In the 1980s, the idea of developing national ecological networks surfaced more or less simultaneously in several European countries. The ecological network concept emerged in Western Europe, and a similar idea, the polarised landscape concept was developed in Eastern Europe. The concept is based on the assumption that it is vital to (re)establish interconnectivity between natural and semi-natural values to counteract physical fragmentation, which is a result of a strong intensification of land use in various parts of Europe over the last decades. This fragmentation jeopardises the viability of ecosystems and species populations and thus is threatening nature and biodiversity in Europe.

The ecological network concept not just prioritises the conservation of core areas as natural or semi-natural values, but also prioritises the importance of buffering, maintaining and re-establishing ecological connectivity and nature restoration. Therefore, an ecological network is composed of elements that fulfil these functions:

• core areas,
• that are usually protected by buffer zones,
• and connected through corridors, and
• further developed by nature restoration areas, where needed.

Core areas are natural or semi-natural areas, which contain important ecosystems, habitats, landscapes and/or species populations.

The key word in an ecological network is connectivity; it provides the possibility for free movement of wildlife in an otherwise fragmented and often hostile environment. The ecological network concept also provides a tool for ecological design that facilitates the interaction with other land uses. Depending on the species and spatial scale of interest the characteristics of an ecological network may differ widely, therefore ecological networks can be identified at continental, regional landscape and local scales.

The Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN) is an internationally agreed approach, built upon the ecological network concept. In 1995 up to 54 European countries endorsed the action to establish the Pan-European Ecological Network as a part of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy (PEBLDS) during the 3rd “Environment for Europe” Ministerial Conference in Sofia, Bulgaria. As part of the PEBLDS it was agreed to establish this ecological network within 20 years.

An intergovernmental Pan-European expert committee was established in order to guide the development of the Pan-European Ecological Network. The Council of Europe together with the European Centre for Nature Conservation (ECNC) were entrusted with the coordination of the establishment of the Network in the framework of PEBLDS.

The Pan-European Ecological Network aims to ensure that:

• a full range of ecosystems, habitats, species and landscapes of European importance are conserved,
• habitats are large enough to place species in a favourable conservation status,
• there are sufficient opportunities for the dispersal and migration of species,
• damaged parts of the key environmental systems are restored,
• the key environmental systems are buffered from potential threats.

The underlying philosophy of the establishment of the Pan-European Ecological Network is to promote synergy between the existing nature policies, land use planning and rural and urban development. The Pan-European Ecological Network offers a dynamic framework for integrating several sectors` policies in relation to nature conservation and management that will build on and benefit from the existing agreements, programmes and initiatives in the field of nature conservation.

A Ministerial Statement on PEEN was prepared as annex to the Kyiv Biodiversity Resolution for adoption at the 5th “Environment for Europe” Conference Kyiv, Ukraine, May 2003). This Resolution states that by 2008, all core areas of the Pan-European Ecological Network will be adequately conserved and the Pan-European Ecological Network will give guidance to all major national, regional and international land use and planning policies as well as to the operations of relevant economic and financial sectors.

The Statement also confirms that the two major instruments to build the European Ecological Network are EU’s Natura 2000 and the Emerald Network.The EU Nature Conservation policy is based on two main pieces of legislation, the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. Its priorities are to create the European ecological network called NATURA 2000 consisting of special protection areas under the Birds Directive (1979) and special areas of conservation under the Habitats Directive (1992), and to integrate nature protection requirements into other EU policies such as agriculture, regional development and transport. The issue of connectivity for NATURA 2000 is gaining more importance as the designation of sites of community interest is being finished. The Emerald Network (1989), a network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest for Europe, is developed on the basis of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats and is formally regarded as preparation for application of the Habitat Directive. The Emerald Network is based on the same principles as NATURA 2000, and represents its extension to non-Community countries. Up to date 44 European countries in Europe are contracting parties to the Convention. The Secretariat of the Convention is based in the Council of Europe.