Spain - Country Profile

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

The biological diversity of Spain is considered one of the highest in the European Union. Its heterogeneous climate, lithology and topography have favored the development of a great variety of vegetation types, with different associated fauna communities. For example, regarding habitats as defined by the Habitats EU Directive, more than 65% of European habitat types are present in Spain... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

At present, 4.5 million hectares, representing 8.8% of the Spanish territory, is protected. Communities with the highest levels of protection are the Canary Islands (more than 45%), Andalusia (19%) and the Principality of Asturias (more of 15%). On the other hand, more than a 25% of the country is currently included in Natura 2000, the main European network for the protection of nature... More »

Percentage of Forest Cover

56%

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The main objectives of the 1999 strategy are (i) the active cooperation of all stakeholders to achieve a conservation commitment, (ii) the inclusion of restoration, conservation and sustainable use principles in policy planning and implementation, (iii) the creation of planning mechanisms for natural resource management and conservation (iv) the stimulation of research, awareness and training, (v) the stimulation of education and information dissemination, (vi) the adaptation or creation of necessary legal and financial instruments, (vii) and the stimulation of active international cooperation... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Spain is currently in the process of revising its biodiversity strategy in light of the 2010 goals. Provisions of the revised strategy will be incorporated in the Law on Patrimony and Biodiversity, still in draft form and which will eventually replace the existing Law 4/1989 on the Conservation of Natural Spaces and Wild Flora and Fauna... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

Since 1998, the number of protected areas has increased by 59% and the amount of protected surface by 53%. More than half of the protected areas have been designated as being of international importance, including 37 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and 63 RAMSAR wetlands.

The percentage of protected areas increased considerably following the transfer of executive and legislative powers to the autonomous communities in the 1980s, and the consequent promulgation of regional laws for nature conservation... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

Spain is currently witnessing a decline in traditional knowledge and associated genetic resources. This trend entails an enormous loss in agricultural and ethno-botanical heritage, as well as in the techniques involved in resource cultivation, usage, preparation and storage. Protection of traditional knowledge and the sustainable use of the resources of Spain’s ethnic and cultural groups are being promoted both through the national and sectoral biodiversity strategies and plans, as well as through the respective strategies of the autonomous communities that more competently address these issues... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Mr. Miguel Aymerich	CBD Primary NFP, ICNP ABS NFP
Ms. Maria-Angeles Ramos	GTI NFP
Noelia Vallejo Pedregal	SBSTTA NFP
Mr. Daniel Serrano Gadea	GSPC NFP
Mr. Rafael Hidalgo	Protected Areas NFP
Mr. Ricardo Gómez Calmaestra	CHM NFP, SBSTTA NFP
Ms. Tania López-Piñeiro Pérez	SBSTTA NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Dr. Esther Esteban Rodrigo

Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP, BCH NFP