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More than Natural reserves
By Pía Bucella
The LIFE + Project Natura 2000: connecting people with biodiversity
aims at contributing to the effective implementation of the Birds and
Habitats Directives and promote a better understanding and protection
of biodiversity as a whole.
Together with the LIFE instrument, these Directives have been the
EU’s key instruments for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
over the past two decades. Thanks to the Habitats Directive,
our knowledge of the status and management needs of species and
habitats in Europe, and our capacity for action has greatly increased.
It has also allowed for increased funding for nature conservation for
example using EU agriculture and cohesion funds.
The greatest contribution of the Habitats Directive has been the creation
of Natura 2000, the largest coordinated network of protected
areas in the world, which includes over 27,000 sites covering almost
a fifth of the EU’s land territory. In Spain, more than 1700 Natura
2000 sites have been designated. With more than one fourth of its
land territory included under the Natura 2000 network, Spain is the
Member State that provides a larger total surface to the network. This
is an evidence of the rich biodiversity of this country, which is a real
biodiversity ‘hotspot’ in the EU and in the world.
Natura 2000 is much more than nature reserves. It’s about people
and nature, because it ensures that conservation and sustainable use
go hand in hand with benefits to local citizens and the wider economy.
It also provides new opportunities for sustainable development, such
as recreation and tourism. Natura 2000 has brought new ways of collaboration
between local and public authorities, nature conservation
organisations, land owners and users and has generated new ways
to work with people.
But despite the important success achieved, the implementation of
the Birds and Habitats Directive is still a work in progress. Much remains
to be done before all species and habitats of EU conservation
concern enjoy favourable conservation status. At EU level, only 17 %
of the species and habitats listed in the Habitats Directive have attained
that goal. The key challenge is currently to ensure that the Natura
2000 sites are effectively managed and restored. Likewise, protection
of areas must also cover offshore marine environment where further
efforts must be done.
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Natura 2000 Network. Handbook for journalists