Forest and Natura 2000

Europe’s diverse forest ecosystems are vital for the conservation of the EU’s rich but increasingly threatened biodiversity. Forests make up about half of the Natura 2000 Network. In general, forests are in a better state of conservation compared to other key habitat groups like grasslands and wetlands.

AREA OF FOREST INSIDE NATURA 2000 SITES IN 2020

Share of forest inside Natura 2000 in 2018

Click on the map area to get information on forest area (ha and %), and on the forest area inside and outside Natura 2000 (%).

Most forests are located outside Natura 2000 sites.

Source: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018 provided by European Environment Agency (EEA) and Copernicus Land Monitoring Service

Forest inside and outside Natura 2000 sites in 2018

Most forests are located outside natura 2000 areas.

 

Share of Annex 1 habitats in 2018, %

 

The forest habitats that are protected (Annex 1) are:

  • Bog woodland.
  • Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae).
  • Riparian mixed forest of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus agustifolia, along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris).
  • Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests.
  • Atlantic acidophilous beech forests with Ilex and sometimes also Taxus in the shrublayer (Quercion robori-petraeae or Ilici-Fagenion).
  • Sub-Atlantic and medio-European oak or oak-hornbeam forests of the Carpinion betuli.
  • Old acidophilous oak woods with Quercus robur on sandy plains.

Sources:Extracted from Natura 2000 Barometer provided by European Environment Agency (EEA)Extracted from Land cover and change statistics 2000-2018 provided by European Environment Agency (EEA)Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018 provided by European Environment Agency (EEA) and Copernicus Land Monitoring ServiceAdministrative Units/Statistical Units provided by GISCO Eurostat; © EuroGeographics for the administrative boundaries

Conservation status and trends of forest habitats

The conservation status of the protected forest habitats are assessed as “Good”, “Unfavourable-bad”, “Unfavourable-inadequate”, and “Unknown”.

The trend in the conservation status of forest species (population status) is assessed as "Improving", "Stable", "Deteriorating", or "Unknown".

The conservation status of forest species is reported every 6 years as requested by the Birds and Habitat Directives. Population status is assessed as improving, stable, deteriorating, or unknown.

Conservation status for the forest habitats in 2018, %

The conservation status of the protected forest habitats are mostly assessed as unfavourable-inadequate and unfavourable-bad.

 

Trends in conservation status of forest in 2018, %

 

Conservation status of forest habitats for each biogeographical region in 2018, %

 

Trends in status of forest non-bird and bird species

The conservation status of forest species is reported every 6 years as requested by the Birds and Habitat Directives. Population status is assessed as improving, stable, deteriorating, or unknown.

Status of forest non-bird and bird species in 2018, %

 

Tree species composition

Tree species diversity in 2015, k ha

 

Functional biodiversity

Average deadwood in 2015, m³/ha