In the debate on forest protection, the most important forest policy goals have been to complement protection networks and make them regionally more representative. National networks of protected forests create the basis for organising protection by individual countries, but large-scale international cross-border approaches grossing the boards are required. In the European Union, the protection network for all ecosystems is the Natura 2000 network.
The aim of the Natura 2000 network is to ensure the preservation of biodiversity in the area of European Union. A network of areas is being formed in the Member States according to the EU Habitats and Birds Directives (Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and Birds Directive 79/409/EEC),with the aim of preserving the most important habitats, natural habitat types and species. For example, in the European context Finland has special responsibility in the protection of the natural habitat types of the northern coniferous forest zone, such as natural forests of primary succession stages of land upheaval coast, western taiga forests, and Aapa and Palsa mires. Besides forests, the Natura 2000 network also includes other ecosystems, such as waters, fields and meadows, and Alpine areas.
Forming part of the Natura 2000 network does not necessarily limit the use of the area. Movement, berry picking, farming, fishing and hunting with an appropriate permit are still allowed in Natura 2000 areas, so long as the protection of a particular species does not set any
seasonal limitations. However, any activities that weaken the status of the area in terms of the preservation of important natural habitat types or the habitats of certain species are prohibited.
In some regions of Central Europe and in the Alps huge proportions of managed forests, mainly private owned, have been notified as Natura 2000 areas. In contrast to the boreal region, most of the concerned habitat types are characterised by a larger spectrum of tree species, mainly broadleaved species, but there are also more possibilities of silvicultural treatments to foster economically interesting tree species. Presently is not entirely clear, which forest measures will be allowed and which not. The prohibition of engraving changes in the proportions of naturally occurring tree species are the main reasons for severe conflicts between forest owners and authorities responsible for the implementation of the EU directives. The question of appropriate compensation payments is still not solved, whereby also a general decline in market value of the properties is to be considered.
A clarification of the state of forest protection in different countries is needed in order to achieve a harmonised discussion. However, compiling consistent information and comparing forest protection in different countries has proved to be more difficult than expected. Data on forest
protection has been collected internationally in connection with other forest inventory data through Temperate and Boreal Forest Resource Assessment (TBFRA, 2000) using IUCN classification, by EEA lists on designated protection areas and in the form of maps, e.g. by the IUCN-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), in Great Britain. In Europe, the terminology of forest protection, especially that for the status of strictly protected forests, was examined in 1996–1999 in the COST E4 Action: Forest Reserve Research Network (European Commission, 2000). A new
COST Action, E27 PROFOR (Protected Forest Areas in Europe), was launched in 2002 aiming to further clarify and analyse the classification of all categories of protected forests