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Natura 2000

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Natura 2000
Founded1992
TypeNetwork of nature protection areas
Area served
European Union
Websiteec.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 (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated respectively under the Habitats Directive and Birds Directive. The network includes both terrestrial and marine sites (Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)).

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 earlier in 1979 and together they make up the Natura 2000 network of protected areas.

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

Furthermore, the Natura 2000 network is the EU contribution to the "Emerald network" of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) 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 prerequisite for becoming EU Member, 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.[1]

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 SPAs are designated directly by each EU Member State, while the SACs follow a more elaborated 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 [2] 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 Standard Data Form (SDF). 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 [3] is a tool to explore the network and gives access to every SDF.

Current status

Natura 2000 protects around 18 percent of land in the EU countries (787,767 km squared in 2013),[4] and is 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.[5] 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.[6] Natura 2000 faced criticism from developers, farmers and politicians who fear that the conservation of habitats and species places a brake on development.[7]

251,564 km squared had been designated as Natura 2000 in the marine environment in 2013. 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”.[8]

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.[9] This was in response to a report by Members of the European Parliament in 2009 which called for further protection of Europe's wilderness.[10]

Raising awareness about Natura 2000 amongst the general public

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

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.[12]

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.[13]

The Natura 2000 Award

The Natura 2000 Award [14] 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.

References

  1. ^ Peter Abran (Jan 2012). "Forest management in the Natura 2000 ecological network in Romania – present problems and perspectives". Rev. pădur. (in Romanian). 127 (1): 21–27. ISSN 1583-7890. 16782. Retrieved 2012-05-08. (webpage has a translation button)
  2. ^ Natura 2000 Habitats Directive Sites according to Biogeographical Regions last retrieved 31-10-14
  3. ^ Natura 2000 network viewer last retrieved 31-10-14
  4. ^ Natura 2000 Barometer last retrieved 31-10-14
  5. ^ European Commission website last retrieved 31-10-14
  6. ^ On the Road to Recovery?
  7. ^ Beunen, R., Van Assche, K., Duineveld, M. (2013) Performing failure in nature conservation. The implementation of European Union directives in the Netherlands. Land Use Policy 31: 280-288
  8. ^ European Commission Natura 2000 in the marine environment last retrieved 31-10-14
  9. ^ European Commission Wilderness in Europe last retrieved 31-10-14
  10. ^ MEPs Respond to Call to Protect Europe last retrieved 04-02-09
  11. ^ Attitudes towards Biodiversity. Flash Eurobarometer 379
  12. ^ Proyecto Activa Red Natura 2000
  13. ^ Natura 2000 day
  14. ^ Natura 2000 Award
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