Natura 2000 newsletter Issue 26

The first systematic assessment of the conservation status of Europe's most endangered habitats and species has been carried out by the Member States, as part of the regular reporting on the EU Habitats Directive. The results, examined in this issue of Natura 2000, show that only a small proportion of the habitats and species of Community interest are in a favourable conservation status. The findings highlight the critical importance of conservation actions at EU level, both in the establishment and development of the Natura 2000 network, and suggest a need to urgently intensify ecological restoration efforts.