First “Map of the week”! Discover the Natura 2000 sites via the European Atlas of the Seas.

The revamped European Atlas of the Seas has just been released.To showcase this exciting resource every week we will present a new map worth exploring. This week we put the spotlight on Natura 2000 sites!

Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas in the territory of the European Union designated under the Birds and Habitats Directives. Around 2000 species, mostly endangered, vulnerable or rare, and 230 habitats types are identified in these sites. It is a haven of natural information in Europe!

As you will see, the map of the Natura 2000 sites is very colourful due to the impressive number of sites! In 2016 the map included over 27,000 sites covering a total surface of about 1,150,000 km2 of all the EU Member States. This represents 18% of the EU’s land area and almost 6 % of its marine territory, thus making Natura 2000 the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world!

You can explore this valuable natural resource online, visit the public Natura 2000 viewer and find out more about your natural environment!

See the map:
 European Atlas of the Seas

More information about Natura 2000 sites here.

This map is hosted by the EMODnet Human Activities portal:
http://www.emodnet-humanactivities.eu