The Natura 2000 network is an ecological network for the European Union's Community area resulting from the application of Directives 79/409 / EEC (Birds Directive) and 92/43 / EEC (Habitats Directive) and its goal is to contribute to preserve Biodiversity through the conservation of natural habitats, wild fauna and flora in the European territory of the Member States, where the Treaty is applicable."
This network is made up of: 1) Special Protection Areas (SPAs) established under the Birds Directive, which are essentially designed to ensure the conservation of bird species and their habitats and migratory bird species that occur regularly; and 2) Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) established under the Habitats Directive, with the express purpose of "contributing to ensure Biodiversity through the conservation of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna habitats which are considered to be endangered in space of the European Union".
The Natura 2000 Network is composed of areas of communitarian importance for the conservation of certain habitats and species, in which human activities must be compatible with the preservation of these values, aiming at sustainable management from an ecological, economic and social point of view.
The implementation of the Natura 2000 Network is structured in 3 phases:
1. The Member State identifies a number of sites to be protected on the basis of the presence of habitats / species listed in the Habitats Directive and in accordance with the scientific assessment of national conservation needs;
2. The Member States and the European Commission verify the information and consolidate the national lists of Sites of Community Importance (SCI): a SCI represents an intermediate stage in the approval of a Natura 2000 site and contributes significantly to maintaining or restore a natural habitat in a favorable conservation status and to ensure biological diversity in the biogeographical regions involved.
3. Once all biogeographic lists of sites have been approved, SIC should be designated as SAC.
More information: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm
