Published in "eco.mont", Volume 16, Nr. 2; p.38-46 (July 2024); ISSN 2073-1558
The Natura 2000 Network (N2000N) is the main conservation instrument of the European
Union. Its implementation for the whole EU territory in the last 30 years has
largely been carried out top-down, combining the local level poorly. The Queixa and
San Mamede mountain ranges, located in south-eastern Galicia, have been proposed
as a single natural park since at least the 1970s, although political inactivity
and lack of interest in conservation by the local population have made this difficult to
achieve. However, most of this mountain area has been designated as N2000N territory.
This article demonstrates that the designation took place in a non-transparent
manner and without public participation. As a consequence, our analysis questions
the legitimacy of the Galician N2000N areas. The article addresses N2000N management
and academic criticism in this respect. Finally, we recommend involvement
of the local population in the future, as the only way to guarantee effective conservation
and improve perceptions of the N2000N at local level. The analysis presented
here is relevant for the future of this and other mountainous areas belonging to the
network.
https://doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-16-2s38
