Nature conservation and biodiversity
Nature and the biodiversity it is hosting can be viewed from many different perspectives – its intrinsic value formed by variability of all living organisms, ecosystems and ecological process; emotional and aesthetic experiences it provides, being source for recreation and outdoor activities as well as direct economic benefits from natural resources and food it supplies thus insuring the well-being of people. Furthermore nature is in charge for variety of ecosystem services, including climate regulation, nutrient recycling, flood prevention, etc. that keep in balance our planet.
Despite all the international and national initiatives in nature conservation, we have not been able to stop the loss of biodiversity so far. Within the EU only 17% of species and habitats and 11% of protected ecosystems are in good condition, while the rest are experiencing decline or being under pressure mainly from human activities.
Therefore nature conservation and biodiversity maintenance is still among the main priorities of the EU environmental policy. The new objectives of EU policy focus on bring down high species-extinction rates by 2020, restoring natural ecosystems in the EU as far as possible, and contribute more to averting a global problem. Essential tool of this policy is Natura 2000 network, which encompass the main nature assets of EU covering ca. 18% of its territory.
Baltic Environmental Forum has been contributing to implementation of EU nature conservation policy since the very first years of the organisation and it has had significant role in this process within the Baltic States. At the seminars organised by the BEF the Baltic authorities, stakeholders and NGOs have learned more about EU legislation for protection of biodiversity and discussed the ways forward establishment of the Natura 2000 network in the Baltic States. Furthermore BEF has implemented practical projects on Natura 2000 site designation and management planning. Among the main outputs can be listed establishment of marine protected areas, a number of approved management plans, various information materials and publications.
The actual issues of the BEF nature programme include:
- Promoting of environmental friendly farming for maintenance of biodiversity
- Insuring sustainable use of marine ecosystem by introducing maritime spatial planning
- Assessment of status of marine biodiversity by developing new indicators and innovative monitoring methods
Essential role the BEF nature project activities takes stakeholder information, involvement and integration in the nature management and planning process.
