Future-Proofing Natura 2000 Through a Biocultural Approach

Abstract

The Natura 2000 sites of the European Union form the largest protected area network globally and are widely considered a conservation success. However, many Natura 2000 sites are not in a favorable conservation status, and support by policy and society has often been low. This Perspective argues that a biocultural paradigm would open up new pathways for safeguarding those protected species and habitats that require low-intensity land management and for empowering local communities, thus sparking local nature-related stewardship, innovation, and inspiration. We outline five dimensions of a biocultural approach: the role of people, network design, monitoring, financial resources, and research. We also present three case examples from Romania, Germany, and Spain, where farmers’ and foresters’ landscape stewardship has preserved charismatic species and cultural identity. We conclude that a biocultural approach to Natura 2000 requires a shift in how people and nature are framed in protected areas, but not a major overhaul of conservation legislation. Our contribution is to operationalize such approach through five implementable dimensions that fit within existing law and reporting.