Analytical report on European ecosystem extent accounts 2000-2018

Analytical report on European ecosystem extent accounts 2000-2018

technical summary

technical summary on potential use of satellite data sets in different ecosystem accounts

underpinning excel files

underpinning excel files on potential use of satellite data sets in different ecosystem accounts

Ecosystem accounting

Protecting ecosystems and biodiversity are key policy targets in the EU’s biodiversity strategy for 2030 and the European Green Deal. EU and national policy makers require information on the extent and condition of ecosystems to improve their management. This page presents the EEA’s work on ecosystem accounting, developed within the European Commission project on accounting for ecosystems and their services EU INCA .

Information on NRR and public consultations in Member States

Other biodiversity data catalogues

This page presents selected data catalogues and infrastructures offering reference data related to biodiversity in Europe, as developed and managed by BISE key partners, other relevant organisations and projects. The list will constantly increase and be kept up to date.

The chart displays the percentage of marine waters, by Member State and at EU 27 level, covered by Protected Areas.

Size distribution of marine protected areas

Size distribution of terrestrial protected areas

The chart displays the distribution of the size of Protected Areas in Europe and at MS level

Country profile - protected habitats - Conservation status by group

Protected habitats - Conservation status by group

Countries total protected species

BISE.latest.Total_ProtectedSpecies

Countries total protected habitats

BISE.latest.Total_ProtectedHabitats

ARCHIVED-ExtendedTemplate_Part B - Article 08 and Add Info III Geospatial

Search protected and conserved areas

From this page you can access information about areas protecting or conserving flora, fauna and habitats across Europe

all-sites-natura2000-search-listing

all-sites-national-search-listing

On this page you can search species names listed in the Birds and Habitats Directives, the Bern Convention and other international instruments relevant to Europe. You may also find European Red Listed species and species used to characterise European habitat types.

B3.4a #1 John Janssen_card.jpg

20220910_110255.jpg

H3.1c #2 Milan Chytrý_card.jpg

Addressed priority pathways by Member States

The table displays the number of Member States that have addressed priority introduction pathways, shown by pathway category (class) and detailed pathway subcategory.

Reported presence status by Member State and Invasive Alien Species (IAS) compared across reporting periods

This table lists the management measures applied by each Member State of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern at different reporting periods. Management measures are per population. A Member State could have applied management measures for the same species in different reporting periods addressing different or the same populations (sites/ areas).

Management measures applied by Member States during different reporting periods

This table lists the management measures applied by each Member State of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern at different reporting periods. Management measures are per population. A Member State could have applied management measures for the same species in different reporting periods addressing different or the same populations (sites/ areas).

Rapid eradication measures applied by Member State during different reporting periods

This table lists the rapid eradication measures applied by each Member State of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern at different reporting periods. Rapid eradication measures are per population. A Member State could have applied rapid eradication measures for the same species in different reporting periods addressing different populations (sites/ areas).

Comparison of permits in place between the two reporting periods

This table lists the management measures applied by each Member State of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern at different reporting periods. Management measures are per population. A Member State could have applied management measures for the same species in different reporting periods addressing different or the same populations (sites/ areas).

While the number of terrestrial protected areas in Europe is very high (over 130 000), their average size is quite low in comparison to other regions of the world. This largely reflects the high degree of fragmentation arising from agriculture, transport and urban development in Europe.

Protected Species & Habitats

Many European habitats and species as well as all birds naturally occurring in Europe are covered by the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. As one its the central objectives, the Natura 2000 network aims to protect comprise these 233 habitats, 1 389 non-bird species and the over 460 wild birds.

Clipboard image

Management1.png

Management

Adequate site management and targeted measures are key factors for successful conservation. Current analyses show, however, that while protection is increasingly secured on paper, the progress on improving the management and assessing the effectiveness of measures has been rather low.

Clipboard image

Natura_Viktors Ozolins.png

ProtectedHabitats.PNG

Future

The protection of European nature has advanced substantially in the past years. Ongoing shortcomings involve the protection of offshore waters and some ecosystem types as well as the implementation of effective management plans and its monitoring. Thus, ambitious action is needed to achieve the targets to 2030 set by the EU and the CBD

Assess the potential of other effective area-based conservation measures as a driver for landscape-level conservation and connectivity in the EU Report

Report on potential of OECMs as a driver for landscape-level conservation and connectivity in the EU

Other effective area-based conservation measures

Protected areas networks

Protected areas are designated by countries under their national law and under different international legal instruments.

