Brussels, 31/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - Natura 2000, the pan-European network of protected natural areas, is gaining ground, to the great advantage of wild fauna and flora and different habitats. The recent creation of 489 new sites, selected by member states under the Habitats directive (92/43/ECC) to integrate Natura 2000 “Sites of Community Importance". It has added a further 18,784 kilometres square in surface area to this network, which currently covers 20% of the European continent...