To protect and preserve certain types of habitats and species of animals and plants of importance for EU, every member country has designated nature areas of special importance – so called Habitat Areas.
Together with the bird protection areas the habitat areas form the so called Natura 2000 network, which is an ecological network of protected nature areas throughout EU.
In Denmark there are 254 habitat areas (see map ) with a total area of about 11,100 km² - with about 7,950 km² marine areas and about 3,150 km² on land – corresponding to 7.5 % of the Danish marine areas and 7.4 % of the Danish terrestrial area.
About 9,200 km² of the habitat areas has also been designated as bird protection areas.
As an endangered species the houting is included in the EU Habitat Directive as a priority species in 4 areas:
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Habitat Area no. 78 : Wadden Sea with River Ribe Å, River Tved Å and River Varde Å west of Varde.
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Habitat Areas
The habitat areas are designated according to the EU Habitat Directive .
The habitat types of Community interest is:
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Nature in danger of disappearance in their natural range;
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Nature with a small natural range following their regression
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Nature outstanding of characteristics of certain areas in Europe.
The Houting-project will have a special positive effect on Habitat type no. ' 3260 - Water courses with water vegetation'.
Animal and plant species of Community interest are:
Such species are listed in Annex II and/or Annex IV or V of the Habitat Directive
Furthermore, species of which the Community has particular responsibility, so-called priority species, are indicated by an asterisk (*) in Annex II – the houting has been designated as a priority species as the only Danish fish species.