Landscape fragmentation of the Natura 2000 network and its surrounding areas

The dataset provides metrics on the degree of fragmentation within terrestrial Natura 2000 (N2k) sites and in their surrounding areas (5 km buffer zone around each N2k site). N2k sites can be identified via N2k_SITECODE originally provided by the European Environment Agency [Available at https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/data/index_en.htm]. Landscape fragmentation is assessed via two metrics, i.e. effective mesh size (MEFF) and effective mesh density (SEFF). Data on MEFF and SEFF for the EU was provided on demand by the European Environment Agency [EEA (2014) Landscape fragmentation data calculated for the landscape fragmentation report by Jaeger et al. (2011)]. The data also includes information on the differences between exterior and interior fragmentation of N2k sites (SEFF_DIFF = SEFF_SURROUNDING – SEFF_WITHIN). Further the degree of fragmentation within and in the surrounding areas of N2k sites is classified in five distinct fragmentation categories, i.e. very low, low, medium, high, very high. The data also includes information on protected area age, i.e. time since first protected (PA_AGE). This information was derived from UNEP-WCMC, Protected Planet Report 2018. The age is given in years, MEFF and SEFF in km². For details see the corresponding research paper Lawrence et al. 2021.<br>