Data centre overview

Last modified: Apr 13, 2011

The Biodiversity data centre (BDC) provides access to data and information on species, habitat types and sites of interest in Europe and to related products for biodiversity indicators and assessments. Priority is given to policy-relevant data and information for European and national institutions, professionals, researchers and the public.

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Natura 2000 sites: Biogeographical regions

May 10, 2012

Data: 2011

Natura 2000 data - the European network of protected sites

May 02, 2012

Natura 2000 is the key instrument to protect biodiversity in the European Union. It is an ecological network of protected areas, set up to ensure the survival of Europe's most valuable species and habitats. Natura 2000 is based on the 1979 Birds Directive and the 1992 Habitats Directive. The green infrastructure it provides safeguards numerous ecosystem services and ensures that Europe's natural systems remain healthy and resilient.

European Red Lists

Mar 16, 2012

The European Red List is a review of the conservation status of c.6,000 European species (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fishes, butterflies, dragonflies, freshwater molluscs, selected groups of beetles, terrestrial molluscs and vascular plants), according to IUCN regional Red Listing guidelines applied to the EU27 and to the Pan-European level.

European protected areas — Natura 2000 interactive map

Jan 01, 2012

Natura 2000 European protected areas — interactive map

Jan 01, 2012

Ecological network of European protected areas

Eunis - Find species, habitats and sites

Explore Europe's biodiversity and nature through this interactive map.

Natura 2000 barometer statistics

Dec 01, 2011

The Natura 2000 Barometer gives an evaluation on the progress made in establishing the Natura 2000 network, both under the Birds and the Habitats Directives. It is based on information on number of sites and areas covered, as indicated by Member States and is published in the Natura 2000 Newsletter.

Nationally designated protected areas (SEBI 007) - Assessment published Jun 2011

Jun 16, 2011

The total area of nationally-designated protected areas in Europe (1) has increased over time. The total area of nationally designated sites in 39 European countries was more than 1 million square kilometres in 2009. In Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA countries), the area of nationally designated sites is at least 1.5 million square kilometres. 1.2 million square kilometres can be added to the area in the EECCA countries, the information about the year of the designation is missing, however (2). This quantitative information needs to be complemented by a qualitative assessment of the efficiency and the representativeness of the network of designated areas including good management practices. A "Nationally designated area" is an area designated by a national designation instrument based on national legislation. If a country has included in its legislation the sites designated under the EU Birds and Habitats directive, the Natura 2000 sites of this country are included in the figure. For 39 European countries, there is 0,037 km2 of additional designated areas but without any information of designation year. For the EECCA countries, for 25 % of sites included in the database, no size information is available.

Change in forest connectivity in the EU, 1990–2000

Apr 08, 2011

Data from Corine Land Cover (CLC) for the years 1990 and 2000; results aggregated per provinces (Nuts 2/3).

Natura 2000: Birds and Habitats Directives

Mar 10, 2011

Data: 2010

Intensity of forestry — net annual increment in growing stock and annual fellings of forest available for wood supply, 1990–2005

Feb 24, 2011

This graph shows the intensity of forestry — net annual increment in growing stock and annual fellings of forest available for wood supply — 32 EEA member countries, 1990–2005.

Land take (CSI 014) - Assessment published Feb 2011

Feb 21, 2011

Land take by the expansion of residential areas and construction sites is the main cause of the increase in the coverage of urban land at the European level. Agricultural zones and, to a lesser extent, forests and semi-natural and natural areas, are disappearing in favour of the development of artificial surfaces. This affects biodiversity since it decreases habitats, the living space of a number of species, and fragments the landscapes that support and connect them. The annual land take in 36 European countries was 111 788 ha/year in 2000-2006. In 21 countries covered by both periods (1990-2000 and 2000-2006) the annual land take increased by 9 % in the later period. The composition of land taken areas changed, too. More arable land and permanent crops, forests, grasslands and open spaces and less pastures and mosaic farmland were taken by artificial development then in 1990-2000.

