European Habitats and Birds Directives: protected species
The European Birds and Habitats Directives mainly protect birds and other vertebrates.
| Species of flora and fauna referred to in the Birds and Habitats Directives (numbers) | ||||
| Birds Directive | Habitats Directive | |||
| Annex I | Annex II | Annex IV | Annex V | |
| or 1% criterion | ||||
| no. of species per flora or fauna group | ||||
| Invertebrates | ||||
| Lobsters | 1 | |||
| Molluscs | 3 | 1 | 1 | |
| Leeches | 1 | |||
| Beetles | 5 | 4 | ||
| Dragonflies | 3 | 7 | ||
| Butterflies | 4 | 5 | ||
| Moths | 1 | |||
| Vertebrates | ||||
| Fish | 13 | 2 | 6 | |
| Amphibians | 2 | 8 | 3 | |
| Reptiles | 3 | |||
| Bats | 7 | 20 | ||
| Other mammals | 8 | 12 | 4 | |
| Birds | 42 and 59 respectively. | |||
| Plants | ||||
| Vascular plants | 3 | 4 | 2 | |
| Mosses | 2 | 2 | ||
| Lichens | 1 | |||
| Birds Directive: | ||||
| Annex I: bird species which are the subject of special conservation measures concerning their habitat. | ||||
| 1% criterion: as above, bird species in areas in which at least 1% of the biogeographical population occurs. | ||||
| Habitats Directive: | ||||
| Annex II: animal and plant species whose conservation requires designation of Special Areas of Conservation. | ||||
| Annex IV: animal and plant species in need of strict protection. | ||||
| Annex V: animal and plant species whose taking in the wild and exploitation may be subject to management measures. | ||||
| Note: some species are listed in multiple Annexes. | ||||
| Source: EU, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries | ||||
Current situation
The European Birds and Habitats Directives protect species in two ways: by protecting certain habitats and by extending general protection.
Special Areas of Conservation must be designated for the 51 species listed in Annex II to the Habitats Directive. Under the Birds Directive, such areas have been selected for 42 of the bird species listed in Annex I. Other areas have been selected which regularly provide habitats for at least 1% of the biogeographical population of one or more migratory species of waterfowl. There are 59 such species (35 of which are not already listed in Annex I).
The general protection covers all native European birds and 66 species listed in Annex IV to the Habitats Directive. Finally, Annex V to the Habitats Directive lists 21 species whose taking in the wild and exploitation may be subject to management measures. These are species hunted or trapped for consumption or other use.
Policy objectives
The aim of the European Birds and Habitats Directives is to ensure the preservation of wild flora and fauna and the maintenance or improvement of their ecosystems and habitats. The member states of the European Union are obliged to incorporate the species protection provisions of these directives in national legislation. The Netherlands had done so in its Flora and Fauna Act (Flora- en faunawet).
Technical note
The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries has not produced any official lists of species identified under the European directives that are of direct relevance to the Netherlands. The bird species listed in Annex I and the 1% species are taken from Van Roomen et al. (2000). There are also bird species which play a role when defining Special Areas of Conservation; these have not been included in the table.
The European Union has determined which species listed in Annex II to the Habitats Directive are relevant for the Netherlands (EU & EEA, 1999). The list of Annex IV and Annex V species relevant for the Netherlands is based on information provided by the following organisations: EIS, FLORON, RAVON and the VZZ.
Appendices 1, 2 and 3 to the Nature Compendium (Natuurcompendium) list the species specified in the Birds and Habitats Directives.
References
- EU & EEA (1999). Atlantic region. Reference list of habitat types and species present in the region. Doc.Atl/B/fin.4. European Commission and European Environmental Agency. Brussels and Copenhagen.
- Roomen, M.W.J. van, A. Boele, M.J.T. van der Weide, E.A.J. van Winden en D. Zoetebier (2000). Belangrijke vogelgebieden in Nederland, 1993-1997. Actueel overzicht van Europese vogelwaarden in aangewezen en aan te wijzen speciale beschermingszones en andere belangrijke gebieden. SOVON-informatierapport 2000/01. SOVON Vogelonderzoek Nederland. Beek-Ubbergen.
Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium
- Progress on implementation of Birds and Habitat Directives
- Areas in the Netherlands covered by the EU Birds and Habitat Directives
- Information about the European policy on nature and biodiversity:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/home.htm - The European Birds and Habitats Directives can be found at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/home.htm - Lists with relevant habitat types and species of the Habitat Directives for the Netherlands can be found at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/nature_conservation/species_protection/species_habitats_directive/index_en.htm
