Protection of nature areas

Nature areas are subject to three types of protection; these differ in the manner in which the areas concerned are designated and in the extent to which they are protected against the effects of human activity.

Protection of nature areas
	EHS	Natura 2000	Natuurmonument
Designation and legal consequences
Protection	Indirectly under the Spatial Planning Act through its effects on planning	Directly by law, currently by means of the EU directives, in future by means of the amended Nature Conservancy Act	Directly under the Nature Conservancy Act
Designation instrument and legal consequences	Key Planning Decision Green Space Structure Plan 1995	Habitats Directive 1992 and Birds Directive 1979¹	Nature Conservancy Act 1968
Designating authority	Provinces, municipalities	Central government	Central government
Legal consequences via:	Spatial Planning Act	European convention	Constitution
Authority re legal consequences	Provinces, municipalities	Central government	Central government
Source: Alterra
¹⁾The legal consequences for the Birds Directive are laid down in Article 6 of the Habitats Directive.

Types of protection for nature areas

This indicator explains the different types of protection for nature areas.

A nature area can be designated as being subject to protection in three different ways: (1) as part of the National Ecological Network (Ecologische Hoofdstructuur, EHS), (2) as a Special Area of Conservation under the Habitats or Birds Directive or (3) as a nature reserve (beschermd natuurmonument) under the Nature Conservancy Act (Natuurbeschermingswet). In practice, these designations overlap; some 40% of the terrestrial EHS, for example, also enjoys protection on the basis of the Habitats Directive. The three types of protection system differ both in how they designate areas for protection, in their legal effects, and in the actual protection they afford against the effects of human activity.

The provinces and municipalities can also afford protection to nature areas in their regional plans and zoning plans, under the terms of the Spatial Planning Act (Wet op de Ruimtelijke Ordening, WRO).

Designation of areas and legal consequences

Ultimately, the EHS is intended to be a continuous network of high-quality nature areas; these are designated by the provinces, within the framework of government targets. The areas making up the EHS are protected on the basis of the Key Planning Decision (Planologische Kernbeslissing, PKB) for the Green Space Structure Plan (Structuurschema Groene Ruimte) (SGR) and its implications for provincial regional plans and municipal zoning plans.

Designation of areas covered by the Birds and Habitats Directives is intended to create a European network of nature areas within the EU (Natura 2000). These directives aim to safeguard biological diversity within the territory of the EU. The areas concerned are designated by the member states (i.e. by their governments) according to EU criteria. Natura 2000 areas are subject to legal protection at EU level.

The objective of designating protected nature reserves (natuurmonumenten) is to safeguard areas of scientific or scenic interest against human activity. Such areas are designated by the Dutch government and are then protected under the Nature Conservancy Act.

Protection against effects of human activity

When an activity is proposed that will be detrimental to the natural features ("nature values") of a protected nature area, the interests of nature conservation must be weighed up against other interests. In all three types of protection, the key element is the principle of "No, unless..."; in other words, detrimental measures are not permitted unless other interests justify their being taken. All three types of protection also provide for compensatory measures to be implemented.

However, the three types of protection involve different procedures for weighing up the various interests. In the case of EHS and Natura 2000 areas, discussion must take place of the "usefulness and necessity" and alternatives must also be investigated; these steps are not required in the case of nature reserves (natuurmonumenten). The EHS aims to impose overall (integrated) protection, whereas in the case of Natura 2000 areas and nature reserves the focus is on preserving specific natural features. Natura 2000 areas contain the habitats of specific species of flora and fauna and it is this fact that provides the grounds for their designation as nature areas.

Technical note

The table showing the different types of protection is taken from a background study carried out for the "Nature Balance 2002" report (Natuurbalans 2002).

References

Broekmeijer, M., N. Gijsen, L. de Savornin Lohman, H. Cappelle, S. Ligthart en B. Koolstra (2002). Bescherming van natuurgebieden: de toetsings- en afwegingskaders van het SGR en de Habitatrichtlijn in de praktijk. Planbureau-werk in uitvoering, intern werkdocument 2001/12. Natuurplanbureau. Wageningen.
Europese Gemeenschap (1979). Richtlijn 79/409/EG van de Raad inzake het behoud van de vogelstand.
Europese Gemeenschap (1992). Richtlijn 92/43/EEG van de Raad inzake de instandhouding van de natuurlijke habitats en de wilde flora en fauna.
RIVM en DLO (2002). Natuurbalans 2002. Milieu- en Natuurplanbureau. Kluwer. Alphen aan den Rijn.
Wallstrøm, M. (2000). Management van "Natura 2000"-gebieden. De bepalingen van artikel 6 van de Habitatrichtlijn (Richtlijn 92/43/EEG). Europese Commissie, DG Milieu.