"The local population is not aware" of nature conservation: implementing and managing the Natura 2000 network in a mountainous area of Galicia, Spain.

The Natura 2000 Network (N2000N) is the main conservation instrument of the European Union. Its implementation for the whole EU territory in the last 30 years has largely been carried out top-down, combining the local level poorly. The Queixa and San Mamede mountain ranges, located in south-eastern Galicia, have been proposed as a single natural park since at least the 1970s, although political inactivity and lack of interest in conservation by the local population have made this difficult to achieve. However, most of this mountain area has been designated as N2000N territory. This article demonstrates that the designation took place in a non-transparent manner and without public participation. As a consequence, our analysis questions the legitimacy of the Galician N2000N areas. The article addresses N2000N management and academic criticism in this respect. Finally, we recommend involvement of the local population in the future, as the only way to guarantee effective conservation and improve perceptions of the N2000N at local level. The analysis presented here is relevant for the future of this and other mountainous areas belonging to the network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]