Biodiversity — Ecosystems

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Biodiversity is the name given to the variety of ecosystems (natural capital), species and genes in the world or in a particular habitat. It is essential to human wellbeing, as it delivers services that sustain our economies and societies. Biodiversity is also crucial to ecosystem services — the services that nature supplies — such as pollination, climate regulation, flood protection, soil fertility and the production of food, fuel, fibre and medicines. More

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Water in Europe means life, health, food, leisure, energy and more

News 30 Aug 2018

Europe's freshwater and marine resources may seem limitless but they are under increasing pressure from pollution, over-exploitation and climate change. The European Environment Agency's (EEA) Signals 2018 explores the state and trends of Europe’s waters, asking how we can ensure healthy rivers, lakes, groundwater resources and seas for future generations.

European waters getting cleaner, but big challenges remain

News 03 Jul 2018

Despite progress in improving the quality of Europe’s lakes, rivers, coastal waters and groundwater sources, pollution, structures like dams, and over-abstraction remain top threats to their long-term health. A vast majority of Europe’s water bodies still fail to meet the European Union’s minimum target for ‘good status’, according to a European Environment Agency ‘state of water’ report published today.

Bringing Europe's Natura 2000 sites to your pocket

News 22 May 2018

Are there nature sites of European importance near you? Are cranes breeding there? What types of habitats and other species can you find at these sites? Check this and other key information on the EU's Natura 2000 network with the updated Natura 2000 viewer.

Adapting to climate change: European countries assess vulnerability and risks

News 24 Apr 2018

Almost all European countries have conducted national climate change vulnerability and risk assessments as part of their adaptation plans to better deal with the impacts of climate-related hazards, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today.

Water in Europe means life, health, food, leisure, energy and more Europe's freshwater and marine resources may seem limitless but they are under increasing pressure from pollution, over-exploitation and climate change. The European Environment Agency's (EEA) Signals 2018 explores the state and trends of Europe’s waters, asking how we can ensure healthy rivers, lakes, groundwater resources and seas for future generations.

European waters getting cleaner, but big challenges remain Despite progress in improving the quality of Europe’s lakes, rivers, coastal waters and groundwater sources, pollution, structures like dams, and over-abstraction remain top threats to their long-term health. A vast majority of Europe’s water bodies still fail to meet the European Union’s minimum target for ‘good status’, according to a European Environment Agency ‘state of water’ report published today.

Bringing Europe's Natura 2000 sites to your pocket Are there nature sites of European importance near you? Are cranes breeding there? What types of habitats and other species can you find at these sites? Check this and other key information on the EU's Natura 2000 network with the updated Natura 2000 viewer.

Adapting to climate change: European countries assess vulnerability and risks Almost all European countries have conducted national climate change vulnerability and risk assessments as part of their adaptation plans to better deal with the impacts of climate-related hazards, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today.

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Life under water faces serious threats

Article 30 Aug 2018

Life in Europe’s freshwater bodies and regional seas is not doing well. The poor state of ecosystems has a direct impact on many animals and plants living in water, and it affects other species and humans, depending on clean water. The state of Europe’s seas is dire, mainly due to overfishing and climate change, while freshwater bodies suffer from excess nutrients and altered habitats. Chemical pollution negatively impacts both freshwater and marine environments.

Europe’s environment: the power of data and knowledge

Article 15 Mar 2018

Europe collects increasingly more data, enhancing our understanding of the environment. Earth observation data obtained through the European Union’s Copernicus programme presents new challenges and opportunities to improve our environmental knowledge. Combining up-to-date Copernicus data with our existing knowledge base, the European Environment Agency (EEA) aims to empower policy makers and citizens across Europe in taking measures to address local, national and global challenges.

Towards healthy and productive seas in Europe and beyond

Article 15 Sep 2017

Marine life, the global climate and our economy and social wellbeing all depend on healthy seas. Despite some improvements, our assessments show that the way we currently use Europe’s seas remains unsustainable. Climate change and competition for natural resources add extra pressures on the marine environment. European policies and measures could result in greater improvements when they are implemented through an ‘ecosystem-based management’ approach and are supported by a global ocean governance framework.

