Special Areas of Conservation designated under the European Habitats Directive SACs introduced under the 1992 Habitats Directive, aim to conserve ecological sites containing either natural or semi-natural habitats of Community interest, due to their rarity or essential ecological role (listed in Annex I of the directive), or animal and plant species of Community interest, again due to their rarity, symbolic value or essential role in the ecosystem (listed in Annex II of the directive). Together with SPAs, they form the Natura 2000 network, a coherent ecological network of protected areas within the European Union with the aim of protecting endangered indigenous wild bird, animal and plant species and their natural habitats across national borders.

Special Protection Areas designated under the European Birds Directive. SPAs introduced under the 2009 Birds Directive (replacing the first directive of 1979), aim to protect particularly threatened European wild bird species (listed in Annex I of the directive) and migratory bird habitats, including wetlands of international importance. Together with SACs, they form the Natura 2000 network, a coherent ecological network of protected areas within the European Union with the aim of protecting endangered indigenous wild bird, animal and plant species and their natural habitats across national borders.