Slovakia

The aim of this international seminar was to discuss tools for ecological planning in the context of preparing for implementation of the EU Natura 2000 network, and to explore the possibilities for integrating nature conservation objectives into sectoral policies such as agriculture. This publication presents the agreed recommendations of the seminar, the guest papers and brief national overviews.

Fishponds represent a rich natural and cultural heritage of tremendous importance and are of great economic value to the regions in which they are found. This is particularly true of the fishponds found in Central and Eastern Europe, some of which were established 5 and 600 years ago. However, the social, cultural, economic and political upheaval that has characterised the recent history of the region has brought in its wake serious implications for their survival.

Large areas previously occupied by Warsaw Pact forces have been vacated in Central and Eastern Europe after the political changes in 1989 and 1990. Many of these areas are potentially rich in natural resources and variety of habitats.