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29-654: The park was created on 8 June 1983 under terms of decree-law 237/83, as a classified natural park. In order to support the conservation of nature, a resolution of the Council of Ministers (142/97), dated 28 August 1997, integrated Alvão into a broader area of classification under terms of the European Union's Natura 2000 designation: Sítio Alvão-Marão como (Sítio TCON0003 – Alvão-Marão). Under this arrangement community directives, such as those for bird species (79/409/CEE, 2 April) and habitats (92/43/CEE, 21 May) were included within

58-466: A dichotomous geological region, between schist and granite rock types. The park has a temperate Atlantic climate with Mediterranean characteristics. The headlands of the Olo River are influenced by maritime air masses that rise over park's eastern boundary. This results in heavy precipitation during the winter months. These months are cold and rainy, with frequent snow showers in the high altitudes, while in

87-624: A list of the best wildlife areas containing the habitats and species listed in the Habitats Directive; this list must then be submitted to the European Commission , after which an evaluation and selection process on European level will take place in order to become a Natura 2000 site. The Habitats Directive divides the EU territory into nine biogeographic regions , each with its own ecological coherence. Natura 2000 sites are selected according to

116-402: A northeast to southwest axis. Accompanying these movements were great expansions of granitic magma and prolonged secondary erosion, resulting in sedimentary cliffs and unaccented mountain ranges. A tertiary phase, in the raised areas, resulted in fractures in the dominant northeast-southwest axis, resulting in a variation in relief caused by different rock resistance. The area is characterized by

145-522: A rethinking of the habitats assessment might be necessary in the light of a new climate law as part of e.g. the European Green Deal . In European law literature Borgstrom and Kistenkas have discussed some possible future incompatibilities of the Natura 2000 habitats-test with novel EU green infrastructure policies. In the late 2010s the habitats assessment was at the basis of the nitrogen crisis in

174-467: Is Caravelas, 1,339 metres (4,393 ft) above sea level, and the lowest point is Lousa along the Rio Olo, roughly 260 metres (850 ft) above sea level. There is an altitudinal range of 1,079 metres (3,540 ft), and the park is divided into two zones: an elevated area along the Rio Olo watershed that mostly corresponds to the parish of Lamas de Olo, and a lower area that includes Ribeira de Fervença and

203-437: Is a tool to explore the network and gives access to every standard data form. As of 2017 , Natura 2000 protected 27,312 sites with a terrestrial area of 787,606 km (304,096 sq mi) (around 18 percent of land of the EU countries) and marine area of 360,350 km (139,130 sq mi), and was considered almost complete in the EU terrestrial environment. The process of designation has not always been smooth as

232-650: Is known as Lagarto-de-água (water lizard) in Portuguese and lagarto verdinegro (green and black lizard) in Spanish . Lacerta schreiberi is found in Portugal and Spain . The natural habitats of L. schreiberi are temperate forests and shrublands , Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rivers , and pastureland. Lacerta schreiberi is threatened by habitat loss . A large species, L. schreiberi measures about 13.5 cm (5.3 in) snout-to-vent (SVL); including

261-596: The Bern Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats . Natura 2000 is also a key contribution to the Program of Work of Protected Areas of the Convention on Biological Diversity . As a prerequisite for joining the EU, accession states have to submit proposals for Natura 2000 sites meeting the same criteria as EU member states. Some new member states have large areas which qualify to be protected under

290-576: The European Communities adopted legislation designed to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. The Habitats Directive complements the Birds Directive adopted in 1979, and together they make up the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. The Birds Directive requires the establishment of Special Protection Areas for birds. The Habitats Directive similarly requires Sites of Community Importance which upon

319-530: The European Union . It is made up of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas designated under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive , respectively. The network includes both terrestrial and Marine Protected Areas . The Natura 2000 network covered more than 18% of the European Union's land area and more than 7% of its marine area in 2022. In May 1992, the governments of

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348-526: The European Commission committed to raise awareness about the network and biodiversity in general with the public. In order to raise awareness about the Natura 2000 network, 21 May has been designated “Natura 2000 Day”. This precedes “International Day for Biological Diversity” on 22 May. The initiative came from SEO/BirdLife who sought and received funding from the EU LIFE+ programme in order to improve

377-498: The Habitats Directive), dates back to the days climate change was not an issue and the concept of ecosystem services had not been well developed. Hence, in international law literature Kistenkas raised the question the habitats assessment was originally not designed for striking a balance of all relevant ecosystem services or to involve climate change into the assessment. Although well protecting nature conservation objectives,

406-553: The Latastei viper ( Vipera latastei ). The traditional architecture of the region is a distinct mountain style, especially in Ermelo and Lamas de Olo, influenced by the sociological and artesanal nature of the landscape, or in Fervença, influenced by agrarian necessity along a terraced landscape. Natura 2000 Natura 2000 is a network of nature protection areas in the territory of

435-678: The Netherlands as the EU Court (C-293/17 and C-294/17, ECLI:EU:C:2018:882) ruled on agriculture nearby Natura 2000 sites. In some other member states, such as Bulgaria , there was criticism a project had not been well communicated in advance. This led to construction in the Kaliakra zone of Bulgaria, including wind turbines and a golf course. Land owners have then been told they may not use their land in certain ways, otherwise non-compliance procedures would be used against Bulgaria. This led to protests by

