“Be-Nature”, BEtter Management and Implementation of Natura 2000 sites

Associated persons Hanns Kirchmeir, Tobias Köstl
Clients Vienna University of Technology
Regions Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania
Year 2011

The standard of the implementation of Natura 2000 in the countries of South East Europe varies very widely, and substantial gaps exist in the management of Natura 2000 areas. In order to counteract the loss of biodiversity and improve the management of these regions, partners from seven countries in Southern, Central and South East Europe have developed joint action plans and strategies for the protection of selected species and habitats which require protection under the FFH Directive. Joint monitoring tools and guidelines are being developed to ensure comparability of observations. In addition, the exchange of examples of best practice and transnational expert field trips have enabled the experts in different countries to share their knowledge. E.C.O. is dealing with the Austrian portion of the project together with the Vienna University of Technology and the lfz Gumpenstein, and has been entrusted in particular with compiling the action plans and monitoring tools.