Species of national management interest
"Arter av nasjonal forvaltningsinteresse" (species of national management interest) is an umbrella term for species that receive particular attention in public administration. It covers both species that need protection (threatened species, responsibility species, protected species) and species that cause harm (blacklisted alien species). The dataset is distributed by Miljødirektoratet (the Norwegian Environment Agency) and builds on records registered in Artskart, run by Artsdatabanken (the species database).
The dataset is categorised by a number of selection criteria:
- Threatened on the Norwegian red list (the categories CR critically endangered, EN endangered, VU vulnerable)
- Responsibility species (Norway holds at least 25% of the European or Nordic population)
- Priority species under naturmangfoldloven § 23 (the Nature Diversity Act)
- Protected under naturmangfoldloven chapter V
- Near threatened (NT)
On the other side, the dataset separates out blacklisted alien species with a high ecological risk under forskrift om fremmede organismer (the regulations on alien organisms).
The duty to investigate and take account of biodiversity in public decisions follows from naturmangfoldloven §§ 7 til 12 (knowledge base, the precautionary principle, cumulative impact, the cost of environmental degradation, environmentally sound techniques). Records on or near a property can trigger a requirement for a biological survey, an impact assessment under forskrift om konsekvensutredninger (the regulations on impact assessments), or mitigation measures in the building case. A dispensation from a zoning plan or a municipal master plan becomes similarly hard to grant when protected species are known to be affected.
"Priority species" under naturmangfoldloven § 23 is the highest protection status nationally. For each species, a separate priority regulation sets out that measures which can degrade the population status of the species are prohibited. Examples of priority species are dragehode (a plant), elvesandjeger (a beetle) and svarthalespove (a bird). These require a stricter impact assessment than red list species in general.
For particularly vulnerable species, location information is screened (sensitive species data), and access must be obtained through Statsforvalteren (the county governor) or the municipality's environmental authority. Screening typically applies to nesting sites for birds of prey and growing sites for rare vascular plants. Publicly available species data in Artskart, run by Artsdatabanken, and in Miljødirektoratet's Naturbase show only the observations that are not screened, so a map check alone is not enough for a complete risk assessment. A biological survey carried out by a qualified biologist is the only way to clarify the status of any sensitive species locations on a specific site.
In Placepoint, the species data is shown as part of the Nature map layer, so that early in an acquisition you can see whether a property has registered records of species of national management interest on or around it. An empty map view does not mean that data is missing for sensitive species, only that this data is not publicly available.
How the dataset appears on the map
The dataset is part of the map layer Nature as Species of national management interest:
From Placepoint's dictionary: Species of national management interest
More information: Miljødirektoratet: Arter av nasjonal forvaltningsinteresse, Lovdata: Naturmangfoldloven, Artsdatabanken: Artskart, Store norske leksikon: rødliste
English: Species of national management interest (Norwegian Environment Agency category).
Frequently asked questions
What are species of national management interest?
These are species classified as threatened, as responsibility species or as protected in Norway, and managed by Miljødirektoratet and Artsdatabanken. Location information about these species can be partly screened to protect them (sensitive species data).
Why are these species relevant to property developers?
Records of protected or threatened species on or near a property can stop a development project or delay it significantly. The authorities can require an impact assessment or refuse a dispensation for measures in such areas.
How can I find out whether there are protected species on a site?
You can search in Artskart, run by Artsdatabanken, and in Miljødirektoratet's Naturbase. Some location information is screened for the safety of the species, and requires contact with Statsforvalteren or the municipality's environmental authority.
What is the difference between threatened species and alien species?
Threatened species are species at risk of disappearing from Norway that need protection. Alien species are species that do not naturally belong in Norwegian nature and can threaten biodiversity.
What should you do early in a property development to map species risk?
It is advisable to order a biological survey early in the process, particularly for undeveloped land. Such a survey reveals whether protected species are present and gives a basis for risk assessment.