MINISTRY OF ECONOMY Guidelines for the Regulation Impact Assessment
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Describe how the new regulation can affect bio-diversity. Will it
change the number of species in the area involved or the number of
protected species and their habitats?
According to the Nature Protection Act of April 16, 2004, (Journal of
Laws 2004, No. 92, item 880) bio-diversity is the diversity of organisms
living in ecosystems within one species and among many species, and
also the diversity of the ecosystems..
Poland bio-diversity policy is largely shaped by the Community policy,
especially two important Directives: the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC
and the Birds Directive 79/409/EEC.
The proposed solution may have an adverse effect on bio-diversity if it
causes:
• a direct loss of habitats (e.g., after changing the land use
structure, de-forestation, construction),
• deterioration of habitats’ quality after contaminating air, soil,
and water,
• fragmentation of habitats (e.g., by cutting a road through a
habitat),
• adverse effects on system sustaining factors (e.g., change of the
water table, especially at marshy areas),
• disturbing human activity, in this, road traffic, airplanes,
installations,
• wrong management of the ground surface and sea ecosystems.
A good influence on bio-diversity may be exerted by solutions
preventing the above-mentioned activities or lead to the creation of new
habitats.
Tip: While investigating whether the new proposal will have an impact on this type
of areas, we should especially carefully determine its effects on the Natura 2000
network and on other areas of great natural value. The list of all Natura 2000 network
areas
is
given
on
the
Environment
Ministry’s
Web
site
(http://natura2000.mos.gov.pl/natura2000).
•
Describe how, if at all, the regulation will cause changes in the
landscape. Will it cause landscape de-fragmetnation or change its
aesthetic values?
Landscape is the external appearance of the Earth surface resulting from
the interaction of the surface shape, surface waters, weather conditions,
animals, vegetation, and the action of man.
When investigating the impact of a new solution, we need to find out
whether it can:
• lead to changes in the land use and agricultural cultivation (e.g.,
change of the crops, crop growing for the first time in an area,
de-forestation and forestation, draining marshlands),
• lead to residential or industrial building on former farm land,
• spoil the character of local landscape,
• exert adverse effect on national parks, landscape parks, other
areas of exceptional landscape values,
Bio-diversity
Landscape