One World - An indication on the state of our environment (26)
Biodiversity: Sites designated as part of the Natura 2000 network
Has there been an increase in sites proposed or designated to form part of the EU Natura 2000 network?
Natura 20001 is a network of sites across the EU that have been designated in line with the Habitats and Birds Directives.
The Natura 2000 (1) sites consist of both SACs of international importance designated under the Habitats Directive, and the SPAs designated under the Birds Directive.
In all, Malta has proposed 26 terrestrial SACs (40km² or 12.6 per cent of land area) and 1 marine SAC (8.5km²) for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network. Malta's 12 SPAs (14km² or 4.5 per cent of land area) automatically form part of the Natura 2000 network.
In some cases, the area of the SACs and SPAs included in the Natura 2000 network overlap, so that the total terrestrial sites proposed or designated cover 13 per cent of the Islands.
According to a recent European survey (2), Malta has almost reached sufficiency (93%) with respect to the representation of terrestrial habitats and species listed in the Annexes of the Habitats Directive and found within the Maltese Islands that are afforded protection through proposal or designation as Natura 2000 sites (3).
Source: Mepa
Environmental tip: Become aware of Malta's Natura 2000 sites their role in protecting European habitats and species
1 For more information, see www. mepa.org.mt/environment/nature_protection/protected_areas/natura2000.htm
2 European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity. 2007. State of progress in reaching sufficiency for Sites' designation. June 2007. ETC/BD.
3 The survey refers only to terrestrial sites proposed under the Habitats Directive.