Summary
It is important to note that this act is a directive; as such, it sets out goals that all countries in the European Union (EU) must achieve, but not the methods by which to achieve them. The directive opens by defining some key terms, including “conservation” (measures required to maintain or restore the natural habitats and the populations of species that inhabit them), “natural habitats” (areas with abiotic and biotic features), and “priority species” (the conservation of a species for which a proportion of their natural range falls in conservation territory). The directive establishes a network of conservation areas across the EU, with flexibility for Member States with conservation areas that comprise 5% or more of their national territory. The responsibility of establishing the measures falls on the individual member states. However, there are specific responsibilities to the species in conservation areas, including prohibiting the deliberate capture, killing, disturbance, egg removal/destruction, and breeding site deterioration/destruction of said species. Member States are to protect species in conservation areas from transport and trade, and establish a system to monitor species’ incidental capture and killing. The directive also emphasizes the importance of scientific investigations and studying the effectiveness of the provisions taken, as well as potential actions such as the reintroduction of a species to an area. The directive closes with annexes that further define and clarify some of the policy requirements found in the directive. Some notable annexes identify specific protected habitats and their types, specific species that may be protected, and the relevant criteria for selecting sites eligible for conservation protection. The directive also protects plant life in ways similar to the way it protects animal life.