KH-69-05-180-EN-P
Europe covers less than 3% of the world’s land mass,
yet, despite its size, it has a very rich biodiversity. From
the Arctic Circle to the warm Mediterranean coastline,
from the peaks of the Alps to the vast open plains of
central Europe, the diversity of nature on our small
continent is truly remarkable.
Few places in the world have
such a varied, contrasting and
regional patchwork of habitats,
wildlife havens and cultural
landscapes so tightly interwoven
in so small an area – it is this that
makes Europe’s nature so special.
Protecting our rich natural heritage ensures that
Europe’s unique biodiversity is safeguarded for
generations to come. It also maintains nature’s vital
role in our economy and the quality of our lives.
Nature provides us with a healthy environment,
where the air is clean and the water
is fresh. It offers many beautiful
places for us to explore, enjoy
and relax in. It safeguards us
against floods and other manmade disasters. Above all,
nature provides a vital source of
income and jobs for countless
people across Europe, who
harvest its natural resources in
a sustainable manner.
Europe’s natural heritage is, however, under increasing threat.
Even common species are declining at an alarming rate and
many valuable natural and semi-natural habitats are being
destroyed. As a result, almost half of Europe’s mammals and a
third of all reptiles, fish and birds are now endangered.
This dramatic decline is primarily due to the loss and
fragmentation of the habitats upon which the species
depend. This is most often caused by changing
land uses such as intensive agriculture and forestry,
as well as major infrastructure developments and
the steady spread of urban areas.
In the face of this alarming decline, people from all
over Europe have expressed concern over the loss of
their natural heritage and are calling for action.
Governments of the 25 EU Member States have
responded by committing themselves to stop the loss
of biodiversity in Europe by the year 2010.
The ‘Birds’ and ‘Habitats’ Directives form the cornerstones of
European conservation legislation. Together, they represent
the most ambitious initiative ever undertaken to preserve
our natural heritage over so large an area. Their aim is to
safeguard biodiversity whilst taking economic, social, cultural
and regional requirements into account.
Such an ambitious target is best achieved by
pooling resources. EU legislation on nature
enables all countries to work together within
the same strong legal framework to save
Europe’s most vulnerable and rare species and
habitats across their natural range,
irrespective of national borders.
At the heart of this legislation lies the Natura 2000 Network –
an ecological patchwork of sites, which come together
like a jigsaw to provide a safe haven for Europe’s
most endangered plants, birds and other animals.
Around 200 birds, 450 animals and 500 plants now
depend on Natura 2000 for their survival.
Over 18,000 sites have been included in
the Natura 2000 Network so far. These come from
every country in the EU. Together, they cover almost
a fifth of EU – an area equivalent to the size of
Germany and Italy combined.
People often associate nature conservation with strict
nature reserves where human activities are systematically
excluded. This is not the aim of the Natura 2000 Network –
instead it promotes the concept of people in nature, and
not nature without people.
Some sites are in remote wilderness areas
but the majority are an integral part of our
countryside. As a result, Natura 2000 also
helps to conserve many other species and
habitats which, although more common, are an
equally important part of our natural heritage.
Natura 2000 sites are areas where wildlife and humans can
cohabit in harmony. The aim is not to stop economic
activities altogether, but rather to set the parameters
by which these can take place whilst safeguarding
Europe’s rich natural heritage. This is in line with
the principles of sustainable development.
Natura 2000 fully recognises that man is an integral part of
nature and the two work best in partnership. Indeed, many
sites in the Natura 2000 Network are valuable precisely
because of the way they have been managed until now. It is
essential therefore that these sustainable land-uses are
maintained and that those who live and work in Natura
2000 areas are closely involved in decisions over the
long-term management of their sites.
From private landowners and users, government
authorities and industries, to recreational
groups, conservationists, local
communities and individual
citizens – we all have an important
role to play in making Natura
2000 a success.
Poster of the European Commission’s general brochure on ‘Natura 2000 – Europe’s nature for you’ available from http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/home.htm; all photos are under copyright and cannot be used withour prior permission from the photographers
European Commission