BayCEER Workshop 2024

Fragementation affecting the European Natura 2000 Network of Protected Areas

EU’s Natura 2000 network of protected areas is considered the largest worldwide. Until 2030 the EU protected area shall reach 30% to maintain biodiversity. An assessment of limits and options for this EU Biodiversity Strategy is needed. Central Europe exhibits the highest degree of fragmentation in the surrounding of Natura 2000 protected areas, which limits future expansion to fulfil the 30x30 goal of the EU Biodiversity Strategy.

Large protected areas tend to be located in remote landscapes with low degree of fragmentation (e.g. Spain, Sweden), whereas highly fragmented landscapes like in Central Europe tend to host only small to very small protected areas. The total protected area is rather comparable across Europe, but area size and fragmentation differ considerably.