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Protected areas: a key element of Europe's sustainable future: Europe's protected areas play a key role in protecting biodiversity. But they are also a critical component of the continent’s economy, contributing over EUR 15 billion a year in jobs, food, and other services for the people of Europe. 2012 marks both the 20th anniversary of the most important international multilateral agreement on Biodiversity, the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity and of the most important EU piece of legislation on nature and biodiversity, the EU's Habitats Directive. As today, 22 May, is international biodiversity day, it provides an ideal opportunity to examine the state of protected areas today and the many benefits they provide.
Located in Articles
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.
Located in Data and maps › Datasets
Natura 2000 European protected areas — interactive map: Ecological network of European protected areas
Located in Environmental topics › Biodiversity › Interactive maps and data viewers
Overlay of the Natura 2000 network with fragmentation geometry FG-A2 'Major and medium anthropogenic fragmentation', showing Spain and Portugal as an example: -
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Existing and proposed protected areas within the Cantabrian Mountains- Pyrenees-Alps Initiative: The map shows protected areas and Natura 2000 areas within the Cantabrian Mountains- Pyrenees-Alps corridor.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Marine and coastal environment — key message 5: Designation of coastal and marine sites as part of Natura 2000, although improving, has been slow and difficult. The conservation status of some coastal and most marine habitats still needs to be assessed, while 22 % of marine mammals are threatened with extinction. The available data suggest that the objective of halting biodiversity loss by 2010 has not been met.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Marine and coastal environment — SOER 2010 thematic assessment › Key messages
Biodiversity - key fact 2: Protected areas, including Natura 2000 sites in EU Member States, now account for 22 % of the terrestrial area of EEA member countries.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Biodiversity — SOER 2010 thematic assessment › Key facts
Nature protection and biodiversity - State and impacts (Poland): SOER Common environmental theme from Poland
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Poland
Nature protection and biodiversity - National Responses (Croatia): SOER Common environmental theme from Croatia
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Croatia
Nature protection and biodiversity - Outlook 2020 (Croatia): SOER Common environmental theme from Croatia
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Croatia