The SEENET programme comes to an end
The SEENET programme, which has done much to facilitate the implementation of the Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN) in South-East Europe and the Black Sea region, ended in November 2007.
The programme’s achievements include:
- Development of an extensive network of experts (see http://www.seenet.info/html/organisations/listorganisations.php), and knowledge of ongoing activities in the field of ecological networks in the region.
- Establishment of a clearing-house mechanism to distribute information and serve as a doorway to the world of ecological networks.
- A website with 5,000 visitors per month from the region.
- Provision of opportunities for stakeholder groups to participate in national or international fora, events, training and seminars in the region (see http://www.seenet.info/html/training/training.php) or in EU bodies and institutions where experts were able to represent their region.
- Development of communication materials on PEEN, and stakeholder involvement in ecological networks, and sectoral brochures on ecological networks in forestry, freshwater ecosystems, agriculture, transport, and fisheries (see http://www.seenet.info/html/promotional/promotional.php).
- Inclusion of essential stakeholder groups involved in the implementation of ecological networks, such as the spatial planning sector: a stand was set up to promote ecological networks at the 5th International Congress for Spatial Planning, held in Malaga, Spain, in November 2007.
- Schools in the SEE region were targeted and pupils were asked to design posters to illustrate their views on ecological connectivity.
- Representation of the region at fora, e.g. PEEN Committee of Experts, EU Habitat Forum, PEBLDS Council and Bureau, Environment for Europe Conference, and CEMAT.
The SEENET programme ran for two years and was funded by the BBI Matra fund of the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The PEEN is one of the most important implementation tools of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy (PEBLDS). PEEN aims to link the different European and national protected areas and ecological networks with the goal of ensuring the favourable conservation status of Europe’s key ecosystems, habitats, species and landscapes.
The PEEN will ensure that
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ecosystems, habitats, species and their genetic
diversity, and landscapes of European importance are conserved,
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habitats are large enough to provide favorable conditions
for the conservation of species,
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species are able to disperse and migrate,
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damaged parts of the key environmental systems are
restored and
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the key environmental systems are buffered from
potential threats.
As countries in South-East Europe
and around the Black Sea begin the process of accession to the EU,
this will stimulate the restructuring and modernisation of agriculture,
the development of large transport and infrastructure networks and
industrial expansion in Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro,
Russian Federation, Ukraine and Turkey. Such developments could threaten
the considerable and invaluable natural heritage of this region.
The inclusion of these countries
in the PEEN would provide a framework for a truly sustainable economic
and social development while maintaining the coherence and connectivity
of important ecosystems and habitats. Even in countries that are not
(yet) involved in negotiations with the EU, like Ukraine, the process
of economic and social transition can pose threats to nature and biodiversity.
The urgent need to ensure ecological
connectivity is reinforced in this region, as it is elsewhere in Europe,
by climate change, which will force many species to migrate to new
habitats.
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Message from the president of the Committee of Experts for the development
of the Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN) of the Council of Europe,
Mr. Jan-Willem Sneep.
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