Adopted in 1992, the ‘Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora’ (Habitats Directive) aims to promote the maintenance of biodiversity, taking account of economic, social, cultural and regional requirements. Together with the Birds Directive, it forms a major element of Europe's nature conservation policy and establishes the EU wide Natura 2000 ecological network of protected areas, safeguarded against potentially damaging developments (1). Additionally, the Habitats Directive is a core element in implementing the EU Biodiversity Strategy.

Over 1000 animal and plant species, as well as 200 habitat types are protected in several ways (1):

• Core areas of their habitat are designated and included in the Natura 2000 network. These sites must be managed in accordance with the ecological needs of the species (Annex II species, about 900)
• A strict protection regime must be applied across their entire natural range within the EU, both within and outside Natura 2000 sites (Annex IV species, over 400, including many annex II species)
• Member States must ensure that their exploitation and taking in the wild is compatible with maintaining them in a favourable conservation status (Annex V species, over 90)

Natura 2000 sites have been designated specifically to protect core areas for a sub-set of species or habitat types listed in the Habitats and Birds Directives. They are deemed to be of European importance because they are endangered, vulnerable, rare, endemic or present outstanding examples of typical characteristics of one or more of Europe’s nine biogeographical regions. In total, there are around 2 000 species and 230 habitat types for which core sites need to be designated as Natura 2000 sites (2).

Nature reserves, national parks or other nationally or regionally protected sites are, on the other hand, established exclusively under national or regional law, which can vary from country to country. Sites may be designated for a range of different purposes and may also concern species/ habitats other than those targeted by the Natura 2000 network.

They do not have the same status as Natura 2000 sites. Nevertheless, it may be that some nationally or regionally protected sites are also designated as Natura 2000 sites because they are important areas for species and habitats of EU importance as well. In such cases, the provisions of the EU directives apply, unless stricter rules are in place under national law (2).

Until 2018, the 28 EU member States protected 18 % (1.34 million km²) of the total territory (4.35 million km²) in nearly 28 000 single sites under Natura 2000. The marine areas covered 41 % (0.55 million km²) and the terrestrial areas 59 % (3).