Protection zones are one of the key tools in planning renewable energy investments. They serve as a reference framework for pre- and post-implementation monitoring, setting species and spatial priorities and specifying the scope and intensity of research. This enables more accurate selection of mitigation measures, which results in effective nature conservation while ensuring responsible development of investments.
This is a legal tool that designates peaceful areas around the nesting, roosting, wintering sites, or permanent habitats of selected species. They limit human pressure during the most sensitive phases of the life cycle, which increases the chances of successful breeding and survival of young.
The species targeted by these special protection areas share a high demand for suitable habitats and sensitivity to disturbance. Restrictions imposed in the immediate vicinity of key locations protect not only the animals for which they were established but also related habitats and other species.
Some of the birds that are protected in this way include the white-tailed eagle, related to vast river valleys and old-growth forests; the black stork, which inhabits quiet parts of older deciduous forests and marshy areas; the lesser spotted eagle, preferring a mosaic of meadows and woodlands; and the eagle owl, the largest owl in Europe.
Zones are also designated for selected species of other groups when specific breeding, resting, or wintering sites determine the status of the population. For brown bears, protection zones are established around lairs where animals hibernate and give birth to their young, and for European pond turtles in permanent residence and egg-laying areas. Protection zones are also created for plants and fungi to protect valuable sites and habitats from degradation.