SELECTED ECOSYSTEMS

INTRODUCTION

In 2016, the European Commission published the first European Red List of Habitats – an overview of the current status of all natural and semi-natural marine, terrestrial and freshwater habitats, including the pressures they face. It was enhanced by European Enviroment Agency in 2022. Looking at the 233 natural and semi-natural terrestrial and freshwater habitat types, the highest percentage of threatened types (Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable categories) was found among mires and bogs, followed by grasslands, freshwater habitats and coastal habitats. While other habitat types may not be undergoing the same level of pressure and/or degradation across Europe, there is still a need to restore them and ensure that they continue to provide many ecosystem services (i.e. nature’s benefits) to society. 

In this section we look at the selected ecosystems, their importance for Europe’s biodiversity, the services they provide, the threats they face, and the latest actions being taken to restore and conserve them.