Natura 2000

Last updated
Natura 2000
Founded1992
TypeNetwork of nature protection areas
Area served
European Union
Website ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/

Natura 2000 is a network of nature protection areas in the territory of the European Union. It is made up of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas designated under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive, respectively. The network includes both terrestrial and Marine Protected Areas.

Contents

The Natura 2000 network covered more than 18% of the European Union's land area and more than 7% of its marine area in 2022. [1]

History

In May 1992, the governments of the European Communities adopted legislation designed to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. The Habitats Directive complements the Birds Directive adopted in 1979, and together they make up the Natura 2000 network of protected areas.

The Birds Directive requires the establishment of Special Protection Areas for birds. The Habitats Directive similarly requires Sites of Community Importance which upon the agreement of the European Commission become Special Areas of Conservation to be designated for species other than birds, and for habitat types (e.g. particular types of forest, grasslands, wetlands, etc.). Together, Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation form the Natura 2000 network of protected areas.

The Natura 2000 network is the EU contribution to the "Emerald network" of Areas of Special Conservation Interest set up under the Bern Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats. Natura 2000 is also a key contribution to the Program of Work of Protected Areas of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

As a prerequisite for joining the EU, accession states have to submit proposals for Natura 2000 sites meeting the same criteria as EU member states. Some new member states have large areas which qualify to be protected under the directives, and implementation has not always been simple. [2]

The Natura 2000 sites are selected by member states and the European Commission following strictly scientific criteria according to the two directives mentioned above. The Special Protection Areas are designated directly by each EU member state, while the Special Areas of Conservation follow a more elaborate process: each EU member state must compile a list of the best wildlife areas containing the habitats and species listed in the Habitats Directive; this list must then be submitted to the European Commission, after which an evaluation and selection process on European level will take place in order to become a Natura 2000 site.

The Habitats Directive divides the EU territory into nine biogeographic regions, [3] each with its own ecological coherence. Natura 2000 sites are selected according to the conditions in each biogeographical region; thus selected sites represent species and habitat types under similar natural conditions across a suite of countries.

Each Natura 2000 site has a unique identification form called a standard data form. This form is used as a legal reference when assessing the management of the species and habitats through the concept of favourable conservation status. The Natura 2000 Viewer [4] is a tool to explore the network and gives access to every standard data form.

Current status

As of 2017, Natura 2000 protected 27,312 sites with a terrestrial area of 787,606 km2 (304,096 sq mi) (around 18 percent of land of the EU countries) and marine area of 360,350 km2 (139,130 sq mi), [5] and was considered almost complete in the EU terrestrial environment. The process of designation has not always been smooth as the infringement procedures against member states show. [6] While designation of sites may be near complete, the management and enforcement of protection on sites is less advanced and many sites lack management plans. [7] Natura 2000 faced criticism from developers, farmers and politicians who fear that the conservation of habitats and species places a brake on development. [8]

In 2013, there were 251,564 km2 (97,129 sq mi) designated as Natura 2000 in the marine environment. The network in marine areas is not considered complete and acknowledged by the Commission as a "key challenge for EU biodiversity policy in the coming years". [9]

Natura 2000 sites can vary considerably in character. They are not strictly protected in terms of how they are allowed to be used by people. Many sites are farmed, forested and some are even in urban areas. Other areas are much wilder. The European Commission developed guidelines on the relation between Natura 2000 and wild areas which are thought to make up around 13% of the network. [10] This was in response to a report by Members of the European Parliament in 2009 which called for further protection of Europe's wilderness. [11]

Raising awareness

The Natura 2000 network is not well known among European Union citizens; only 11% of citizens knew what it was in 2013. [12] As part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the European Commission committed to raise awareness about the network and biodiversity in general with the public.

