ABSTRACT
The Habitats and Birds Directives have contributed considerably to the conservation of valuable habitats and species throughout Europe, most notably by establishing the Natura 2000 network of protected sites. Today, however, this site-related approach is increasingly challenged from both the environmental and the economic perspectives. On the environmental side it is clear that the directives alone will not save the vast parts of nature that lie beyond reserves and priority species, yet which are, nevertheless, worth sustaining. Halting biodiversity loss will not be possible by just a limited reserve or priority species approach, and even those habitats and species covered by the Natura 2000 regime will progressively depend on the state of the surrounding ecosystems. Minimum ubiquitous standards of ‘health’ of nature and, in particular, connectivity of habitats will become more and more vital as climate change brings about increasing dynamic change and migration.
