Eight species of hamster are found in Europe. The Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) and the Golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) are popular pets but the others occur solely in eastern Europe living in agricultural or steppe-like habitats. The increase of agricultural production has led to an increase in their distribution. Some species are in decline but some species in some parts of Europe are regarded as pests. This study aims to give a summary of the status of hamsters in Europe. It summarises the biology, distribution and conservation status and analyses the causes of decline of the Common hamster and the state of the Romanian hamster. Ways of dealing with the conservation or management of the species are proposed

The Standing Committee to the Bern Convention (Convention of the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats) wished to know how the Convention was being implemented in the Different states; what administrative structures were set up for nature conservation activities; and how the main challenges were being met. This study presents the situation in Norway.

The species Margaritifera margaritifera still lives in the rivers of many European states, where its presence is always linked to excellent water quality. Margaritifera auricularia was thought to be extinct during many years, but populations were discovered in the Ebro river (Spain) and in the Loire basin (France) , where they are critically endangered. Action Plans are presented for both species.

This report aims to identify actions which might achieve more sustainable and environment-friendly tourism development. It contains an overview of the situations in Europe but the bulk of the publication lists the replies from individual countries to a questionnaire. The topics covered were: the positive and negative impacts of tourism, plans and policies to achieve sustainable development, the organisation of tourism, tourism development, successful measure that had been taken to attain sustainable development and environmental training.

The Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, which was endorsed by ministers from 54 countries in the UN-ECE region on 25 October 1995, provides for the establishment by 2005 of the Pan-European Ecological Network. These Guidelines provide a reference document for all those involved in establishing and managing the network. The document aims to provide a coherent framework for guiding an array of co-operative, decentralised measures which aim to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of the ecosystems, habitats, species and landscapes of European importance.

Although Europe has a high diversity of fungi and many species are threatened, no fungal species are yet included in the appendices of the Bern Convention or the EU Habitats Directive. Conservation action has often neglected fungi due in part to past insufficient knowledge of their ecology, distribution and status. This report, which contains very detailed information on 33 species threatened in Europe, was originally prepared as a list of candidate species for protection at the European level. They certainly deserve the attention of conservation agencies

Climate change is likely to have major environmental effects on natural habitats in the next fifty years. Conservation of biological diversity will have to be modified drastically to avoid massive extinctions of species of threatened habitat types. Precise recommendations are made to governments and conservation agencies that collaborate in the framework of the Bern Convention. This publication provides a starting point for discussion about possible adaptation strategies if Europe's biodiversity is to be conserved.