Occurrence of assessed butterfly and amphibian species of different vulnerability categories in bio-geographical regions, 2050, A2 scenario

Jan 12, 2011

Vulnerability of assessed butterfly and amphibian species of different vulnerability categories in bio-geographical regions

Proportion of mountain protected area within nationally designated areas, Natura 2000 sites, or both

Jan 03, 2011

The chart shows the proportion of only NDA, only Natura 2000 and their overlaps in Europe Countries for all countries with data

Species of European interest (SEBI 003/CSI 007) - Assessment published May 2010

May 21, 2010

Around half of the species of Community interest (those species which, within the territory of the European Union are listed in Annexes II, IV and V of the Habitats Directive) have an unfavourable conservation status, with variation across biogeographic regions (1) . There are still significant gaps in knowledge, especially for marine species. (1) The reporting format uses three classes of Conservation Status. 'Good' (green) signifies that the species or habitat is at Favourable Conservation Status (FCS) as defined in the Directive and the habitat or species can be expected to prosper without any change to existing management or policies. In addition, two classes of 'Unfavourable' are recognised: 'Unfavourable-Bad' (red) signifies that the habitat or species is in serious danger of becoming extinct (at least locally) and 'Unfavourable-Inadequate' (amber) is used for situations where a change in management or policy is required but the danger of extinction is not so high. The unfavourable category has been split into two classes to allow improvements or deterioration to be reported. (Assessment, monitoring and reporting under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive: Explanatory Notes & Guidelines DRAFT 2 January 2006).

Natura 2000 sites: Biogeographical regions Data: 2011

Natura 2000 data - the European network of protected sites Natura 2000 is the key instrument to protect biodiversity in the European Union. It is an ecological network of protected areas, set up to ensure the survival of Europe's most valuable species and habitats. Natura 2000 is based on the 1979 Birds Directive and the 1992 Habitats Directive. The green infrastructure it provides safeguards numerous ecosystem services and ensures that Europe's natural systems remain healthy and resilient.

European Red Lists The European Red List is a review of the conservation status of c.6,000 European species (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fishes, butterflies, dragonflies, freshwater molluscs, selected groups of beetles, terrestrial molluscs and vascular plants), according to IUCN regional Red Listing guidelines applied to the EU27 and to the Pan-European level.

European protected areas — Natura 2000 interactive map

Natura 2000 European protected areas — interactive map Ecological network of European protected areas

Eunis - Find species, habitats and sites Explore Europe's biodiversity and nature through this interactive map.

Natura 2000 barometer statistics The Natura 2000 Barometer gives an evaluation on the progress made in establishing the Natura 2000 network, both under the Birds and the Habitats Directives. It is based on information on number of sites and areas covered, as indicated by Member States and is published in the Natura 2000 Newsletter.

Nationally designated protected areas (SEBI 007) - Assessment published Jun 2011 The total area of nationally-designated protected areas in Europe (1) has increased over time. The total area of nationally designated sites in 39 European countries was more than 1 million square kilometres in 2009. In Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA countries), the area of nationally designated sites is at least 1.5 million square kilometres. 1.2 million square kilometres can be added to the area in the EECCA countries, the information about the year of the designation is missing, however (2). This quantitative information needs to be complemented by a qualitative assessment of the efficiency and the representativeness of the network of designated areas including good management practices. A "Nationally designated area" is an area designated by a national designation instrument based on national legislation. If a country has included in its legislation the sites designated under the EU Birds and Habitats directive, the Natura 2000 sites of this country are included in the figure. For 39 European countries, there is 0,037 km2 of additional designated areas but without any information of designation year. For the EECCA countries, for 25 % of sites included in the database, no size information is available.

Change in forest connectivity in the EU, 1990–2000 Data from Corine Land Cover (CLC) for the years 1990 and 2000; results aggregated per provinces (Nuts 2/3).

Natura 2000: Birds and Habitats Directives Data: 2010

Intensity of forestry — net annual increment in growing stock and annual fellings of forest available for wood supply, 1990–2005 This graph shows the intensity of forestry — net annual increment in growing stock and annual fellings of forest available for wood supply — 32 EEA member countries, 1990–2005.

Land take (CSI 014) - Assessment published Feb 2011 Land take by the expansion of residential areas and construction sites is the main cause of the increase in the coverage of urban land at the European level. Agricultural zones and, to a lesser extent, forests and semi-natural and natural areas, are disappearing in favour of the development of artificial surfaces. This affects biodiversity since it decreases habitats, the living space of a number of species, and fragments the landscapes that support and connect them. The annual land take in 36 European countries was 111 788 ha/year in 2000-2006. In 21 countries covered by both periods (1990-2000 and 2000-2006) the annual land take increased by 9 % in the later period. The composition of land taken areas changed, too. More arable land and permanent crops, forests, grasslands and open spaces and less pastures and mosaic farmland were taken by artificial development then in 1990-2000.