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I haveReference Portal for Natura 2000
The Reference Portal for NATURA 2000 is part of the Standard Data Form (SDF). The portal provides those elements of the SDF which are subject to change over time and subject to changes due to technical developments. These elements are reference documents (e.g. the coding of species), technical support material (e.g. data-model, applications) as well as guidelines to ensure a consistent use of the SDF by all Member States and to outline the technical and administrative procedures on how to submit data to the Commission.
1) Code-lists for the fields of the Standard Data Form
This section provides the code-lists according to the table of contents of Appendix of the NATURA 2000 Standard Data Form explanatory notes.1.1) Site type (SDF field 1.1)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| A | SPA | Site under the Birds Directive (SPA) |
| B | pSCI, SCI or SAC | Site under the Habitats Directive (pSCI, SCI or SAC) |
| C | SPA and pSCI, SCI or SAC | Site under both the Birds and the Habitats Directives having identical borders (SPA and pSCI, SCI or SAC) |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.2) Country codes (SDF field 1.2)
Each Natura 2000 site is recognized by a unique code, whereof the first two characters form the country code. The EU rule of the use of the 2-letter ISO 3166 country-code is applied (see reference codelist via Data Dictionary).
| English Name | ISO code | English Name | ISO code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | AT | Italy | IT |
| Belgium | BE | Latvia | LV |
| Bulgaria | BG | Lithuania | LT |
| Croatia | HR | Luxembourg | LU |
| Cyprus | CY | Malta | MT |
| Czechia | CZ | The Netherlands | NL |
| Denmark | DK | Poland | PL |
| Estonia | EE | Portugal | PT |
| Finland | FI | Romania | RO |
| France | FR | Slovakia | SK |
| Germany | DE | Slovenia | SI |
| Greece | EL | Spain | ES |
| Hungary | HU | Sweden | SE |
| Ireland | IE |
Maintained by: International Organisation for Standardization (ISO)
1.3) Reason for area difference with spatial dataset (SDF field 2.1.2)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| cliff | Cliff or steep area | Cliff or steep area |
| cave | Cave | Cave |
| projection | Projection to ETRS89 | Projection to ETRS89 |
| other | Other | Other |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.4) NUTS regions, level 2 (SDF field 2.2)
NUTS is the Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics of Europe, which is maintained by EUROSTAT. For the SDF field 2.2 the NUTS level2 is used.
Maintained by: EUROSTAT, NUTS version 2021
1.5) Biogeographical regions and marine regions in Europe (SDF field 2.3)
The EU has nine terrestrial biogeographical regions and five marine regions.
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| ALP | Alpine | Alpine biogeographical region |
| ATL | Atlantic | Atlantic biogeographical region |
| BLS | Black Sea | Black Sea biogeographical region |
| BOR | Boreal | Boreal biogeographical region |
| CON | Continental | Continental biogeographical region |
| MAC | Macaronesian | Macaronesian biogeographical region |
| MED | Mediterranean | Mediterranean biogeographical region |
| PAN | Pannonian | Pannonian biogeographical region |
| STE | Steppic | Steppic biogeographical region |
| MATL | Marine Atlantic | Marine Atlantic region |
| MBAL | Marine Baltic | Marine Baltic region |
| MBLS | Marine Black Sea | Marine Black Sea region |
| MMAC | Marine Macaronesian | Marine Macaronesian region |
| MMED | Marine Mediterranean | Marine Mediterranean region |
Code-list of biogeographical and marine regions per Member State
Code-list of biogeographical regions neighbouring marine regions per Member State
Spatial data of biogeographical and marine regions
Note: The boundaries of the marine regions are based on those used during the Article 17 reporting process. They are subject to change through member states' reports under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.6) Habitat code for the habitats listen in Annex I of Directive 92/43/EEC (SDF field 3.1.1)
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.7) Non-presence (SDF field: 3.1.3 and 3.2.5)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| noLongerPresent | No longer present | The habitat/species is no longer present in the site |
| reEstablishment | Not present but establishment is planned | The habitat/species was never present in the site but establishment is planned |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.8) Method used for cover / population size (SDF fields 3.1.6 and 3.2.9)
a) Code-list for method used for cover:
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| complete | complete survey or robust estimate | Complete survey or a statistically robust estimate |
| limited | extrapolation from limited data | Based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data |
| veryLimited | expert opinion with very limited data | Based mainly on expert opinion with very limited data |
b) Code-list for method used for population size:
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| complete | complete survey or robust estimate | Complete survey or a statistically robust estimate |
| limited | extrapolation from limited data | Based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data |
| veryLimited | expert opinion with very limited data | Based mainly on expert opinion with very limited data |
| insufficient | insufficient or no data | Insufficient or no data available |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.9) Representativity (SDF field 3.1.9)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| A | excellent representativity | Excellent representativity |
| B | good representativity | Good representativity |
| C | significant representativity | Significant representativity |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.10) Relative surface / Population (SDF fields 3.1.10 and 3.2.13)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 100% ≥ p >75% | 100% ≥ p >75% |
