitat conservation under the Alpine Convention. 

The methodology builds on consolidated reference lists of Alpine species and terrestrial habitats, integrating regulatory elements from the Bern Convention and the EU Habitats Directive with national “Alpine complements” provided by Alpine countries. These complements reflect country-specific conservation priorities, including nationally threatened species and red-listed elements. The framework is designed to remain dynamic, allowing updates as national priorities evolve or new scientific data become available. 

A transparent scoring system underpins the guidance process. Species and habitats are assessed using harmonised European and Alpine datasets based on conservation status, biogeographical responsibility and trends. It addresses, as well, challenges related to the harmonisation of reference systems, drawing on Natura 2000 and EUNIS classifications.  

Expert input is incorporated through a structured consultation process, carried out in collaboration with the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA), to address existing data limitations and ensure scientific robustness and practical applicability. 

The resulting reference lists and scoring outputs provide a common baseline for policy alignment, joint conservation actions, and the identification of knowledge gaps requiring further research and monitoring. 

This framework offers a replicable, evidence-based tool to strengthen coordinated biodiversity conservation across the Alpine macro-region and to support the implementation and updating of Alpine Convention commitments.