1. Natura 2000, the Ecological Network of the European Union
Nature and Biodiversity Unit, DG Environment
European Commission

2. What is happening to biodiversity in Europe ?
45 % of Europe’s butterflies threatened
38% of Europe’s birds threatened
40% coastal dunes lost since 1900 (1/3rd )
12% loss of grasslands in EUR 9 ( )
loss of natural forest (now 4% of forest area)
source: European Environment Agency

3. Biodiversity loss – importance of ecosystem services
2005 UN Millenium Ecosystem assessment highlighted importance of ‘ecosystem services’
the provision of goods – food, fibre, fuel and medicines
the regulation of the air we breathe and the quality of our waters
soil fertility, pollination and other essential support services
cultural benefits – from aesthetic enjoyment to spiritual solace

4. EU Action to halt the loss of biodiversity
2006 Communication on halting the loss of biodiversity to 2010 – and beyond :Sustaining ecosystem services for human well-being
EU biodiversity action plan with a clear set of targets and actions to halt biodiversity loss
Covers relevant sectors & horizontal policy areas in a unified way
provides a joined up approach by identifying what needs to be done at Community level and at MS level.

5. Critical role of EU nature legislation and Natura 2000
‘Birds Directive” (79/409/EEC)
All wild birds protected + protected areas for threatened and migrating birds
‘Habitats Directive’ (92/43/EEC)
Protected areas for threatened species and habitats + list of animal & plant species in need of strict protection
NATURA 2000: the ecological network of protected areas under the Birds and Habitats Directives

6. The Natura 2000 network
A major pillar of biodiversity action in Europe
A combination of species and habitats protection
Habitats Directive ~ 14% of EU territory
For Birds Directive ~ 11 % of EU territory
Total: >25,000 sites
~20 % of EU 27 territory

8. Important features of NATURA 2000
NATURA 2000 is not a set of paper parks
Site designation exclusively based on scientific criteria
Strong protection system
Nature conservation considerations factored into other decision-making
Procedure to deal with potentially damaging developments
Not limited to nature reserves
Most areas privately owned
emphasis on conservation and sustainable use (ecologically, economically and socially)
Management plans are very useful tool

10. Birds Directive 79/409/EEC HISTORICAL CONTEXT Concepts and issues
birds are mobile: effective conservation is a trans-frontier problem entailing common responsibilities
increased concern about killing of birds , especially in Mediterranean
increased threats from many EC economic activities, notably agriculture
BD/D.2/

11. Provides common basis to ensure:
protection of all wild bird species in the European territory of the Community
sufficient habitat conservation especially for endangered as well as migratory species
avoidance of pollution and deterioration of habitats or any disturbance of birds in protected areas
outlawing of all means of large scale or non-selective killing of birds
hunting is controlled
BD/D.2/

12. Member States must (1):
take special conservation measures concerning the habitat of Annex I species
classify the most suitable territories in number and size as special protection areas (SPAs) for Annex I species
take similar measures for regularly occurring migratory species not listed in Annex I
pay particular attention to the protection of wetlands and particularly to wetlands of international importance.
BD/D.2/

13. Member States must (2):
send the Commission all relevant information for co-ordination of SPAs as a coherent whole
with respect to SPAs, take appropriate steps to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats or any disturbance affecting the birds
outside SPAs, strive to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats.
BD/D.2/

14. THE DIRECTIVE PROVISIONS
ALL birds are protected
KEY element is habitat protection (SPA’s)
MOST controversial element is hunting:
Some species may be hunted (listed in Annex II-III)
General principles ruling hunting seasons, means and methods
Derogations under certain conditions to allow shooting/capture of protected bird species and/or the use of prohibited means/methods

15. Setting up Natura 2000 Birds Directive
1) Member States classify (CC: by accession)
2) Commission takes coordinating role
Reference list: Important Bird Areas (IBAs) based on international criteria

16. Large variation, some MS still not sufficient

17. What is the target of protection under Natura 2000?
Species and habitats of Community interest
Habitats Directive (its annexes I-V)
appr. 220 habitats types
appr species

18. HABITATS DIRECTIVE SPECIES OF EU INTEREST endangered
vulnerable (likely to become endangered)
rare (small populations at risk)
endemic requiring particular attention
BD/D.2/

19. Setting up Natura 2000 1) National lists proposed (CC: by accession)
2) Selection process on biogeographical level (aim: Community list) - MS & EC - max. 3 years
3) Designation by MS max. 6 years after Community list

20. NATURA 2000 network NATURA 2000 May 2004 2005 - 2006 End 2007
Habitat types (Annex I)
Species
(Annex II)
« Habitats » Directive
Art. 3
National list of sites
May 2004
List of Sites of Community Importance
Special Conservation Areas
End 2007
« Birds » Directive
Art. 4
NATURA 2000
Special Protection Areas
NA103IT

21. The map covers not only the EU Member States but other countries

23. ARE DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED ON NATURA 2000 SITES?
Not ‘a priori’ prohibition of new activities
Developments assessed on a case-by-case basis
Evaluation and decision procedure
Supplementary protection measures for priority habitats
Documents/guides on article 6
Encourage the MS to compile similar documents

24. Article 6 of the Habitats Directive
For sites Member States shall:
Establish necessary conservation measures
Avoid deterioration
Prepare appropriate assessment for any plan or project (except direct management of site)
Likely to have a significant effect on site
Either individually or in combination with other plans or projects

25. Article 6
Requirements have to be transposed in the national legislation
“Appropriate assessment” might be a separate document or part of the EIA package

26.      Plan/project with impact on a site
Art. 6.3 and 6.4 “Habitats” Directive
Plan/project with impact on a site 1
Is the plan/project likely to have a negative impact on the values of the NATURA 2000 site? 
YES
EVALUATION OF CONSEQUENCES 2
Does the evaluation conclude that there will be significant negative consequences? 
YES
STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS 3
If the initial project is kept
No priority habitats/species and overriding public interest 
YES
Inform the Commission
COMPENSATION MEASURES
Priority habitats/species and specific interest for human health, public safety or environment 
YES
Opinion of the Commission
COMPENSATION MEASURES
Priority habitats/species and other overriding public interests 
YES
OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
+ COMPENSATION MEASURES
NA107IT

27. Guidance documents, for example

28. Habitats Directive Species protection
Strictly protected species listed in Annex IV (parallel structure with Annex II -site protection)
Species, whose exploitation may be subject to management measures Annex V
Prohibition of certain methods of capture / killing / transport Annex VI
Derogation scheme (art 16)

29. How is NATURA 2000 being financed ?
Habitats Directive foresees EU co-financing
Pilot projects under LIFE Programmes: e.g. the database contains 132 projects with the keyword ecotourism
NATURA 2000 financial opportunities integrated into different EU funds (Regional Development, Rural Development)
Aim to ensure that management of Natura 2000 sites is part of the wider land management policies of Member States

30. - a pool of good examples
LIFE-Nature
- a pool of good examples
int/comm/ environment/life/
project/index.htm

31. Publications & guidelines
Natura 2000
Newsletter
in 5 languages (en, fr, de, it, es)
twice a year
Publications & guidelines
« Green Days »

32. For more information, please consult: