State of nature in the EU

The EU nature directives — i.e. the Habitats and Birds Directives — coordinate conservation efforts for more than 2 000 species and habitats across the EU Member States with the aim of maintaining them at or restoring them to a favourable conservation status. This report describes the state of nature in the EU during the period from 2013 to 2018, based on Member States′ reporting under these directives and on subsequent assessments at EU or EU biogeographical and marine levels. The data collected serve to identify successes and shortcomings in nature conservation, key pressures and threats, the status of current conservation measures and the restoration needed to further improve the conservation status of targeted habitats and species and the population status of birds. The report also gives insights into the Natura 2000 network and its contribution to achieving favourable conservation statuses and to making progress towards targets 1 and 3 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020. Limitations due to poor data quality or gaps in data completeness still exist. A noteworthy portion of the reported information comes from expert opinion and partial surveys, indicating the absence or incomplete monitoring schemes in Member States. Nevertheless, the data presented are a milestone in assessing the state of nature in the EU and provide a strong basis for improving reporting, assessment and implementation to be able to achieve the aims of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.