New Places for Nature Protection in Europe

Scientists have looked beyond the usual parks and reserves to find other lands that could help wildlife survive. They called these places “Other Effective Area‑Based Conservation Measures” or OECMs. The idea is that some areas, even if not officially protected, still play a key role in keeping species safe. The study covered the whole European Union but focused on Greece and France to test a practical method. The approach follows three steps: first, screen large maps for areas that look promising; second, get agreement from local owners or managers; third, do a full assessment of how well the area can be managed for nature. The last step needs detailed data that is rarely available, so the researchers used free European datasets instead.

Their maps show that up to ten percent of Europe’s land could qualify as OECMs. That would be a huge boost toward the EU goal of protecting thirty percent of land by 2030. On a country level, however, the results are less clear. Some nations could add many new OECMs, while others would need more evidence to decide. A key point is that a place’s natural value alone isn’t enough. The rules and habits of those who run the land matter too. If people manage a forest poorly, it won’t help animals even if the area is biologically rich. Therefore, future plans must look at both nature and management together. The research suggests that OECMs could strengthen Europe’s overall conservation strategy. By recognising useful lands outside the traditional protected‑area system, governments can create a more connected and resilient natural network. This could help species survive climate change, human pressure, and other threats.

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