The pace of biodiversity decline is quickening worldwide. Habitat break-up, pollution, over-use of natural areas and the creation of artificial landscapes increase the rate of erosion, while reducing species' opportunity for migration, dispersion and exchange. How and by what means can this situation be put right?In 1995, when the European Ministers of the Environment met in Sofia, they launched the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, so as to strengthen environment and biodiversity conservation policies. The setting up of the Pan-European Ecological Network covering Eurasia was one of the key steps taken under the Strategy. Work has continued on this project, and it is now based on the numerous national, regional and transregional ecological networks being set up throughout Europe.In Kiev, in 2003, the Ministers and heads of delegation noted these positive developments, expressed firm support for the creation of the Pan-European Ecological Network and asked for its constituent parts to be identified and mapped on a pan-European scale.This book looks at the implementation of this Network in the 55 states concerned. It has been written by a team comprising, under the aegis of the Council of Europe, numerous government experts and specialists dealing with the issue of ecological networks. It is intended to reassure Ministers, policy-makers and scientists that they made the right decision in supporting the creation of the Pan-European Ecological Network with a view to (re-)creating a true green infrastructure for Europe.
Introductory note
Introduction
Chapter I
Scientific background of and rationale for application on the European continent
Chapter II
The legal background to ecological networks in general and the Pan-European Ecological Network in particular
Chapter III
Progress on implementation in Europe: functioning ecological networks
Chapter IV
General conclusion
Annex 1
The history of the Pan-European Ecological Network political process
Annex 2
Activities contributing to the implementation of the Pan-European Ecological Network supported by the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, 1997-2006
Annex 3
The Kyiv Biodiversity Resolution targets
Annex 4
List of the members of the Editorial Committee for the preparation of the PEEN Indicative Maps and the Assessment Report
Bibliography
Glossary
Detailed table of contents
Index
List of abbreviations and acronyms
