Asinara Park
SCI, SAC AND SPA "Asinara Island"
Natura 2000 is the main instrument of European Union policy for the conservation of biodiversity. It is an ecological network spread throughout the Union, established under the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC to ensure the long-term maintenance of natural habitats and threatened or rare species of flora and fauna at the Community level.
The Natura 2000 network consists of Sites of Community Interest (SCIs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) established by Member States in accordance with the Habitats Directive, and also includes Special Protection Areas (SPAs) established under the 79/409/EEC “Birds” Directive.
SCIs, SACs and SPAs constitute the Natura 2000 Network designed for the protection of European biodiversity through the conservation of natural habitats and animal and plant species of community interest.
What are SCIs?
Sites of Community Interest (SCI) are protected areas, the creation of which was provided for in Directive 92/43/EEC, known as the HABITAT DIRECTIVE. The purpose of their existence is the protection of habitats, flora and fauna species whose conservation is considered a priority or of interest at the European level. Lists of habitats, flora and fauna species are described in the Annexes to the Directive.
What are SPAs?
Special protection areas or SPAs, in Italy, under Art. 1 Paragraph 5 of Law No. 157/1992 are selected protection areas along bird migration routes, aimed at maintaining and arranging suitable habitats for the conservation and management of migratory wild bird populations. All construction projects affecting these areas are subject to Environmental Impact Assessment.
Management Plans for SCIs and SPAs.
The preparation of Management Plans is responsible for identifying conservation measures for Natura 2000 Network protected sites and giving guidance on the management of habitats and species of community interest. Management plans are required by Article 6 of the Habitats Directive 43/92/EEC.
The process of transforming SCIs into Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) is a key step in the full implementation of the Natura 2000 Network because it ensures the full entry of site-specific conservation measures, provides greater certainty for the management of the network and its strategic role aimed at achieving the goal of halting biodiversity loss in Europe.
