Brussels, 13/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - Of the 1182 species and 216 types of natural habitat protected by Community legislation, only 17% were in a good state of conservation in 2006, with over 50% of them presenting an unfavourable status if not actually on the road to extinction, such as the Iberian lynx and certain amphibians. These were among the findings of the most comprehensive report ever carried out into the state of conservation of species and habitats in Europe. Grassy habitats and humid and coastal areas are the most under threat, mainly due to the gradual disappearance of traditional methods of agriculture, development and tourism and the effects of climate change. Furthermore, the state of conservation in all types of habitats associated with agriculture was the worst, as just 7% are in a favourable state, compared to 21% for habitats not associated with agriculture.
Judging by this report, which was published by the European Commission on Monday 13 July, the picture is fairly bleak but not desperate, as a number of emblematic species such as the brown bear, the wolf, the Eurasian lynx, the beaver and the otter are starting partially to recolonise their territory - a sign that the protection measures are having positive effects. This should encourage the member states to redouble their efforts to preserve biodiversity, says the European Commission, which is determined to reinforce the implementation of legislation on protection of nature (Directive 92/43/EEC, known as the "Habitats" directive, and Directive 79/409/EEC, "wild birds"). This report was drawn up by the European Commission on the basis of data provided by the member states under the "Habitats" directive (article 17) for the period 2001-2006 and of evaluations (species and habitats) carried out by the European Environment Agency (EEA) for each geographical region. Published every six years, for the first time it contains evaluations of the state of conservation of the species and habitats covered by the Habitats directive and present on the territory of the various member states.
"We are committed to halting the loss of biodiversity in Europe and today's report leaves no room for complacency. Bringing vulnerable habitats and species back to a good status takes time and considerable effort. EU nature legislation and the Natura 2000 network are the key elements in achieving our objectives for biodiversity protection in the EU. Now that the terrestrial part of the network is nearly complete, we can expect significant improvements over the next 10 to 20 years", said Stavros Dimas, European Environment Commissioner, in a press release. On the completion of the Natura 2000 network, which covers more than 25,000 sites and around 17% of the territory of the EU, "progress has been made by Germany, the United Kingdom and Sweden", said Barbara Helfferich, the spokesperson to the commissioner.
Jacqueline McGlade, the executive director of the EEA, added: "Europe's biodiversity is still under serious pressure and faces grave risks. Although we will miss the target of halting biodiversity loss in Europe by 2010, some progress is being made". For the post-2010 period, she added, it will be necessary to set clear, ambitious and measurable objectives, as the commissioner suggested at the high-level conference attended by the Commission in Athens last April to identify ways of moving forward over the coming years. (A.N./transl.fl)