A Site of Community Importance (SCI) is defined in the European Commission Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) as a site which, in the biogeographical region or regions to which it belongs, contributes significantly to the maintenance or restoration at a favourable conservation status of a natural habitat type or of a species and may also contribute significantly to the coherence of Natura 2000, and/or contributes significantly to the maintenance of biological diversity within the biogeographic region or regions concerned.[1]

They are proposed to the Commission by the State Members and once approved, they can be designated as SACs by the State Member.

Definition

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In the environment field, the term is used to define an area:

  • which contributes significantly to maintaining or restoring one of the 233 European natural habitat types defined in Annex I of the Habitats Directive or to maintaining in a favourable state of conservation one of the approximately 900 species defined in Annex II;[2]
  • which can contribute to the coherence of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas in the European Union;
  • and/or which contributes significantly to maintaining the biodiversity of the region in which it is located.

Examples of the habitat types defined in Annex I

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Examples of the species defined in Annex II

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ SCI definition in the Directive
  2. ^ "Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora". Retrieved March 29, 2020.