The Conservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Europe and the Mediterranean: A Gordian Knot?

Abstract

This paper contributes to the discussion regarding the effective conservation of the European natural heritage. First it is argued that there are intrinsic difficulties in defining the terms ‘conservation’, ‘natural heritage’ and ‘cultural heritage’, particularly in cultural landscapes. In the second part, keeping to the common, intuitive understanding, a simple schematic diagram is used to demonstrate that it is impossible to define the natural heritage in Europe decoupled from a simultaneous reference to the cultural heritage that co‐created it. Next, the tools that the EU presently uses to conserve its natural heritage are discussed. It is emphasised that mere lists of species and habitats must not be misperceived as comprising the whole natural heritage of Europe, the conservation of which cannot be achieved solely within protected areas. A critical gap is pinpointed; despite its primary role, the intangible cultural heritage of the practices of farming and forestry that have forged the European natural heritage for centuries is not systematically recorded, recognised or conserved. The Mediterranean is simply treated as the most diverse area of Europe both in terms of natural and cultural heritage. Finally, it is suggested that the effective way to support conservation of the European natural heritage is to channel through the agriculture sector, a large part of the subsidies to support such practices in farming and forestry, or their closest modern applications.