Temporary_PA_Region.png

Temporary_MPA_Marine Region.png

MPA_regions

Coverage and representativeness

Since the early 1900s, there has been a continued increase in the coverage of protected areas in Europe on land and at sea. As of 2022, there are over 142,000 protected areas in the 38 EEA member countries. Within the EU27 there are over 134,000 protected areas covering 1.077 million km² on land and approx. 612,000 km² in the marine realm.

Protected area designation is the first important step towards achieving desired conservation objectives, but the adequate site management and targeted measures are the key factors for successful conservation. Designation of protected areas can be based on national legislation or on EU legislation, as is the case with Natura 2000 sites.

Protected Areas

Nature conservation activities play a key role in halting biodiversity lossand reducing pressure on ecosystems. A fundamental conservation measure targeting species and habitats as well as broader ecosystem functions and services is the designation of protected areas.

Species ecological group dashboard

The dashboard, developed in 2022, shows the ecological groups for species listed in the Annexes of the Habitats Directive. Read more on the Introduction tab.

Endemism of the species listed in the Annexes of the Habitats Directive

This dashboard shows the assessment of degree of endemism of the species listed in the Annexes of the Habitats Directive. and it is based on the habitats or species distribution and distribution or range area. The main source used is the Article 17 data for 2013-2018 reporting period.

Pressures on Habitats and Species-State of Nature

The dashboard shows the pressures on habitats and species as reported by the Member States. It complements the chapter 4.1 of the State of nature report (EEA Report No 10/2020)

Percentage of TerrestrialProtectedArea Coverage-eu

TPA_withEUpercentage

Distribution of terrestrial protected areas between national designation and Natura 2000

The chart shows the percentage distribution of type of terrestrial Protected Areas at EU27 and MS level.

Distribution of marine protected areas between national designation and Natura 2000

The chart shows the percentage distribution of type of marine Protected Areas at EU27 and MS level.

Ranunculus_fluitans.jpg

Rivers_Lakes_small.png

Rocky and dune habitats

At least 6 700 square kilometres of rocky and dune habitats protected under Annex I of the Habitats Directive need to be restored

Dunes_Netherlands_Box 3.2.jpg

Rocky_dunes_small.png

Steppe, heath and scrub habitats

At least 6 600 square kilometres of steppe, heath and scrub habitats protected under Annex I of the Habitats Directive need to be restored

Peatland restoration_Box 4.7.jpg

Wetlands_small.png

Number of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) of Union concern with spatial data provided by Member States

The map shows the number of IAS of Union concern reported by each Member State as being present in the environment and provided with spatial data.

Habitat types distribution

This data viewer provides information about distribution (maps) and areas (distribution and surface) of habitat types from Annex I of the Habitats Directive. UnderArticle17of the Habitats Directive, Member States report every six years on the status and trends of habitats and species. This includes distribution maps – presence/absence – on a 10 km x 10 km grid and surface areas for each of the 233 Annex I habitat types; the dashboards include information reported in 2019, corresponding to the 2013-2018 period.

Webinar on concept and Reportnet 3 walkthrough for test Geospatial NRP dataflow (13/02/2026)

Webinar official draft NRP dataflow_20260428

Webinar - Official dataflow for draft NRPs in Reportnet 3 meeting recording 28.04.2026

Webinar: Official dataflow for draft NRPs in Reportnet 3 meeting, held the 28.04.2026. Meeting Recording

Screenshot 2026-05-04 at 11.27.16.png

ExtendedTemplate_Part B - Article 08 and Add Info III Geospatial

ExtendedTemplate_Part B - Article 09 and Add Info IV Geospatial

Annex II Interpretation Manual

This interpretation manual provides a description of the 233 marine habitat types listed in Annex II of the Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) with a geographical distribution of 42 EUNIS habitat types in the Baltic Sea, 88 habitat types in the Mediterranean, 35 habitat types in the Black Sea, and 68 habitat types in the NE Atlantic. The purpose of this manual is to support the implementation of the NRR, guiding Member States in the definition on the marine habitats included in its Annex II, their abiotic and biotic characteristics, biogeographical distribution, and in understanding the linkages between other habitat typologies. In addition, this manual brings scattered habitat information together to support the mapping, assessing and planning of effective restoration measures for the national restoration plans. Best practices for restoration are listed when applicable.

