"To ensure that the development of ecological networks and conservation of species contribute to the preservation of biodiversity in Europe."
Europe has a wonderfully diverse nature. The ancient woods of Europe still provide a home to bears, wolves, and lynx. European wetlands form a crucial link in the international flyways for birds migrating from Africa to Russia and the Arctic. But this biodiversity is being threatened despite many commitments made by governments, both domestically and at the international level.
Ecological networks that link forests, freshwater and coastal systems through a network of protected areas, buffer zones and habitat corridors, is just one facet of the solution. The EC Habitats Directive with its network for nature, "Natura 2000" is the starting point for implementing this concept in the European Union; the "Emerald Network" provides the same for member countries of the Council of Europe, including all Central Eastern European countries.
WWF actively promotes the establishment of Ecological Networks in Europe and in particular the Natura 2000 through raising awareness about the network, identifying sites to be included in it, and pressing governments to comply with EU nature conservation laws. The network is critical to large carnivores, whose habitat and migration ranges encompass the ecological needs of a wide range of other plant and animal species. Already identified are core areas, buffer zones and corridors for the brown bear, Eurasian lynx, Iberian lynx, wolf and wolverine. A large herbivore initiative is also part of this programme component, paying particular attention to role of these animals in the ecological functioning of ecosystems across the Eurasian continent.