This volume offers insight in the identification and selection procedure of marine protected areas in the German exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of the North - and Baltic Seas. EU Member States are obliged to establish a coherent network of protected areas, consisting of sites identified under the EC Habitats and Birds Directives. The goal of this Natura 2000 network is the conservation of biodiversity on land and in the sea. To fill important gaps in knowledge regarding the presence, abundance, and distribution of certain species and habitats in the German North- and Baltic Seas, the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) initiated a detailed research programme, involving researchers from many renowned German marine research institutes. This book contains the main results of the different projects under this research programme, which formed the basis for the identification and selection of the Natura 2000 sites. Information is given on two NATURA 2000 habitats (sandbanks and reefs), and benthic species, fish, birds and marine mammals, as well as on legal aspects and implementation procedures. Last but not least the book introduces the current status of NATURA 2000 in the German EEZ. Target audience are not only scientists, but also policymakers, environmental organisations and other stakeholders, and the book includes many illustrations.

1; ;6 2; ;8 3; ;9 4; ;11 4.1; ;11 4.2; ;11 4.3; ;12 4.4; ;14 4.5; ;15 4.6; ;15 4.7; ;18 5; ;19 6; ;22 7; ;22 8; ;22 9; ;22 9.1; ;22 9.2; ;23 9.3; ;25 9.4; ;25 9.5; ;27 9.6; ;27 9.7; ;40 9.8; ;41 9.9; ;41 10; ;44 11; ;44 12; ;44 12.1; ;44 12.2; ;45 12.3; ;45 12.4; ;50 12.5; ;56 12.6; ;56 12.7; ;61 13; ;64 14; ;64 15; ;64 16; ;64 16.1; ;64 16.2; ;65 16.3; ;65 16.4; ;69 16.5; ;69 16.6; ;79 16.7; ;79 16.8; ;80 17; ;82 18; ;82 18.1; ;82 18.2; ;83 18.3; ;85 18.4; ;85 18.5; ;93 18.6; ;96 18.7; ;96 18.8; ;97 18.9; ;97 18.10; ;104 18.11; ;110 18.12; ;111 19; ;114 20; ;114 21; ;114 22; ;114 22.1; ;114 22.2; ;115 22.3; ;115 22.4; ;122 23; ;128 24; ;128 25; ;128 25.1; ;128 25.2; ;128 25.3; ;129 25.4; ;130 25.5; ;134 25.6; ;140 25.7; ;140 25.8; ;141 25.9; ;141 26; ;143 27; ;143 27.1; ;143 27.2; ;143 27.3; ;145 27.4; ;147 27.5; ;152 27.6; ;154 27.7; ;155 27.8; ;155 28; ;157 29; ;157 30; ;157 30.1; ;157 30.2; ;158 30.3; ;159 30.4; ;159 30.5; ;162 30.6; ;172 30.7; ;172 31; ;173 32; ;173 33; ;173 33.1; ;173 33.2; ;175 33.3; ;175 33.4; ;175 33.5; ;179 33.6; ;179 33.7; ;184 33.8; ;184 33.9; ;190 33.10; ;190 33.11; ;191 34;