Introduction

The Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN) is intended as a coherent assemblage of areas representing the natural and semi-natural landscape elements that need to be conserved, managed or, where appropriate, enriched or restored in order to ensure the favourable conservation status of the ecosystems, habitats, species and landscapes of European importance across their traditional range (Bennett 1998).

The ecological network model has been under development in Europe as a practical conservation tool for more than a decade. The concept of ecological networks is gradually becoming more and more important both in policies and practices of nature conservation throughout Europe. The proposal to establish a Pan-European Ecological Network – PEEN – by 2005 has been endorsed by ministers from 54 countries of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The network will be one of the principal means through which the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy (PEBLDS) is to maintain and enhance the natural diversity of the continent (The Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy 1996; Rientjes and Drucker 1996; Bennett 1998; Külvik 1998; Work Programme… 2001).

The work programme for developing the PEEN is the first attempt at applying the network model on the continental scale. It provides the vehicle for pooling experience from existing networks at international, regional and national levels. The novel aspects of the approach are:

• geographical scope: embraces the whole UNECE region

• landscape dimension included through the Action Theme (AT) 4 of the PEBLDS

The principles on which the PEEN is based are the same as for the whole PEBLDS:

Building on existing agreements and initiatives

This aims at using all other existing international and national legislation and policies as well as facilitating, supporting and promoting the implementation of existing international agreements and treaties.