Natura 2000 and Recreational Use
Being in nature brings happiness to 90% of the population in Germany (BMUB & BfN 2015, p. 62). However, balancing Natura 2000 conservation goals with recreational use of natural areas can present challenges, as these areas include protected habitats and species under the Habitats Directive (FFH) and Birds Directive. For example, the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) specifies in § 44 that strictly protected species must not be disturbed. At the same time, BNatSchG promotes the general right to access nature, allowing individuals to experience even the protected areas. This connection with nature help foster a commitment to its conservation (Soga & Gaston 2016; Hergenröder et al. 2022).
Most recreational activities, including sports and leisure pursuits, generally do not pose significant threats to the conservation objectives within Natura 2000 sites. However, some restrictions must be obeyed: (i) activities must comply with any existing legal protection, such as restrictions specific to protected areas, and (ii) they must not compromise the conservation status or objectives for protected habitats and species. When conducted responsibly, outdoor activities are usually compatible with Natura 2000’s conservation goals. Various guidelines and recommendations provide further clarity on these principles. The compatibility of recreational activities with Natura 2000 conservation objectives depends on several factors, including the specific type of activity, the number of visitors, the intensity of use, the sensitivity of particular species or habitats, and prior disturbances in the area. Notably, a high number of visitors does not automatically conflict with the conservation objectives of Natura 2000 (Palmino & Carrascal 2007; Gohlke et al. 2019).
Photo Gallery
Sources
BMUB, BfN (Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Federal Agency for Nature Conservation; 2016): Awareness of Nature 2015 – Population Survey on Nature and Biological Diversity.
Gohlke, A.-K., Henkel, A., Brunzel, S. (2019): Impacts of Hiking Tourism on Protected Bird Species in Forests: A Study in Hainich National Park (Thuringia). Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning 51: 590 – 595.
Hergenröder, K., Schneider, J., Brunzel, S. (2022): Encountering Nature in the Classroom: Empirical Study of Educational Programs on the Red Kite and Beaver. Nature and Landscape 97(3): 124 – 129. doi: 10.19217/NuL2022-03-02.
https://www.bfn.de/kooperation-mit-nutzern-beim-natura-2000-management#anchor-6388
Soga, M., Gaston, K.J. (2016): Extinction of Experience: The Loss of Human-Nature Interactions. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 14(2): 94 – 101. DOI: 10.1002/fee.1225.
Palmino, D., Carrascal, L. (2007): Impact of Forest Recreation on Forest Bird Communities: Non-Detrimental Effects of Trails and Picnic Areas. ACTA ZOOLOGICA SINICA (53), 54-63.