Indicateur: Ecosystem and habitats with important and significant features of the protected area, Land cover and Land use
Sous indicateur: Ecosystem and habitats with important and significant features of the protected area
Based on a number of ecosystem and habitat-related parameters (external = irreplaceability and internal = specific features of the protected area), the manager determines the specific features of terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems and habitats in the protected area which should be monitored over time.
Note: Habitat evaluation is still emerging as a discipline, since it is highly complex. The classification provides for the following division of territory: Biome, Ecoregion, Ecosystem, Habitat. Habitat characteristics/values can be assessed as:

i) under threat of extinction (within their natural range),
ii) having a reduced natural range,
iii) in decline,
iv) an outstanding example of specific characteristics, etc.

Identification can assess habitats also as being specifically for:

i) reproduction,
ii) nutrition,
iii) species protection, etc.

Reliability of information

High: methodology that is officially recognised
Medium: methodology that is not officially recognised
Poor: non-existent methodology, information is usually estimated