New-Aquitaine: Natura 2000 — Special Conservation Areas (SACs) — Community Importance Sites (SICs) — Perimeters (surface)

This dataset contains the boundaries of the Special Areas of Conservation (SSC), the Community Interest Sites (SICs) and the Proposals of Community Interest Sites (PSIC), of the New Aquitaine region. These areas are part of the Natura 2000 network of Community areas for the protection of priority habitats and species. Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are maritime and terrestrial sites which include natural habitats or habitats of species of wild fauna and flora listed by order of the Minister responsible for the environment and whose rarity, vulnerability or specificity justify the designation of such areas and hence special attention. NOTE: the perimeters distributed via this local layer DREAL, are the most up-to-date from the point of view of the progress of the sites (ecological diagnosis completed, DOCOB validated), but not all have been officially validated by the European Commission (designation in progress). They are given as an indication; for the official outline, please refer to the MNHN website (http://inpn.mnhn.fr/site/natura2000/region/72/aquitaine). Marine sites are being proposed to the European Commission. The Habitat Directive concerns: — natural habitats of Community importance, whether they are in danger of extinction in their natural range, have a reduced range as a result of their regression or because of their intrinsically restricted range or are remarkable examples of characteristics specific to one or more of the six biogeographical regions (alpine, Atlantic, continental, Macaronesian, Mediterranean and boreal);the habitat types concerned are listed in Annex I. — habitats hosting species of Community importance whether endangered, vulnerable, rare or endemic; the species concerned are listed in Annex II. — landscape elements which, by virtue of their linear and continuous structure or their role as relays, are essential for migration, geographical distribution and genetic exchange of wildlife species. The DHFF (Faune Flore Habitat Directive) lays down a procedure for the eligibility of site proposals made by the Member States, which provides for a phase of exchange between the Commission and the Member State (pSIC). At the end of these exchanges, the Commission shall publish in the Official Journal a list of Community Importation Sites (CIS) eligible for designation as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) by the Member State.