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Protected areas in Europe - an overview: Protected areas today cover a relatively large part of Europe, with almost 21 % of the territory of EEA member countries and collaborating countries consisting of protected areas. In spite of this widespread presence of protected areas in all European countries, the topic has not received as much attention on a pan-European level as other environmental issues. We hope this report from the EEA the first we have compiled on the subject will go some way to redressing the balance. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of protected areas and aims to assist policymakers and the wider public in understanding the complexity of the current systems of protected areas.
Located in Publications
Average size of terrestrial nationally designated areas (in km2) in different regions of the world: * EEA-39 includes the 32 EEA member countries and seven collaborating countries (http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-andmaps/ figures/political-map-of-eea-member-and-collaborating-countries).
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Functional connectivity of Natura 2000 sites across political boundaries in EU, 2009: -
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Large protected areas in the Alps and the Carpathians: -
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Overlap between wilderness areas and protected areas under IUCN categories I and II: In terms of overall number, Estonia, Norway, Slovakia and Sweden have the most protected areas classified as Category Ia and Ib, and Category II. Albania, Bulgaria, Estonia and Slovenia have the highest number of protected areas under Category III, but not all countries classify protected areas under this category. The United Kingdom is the only country within the 39 EEA member and collaborating countries that has no protected areas in categories I, II or III. No data available for Ireland.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Nationally designated areas (CDDA): The European inventory of nationally designated areas holds information about protected sites and about the national legislative instruments, which directly or indirectly create protected areas.
Located in Data and maps › Datasets
It's beautiful!: A story in the "Our Natural Europe" series
Located in Publications
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
Turning the urban challenge into an opportunity: Copenhagen, 2 July 2011. Up to 150 mm of rainfall in two hours – a city record since measurements began in the mid-1800s. Homes destroyed. Citizens and emergency services struggled to cope. This is one example of how excessive extreme weather events can affect a European capital – events that are expected more often under climate change.
Located in Articles
Nationally designated areas (CDDA): The European inventory of nationally designated areas holds information about protected sites and about the national legislative instruments, which directly or indirectly create protected areas
Located in Data and maps › Datasets