464-689: The Olo watershed in the parish of Ermelo. The transition between the two is marked by a sudden drop associated with the Fisgas waterfall. Much like a great part of the Transmontana region, PNAL is situated within the Maciço Antigo ( Ancient Massif ), within the Galiza-Trás-os-Montes subregion, a geomorphological unit of igneous and metamorphic rock formed by Hercynotype movements orienting the first groups along

493-460: The agreement of the European Commission become Special Areas of Conservation to be designated for species other than birds, and for habitat types (e.g. particular types of forest, grasslands, wetlands, etc.). Together, Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation form the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. The Natura 2000 network is the EU contribution to the " Emerald network " of Areas of Special Conservation Interest set up under

522-455: The banks of the river, along with species of Common hazel ( Corylus avellana ), holly ( Ilex aquifolium ), chestnut, and laurel, forming mixed forests that include rare plants such as Sundew ( Drosera rotundifolia ), a species of carnivorous plant found in the moist lands along the riverfront. The Olo River is rich in trout and is populated by the Eurasian otter ( Lutra lutra ). Throughout

551-425: The conditions in each biogeographical region; thus selected sites represent species and habitat types under similar natural conditions across a suite of countries. Each Natura 2000 site has a unique identification form called a standard data form. This form is used as a legal reference when assessing the management of the species and habitats through the concept of favourable conservation status. The Natura 2000 Viewer

580-476: The directives, and implementation has not always been simple. The Natura 2000 sites are selected by member states and the European Commission following strictly scientific criteria according to the two directives mentioned above. The Special Protection Areas are designated directly by each EU member state , while the Special Areas of Conservation follow a more elaborate process: each EU member state must compile

609-634: The framework, in order to contribute to the conservation of habitats and their respective species of flora and fauna considered under threat within the European Union. The park is located in the Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro provinces, in the district Vila Real , divided between the municipalities of Vila Real (parishes of Borbela , Lamas de Olo and Vila Marim ) and Mondim de Basto (parishes of Ermelo  [ pt ] and Bilhó ), occupying an area of 7220 hectares or 72.2 square kilometres (27.9 sq mi). The highest peak in natural park

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638-464: The infringement procedures against member states show. While designation of sites may be near complete, the management and enforcement of protection on sites is less advanced and many sites lack management plans. Natura 2000 faced criticism from developers, farmers and politicians who fear that the conservation of habitats and species places a brake on development. In 2013, there were 251,564 km (97,129 sq mi) designated as Natura 2000 in

667-465: The knowledge of this network. In 2013, the first Natura 2000 day took place with the aim to raise awareness of citizens about the importance of Natura 2000 network in their lives. Since then, every May 21 and the weeks before, awareness actions take place all over Europe. For example, in 2014, school children and politicians across the EU were encouraged to make a butterfly gesture and post photos on social media to raise awareness. The Natura 2000 Award

696-542: The land-owners. Germany Latvia Natura 2000 in the global context Iberian emerald lizard The Iberian emerald lizard ( Lacerta schreiberi ), also known commonly as Schreiber's green lizard , is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae . The species is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula . The specific name , schreiberi , is in honor of Austrian zoologist Egid Schreiber (1836–1913), author of Herpetologia Europaea (1875). It

725-526: The marine environment. The network in marine areas is not considered complete and acknowledged by the Commission as a "key challenge for EU biodiversity policy in the coming years". Natura 2000 sites can vary considerably in character. They are not strictly protected in terms of how they are allowed to be used by people. Many sites are farmed, forested and some are even in urban areas. Other areas are much wilder. The European Commission developed guidelines on

754-456: The region, bird populations are diverse and include nesting pairs of Golden eagles . Mammal populations are marked by the presence of Wild boar ( Sus scrofa ), Roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ), European badger ( Meles meles ), Granada hare ( Lepus granatensis ) and European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ). Among reptiles in the area are the Iberian emerald lizard ( Lacerta schreiberi ) and

783-540: The relation between Natura 2000 and wild areas which are thought to make up around 13% of the network. This was in response to a report by Members of the European Parliament in 2009 which called for further protection of Europe's wilderness. The Natura 2000 network is not well known among European Union citizens; only 11% of citizens knew what it was in 2013. As part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy ,

812-425: The summer it is dry and warm. Most rain occurs in the colder months, while during the dry periods there is little rainfall, or concentrated in one month. The variation in slope allows for a diverse microclimate, with different vegetation between high and low altitudes. The combination of microclimatic conditions and rainfall has resulted in a lush landscape. Oak trees dominate the major elevated areas, especially along

841-726: Was launched by the European Commission in 2013, with the first prizes awarded on Natura 2000 Day in 2014. The annual Award aims to raise awareness about the Natura 2000 network, showcase excellence and encourage networking between people working on Natura 2000 sites. It awards prizes to those working on the management of or to raise awareness about Natura 2000 in five award categories: Conservation; Socio-Economic Benefits; Communication; Reconciling Interests and Perceptions; Cross-Border Cooperation and Networking. In its first year, winners were selected from Bulgaria, Romania, Czech Republic, Belgium and Spain. The Natura 2000 legislation, notably with its habitats-test (or: habitats assessment, Article 6 of

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