Designated Areas

Designating special areas for protection is an effective way of ensuring our wildlife and natural landscapes retain their individual characteristics. It is a cornerstone of our strategy for conserving biodiversity in Northern Ireland. Some areas are are deemed of such importance that they are formally designated under various pieces of national and international legislation.

These sites should represent the best examples of natural and semi-natural ecosystems as well as the range of earth science features, and are protected and managed in order to conserve their special features. A complete list of international and national nature conservation and landscape protection designations is available on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee website.

Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) – These have been identified as being Northern Ireland’s very best wildlife and geological sites

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) – Areas given special protection under the European Union’s Habitats Directive to protect some of the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe

Special Protection Areas (SPA) – Areas designated under the European Commission on the Conservation of Wild Birds (The Birds Directive). All EC member states are required to identify internationally important areas for breeding, over-wintering and migrating birds and designate them as SPAs  

Nature Reserves – An area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or other special interest, which are reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research.

Marine Nature Reserves (MNR) - The purpose of MNRs is to conserve marine flora and fauna and geological features of special interest, while providing opportunities for study of marine systems. Strangford Lough is NI’s only MNR

Ramsar Sites – These are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention

Natura 2000 Sites - Natura 2000 is the name of the European Union-wide network of nature conservation sites established under the EC Habitats and Birds Directives. This network will comprise Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – Areas designated to protect and enhance their distinctive landscapes and scenic beauty and to promote their enjoyment by the public

World Heritage Site (WHS) – Designated for their globally important cultural or natural interest and require appropriate management and protection measures. Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast is NI’s only WHS.