Nature conservation

Maintaining a diversity of natural habitats is vital for sustaining and maintaining variation within plant- and animal life. Spreading of plants and animals is facilitated between different habitats when the distances are short and connected with each other through streams, hedges and woods.

Many of the Danish nature areas disappeared in the 20th century such as streams, lakes and small ponds, bogs and meadows, fringes and moors. The Danish landscape was changed as a consequence of cultivation, growth of cities, structural development in agriculture and forestry, and the application of too many nutrients. As the natural habitants disappeared so did many wild animals and plants.

Farm management has a very important  role to play in terms of conserving natural habitats. Some of these habitats require a high level of maintenance such as the meadows and fringes that are dependent on continuous coextensive management, while others like bogs and lakes need to be left in peace.

In order to avoid further deterioration in natural habitats, many initiatives for protecting, improving and regenerating natural areas have been implemented in Denmark.