Half of Luxembourg's natural sites in 'bad' condition

In Luxembourg, there are a total of 202 protected areas, of which 66 are designated as Natura 2000 sites.

Natura 2000 is an EU-wide network of protected sites for rare and threatened species and some rare natural habitat types. All of Luxembourg's Natura 2000 sites are also protected under national law.

28 of Luxembourg's habitats are protected under EU law. Of these, 50% are considered in bad condition, according to information compiled by the Biodiversity Information System for Europe.

This includes two forests, three freshwater sites, five grasslands, two scrublands and two bogs.

The red kite is a protected species in Luxembourg. / © Unsplash

Just one third (32.14%) of Luxembourg's EU-protected habitats are in good condition, while under a fifth (17.86%) are in poor condition.

Overall, around a quarter of protected habitats are forests, with rocky habitats, grasslands, freshwater, bogs and scrub making up the remainder.

In addition, there are 131 species protected under EU law in Luxembourg. This includes birds such as the red kite as well as mammals such as the greater mouse-eared bat.

Top 10 Natura2000 sites with the most number of protected species and habitats 

1. Upper Moselle region
2. Haff Réimech
3. Upper Alzette valley
4. The Our valley from Ouren to Wallendorf Pont
5. The Attert valley from the border to Useldange
6. The Tretterbaach valley and border tributaries at Asselborn
7. The Syre valley from Moutfort to Roodt/Syre
8. The Woltz valley and tributaries from the source at Troisvierges
9. The Sûre, Wiltz, Clerve and Lellgerbaach valleys
10. The Black Ernz valley / Beaufort / Berdorf