Conservation status of freshwater habitats and aquatic species of Community interest

In response to the degradation of biodiversity, the European Commission adopted the Habitats Directive in 1992. The directive aims to ensure the protection and management of wild species and natural habitats “of Community interest” because they are considered to be the most threatened, vulnerable, rare or endemic. In particular, the directive requires the application of conservation measures and regular reporting on the status of these habitats and species. These assessments serve to direct the actions to be implemented to ensure or restore good conservation status for habitats and species of Community interest, update the network of “Natura 2000” sites in which these habitats and species are found, and assess the effectiveness of national and European environmental policies. For the 2007-2012 reporting period, only 26% of the assessments performed in France reported favourable conservation status for all habitats and species of Community interest, and the situation is even more concerning for freshwater habitats and aquatic species (just 15%).