Habitats Directive species: trends in numbers

Trends

In the Netherlands 102 of the species in the Habitats Directive occur. Some of these are only found as occasional visitors. Seventeen species in this Directive went extinct in the Netherlands in the 20^th century and a further 42 declined. Only 23 species remained stable or increased in numbers during this period. The trends for the remaining species are unknown.

The European Union's Habitats Directive is intended to maintain the biological diversity in Europe by protecting habitats and the wild flora and fauna. This aim is being pursued by designating special protected areas (Habitats Directive areas) and designating protected plant and animal species.

The Habitats Directive came into force in 1982 but its implementation is still ongoing in the Netherlands. The trends in the figure therefore mostly relate to the period prior to the Directive. They show the starting situation for the Habitats Directive and suggest that much remains to be done to ensure that the species are sufficiently protected in the Netherlands.