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Environmental information systems
Natura 2000 is the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world. Established in 1992 to safeguard Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats, its area has steadily increased. In 2022, there were 27,193 Natura 2000 sites, covering 18.6% of the European Union land area and 9% of its marine territory. Effective management of these sites is key to achieving Natura 2000’s conservation aims. Member States still need to make significant efforts to establish and effectively implement conservation measures and management plans.
Figure 1. Area of Natura 2000 sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives in the EU, 1993-2022
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Under the legal framework of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives, each Member State must contribute to the Natura 2000 network. This is done by designating sites in proportion to the representation of the natural habitat types and the habitats of species of European interest within its territory. Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are designated under the Birds Directive, while Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) protect habitats and species listed under the Habitats Directive.
Since the Natura 2000 network was set up in 1992 it has steadily grown. However, following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU in 2020, there was a reduction in the network’s area.
By the end of 2022, the Natura 2000 network extended over 18.6% of the EU land area and 9% of its marine territory. The network consists of 27,193 sites, covering an area of 1,220,387km2. Many sites are designated under both directives. Natura 2000 terrestrial and marine sites designated under the Habitats Directive covered 946,913km2, while SPAs, created under the Birds Directive, covered 832,623km2.
Natura 2000 sites are not wild areas, and human activity is allowed. The management of sites is a decisive factor in achieving their conservation aims. This is particularly important as around 40% of the total area is farmland and almost 50% is forests. The main objectives are to prevent activities that may significantly disturb species or damage habitats for which the site is designated. Additionally, positive measures should be taken, if necessary, to maintain and restore habitats and species to improve their conservation status.
This approach encourages sustainable management. However, the network is still subject to significant pressures, from land use change, the intensification or abandonment of traditional, extensive farming practices or even land abandonment, in particular in areas with natural constraints. Natural old-growth forests are also subject to management intensification, and their unique biodiversity and structural features are irreversibly lost.
Measuring the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network remains restricted by the limited implementation of comprehensive monitoring inside and outside the network. Incorporating Natura 2000 objectives into spatial planning is crucial, and maintaining or improving connectivity between sites is of the utmost importance to achieve good conservation status of species and habitats protected by the Directives.
Figure 2. Progress towards designating Special Areas of Conservation under the Habitats Directive in the EU-27, 2011-2022
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The choice of sites designated under the Habitats Directive is based on scientific criteria specified in the directive. The criteria aim to ensure that the habitat types and species listed in Annexes I and II are maintained or restored to a favourable conservation status.
The process begins with EU Member States submitting lists of proposed Sites of Community Importance (pSCIs). These are then evaluated at expert biogeographical seminars to determine whether a sufficient number of high-quality sites have been proposed by each Member State. Once lists of pSCIs have been adopted as Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) by the European Commission, Member States must designate them as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) through a legal act as soon as possible, and within a maximum of 6 years.
Most SCIs had been designated as SACs by Member States (Figure 2). According to reported data, and despite significant efforts, there were still 3,891 sites (16.3% of the total number) which should have been designated as SACs by the end of 2022. This means that some Member States are late in respecting the SAC designation 6-year time frame and ensuring that necessary conservation measures are applied.