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Natura 2000

March 07, 2024

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.

Natura 2000
Natural protected area of Els Ports
Founded1992
TypeNetwork of nature protection areas
Area served
European Union
Websiteec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

References edit

  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. (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. (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. ^ (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). (PDF) from the original on 2014-04-29. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  13. ^ . 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. ^ . Archived from the original on 2018-10-22. Retrieved 2017-08-11.

Documentation edit

  • Natura 2000 : Protecting Europe’s biodiversity, published on 2008/11/11, in English digital book or in paper book (ISBN 978-92-79-08308-2).

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Natura 2000.
  • Official website
  • Natura 2000 Viewer - interactive map (European Environment Agency)
  • Natura 2000 data download – the European network of protected sites (European Environment Agency)
  • Natura 2000 newsletter (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian)
  • Natura 2000 Award
  • Natura 2000 Award Scheme - Environmental Benchmarking Report, 2015
  • Natura Network Initiative – Natura 2000 at work
  • A–Z Areas of Biodiversity Importance: Natura 2000
  • Natura 2000 and Marine Environment
  • List of webpages Natura 2000 of member states of the European Union

Germany

  • Nature experience NRW shows 200 of the Natura-2000-Areas with images and videos

Latvia

  • What is NATURA 2000 ? Useful information for land owners, residents and tourism providers in NATURA 2000 sites

Natura 2000 in the global context

  • The Digital Observatory for Protected Areas (DOPA)

March 07, 2024
natura, 2000, network, nature, protection, areas, territory, european, union, made, special, areas, conservation, special, protection, areas, designated, under, habitats, directive, birds, directive, respectively, network, includes, both, terrestrial, marine, . 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 Natura 2000Natural protected area of Els PortsFounded1992TypeNetwork of nature protection areasArea servedEuropean UnionWebsiteec wbr europa wbr eu wbr environment wbr nature wbr natura2000 wbr 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 Contents 1 History 2 Current status 3 Raising awareness 3 1 Natura 2000 Day 3 2 The Natura 2000 Award 4 Controversy 5 See also 6 References 6 1 Documentation 7 External linksHistory editIn 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 editAs of 2017 update 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 nbsp Sign identifying a Natura 2000 area Haslauer Moor nature reserve in Austria nbsp Sign identifying a Natura 2000 site in Belgium nbsp Sign identifying a European protected area Special Area of Conservation Lieberoser Endmorane und Staakower Lauche in Germany nbsp The Foloi oak forest in Greece is a Natura 2000 site nbsp Castro Verde Natura 2000 site in Portugal nbsp Natura 2000 locality in Slovakia nbsp Naverkarr in Bohuslan Sweden is a Natura 2000 site nbsp An aerial photography of the Omenainen island Natura 2000 site in Finland nbsp Natura 2000 locality in Police Poland estuary of Oder and Szczecin Lagoon nbsp The Oostvaardersplassen is a Natura 2000 site in the Netherlands Raising awareness editThe 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 edit 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 edit 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 editThe 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 editEcological network Raspaillebos Dieleghem Wood Laerbeek WoodReferences edit JUSSIANT Evelyne EC Library Guides Biodiversity and nature protection Natura 2000 network ec europa eu libguides com Retrieved 2023 09 21 Abran Peter January 2012 Gospodărirea pădurilor in siturile Nature 2000 din Romania 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 The Natura 2000 Biogeographical Regions European Commission Directorate General for Environment 29 May 2015 Retrieved 9 August 2023 Natura 2000 network viewer last retrieved 31 10 14 Natura 2000 Barometer last retrieved 14 July 2017 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 On the Road to Recovery PDF BirdLife International Archived from the original PDF on 14 November 2020 Retrieved 7 May 2017 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 European Commission Natura 2000 in the marine environment last retrieved 31 10 14 European Commission Wilderness in Europe last retrieved 31 10 14 MEPs Respond to Call to Protect Europe last retrieved 04 02 09 Attitudes towards Biodiversity Flash Eurobarometer 379 PDF Archived PDF from the original on 2014 04 29 Retrieved 7 May 2017 Project Life Activates your true wealth Archived from the original on 4 December 2016 Retrieved 7 May 2017 Natura 2000 Day www natura2000day eu Retrieved 7 May 2017 European Natura 2000 Award European Commission ec europa eu Retrieved 7 May 2017 Frederik Hendrik Kistenkas Innovating European nature conservation law by introducing ecosystem services GAiA 23 2 2014 88 92 Frederik Hendrik Kistenkas Rethinking European Nature Conservation Legislation Towards Sustainable Development Journal for European Environmental amp 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 Suvi Borgstrom 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 Frederik H Kistenkas Harm C Borgers Machteld E A Kistenkas Recht voor de groene ruimte 3rd ed Wageningen Academic Publishers 2017 The Kaliakra protests The Bulgarian People vs The EU Archived from the original on 2018 10 22 Retrieved 2017 08 11 Documentation edit Natura 2000 Protecting Europe s biodiversity published on 2008 11 11 in English digital book or in paper book ISBN 978 92 79 08308 2 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Natura 2000 Official website Natura 2000 Viewer interactive map European Environment Agency Natura 2000 data download the European network of protected sites European Environment Agency Natura 2000 newsletter English French German Spanish Italian Natura 2000 Award Natura 2000 Award Scheme Environmental Benchmarking Report 2015 European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity Natura Network Initiative Natura 2000 at work A Z Areas of Biodiversity Importance Natura 2000 Natura 2000 and Marine Environment List of webpages Natura 2000 of member states of the European UnionGermany Nature experience NRW shows 200 of the Natura 2000 Areas with images and videosLatvia What is NATURA 2000 Useful information for land owners residents and tourism providers in NATURA 2000 sitesNatura 2000 in the global context The Digital Observatory for Protected Areas DOPA Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Natura 2000 amp oldid 1209182917, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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