NRP preparation tool

Material that aims to facilitate the preparation by Member States of their draft NRP and support its future submission through Reportnet 3. It includes data models, reference data, extended templates, and instructions.

This page contains a series of country profiles with data on protected areas, protected species and habitats, ecosystems. It contrasts data on coverage and overlaps between networks of protected areas under national law as well as Natura 2000, shows details on the extent and size of protection as well as the protection system and conservation status of taxa and habitats.

Bulgaria, a predominantly mountainous country, covers a terrestrial area of over 110,000km² and has a marine area exceeding 35,000km². It is characterized by plains, as well as the Balkan and Rhodope Mountain ranges, and the Black Sea coastline. The country shares borders with 5 neighbouring nations. The highest peak, Musala, reaches a height of 2,925m. Bulgaria has a population of 6.87 million people, resulting in a population density of 63.9 people per km².

Cyprus is an island located in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, with a terrestrial area of over 9,200km² and a marine area close to 98,000km². The dominant physical features on the island are the Troodos Mountains and the Mesaoria plain. Mount Olympus stands as the highest point, reaching 1,952m in elevation. Cyprus has a population of 1.2 million people, resulting in a population density of 123.4 people per km².

Estonia is a low-lying coastal country located in the Baltic region. It is characterised by a significant number of islands and islets, with the largest ones being Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. The country has a terrestrial area of close to 45,000km² and a marine area of approximately 36,000km². Estonia shares its borders with 2 neighbouring countries. The highest point in Estonia is Suur Munamägi, reaching a height of 318m. With a population of 1.3 million people, Estonia has a population density of 30.6 people per km².

EU Biodiversity strategy

MAES

Methodological report

Current methodological report outlines the work carried out for developing ecosystem accounts in Statistics Estonia in 2020 and in the first half of 2021. Current work was built on obtained experiences of the experimental work carried out in Estonia in 2019 and work done elsewhere as well as methodological guidance provided by UN SEEA E(E)A1. Methodological development was assisted by the experts of Statistics Netherlands.

Finland

Finland is a country characterised by vast forests, with over 187,000 lakes and ponds, as well as a similar count of islands and islets. It has a terrestrial area exceeding 33,000km² and a marine area spanning over 81,000km². Finland shares its borders with 3 neighbouring countries. The highest point in Finland is Halti, reaching a height of 1,324m. With a population of 5.5 million people, Finland has a relatively low population density of 16.4 people per km².

EU Biodiversity strategy

Green infrastructure

MAES

France

France being the largest country in Western Europe, has a variety of landscapes, with an terrestrial area of close to 638,000km² and a marine areas close to 371,000km² split between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It is bordered by 8 other countries. The highest point is Mont Blanc at 4,809m on the Italian border, the highest mountain in Western Europe. France has a population of 67 million people and a population density of 105.6 people per km².

Country profile - Country Information

[BISE].[latest].[Country_Information]

This section digs into the European Biodiversity, by providing an overview on its ecosystems, habitats, species and their official European and international classifications. This section also provides summaries and key information about the status of Europe's nature, ongoing pressures, measures for biodiversity protection and restoration. In most of the cases, the sources are data and information reported by Member States under legislative reporting obligations and the outcomes of the experts’ assessments.

European habitats need to be restored

Based on facts and figures from EU Habitats Directive’s Annex I habitats. EEA & ETC/BD | June 2022

Climate change

Climate change impacts biodiversity through complex interactions among species and between species and their habitats .

Fragmentation

Europe has faced more habitat and ecosystem fragmentation than any other continent.

Invasive species

About 10,000 alien species have been registered in Europe. Some of these species were introduced on purpose and remain economically important. However, a proportion of the alien species established cause significant damage to native biodiversity and can be classified as invasive alien species according to the Convention on Biological Diversity.