Explore nature across Europe on Biodiversity Day

The European Nature Information System (EUNIS) brings together European data from several databases and organisations into three interlinked modules on sites, species and habitat types.

The web portal presents information on more than 120,000  protected areas in Europe, including Natura 2000 sites which cover 18 % of Europe's land area. It also includes information on European species, with details of distribution, threat and conservation status in Europe and globally, the legal status of protection at the European level, and the sites designated for their conservation. The habitats module describes their composition, conservation status and the sites designated to protect habitat types at European level.

With better navigation and search functions and improved cross-referencing, the revamped EUNIS portal provides quality controlled and up to date information  in relation to  European nature conservation policies.

EUNIS is an important reference for anyone working in ecology and conservation or those with an interest in the natural world. For example, planners can use it to investigate which protected animal and plant species live in a particular area, or teachers may find it useful for checking protected areas across borders. And it is not just for professional use – the website is a goldmine of information for anyone exploring Europe's ecosystems.

The EEA will maintain and further enhance EUNIS. It is a contribution to the knowledge base for implementing the EU and global biodiversity strategies and  the 7^th Environmental Action Programme.

Above: Crested newt (Triturus cristatus) larva. Find out more on EUNIS.

Additional resources

BISE - the Biodiversity Information System for Europe