A Special Protection Area or SPA is a designation under the European Union directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.^[1]

Member States of the European Union (EU) have a duty to safeguard the habitats of migratory birds and certain particularly threatened birds. ^[1]

Together with special areas of conservation or SACs, the SPAs form a network of protected sites across the EU, called Natura 2000. ^[1]

Each SPA has an EU code, e.g. the North Norfolk Coast SPA has the code UK9009031.

Contents 1 SPAs in the United Kingdom 2 SPAs in Poland 3 SPAs in Portugal 4 SPAs in Spain 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] SPAs in the United Kingdom

As at 21 September 2006, there were 252 classified SPAs and 12 proposed SPAs in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations 1994 implement the terms of the Directive in Scotland, England and Wales. In the UK, SPAs may comprise one or more SSSIs (Site of Special Scientific Interest) or ASSIs (Areas of Special Scientific Interest), for example Broadland SPA is a conglomeration of 28 SSSIs. In Scotland, some SPAs have been classified without any underpinning designation by SSSI.

[edit] SPAs in Poland

See Special Protection Areas in Poland

[edit] SPAs in Portugal

The Castro Verde SPA extends into six districts of the Lower Alentejo (Baixo Alentejo): Aljustrel, Almodôvar, Beja, Castro Verde, Mértola and Ourique, a total area of 79,007 hectares (790 km ²).

[edit] SPAs in Spain

The Spanish term is ZEPA. There are 567 sites as at 2009.

[edit] See also

• Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
• Ramsar Convention
• Protected areas of the United Kingdom
• UK sites recognised for their biodiversity conservation importance
• Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance
• List of special protection areas in the United Kingdom
• List of conservation topics

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979