Life under water faces serious threats Life in Europe’s freshwater bodies and regional seas is not doing well. The poor state of ecosystems has a direct impact on many animals and plants living in water, and it affects other species and humans, depending on clean water. The state of Europe’s seas is dire, mainly due to overfishing and climate change, while freshwater bodies suffer from excess nutrients and altered habitats. Chemical pollution negatively impacts both freshwater and marine environments.

Europe’s environment: the power of data and knowledge Europe collects increasingly more data, enhancing our understanding of the environment. Earth observation data obtained through the European Union’s Copernicus programme presents new challenges and opportunities to improve our environmental knowledge. Combining up-to-date Copernicus data with our existing knowledge base, the European Environment Agency (EEA) aims to empower policy makers and citizens across Europe in taking measures to address local, national and global challenges.

Towards healthy and productive seas in Europe and beyond Marine life, the global climate and our economy and social wellbeing all depend on healthy seas. Despite some improvements, our assessments show that the way we currently use Europe’s seas remains unsustainable. Climate change and competition for natural resources add extra pressures on the marine environment. European policies and measures could result in greater improvements when they are implemented through an ‘ecosystem-based management’ approach and are supported by a global ocean governance framework.

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Land system at European level — analytical assessment framework

Publication 15 Oct 2018

Land and soil provide vital resources to society such as food, feed, fuel, fibres and shelter. They also provide ecosystem services that support production functions, regulate the risk of natural hazards, and provide cultural and spiritual benefits. By using land, society alters and modifies the quantity and quality of these services, and the intrinsic potential for land benefits to mankind. To better manage its use of land and associated processes, society needs a systems (i.e. integrated) view on land. This briefing proposes an analytical framework that aims at developing a strategy for monitoring and integrated assessment of the state of land and its key resources.

Monitoring progress of Europe's transport sector towards its environment, health and climate objectives

Publication 05 Dec 2017

The ‘Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism’ (TERM) includes a number of indicators used for tracking the short and long-term environmental performance of the transport sector in the 28 Member States of the European Union (EU-28). This briefing presents the latest indicator-based assessment of progress being made towards key transport-related policy targets and objectives.

Environmental indicator report 2017 — In support to the monitoring of the 7th Environment Action Programme

Publication 30 Nov 2017

This report gives an overview of the EU’s progress towards 29 environmental policy objectives. These are relevant to the achievement of the 7th Environment Action Programme (EAP) three key priority objectives: natural capital; resource-efficient, low-carbon economy; and people’s health and well-being.

Underpinning European policy on nature conservation - Revision of the EUNIS habitat classification

Publication 22 May 2017

The EUNIS habitat classification is a pan-European, comprehensive and widely accepted classification of all habitat types. The increasing need to support European policy on nature conservation with harmonised habitat descriptions, condition estimates and change assessments underpinned by field data led to the initiation of an extensive review of the classification. This briefing gives an overview of the EUNIS habitat classification and revision process of its terrestrial part through alignment with the European Vegetation units. The focus is on heathland, scrub and tundra habitat types.

Land system at European level — analytical assessment framework Land and soil provide vital resources to society such as food, feed, fuel, fibres and shelter. They also provide ecosystem services that support production functions, regulate the risk of natural hazards, and provide cultural and spiritual benefits. By using land, society alters and modifies the quantity and quality of these services, and the intrinsic potential for land benefits to mankind. To better manage its use of land and associated processes, society needs a systems (i.e. integrated) view on land. This briefing proposes an analytical framework that aims at developing a strategy for monitoring and integrated assessment of the state of land and its key resources.

Monitoring progress of Europe's transport sector towards its environment, health and climate objectives The ‘Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism’ (TERM) includes a number of indicators used for tracking the short and long-term environmental performance of the transport sector in the 28 Member States of the European Union (EU-28). This briefing presents the latest indicator-based assessment of progress being made towards key transport-related policy targets and objectives.

Environmental indicator report 2017 — In support to the monitoring of the 7th Environment Action Programme This report gives an overview of the EU’s progress towards 29 environmental policy objectives. These are relevant to the achievement of the 7th Environment Action Programme (EAP) three key priority objectives: natural capital; resource-efficient, low-carbon economy; and people’s health and well-being.

