Biodiversity Foundation Project: LIFE+ Activate your true wealth
- Type Project
- Execution 2012 -2017
- Scope Europeo
- Main source of financing LIFE
- Project website Web del proyecto
The Natura 2000 Network was established in 1992 with the approval of the Habitats Directive. It consists of two types of protection schemes:
Sites of Community Interest (SCIs) are sites that host natural habitat types or species of special value at EU level. These sites are designated under the Habitats Directive. SCIs become known as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) once they are officially designated by EU Member States. Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs) are sites that host wild bird species to be conserved within the EU. SPAs are designated under the Birds Directive. Both SCIs and SPAs can be terrestrial or marine areas, although the marine network is much less developed than the terrestrial one.
The protection of these sites aims to ensure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats. To this end, European Union Member States must take appropriate measures to maintain the sites in a favorable conservation status, including the adoption of specific management plans. Management plans are essential for establishing the measures to be implemented in each area, determining the conservation status of natural values, and determining the funding required for the implementation of these measures.
In Spain, there are currently 2,041 protected areas in the Natura 2000 Network, 1,445 SCIs, and 596 SPAs, which means that 30% of the country's surface area is located within some area with this protection status. Specifically, more than 12 million hectares are SCIs, of which 1 million are marine; while more than 10 million are SPAs, with 265,000 being marine SPAs. Only 10% of the Natura 2000 Network areas are being managed with a specific management plan, despite the fact that all areas should have an approved management plan before 2011, according to Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity. Despite the importance of this Network, 85% of Spaniards say they know nothing about these areas. Of the remaining 15%, only 8% admit that it sounds familiar. Furthermore, of this 15%, 10.5% are unable to name a site belonging to the Natura 2000 Network.
The objective has been to increase Spaniards' awareness of the Natura 2000 Network through various communication campaigns.
It has sought to increase Spaniards' awareness of the Natura 2000 Network through various communication campaigns.
The Biodiversity Foundation has been a funding partner of this project, which was coordinated by SEO/BirdLife.
Thirty percent of Spain's territory, 15 million hectares, and more than 2,000 natural areas of significant ecological value are part of the Natura 2000 Network, a large European network designed to ensure the conservation of rural environments. The Natura 2000 Network provides European citizens with vital services such as carbon storage, water quality maintenance, and protection against floods and droughts, valued at €200-300 billion per year, according to the European Commission.
Although more than 80% of the Spanish population lives near one of these spaces, only 3% of us know what it is and how we can take advantage of its benefits and help preserve it.
LIFE+ Activate your true wealth has brought all Europeans together to understand and enjoy our great heritage: the Natura 2000 Network.
In general terms, the project has completed all the actions to be developed as planned from the outset, including some improvements.
Background:
The Natura 2000 Network was established in 1992 with the approval of the Habitats Directive. It consists of two types of protection schemes:
- Sites of Community Interest (SCIs) are sites that host natural habitat types or species of special value at the European Union level. These sites are designated under the Habitats Directive. SCIs become known as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) once they are officially designated by European Union Member States.
- Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs) are sites that host wild bird species that are designated for conservation within the European Union. SPAs are designated under the Birds Directive.
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