In general, Natura 2000 Sites are seen like an interdiction for developing for most of the citizens. Since appeared in some area, the citizens saw only limitations and interdictions without any local advantages for the specific area. The confusion is even greater since in the designation process as a Natura 2000 Site, the local communities were not involved. The documentations for different areas were done by different NGO not belonging to specific areas without knowing the areas, with limited studies and ignoring the local communities interests. Due to this lack of awareness, most citizens do not know the consequence of belonging to a Natura 2000 Site.[ citation needed ]

Natura 2000 Day

In order to raise awareness about the Natura 2000 network, 21 May has been designated “Natura 2000 Day”. This precedes “International Day for Biological Diversity” on 22 May. The initiative came from SEO/BirdLife who sought and received funding from the EU LIFE+ programme in order to improve the knowledge of this network. [13]

In 2013, the first Natura 2000 day took place with the aim to raise awareness of citizens about the importance of Natura 2000 network in their lives. Since then, every May 21 and the weeks before, awareness actions take place all over Europe. For example, in 2014, school children and politicians across the EU were encouraged to make a butterfly gesture and post photos on social media to raise awareness. [14]

The Natura 2000 Award

The Natura 2000 Award [15] was launched by the European Commission in 2013, with the first prizes awarded on Natura 2000 Day in 2014. The annual Award aims to raise awareness about the Natura 2000 network, showcase excellence and encourage networking between people working on Natura 2000 sites.

It awards prizes to those working on the management of or to raise awareness about Natura 2000 in five award categories: Conservation; Socio-Economic Benefits; Communication; Reconciling Interests and Perceptions; Cross-Border Cooperation and Networking. In its first year, winners were selected from Bulgaria, Romania, Czech Republic, Belgium and Spain.

Controversy

The Natura 2000 legislation, notably with its habitats-test (or: habitats assessment, Article 6 of the Habitats Directive), dates back to the days climate change was not an issue and the concept of ecosystem services had not been well developed. Hence, in international law literature Kistenkas raised the question the habitats assessment was originally not designed for striking a balance of all relevant ecosystem services or to involve climate change into the assessment. [16] Although well protecting nature conservation objectives, a rethinking of the habitats assessment might be necessary in the light of a new climate law as part of e.g. the European Green Deal. [17]

In European law literature Borgstrom and Kistenkas have discussed some possible future incompatibilities of the Natura 2000 habitats-test with novel EU green infrastructure policies. [18]

In the late 2010s the habitats assessment was at the basis of the nitrogen crisis in the Netherlands as the EU Court (C-293/17 and C-294/17, ECLI:EU:C:2018:882) ruled on agriculture nearby Natura 2000 sites. [19]

In some other member states, such as Bulgaria, there was criticism a project had not been well communicated in advance. This led to construction in the Kaliakra zone of Bulgaria, including wind turbines and a golf course. Land owners have then been told they may not use their land in certain ways, otherwise non-compliance procedures would be used against Bulgaria. This led to protests by the land-owners. [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

A special protection area (SPA) is a designation under the European Union Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds. Under the Directive, Member States of the European Union (EU) have a duty to safeguard the habitats of migratory birds and certain particularly threatened birds. Together with special areas of conservation (SACs), the SPAs form a network of protected sites across the EU, called Natura 2000. Each SPA has an EU code – for example the North Norfolk Coast SPA has the code UK9009031.

A special area of conservation (SAC) is defined in the European Union's Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), also known as the Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora. They are to protect the 220 habitats and approximately 1,000 species listed in annex I and II of the directive which are considered to be of European interest following criteria given in the directive. They must be chosen from the sites of Community importance by the member states and designated SAC by an act assuring the conservation measures of the natural habitat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protected area</span> Areas protected for having ecological or cultural importance

Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. Protected areas are those areas in which human presence or the exploitation of natural resources is limited.

This is an index of conservation topics. It is an alphabetical index of articles relating to conservation biology and conservation of the natural environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981</span> United Kingdom legislation

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom implemented to comply with European Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds. In short, the act gives protection to native species, controls the release of non-native species, enhances the protection of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and builds upon the rights of way rules in the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. The Act is split into 4 parts covering 74 sections; it also includes 17 schedules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation status</span> Indication of the chance of extinction

The conservation status of a group of organisms indicates whether the group still exists and how likely the group is to become extinct in the near future. Many factors are taken into account when assessing conservation status: not simply the number of individuals remaining, but the overall increase or decrease in the population over time, breeding success rates, and known threats. Various systems of conservation status are in use at international, multi-country, national and local levels, as well as for consumer use such as sustainable seafood advisory lists and certification. The two international systems are by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bird reserve</span>

A bird reserve is a wildlife refuge designed to protect bird species. Like other wildlife refuges, the main goal of a reserve is to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct. Typically, bird species in a reserve are protected from hunting and habitat destruction. Because of the protection they provide from such threats, bird reserves also serve as excellent locations for bird watching. Normally, wildlife refuges are under the care of non-profit organizations and governmental institutions.

