Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
Encyclopedia
The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats 1979, also known as the Bern Convention (or Berne Convention), came into force on June 1, 1982.
It has now been signed by all member states of the Council of Europe
– except San Marino
and Russia – as well as by the European Union, Burkina Faso, Morocco
, Tunisia
and Senegal
.
Algeria
, Belarus, Cape Verde
, the Holy See
, San Marino and Russia are among non-signatories that have observer status at meetings of the committee.
The convention led to the creation in 1998 of the Emerald network
of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) throughout the territory of the parties to the convention, which operates alongside the European Union's Natura 2000
programme.
It also provides for the monitoring and control of endangered species
, and the provision of assistance concerning legal and scientific issues.
All species of reptile
s and amphibia
, and most birds are included in the appendices.
of these species
and their habitats and combat illegal hunting and trade. In this way, the Convention aims to preserve species of great importance for the biological diversity of both Europe and the countries in question.
It has now been signed by all member states of the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
– except San Marino
San Marino
San Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino , is a state situated on the Italian Peninsula on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains. It is an enclave surrounded by Italy. Its size is just over with an estimated population of over 30,000. Its capital is the City of San Marino...
and Russia – as well as by the European Union, Burkina Faso, Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
and Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
.
Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, Belarus, Cape Verde
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
, the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, San Marino and Russia are among non-signatories that have observer status at meetings of the committee.
Aims and objectives
The convention sets out to:- conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats;
- promote co-operation between states;
- monitor and control endangered and vulnerable speciesSpeciesIn biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
; - assist with the provision of assistance concerning legal and scientific issues.
The convention led to the creation in 1998 of the Emerald network
Emerald network
The Emerald network is an ecological network to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats of Europe, which was launched in 1998 by the Council of Europe as part of its work under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats or Bern Convention that came...
of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) throughout the territory of the parties to the convention, which operates alongside the European Union's Natura 2000
Natura 2000
Natura 2000 is an ecological network of protected areas in the territory of the European Union.-Origins:In May 1992, the governments of the European Communities adopted legislation designed to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. This legislation is called the...
programme.
It also provides for the monitoring and control of endangered species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, and the provision of assistance concerning legal and scientific issues.
Appendices
Four appendices set out particular species for protection. They are regularly updated by the Standing Committee, who are advised by a number of Expert Groups:- strictly protected flora species – Appendix I
- strictly protected fauna species – Appendix II
- protected fauna species – Appendix III
- prohibited means and methods of killing, capture and other forms of exploitation – Appendix IV
All species of reptile
Reptile
Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...
s and amphibia
Amphibian
Amphibians , are a class of vertebrate animals including animals such as toads, frogs, caecilians, and salamanders. They are characterized as non-amniote ectothermic tetrapods...
, and most birds are included in the appendices.
In Africa
In those African countries that are, or have been invited to become, Contracting Parties, the Convention aims to curb the falling numbers and shrinking distributions of migratory species of European importance, and to press for concerted action to protect the genetic diversityGenetic diversity
Genetic diversity, the level of biodiversity, refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. It is distinguished from genetic variability, which describes the tendency of genetic characteristics to vary....
of these species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
and their habitats and combat illegal hunting and trade. In this way, the Convention aims to preserve species of great importance for the biological diversity of both Europe and the countries in question.