Adopting the Precautionary Principle in Designing and Managing Natura 2000 Areas (Exemplified by the Conservation of the Butterfly Maculinea Nausithous in a Rural Landscape North of Dresden (Saxony))

The precautionary principle is more and more incorporated into national law and decision-making on natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. In the coherent European network of protected areas Natura 2000, the precautionary principle finds expression in the obligation to provide favourable conditions for the long-term survival of species and habitats, especially of the priority ones listed in the annexes of the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. After describing principles, structure, implementation and procedures of this rather new instrument for nature conservation using the example of one of the various Natura 2000 areas in Saxony (Germany), opportunities and problems for biodiversity conservation are outlined with particular regard for the situation in an agricultural landscape. Special attention is given to the following questions: requirements of and actual threats to the target species (the butterfly Maculinea nausithous), legal means and economic incentives for suitable measures, the management plan, and the role of stakeholders. It turns out that Natura 2000 could be an effective tool to advance nature conservation, and with special regard to the precautionary principle. Every effort is necessary to gain more public acceptance of Natura 2000, as well as to improve scientific knowledge concerning species and habitats under protection.