The Birds Directive is the oldest piece of EU legislation on the environment and one of its cornerstones which was unanimously adopted in April 1979 as the Directive 79/409/EEC. Amended in 2009, it became the Directive 2009/147/EC. It aims to protect all European wild birds and the habitats of listed species, in particular through the designation of Special Protection Areas.

A Site of Community Importance (SCI) is defined in the European Commission Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) as a site which, in the biogeographical region or regions to which it belongs, contributes significantly to the maintenance or restoration at a favourable conservation status of a natural habitat type or of a species and may also contribute significantly to the coherence of Natura 2000, and/or contributes significantly to the maintenance of biological diversity within the biogeographic region or regions concerned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poda Protected Area</span>

The nature conservation site Poda was declared a protected area in 1989 by the Bulgarian Ministry of Water and Environment. It was the first protected area in Bulgaria that is completely managed and maintained by a non-governmental organization, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB). BSPB prepares and implements activities adopted by the Council of Minister's Management Plan, but receives its funding completely from entrance fees, souvenirs sold, and donations. Through this arrangement, it aims to be a sustainable model for nature conservation, environmental education, and eco-tourism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montaña Palentina Natural Park</span> Natural park in Spain

Montaña Palentina is a natural park in the north of the province of Palencia in Castile and León, Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cantabrian capercaillie</span> Subspecies of bird

The Cantabrian capercaillie is a subspecies of the western capercaillie in the grouse family Tetraonidae. It is one of two subspecies found in Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LIFE programme</span>

The LIFE programme is the European Union's funding instrument for the environment and climate action. The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental and climate policy and legislation by co-financing projects with European added value. LIFE began in 1992 and to date there have been five phases of the programme. During this period, LIFE has co-financed some 4600 projects across the EU, with a total contribution of approximately 6.5 billion Euros to the protection of the environment and of climate. For the next phase of the programme (2021–2027) the European Commission proposed to raise the budget to 5.45 billion Euro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protected areas of Wales</span> Designated area for protection in Wales

Wales, a country that is part of the United Kingdom, contains protected areas under various designations. The largest designation by land area is Wales' three national parks, followed by the five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Protected Areas of the Azores are the basic administrative-territorial and conservation structures in the archipelago of the Azores and the surrounding oceans. The areas integrate the entirety of the Azores within its Exclusive Economic Zone, as well as the surrounding waters, under the international agreements and conventions. The network realizes the categorization of management for protected areas adopted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), adapting it to the specific geographical, environmental, cultural and political-administrative territory of the archipelago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coastal & Marine Union (EUCC)</span>

Coastal & Marine Union (EUCC) is a nonprofit organization with a membership of around 500 institutions, NGOs and experts, in 40 countries. Its network at large involves about 2500 professionals involved in coastal and marine management issues. Founded in 1989 with the aim of promoting coastal management by bridging the gap between scientists, environmentalists, site managers, planners and policy makers, it has grown into the largest network of coastal practitioners and experts in Europe, with 13 National Branches, an International Secretariat in Leiden, and offices in Barcelona (Spain), Biarritz (France), Warnemünde (Germany), Szczecin (Poland), Klaipeda (Lithuania) and Sliema (Malta). EUCC's working area is Europe and its neighbouring regions, especially the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protected areas of Scotland</span> Designated area for protection in Scotland

Many parts of Scotland are protected in accordance with a number of national and international designations because of their environmental, historical or cultural value. Protected areas can be divided according to the type of resource which each seeks to protect. NatureScot has various roles in the delivery of many environmental designations in Scotland, i.e. those aimed at protecting flora and fauna, scenic qualities and geological features. Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designations that protect sites of historic and cultural importance. Some international designations, such as World Heritage Sites, can cover both categories of site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation in Scotland</span>

