Aspecial area of conservation (SAC) is defined in theEuropean Union'sHabitats Directive (92/43/EEC), also known as theDirective on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora. They are to protect the 220 habitats and approximately 1,000 species listed in annex I and II of the directive which are considered to be of European interest following criteria given in the directive. They must be chosen from thesites of Community importance by the member states and designated SAC by an act assuring the conservation measures of the natural habitat.[1]
SACs complementspecial protection areas and together form a network of protected sites across theEuropean Union calledNatura 2000. This, in turn, is part of theEmerald network ofAreas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) under theBerne Convention.
Prior to being designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), sites have been assessed under a two-stage process set out by theJoint Nature Conservation Committee. The value of the proposed site is considered in relation to the whole national resource of each habitat type and of each species.
Firstly, assessment of the relative importance of sites containing examples of the individual habitat types. Four criteria are used:
Secondly, species assessment evaluates population size and density, the degree of conservation of the features of the habitat that are important for the species and restoration possibilities, the degree of isolation of the population in relation to the species' natural range and a global assessment of conservation value.[2]
This stage is often informally referred to as 'moderation'. The criteria used in Stage 2 are intended to be used to assess the sites at the level of thenine biogeographical regions and the EU as a whole. The Stage 2 criteria may be summarised as:
