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Indicator Specification
Main advantages of the indicator
This indicator shows the current status of implementation of the Habitats (92/43/EEC) and the Birds Directives (79/409/EEC) by EU Member States. It does this by showing trends in spatial coverage of designated Special Protection Areas (SPAs), proposed Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), as well as the net area of the Natura 2000 network.
The net percentage of protected areas helps to evaluate progress towards Aichi Target 11.
The units used in the indicator are the square kilometre (km2) for area and percent (%).
Context description
The establishment of designated sites under the Habitats and the Birds Directives is a direct response to concerns over biodiversity loss. An indicator on the change in coverage of these sites is a valuable indication of commitment to conserving biodiversity and reducing its loss.
The EC Habitats and the Birds Directives aim to conserve natural habitats and wild fauna and flora within the European Union. Member States are required to propose sites for protection of the habitats and species listed in the Annexes to the Directives.
Under the Birds Directive, Member States designate SPAs. The sites designated under the Habitats Directive include sites and proposed SCIs and SACs. The Natura 2000 network is composed of both SPAs and SCIs.
The indicator shows the trends in total area covered by SCIs and SPAs as well as the combined Natura 2000 area.
Global Aichi biodiversity target 11:
By 2020, at least 17 % of terrestrial and inland water areas, and 10 % of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes.
2020 EU biodiversity targets — Target 1: Fully implement the Birds and the Habitats Directives
Action 1: Complete the establishment of the Natura 2000 network and ensure good management.
Trends in proposals for sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives
Member States have been given six years following the adoption of the list of SCIs to develop and enforce the necessary measures to protect and manage identified sites and, in doing so, designate them as SACs or SPAs. The sum of the area (km2) of each site is registered in the annual versions of the GIS Natura 2000 database and grouped per year of proposal/designation.
The figures relating to the total area of Natura 2000 sites have been obtained through GIS analysis. This avoids any risk of double counting sites that have been designated under both directives. The calculation of the Natura 2000 area is only available from 2011 onwards. From 2005 onwards, the area calculation for SPAs and SCIs is also based on GIS data, but before this date tabular data have been used.
Information is collected from national authorities by DG Environment and processed by the European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity (ETC/BD). Further improvements on data flows are under discussion.
No gap filling is used in this indicator.
No methodology references available.
No uncertainty has been specified
No uncertainty has been specified
The main disadvantage of this indicator is that it only covers EU Member States.
Work specified here requires to be completed within 1 year from now.
Work specified here will require more than 1 year (from now) to be completed.
For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/sites-designated-under-the-eu-2 or scan the QR code.
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