Natura 2000 (INSPIRE harmonised)

Natura 2000 is the coherent network of protected natural areas in the European Union consisting of Birds Directive and Habitats Directive areas. The Natura 2000 sites are a merger of both. As of 1 January 2017, the Nature Conservation Act has entered into force, as a result of which the status of Protected Natural Monument has expired. A total of 160 areas, including three marine areas in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the North Sea. The Birds Directive areas were mostly designated during the period 1986-2000. The Habitats Directive sites are designated with the designation of the Natura 2000 sites concerned. The designation of these areas started in 2008 and is expected to be completed in 2017. On 23 March 2017 (small) changes to the boundary of the Weerribben entered into force. This stock contains the boundaries of the 157 final designated areas (state of 23 March 2017) and the borders in line with the draft decision of most other areas. For two habitats directive areas (Krammer-Volkerak and Zoommeer) on land, this dataset contains the borders as reported to the European Commission. This dataset also contains the boundaries of underground limestone quarries near the areas of Geuldal, Sint Pietersberg & Jekerdal, Bemelerberg & Schiepersberg and Savelsbos (code “HR quarry” in the attribute protector). Unlike the regular Habitats Directive area, only the underground limestone quarries are part of the Habitats Directive area.