Naturmangfoldloven
Naturmangfoldloven (the Nature Diversity Act) is the law that protects nature, biological diversity and ecological processes. For the property and development sector it matters because consideration for biodiversity can limit what you can build on a plot, and because the law applies alongside the plan- og bygningsloven (the Planning and Building Act): even if a measure complies with the reguleringsplan (zoning plan), it must also be assessed against naturmangfoldloven.
The law, formally the lov om forvaltning av naturens mangfold (act on the management of nature's diversity), sets out overarching principles that public decisions must build on. Central to it is the requirement that the consequences for biodiversity must be knowledge-based, that the precautionary principle applies where there is uncertainty, and that the total load on an ecosystem must be assessed, not just the individual measure in isolation. The kommune and other authorities must apply these principles when they process a reguleringsplan, a dispensasjon (exemption) or a building case. In practice, this means a development proposal can be stopped or changed if it affects threatened species, important habitat types or areas worth protecting.
The law also provides concrete instruments. It authorises various forms of protection, from national parks and nature reserves to smaller areas, and it regulates priority species and selected habitat types that have special protection wherever they occur. The knowledge base comes from sources including Artsdatabanken (The species database) and is mapped as arter av nasjonal forvaltningsinteresse (species of national management interest) and habitat type mapping, which often appear as separate map layers in land management. The presence of a threatened species or an important habitat type on a property is something a developer must clarify early, because it can trigger requirements for mapping, mitigating measures or, in the worst case, a halt.
Naturmangfoldloven is closely linked to the konsekvensutredning (impact assessment). For larger plans and measures, the effects on biodiversity must be assessed as part of the planning process, and the findings form the basis for hensynssoner (consideration zones) and provisions in the plan. For a property professional, the point is that natural values are not something you discover at the end, but a factor you should map as soon as you assess the development potential of a property.
It is worth noting that naturmangfoldloven applies regardless of property boundaries. A registered natural value follows the occurrence in the terrain, not the matrikkel, and can extend across several properties or affect only part of a plot. For a developer, this means two neighbouring plots can have entirely different constraints, and that mapping must relate to the physical area, not just to the property as a legal unit.
In Placepoint you can see relevant nature and environment data as map layers over a property, so you get an early picture of whether there are registered natural values that could affect a development.
How the dataset appears in the map
The dataset is part of the map layer Nature:
From Placepoint's dictionary: Naturmangfoldloven
More information: Naturmangfoldloven, Miljødirektoratet, Artsdatabanken
English: The Nature Diversity Act (naturmangfoldloven; the Norwegian law on conserving biological diversity, applied alongside the Planning and Building Act).
Frequently asked questions
What is naturmangfoldloven?
It is the law that protects nature and biological diversity. For development it matters because it applies alongside plan- og bygningsloven, and consideration for biodiversity can limit what you can build on a plot.
Does naturmangfoldloven apply even if the measure follows the reguleringsplan?
Yes. A measure can comply with the reguleringsplan and still have to be assessed against naturmangfoldloven. If it affects threatened species or important habitat types, it can be changed or stopped.
Which principles does the law build on?
That decisions must be knowledge-based, that the precautionary principle applies where there is uncertainty, and that the total load on an ecosystem is assessed, not just the individual measure.
Where does the knowledge about natural values come from?
From sources including Artsdatabanken and habitat type mapping, which is mapped as arter av nasjonal forvaltningsinteresse and used in land management.
When should a developer clarify biodiversity?
Early. The presence of a threatened species or an important habitat type can trigger requirements for mapping and mitigating measures, and you should assess it as soon as you look at the development potential, ideally through a konsekvensutredning.