Natura 2000

What are Natura 2000 sites?

Natura 2000 is a European network of protected sites which represent areas of the highest value for natural habitats and species of plants and animals which are rare, endangered or vulnerable in the European Community. The term Natura 2000 comes from the 1992 EC Habitats Directive; it symbolises the conservation of precious natural resources for the year 2000 and beyond into the 21st century. Scotland’s Natura 2000 sites will help to protect these important areas now and for generations to come.

The Natura 2000 network will include two types of area. Areas may be designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) where they support rare, endangered or vulnerable natural habitats and species of plants or animals (other than birds). Where areas support significant numbers of wild birds and their habitats, they may become Special Protection Areas (SPA). SACs are designated under the Habitats Directive and SPAs are classified under the Birds Directive. Some very important areas may become both SAC and SPA.

Establishing the Natura 2000 network is the primary purpose of the Directives, but they also make other provisions, including measures for the protection of habitats and species outwith the site network.

Legislation and site protection

The 1992 Habitats Directive complements and amends the 1979 Birds Directive. It was transposed into GB law by the ‘Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994’ which came into force on 30 October 1994. Generally known as the Habitats Regulations, they apply to both SACs and SPAs.

Implementation of Natura

Positive partnerships with the people who live and work on the land are important to the success of the Directives in Scotland, because their support is essential for achieving environmentally sustainable land management. Scottish Natural Heritage has been developing this partnership approach to its work since it was established in 1992 and continues to take the implementation of the Directives forward on behalf of Scottish Ministers in the same spirit. For this reason the owners and occupiers of land, as well as other interested parties such as local authorities, are consulted about proposals to designate Natura 2000 areas in Scotland before any final decisions are made.