| A2 | 75% ≥ p >50% | 75% ≥ p >50% |
| A3 | 50% ≥ p >25% | 50% ≥ p >25% |
| A4 | 25% ≥ p >15% | 25% ≥ p >15% |
| B | 15% ≥ p >2% | 15% ≥ p >2% |
| C | 2% ≥ p >0% | 2% ≥ p >0% |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.11) Degree of conservation - habitats (SDF fields 3.1.12.1 and 3.1.12.3)
a) Code-list for degree of conservation - categorised:
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| A | excellent degree of conservation | Excellent degree of conservation (nearly all of the habitat area in good condition) |
| B | good degree of conservation | Good degree of conservation (most of the habitat area in good condition) |
| C | reduced degree of conservation | Reduced degree of conservation (most of the habitat area in not good condition) |
| X | unknown degree of conservation | Unknown degree of conservation (most or all of the habitat area in unknown condition) |
b) Code-list for degree of conservation - method used:
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| complete | Complete survey or statistically robust estimate in hectares | Complete survey or statistically robust estimate in hectares (for example taken from mapping in management plans) |
| limited | Based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data | Based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data (expert judgement) |
| veryLimited | Based mainly on expert opinion with very limited data | Based mainly on expert opinion with very limited data (based on partial mapping data) |
| insufficient | Insufficient or no data available | Insufficient or no data available |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.12) Degree of conservation - species (SDF fields 3.2.15.1 and 3.2.15.3)
a) Code-list for degree of conservation - categorised:
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| A | excellent degree of conservation | Excellent degree of conservation (nearly all of the habitat occupied by the species has sufficient quality) |
| B | good degree of conservation | Good degree of conservation (most of the habitat occupied by the species has sufficient quality) |
| C | reduced degree of conservation | Reduced degree of conservation (most of the habitat occupied by the species has non-sufficient quality) |
| X | unknown degree of conservation | Unknown degree of conservation (most of the habitat occupied by the species has unknown quality) |
b) Code-list for degree of conservation - occupied percentage classes:
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0-25 % | 0-25 % |
| 1 | 26-50% | 26-50% |
| 2 | 51-75% | 51-75% |
| 3 | 76-100% | 76-100% |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.13) Conservation objectives - habitats (SDF field 3.1.13)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| prevent | Prevent deterioration | Prevent deterioration |
| maintain | Maintain the habitat type's surface area and its good condition | Maintain the habitat type's surface area and its good condition |
| enlarge | Enlarge the area of the habitat type | Enlarge the area of the habitat type |
| improve | Improve the habitat type condition | Improve the habitat type condition |
| reestablish | Re-establish the habitat type | Re-establish the habitat type |
| other | Other | Other |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.14) Conservation objectives - species (SDF field 3.2.16)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| prevent | Prevent deterioration | Prevent deterioration |
| maintain | Maintain the extent and good quality of the habitat of the species and the population size | Maintain the extent and good quality of the habitat of the species and the population size |
| enlarge | Enlarge area of the habitat of the species | Enlarge area of the habitat of the species |
| reestablish | Re-establish habitat for the species | Re-establish habitat for the species |
| improve | Improve the quality of the habitat of the species (considering also disturbance and mortality factors) | Improve the quality of the habitat of the species (considering also disturbance and mortality factors) |
| increase | Increase the population size | Increase the population size |
| reduce | Reduce pressure on the population (e.g. reduce mortality or disturbance) | Reduce pressure on the population (e.g. reduce mortality or disturbance) |
| reestablishPopulation | Re-establish the population at the site | Re-establish the population at the site |
| other | Other | Other |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.15) Isolation (SDF field 3.2.18)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| A | population (almost) isolated | Population (almost) isolated |
| B | population not isolated, but on margins of area of distribution | Population not isolated, but on margins of area of distribution |
| C | population not isolated within extended distribution range | Population not isolated within extended distribution range |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.16) Global (SDF fields 3.1.15 and 3.2.19)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| A | excellent value | Excellent value |
| B | good value | Good value |
| C | significant value | Significant value |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.17) Species group (SDF fields 3.2.1 and 3.3.1)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| A | Amphibians | Amphibians |
| B | Birds | Birds |
| F | Fish | Fish |
| Fu | Fungi | Fungi |
| I | Invertebrates | Invertebrates |
| L | Lichens | Lichens |
| M | Mammals | Mammals |
| P | Plants | Plants including bryophytes and algae |
| R | Reptiles | Reptiles |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.18) Species code and name list for species under Directive 92/43/EEC and bird species under Directive 2009/147/EC (SDF fields 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.3.2 and 3.3.3)
The species code and name list used for Natura 2000 is approved by the Habitats Committee in December 2021.
