EU Natura 2000 network expands again

The EU's Natura 2000 network of protected natural sites has expanded, with the addition of a further 769 sites covering 95,522 square kilometres, the European commission said on Friday.

Natura 2000 sites now cover nearly 20 per cent of the EU landmass, comprising about 700,000 square kilometres. The new expansion adds sites in Romania and Bulgaria for the first time and increases by half the number of sites in Poland. Smaller additions elsewhere involve eight of the EU's nine biogeographical zones.

Daiga Brakmane

17.12.2008.