Ecological Networks: Aims

Significant steps have been taken to protect the Netherlands' ecological network. The Dutch policy primarily involves specific management measures aimed at achieving the formulated objectives (Natura 2000 management plans) and improving the quality of the environment. This is supplemented by the policy to protect species. Outside the Netherlands, particularly in poor countries, the policy still focuses mainly on the first step: selecting ecological networks and regulating their protection.

The government of the Netherlands will ensure that the Netherlands continues to play an active role in creating ecological networks. The main priority at national level is to manage the EHS and the Natura 2000 areas sustainably. Good environmental conditions and water quality are essential for this. Under the terms of the Water Framework Directive,water managers implement measures that can make an important contribution. The habitats approach for species will also be implemented. At international level, the government will continue to support efforts to promote sustainable regional development that combine economic development, sustainable management of natural resources and protection. The synergy between economic, social and ecological development should lead to a sustainable protected ecological network encompassing at least 10% of every ecological region in the world, with safe migration routes, biologically diverse regions
and large interconnected ecosystems. International cooperation will concentrate more heavily on creating national or regional ecological networks, for example by sharing experiences, implementing training programmes and providing tools such as communication techniques. Since it is vital for as many countries as possible to commit to and cooperate in creating ecological networks, the Netherlands will continue to urge countries that have not yet signed international treaties and agreements aimed at creating ecological networks to do so.

The Dutch government will pay particular attention in the years ahead to the relationship between preserving biodiversity by creating and protecting ecological networks and climate change. One important aspect will be the capacity of ecological networks to adapt to possible climate change.