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 25.01.2022
1.19) Population type (SDF field 3.2.6)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| p | permanent | Permanent: to be found throughout the year on the site (non-migratory species, plants, resident population of migratory species) |
| r | reproducing | Reproducing: uses the site to raise young (e.g. breeding, nesting) |
| c | concentration | Concentration: site used for staging or roosting or migration stop/over or for moulting outside the breeding grounds and excluding wintering |
| w | wintering | Wintering: uses the site during the winter |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.20) Population unit (SDF fields 3.2.7.2 and 3.3.6.2)
Please use the units individuals (= i) or pairs (= p) wherever possible. The population units are the same as used for the reporting under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive for the period 2019-2024.
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 13.03.2024
1.21) Abundance categories (SDF fields 3.2.8 and 3.3.7)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| C | common | Common |
| R | rare | Rare |
| V | very rare | Very rare |
| P | present | Present |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.22) Motivation (SDF field 3.3.8)
Motivation for listing other important species of flora and fauna
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.23) Reference list of pressures, in accordance with Article 17 reporting (SDF field 4.3.1)
The pressures list used in the SDF is the same as used for the reporting under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive and Article 12 of the Birds Directive for the period 2019-2024.
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 24.05.2023
1.24) Rank (SDF field 4.3.2)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| high | high | High importance |
| medium | medium | Medium importance |
| low | low | Low importance |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.25) Location (SDF field 4.3.3)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| in | inside | Inside Natura 2000 site |
| out | outside | Outside Natura 2000 site |
| inout | inside and outside | Inside and outside Natura 2000 site |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.26) Existence of management plans (SDF field 5.2.1)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| yes | yes | Yes |
| partially | no, partially covered | No, site only partially covered |
| preparation | No, preparation | No, but in preparation |
| noMP | no, MP not necessary | No, because a management plan is not necessary |
| other | no, other | No, other reason |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.27) Status of conservation measures (SDF field 5.3.2)
a) Measures established
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| fully | fully established | Fully established |
| partly | partly established | Partly established |
| notestablished | not established | Not established |
b) Status of implementation of established measures
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| implemented | all implemented | All implemented and/or all on-going |
| partly | only partly implemented | Only partly implemented and/or partly on-going |
| notImplemented | one-off measures not implemented | One-off measures not implemented and/or no recurrent measures on-going |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.28) Management effectiveness (SDF field 5.4)
| Code | Label | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | Yes, the conservation measures are delivering the conservation objectives |
| No | No | No, the conservation measures are not delivering the conservation objectives |
| Notyet | Not yet | The conservation measures are not yet delivering the conservation objectives |
| unknown | unknown because not assessed | It has not been assessed if the conservation measures are delivering the conservation objectives |
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 15.12.2023
1.29) ISO 639 standardized nomenclature used to classify languages (to be used in all language tags of the SDF)
Maintained by: International Organisation for Standardization (ISO), 2012
2) Documents (latest versions)
2.1) Natura 2000 reference lists
Annexes I and II of the Habitats Directive (EEC/92/43) list habitats and species for which Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) must be designated as part of the Natura 2000 network. As the Annexes cover all the EU, the habitats and species in a given biogeographical region are maintained in the 'reference lists'. The reference lists indicate for which habitats and species Member States in the region have an obligation to designate areas.
The Natura 2000 reference lists are available here.
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: December 2024
2.2) Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: April 2013
2.3) De-designation of sites or parts of sites - conditions & justifications
Maintained by: DG Environment, last updated: 03.05.2019
2.4) Justification for de-designating Natura 2000 sites (format)
Maintained by: DG Environment, last updated: June 2021
2.5) Justification for correcting the borders of a Natura 2000 site (format)
Maintained by: DG Environment, last updated: June 2021
2.6) Justification for removal of habitats and species from subject of protection in Natura 2000 sites
Maintained by: DG Environment, last updated: 04.12.2021
2.7) Inspire identifier for Natura 2000
A unique identification of objects within the framework of the INSPIRE data specifications is guaranteed by the external object identifier established as inspireID. This identifier has to be provided according to the INSPIRE base type Identifier. Identifier is a complex type with three attributes: localId, namespace and versionId. The three identifier attributes are maintained by the Member States.
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: March 2025
2.8) Mandatory technical and administrative guidelines for submitting Natura 2000 data to the Commission
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: March 2025
Other supporting information
Webinar on Natura 2000 dataflow in Reportnet 3
Presentation and recording from the 03 December 2024 webinar on the new Natura 2000 dataflow.
The schema, validation tests, reference code-lists and entity-relationship diagram
From the Natura 2000 dataflow on Reportnet 3 platform, the schema and the most recent validation tests are available for download (yellow Dataflow help button). Likewise, the reference code-lists may be downloaded in csv format from the Reference dataset button.
An entity-relationship diagram is available here
Maintained by: DG Environment, European Environment Agency (EEA), last updated: 11.03.2025
Past Reference Portal
Helpdesk
For further support, please contact the helpdesk
(E-mail: natura2000.helpdesk@eionet.europa.eu)