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Our Natural Europe: conservation stories show importance of local action: When fishermen in the Koster Sea in Southern Sweden understood the value of the ecosystems beneath the waves, they voluntarily agreed to change fishing practices. The area became Sweden’s first marine national park in 2006.
Located in News
European protected sites: The map shows an overview of protected sites in Europe, including Natura 2000 sites and nationally designated areas (CDDA). 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. Nationally designated areas (CDDA) is a European inventory of protected areas designated by the national authorities.
Located in Data and maps › Interactive maps
Europe's protected areas: The European Environment Agency is compiling data about protected areas in Europe via the data flows on Natura 2000 and Nationally designated areas, reported by the countries. The material and analyses presented on these pages are based on the EEA report "Protected areas in Europe - an overview" from 2012.
Located in Environmental topics › Biodiversity
Complementarity between national designations and international networks: The system of protected areas in Europe is complex, and in many cases, there is a complementarity and overlap between different designation‑types at various levels.
Located in Environmental topics › … › Europe's protected areas › Facts and figures
Protected areas: Located in Environmental topics › Biodiversity › Europe's protected areas
Directives of the European Union: Environmental policy instruments important for the establishment of protected areas in Europe.
Located in Environmental topics › … › Europe's protected areas › Policy framework
Other instruments: Environmental policy instruments important for the establishment of protected areas in Europe.
Located in Environmental topics › … › Europe's protected areas › Policy framework
Policy framework: European policy regarding protected areas is mostly the product of initiatives from two main sources: the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, and the European Union itself. However, other international conventions have also been promoting the creation of protected areas e.g. Ramsar Convention, World Heritage Convention, Bonn Convention.
Located in Environmental topics › Biodiversity › Europe's protected areas
Conventions at the global level: Environmental policy instruments important for the establishment of protected areas in Europe.
Located in Environmental topics › … › Europe's protected areas › Policy framework
Progress in the proposal and designation of sites: Protected areas have taken many forms historically, from medieval hunting reserves, to more modern national parks and nature reserves. These different forms reflected the different needs that protected areas were created to serve, whether it was protecting the resource of wild game, preserving natural beauty or, more recently, safeguarding biodiversity. The last century has seen a great increase in both the number of protected areas and the total surface area that has received protected designation.
Located in Environmental topics › … › Europe's protected areas › Facts and figures