In addition to the number of species of flora and fauna that inhabit a given environment, the concept of biodiversity includes network relations that living beings establish on their territory and the environmental conditions around them.
In recent decades, society has become increasingly aware that man is no stranger to the future of the planet, showing themselves to be particularly sensitive to the continued loss of natural habitats and the extinction risk for numerous species of flora and fauna. Therefore, it imposes, for all sectors of society, the challenge of further improving the quality of life of the population without causing deterioration of biodiversity.
It is important to conserve natural ecosystems since they contribute to human beings the totality of natural resources needed for the functioning of its complex social and economic systems. The study performed internationally known as the "Millennium Ecosystems Assessment" explains the consequences of changes in ecosystems for human well-being because they provide us goods and services which society depends on, the so-called ecosystems services.
It refers to the variety of genes within a single species that allows populations to face natural selection, evolve and adapt to changes in their environment.
It is the meaning commonly associated with the concept of biodiversity and it is defined by the variety of species that relate to each other within the same ecosystem.
It refers to the variability of ecosystems on the planet that form the biosphere together.
Policy Framework
Internationally, the importance of biodiversity was first recognized in the Convention of Biological Biodiversity (CBB). This treaty was signed by over 150 countries at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Years later, the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 was approved in Nagoya (Japan), a ten-year framework of action for all countries and parties at the Convention to stop the loss of biodiversity and ensure its benefits to people.
At the European level, international commitments are reflected in the Habitats Directives (92/43/EC) and Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). These two directives are the source of the Natura 2000 network.
Nationally, in 2007, Law 42 of the Natural Heritage and Biodiversity was published. The experience gained during the years of the application of this law highlighted the need to improve certain aspects of its implementation, the reason for which it was modified for this purpose, especially in regards to the management of protected spaces. Law 33/2015 amends some articles and features in our legal system the main objectives of the European Union Strategy for biodiversity by 2020.
The Natura network arises from the concern of the European Union about the detection of loss of species diversity (Biodiversity) in its territory and the need to protect native Europe resources.
To solve this, it was decided to protect these species and places (Habitats) where they live creating a network of representative areas of the diversity of habitats and European species. The set of these places is an European network of natural spaces called "Natura 2000". This network is considered the main tool to help slow the progressive loss of biodiversity in Europe.
The Natura 2000 network is developed from the application of two European directives: the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. It is constituted by the Birds Special Protection Areas (BSPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) of each Member State of the European Union, which have previously been declared Community Interest Places (CIP).
Biodiversity
Natura 2000
The European Commission makes periodic updates to the Natura 2000 list to pick new places or modifications to the ones already designated by the proposal of the Autonomous Regions and State Members. If you want to know all areas of the Natura 2000 Network, check the official maps of the EU
Did you know that…
Not all CIPs become SACs. Only the official CIPs for which a conservation plan is approved within a maximum period of 6 years since its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities will become SCAs.
Biodiversity Management at EDP Spain
The EDP Group features a **Biodiversity Policy**, whose implementation contributes to the global effort of curbing the loss of biodiversity due to human activity. In this sense, biodiversity is considered another variable that affects the decision-making processes of all businesses and geographic areas in which we operate, so that the potential impacts are assessed and the necessary operational, preventive and corrective measures necessary for their correct elimination are defined, and when this is not possible, reduced and controlled.