Underpinning European policy on nature conservation - Revision of the EUNIS habitat classification The EUNIS habitat classification is a pan-European, comprehensive and widely accepted classification of all habitat types. The increasing need to support European policy on nature conservation with harmonised habitat descriptions, condition estimates and change assessments underpinned by field data led to the initiation of an extensive review of the classification. This briefing gives an overview of the EUNIS habitat classification and revision process of its terrestrial part through alignment with the European Vegetation units. The focus is on heathland, scrub and tundra habitat types.

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Rural concentration of the ozone indicator AOT40 for crops, 2015

Figure 02 Oct 2018

Accumulated ozone exposure values for crops — over a threshold of 40 parts per billion (AOT40c) — for 2015, as calculated for the fusion maps and as measured at rural background stations.

Rural concentration of the ozone indicator AOT40 for forest, 2015

Figure 02 Oct 2018

Accumulated ozone exposure values for forest — over a threshold of 40 parts per billion (AOT40f) — for 2015, as calculated for the fusion maps and as measured at rural background stations.

Examples of individual actions to minimise exposure to and release of mercury

Infographic 28 Sep 2018

Main global potential sources of mercury emissions

Infographic 28 Sep 2018

Abundance and distribution of selected species

Indicator Assessment 12 Sep 2018

Between 1990 and 2015, the common bird index decreased by 8 % in the 26 EU Member States that have bird population monitoring schemes. This decrease is slightly greater (9 %) if figures for Norway and Switzerland are included. The decline in common farmland bird numbers in the same period was more pronounced, at 32 % (EU) and 30 % (EU plus Norway and Switzerland). The common forest bird index decreased by 3 % (EU) and 6 % (EU plus Norway and Switzerland) over the same period. Grassland butterflies also showed a significant rate of decline in the 19 European countries where butterfly population monitoring schemes exist, at 34 % (EU) and 32 % (all countries).

Common Birds - population index

Data Visualization 12 Sep 2018

European Red Lists of species

Data 11 Sep 2018

The European Red Lists of species is a review of the conservation status of more than 10 000 European species (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater and marine fishes, butterflies, dragonflies, freshwater molluscs, selected groups of beetles, terrestrial molluscs, vascular plants including medicinal plants, bees, grasshoppers, locusts and crickets, lycopods and ferns), according to IUCN regional Red Listing guidelines applied to the EU28 and to the Pan-European level. New in the 2017 December version of the database is the updated European Red List of saproxylic beetles.

Trend of sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives

Data Visualization 02 Jul 2018

Sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives

Indicator Assessment 02 Jul 2018

Since the introduction of the Habitats Directive in 1992 and the establishment of the Natura 2000 network, there has been a steady increase in the cumulative area of the network in EU Member States. In 2017, the network covered an area of 1 322 630 km 2 , encompassing nine terrestrial and five marine biogeographical regions. The coverage of terrestrial Natura 2000 areas is 790 213 km 2 , which is 18.2 % of the EU’s land area, i.e. above the global biodiversity target for protected areas of 17 % (Aichi Target 11).

Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - High Resolution Layers - Forests

Data 16 May 2018

The high resolution forest product consists of three types of (status) products and additional change products. The status products are available for the 2012 and 2015 reference years: 1. Tree cover density providing level of tree cover density in a range from 0-100% 2. Dominant leaf type providing information on the dominant leaf type: broadleaved or coniferous 3. A Forest type product. The forest type product allows to get as close as possible to the FAO forest definition. In its original (20m) resolution it consists of two products: 1) a dominant leaf type product that has a MMU of 0.5 ha, as well as a 10% tree cover density threshold applied, and 2) a support layer that maps, based on the dominant leaf type product, trees under agricultural use and in urban context (derived from CLC and high resolution imperviousness 2009 data). For the final 100m product trees under agricultural use and urban context from the support layer are removed. The high resolution forest change products comprise a simple tree cover density change product for 2012-2015 (% increase or decrease of real tree cover density changes).

European protected sites

GIS Map Application 03 May 2018

The map shows an overview of protected sites in Europe. Natura 2000 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. Name and site code will display when clicking on the map. For some areas it is necessary to zoom in before the information will display.

Fragmentation pressure of urban and transport infrastructure expansion

GIS Map Application 12 Jan 2018

Classes represent the number of meshes per 1 000 square kilometres. Light colours mean less fragmentation pressure and dark colours mean more fragmentation pressure exerted by urban and transport infrastructure expansion.

