Natura 2000

Natura 2000 is a network of sites important to the species and habitats that are listed in the annexes 2 of the Habitats Directive and annex 1 of the Birds Directive.

The network extends across all EU states and covers everything from wide dune landscapes in Holland, rushing rivers in Sweden to stone and cork oak woodlands in Portugal.

Among the species identified in these areas are for example brudkulla (Gymnadenia runei), the fire-bellied toad and the round-mouthed whorl snail. The network also includes the most valuable bird sites in Europe. In Sweden there are almost 4 100 designated Natura 2000 sites.

Protection of these areas is one of the measures for achieving the objectives in the Directives. Sweden has an obligation to ensure that the listed species and habitats in the country are conserved and their status is favourable. This can mean that an area must be managed in a specific way, e.g. with hay or grass, or that the area is restored. In other cases it may be necessary to leave an area completely untouched.

The Directives have been adopted by Swedish law and there are strict regulations as to how Natura 2000 sites are managed.