This article gives an overview of the structure of environmental and cultural conservation in Scotland, a constituent country of the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biogeographic regions of Europe</span>

The biogeographic regions of Europe are biogeographic regions defined by the European Environment Agency. They were initially limited to the European Union member states, but later extended to cover all of Europe west of the Urals, including all of Turkey. The map of biogeographic regions is deliberately simplified and ignores local anomalies. It is intended primarily as a framework for coordinating and reporting overall results of conservation efforts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baixo Islet</span> Islet in the Azores, Portugal

Baixo Islet, also known locally as Ilhéu do Carapacho and historically as Ilhéu dos Homiziados, is a small uninhabited islet group located off the southeast coast of the island of Graciosa in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. Along with Praia Islet to its north, Baixo Islet is one of two main breeding places of Monteiro's storm petrel, an endemic marine bird of the Azores.

References

  1. ↑ JUSSIANT, Evelyne. "EC Library Guides: Biodiversity and nature protection: Natura 2000 network". ec-europa-eu.libguides.com. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  2. ↑ Abran, Peter (January 2012). "Gospodărirea pădurilor în siturile Nature 2000 din România - probleme prezente și perspective" [Forest management in the Natura 2000 ecological network in Romania – present problems and perspectives](PDF). Revista pădurilor (in Romanian). 127 (1): 21–27. ISSN   1583-7890. 16782. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-07-15. Retrieved 9 August 2023. (abstract in English on p. 27.)
  3. ↑ "The Natura 2000 Biogeographical Regions". European Commission Directorate-General for Environment. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  4. ↑ Natura 2000 network viewer last retrieved 31-10-14
  5. ↑ Natura 2000 Barometer last retrieved 14 July 2017.
  6. ↑ DG Environment (31 March 2022). Annual Activity Report 2021 (PDF) (Report). Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission. p. 11. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023. Action was taken against 9 Member States to ensure the completion of the Natura 2000 network and the adequate conservation of the Special Areas of Conservation, and was pursued against 5 Member States to address the insufficient protection of species and habitats in decline due to infrastructure projects, agricultural practices or illegal logging.
  7. ↑ "On the Road to Recovery?" (PDF). BirdLife International. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  8. ↑ Beunen, Raoul; Van Assche, Kristof; Duineveld, Martijn (2013). "Performing failure in conservation policy: The implementation of European Union directives in the Netherlands". Land Use Policy. 31: 280–288. doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2012.07.009.
  9. ↑ European Commission Natura 2000 in the marine environment last retrieved 31-10-14
  10. ↑ European Commission Wilderness in Europe last retrieved 31-10-14
  11. ↑ MEPs Respond to Call to Protect Europe last retrieved 04-02-09
  12. ↑ "Attitudes towards Biodiversity. Flash Eurobarometer 379" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2014-04-29. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  13. ↑ "Project Life Activates your true wealth". Archived from the original on 4 December 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  14. ↑ "Natura 2000 Day". www.natura2000day.eu. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  15. ↑ "European Natura 2000 Award - European Commission". ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  16. ↑ Frederik Hendrik Kistenkas, Innovating European nature conservation law by introducing ecosystem services, GAiA 23/2 (2014): 88-92
  17. ↑ Frederik Hendrik Kistenkas, Rethinking European Nature Conservation Legislation: Towards Sustainable Development, Journal for European Environmental & Planning Law (JEEPL) 2013 10/1 72-84, https://brill.com/view/journals/jeep/10/1/article-p72_6.xml?lang=en, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/18760104-01001005(subscription+required)
  18. ↑ Suvi Borgström, Frederik H. Kistenkas, 'The Compatibility of the Habitats Directive with the Novel EU Green Infrastructure Policy' (2014) 23 European Energy and Environmental Law Review, Issue 2, pp. 36–44. http://www.kluwerlawonline.com/abstract.php?id=EELR2014004
  19. ↑ Frederik H. Kistenkas, Harm C. Borgers, Machteld E.A. Kistenkas, Recht voor de groene ruimte, 3rd ed., Wageningen Academic Publishers 2017
  20. ↑ "The Kaliakra protests: The Bulgarian People vs. The EU". Archived from the original on 2018-10-22. Retrieved 2017-08-11.

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