Europe's seas and selected characteristics of EU marine protected area networks

Figure 18 Dec 2015

The table shows the areal extent of Europe's seas and selected characteristics of EU marine protected areas (MPAs), namely area coverage, percentage of coverage and total number of sites. Data excludes the Icelandic Sea, Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea

Coverage of marine protected areas in Europe's seas

Figure 18 Dec 2015

The table shows the percentage cover of MPAs and distance to 10% target for each regional and sub regional sea and by distance zone from the coastline modified from the report: Spatial analysis of Marine Protected Area Networks in Europe´s seas. EEA Technical report, no 17/2015

Rural concentration of the ozone indicator AOT40 for crops, 2015 Accumulated ozone exposure values for crops — over a threshold of 40 parts per billion (AOT40c) — for 2015, as calculated for the fusion maps and as measured at rural background stations.

Rural concentration of the ozone indicator AOT40 for forest, 2015 Accumulated ozone exposure values for forest — over a threshold of 40 parts per billion (AOT40f) — for 2015, as calculated for the fusion maps and as measured at rural background stations.

Examples of individual actions to minimise exposure to and release of mercury

Main global potential sources of mercury emissions

Abundance and distribution of selected species Between 1990 and 2015, the common bird index decreased by 8 % in the 26 EU Member States that have bird population monitoring schemes. This decrease is slightly greater (9 %) if figures for Norway and Switzerland are included. The decline in common farmland bird numbers in the same period was more pronounced, at 32 % (EU) and 30 % (EU plus Norway and Switzerland). The common forest bird index decreased by 3 % (EU) and 6 % (EU plus Norway and Switzerland) over the same period. Grassland butterflies also showed a significant rate of decline in the 19 European countries where butterfly population monitoring schemes exist, at 34 % (EU) and 32 % (all countries).

Common Birds - population index

European Red Lists of species The European Red Lists of species is a review of the conservation status of more than 10 000 European species (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater and marine fishes, butterflies, dragonflies, freshwater molluscs, selected groups of beetles, terrestrial molluscs, vascular plants including medicinal plants, bees, grasshoppers, locusts and crickets, lycopods and ferns), according to IUCN regional Red Listing guidelines applied to the EU28 and to the Pan-European level. New in the 2017 December version of the database is the updated European Red List of saproxylic beetles.

Trend of sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives

Sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives Since the introduction of the Habitats Directive in 1992 and the establishment of the Natura 2000 network, there has been a steady increase in the cumulative area of the network in EU Member States. In 2017, the network covered an area of 1 322 630 km 2 , encompassing nine terrestrial and five marine biogeographical regions. The coverage of terrestrial Natura 2000 areas is 790 213 km 2 , which is 18.2 % of the EU’s land area, i.e. above the global biodiversity target for protected areas of 17 % (Aichi Target 11).

Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - High Resolution Layers - Forests The high resolution forest product consists of three types of (status) products and additional change products. The status products are available for the 2012 and 2015 reference years: 1. Tree cover density providing level of tree cover density in a range from 0-100% 2. Dominant leaf type providing information on the dominant leaf type: broadleaved or coniferous 3. A Forest type product. The forest type product allows to get as close as possible to the FAO forest definition. In its original (20m) resolution it consists of two products: 1) a dominant leaf type product that has a MMU of 0.5 ha, as well as a 10% tree cover density threshold applied, and 2) a support layer that maps, based on the dominant leaf type product, trees under agricultural use and in urban context (derived from CLC and high resolution imperviousness 2009 data). For the final 100m product trees under agricultural use and urban context from the support layer are removed. The high resolution forest change products comprise a simple tree cover density change product for 2012-2015 (% increase or decrease of real tree cover density changes).

European protected sites The map shows an overview of protected sites in Europe. Natura 2000 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. Name and site code will display when clicking on the map. For some areas it is necessary to zoom in before the information will display.

Fragmentation pressure of urban and transport infrastructure expansion Classes represent the number of meshes per 1 000 square kilometres. Light colours mean less fragmentation pressure and dark colours mean more fragmentation pressure exerted by urban and transport infrastructure expansion.