image:
Woodland in a conservation area in the district of Göttingen, which has been coppiced, meaning it is cut back to ground level periodically to stimulate growth. This area forms part of the Natura 2000 network: coppicing creates a forest where plenty of light reaches the forest floor. In this way, it supports protected species of plants and animals that thrive in light and warmth. A biocultural approach supports traditional management practices that holistically preserve or revive this natural and cultural heritage.
Credit: Tobias Plieninger
Natura 2000 is regarded as a milestone in nature conservation: this network of around 27,000 protected areas across the EU is designed to preserve wild plant and animal species and their habitats. It is the world’s largest network of protected areas across countries. However, experts state that many of the species and habitats protected there are not in a favourable conservation status. And in some areas, there is a lack of public support. Researchers from the Universities of Göttingen and Kassel are now demonstrating how a “biocultural approach” can open up new opportunities by incorporating aspects such as the traditions, values and knowledge of the local population into nature conservation. The EU’s aim to build at least 30 per cent of land and sea areas protected areas by 2030 could contribute to the continuing development of the Natura 2000 Network. The researchers detail measures that take into account natural and cultural landscapes toobtainher and involve local people. The perspective article was published in the journal Conservation Letters.
The article highlights five key areas for action: the role of local people, the design of the network of protected areas, monitoring, financial support, and research. Using case studies from Germany, Romania and Spain, they demonstrate that many protected species depfinish on traditional land-utilize practices. “Many habitats of European importance, such as orchard meadows and orchid-rich calcareous grasslands, have developed through centuries of agricultural utilize. They can only be preserved if these farming practices are continued,” explains lead author Tobias Plieninger, Professor of Social-Ecological Interactions at Göttingen and Kassel Universities. A biocultural approach harnesses this interplay between land utilize and nature conservation for protected areas. It follows the principle that nature and culture are closely linked and influence one another within landscapes. Effective nature conservation can therefore only succeed in collaboration with local people.
“This shift in perspective does not require a fundamental modify to nature conservation legislation, but it does call for a reconsider in how it is implemented,” states co-author Dr Marion Jay, Postdoctoral Researcher at Göttingen University. For instance, management plans for a protected area could be developed in collaboration with the local community, and biocultural aspects could be incorporated into monitoring – such as people’s knowledge of ecology, as well as the animal and plant species they utilize. Funding programmes could also provide greater support for collaborative and nature conservation focussed towards results. Involving society is important, as Plieninger emphasises: “When people see themselves as part of the landscape and take responsibility, this strengthens nature conservation in the long term.”
Original publication: Plieninger, T.; Jay, M.; Hartel, T. Future-proofing Natura 2000 through a biocultural approach. Conservation Letters (2026). DOI: 10.1111/con4.70038
Contact:
Professor Tobias Plieninger
University of Göttingen & University of Kassel, Germany
Socio-Ecological Interactions in Agricultural Systems Research Group
Email: plieninger@uni-goettingen.de
www.uni-goettingen.de/en/589980.html
Journal
Conservation Letters
Method of Research
Commentary/editorial
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Future-proofing Natura 2000 through a biocultural approach.
Article Publication Date
14-Mar-2026
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