Species

The geographical distribution of species results from a varity of different factors like relief, temperature and vegetation as well as human activities. Compared with the other continents, Europe has relatively few animal species. This is due to the fact that Europe has been largely covered several times by ice during the last million years and also due to the human activities of deforestation, agriculture, and industrialization that have taken place during the last few thousand years. Many European species are characterized by their successful adaptation to life close to humans.

 Here you can find more information on selected species groups:  

• Amphibians  -  Mammals  -  Reptiles     

• see also Genetic resources   -   Invasive species

Further reading   

• EU 2010 Biodiversity Baseline report
• Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Report country profiles on target 1.3 - and community level
• EU Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Report:
  a) Community report on targets A1.3, A9.4 and A10.1 
  b) Country profiles on targets A1.3 and A9.4

Selected links

EUNIS species

Euro+Med Plantbase

European Register of Marine Species  

Fauna Europaea  

FishBase

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES

Global Register of Migratory Species GROMS

The Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats Eurobats

The Bern Convention  

The Birds Directive

The Habitats Directive

EU Commission activities on Bees

EU Cormorant Platform