Life Canal de Castilla

Natura 2000 Network

Natura 2000 is a European ecological network of areas that are being conserved because of their biodiversity. Its creation stemmed from the Habitats and Birds Directives. A series of habitats and animal and plants species of conservation interest have been identified in the European Community. Member States must adopt measures in these sites to protect them and to maintain a favourable state of conservation.

The Natura 2000 Network has been created from the Special Areas of Conservation designated under the auspices of the Habitats Directive and the Special Protection Areas for Birds established under the Birds Directive.

The Network is formed by areas that harbour the natural habitats listed in Annex I and the species of plants and animals included in Annex II of the Directive. The scientific criteria for determining the zones to be included in Natura 2000 are found in Annex III. The Directive urges Members to designate conservation areas, establish links with the surrounding territory, and maintain the ecological coherence of the network. It also establishes a comprehensive system for the protection of wild species. Animal species and plants of Community interest that require strict protection even outside the Natura 2000 network are listed in Annex IV of the Directive.

Ecosystems and habitats of certain species are considered key elements for maintaining the biological diversity of the European Union and they have been targeted by Community nature conservation policy, in contrast with the traditional strategy of acting on isolated species. A new concept of capital importance has been introduced: the ecological values of Community territory are a primordial factor that must be taken into account in the planning and instrumentation of other sectoral policies.