Portugal Approves 18 New Special Conservation Areas (SCAs)

Portugal has approved 18 new Special Conservation Areas (SCAs), Natura 2000 areas that, once designated as Sites of Community Importance, are legally required to have specific conservation objectives and active management plans. The country now has 44 SCAs in total.

From the mountainous interior to the coast

The list covers the country's territorial diversity: mountain areas such as Serra da Freita e Arada, Complexo do Açor and Malcata (important for the Iberian wolf); riverine areas such as the Minho River, the Guadiana and the Minas de Santo Adrião; and coastal and marine areas such as Costa Sudoeste, Ria Formosa and Ria de Alvor.

The designation limits heavy industrial activity and unplanned urbanisation, while encouraging nature tourism and traditional farming practices. With 44 SCAs now approved, Portugal avoids EU fines, secures access to European funds such as the LIFE programme, and strengthens the climate resilience of habitats such as coastal dunes and salt marshes.