Ecosystems

Natural areas still being lost

 

Figure: Changes in ecosystems between 1990 and 2006 and favourable conservation status of habitats

 

The latest Corine Land Cover inventory (EEA, 2010) shows a continued expansion of artificial surfaces (e.g. urban sprawl, infrastructure) and abandoned land at the expense of agricultural land, grasslands and wetlands across Europe. Natural grasslands are still being turned into arable land and built-up areas. The loss of wetlands has slowed down (near 3 % lost in the last 16 years) but Europe had already lost more than half of its wetlands before 1990. Extensive agricultural land is being converted into forms of more intensive agriculture and for parts into forest.

 

For more information please see:

• 10 messages for 2010 - Forest ecosystems and Agricultural ecosystems

• ONE story: Web of knowledge, web of life, web of wonder

• Europe's ecological backbone: recognising the true value of our mountains

 

Habitats in ecosystems — poor conservation status overall

 

Figure: Favourable conservation status of habitat

 

The progress report for Article 17 of the EU Habitats Directive for the period 2001–2006 shows that the conservation status of species and habitats characteristic of the main ecosystems is poor. Depending on the ecosystem, the proportion of habitats in favourable conservation status is between 5 and 21 %.

 

For more information please see:

• Signals 2010: Marine — biodiversity under pressure

 

Fragmentation threatens EU green infrastructure

 

Figure: Fragmentation in EU-27 (% of total area)

 

The fragmentation of nearly 30 % of EU-27 land is moderately–high to very high due to urban sprawl and infrastructure development. Fragmentation affects ecosystem connectivity and their health and ability to provide services (EEA, ETC/LUSI, 2010).

 

For more information please see:

• Urban sprawl in Europe - The ignored challenge

• European forests — ecosystem conditions and sustainable use