Nature 2000 - selected issues

The EU Nature 2000 network is generally not a network of strictly protected areas in which no economic activities should take place. Therefore, in most Nature 2000 sites, a strict wilderness approach will not be the most appropriate form of management. This guidance document should therefore not be interpreted as the Commission aiming to turn all Nature 2000 sites into wilderness areas. However, in specific cases, a wilderness approach can be the most appropriate or even necessary management approach for specific Nature 2000 sites hosting habitat types and species of Community interest, the maintenance or restoration to a favourable conservation status of which is dependent on some degree of wilderness qualities and natural processes. Moreover, there will be sites for which a wilderness approach can be useful but not necessarily the only way to restore or maintain the species and habitats at a favourable conservation status. This guidance document is applicable to those specific Nature 2000 sites.