The indicator shows the Natura 2000 network and represents those areas which are most suitable for the preservation or achievement of a favourable state of species and habitats in the EU's and Slovenia's interests. Protection measures and measures for modified use of natural assets are foreseen in these areas.

The Natura 2000 areas (the EU's ecological network) have been designated by means of the Decree on special protection areas (Natura 2000 areas), OG of the RS, Nos. 49/04, 110/04, 59/07. Sites of Community Interest (SCI) have been defined on the basis of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) have been designated on the basis of the Birds Directive (Council Directive 79/409/EEC). SPA and SCI areas partially overlap.

Joining the EU has obliged Slovenia to designate and maintain Natura 2000 sites, which occupy slightly more than 7202 km² or 35.5% of the Slovenian territory.

Suggested areas (Sites of Community Interest – SCI), which Slovenia has defined by means of a governmental decree on the basis of the Habitats Directive, will be adopted by the European Commission in accordance with a special procedure, which normally takes a few years. Negotiations with the European Commission commenced with two biogeographical seminars, namely a biogeographical seminar for the Alpine region, held in May 2005, and a biogeographical seminar for the continental region, held in April 2006. On the basis of the conclusions of both seminars Slovenia will be bound to designate further areas according to the Habitats Directive for those habitat types or species which the European Commission has determined as insufficiently designated. Potential Sites of Community Interest (pSCI) were renamed to Sites of Community Interest (SCI) after European Commission confirmed and officially published lists of sites for Continental (15.1.2008) and Alpine (19.3.2008) biogeographical region.

Based on the Birds Directive, the decree also designates Special Protection Areas (SPA) which are significant for preserving or achieving a favourable state of bird species. After reviewing the harmonization the European Commission found that Slovenia had not designated a sufficient number of areas, both in terms of number and extent. Therefore additional areas which according to the European Commission fulfil the conditions for Special Protection Areas, the so-called SPA add-ons, were designated by means of an amendment to the decree in May 2008. The aim of the decree is to prevent the deterioration of the state of bird species and their habitats until all Natura sites have been ultimately regulated and confirmed.

About 70% of the Slovenian Natura 2000 network is covered by forests, which suggests their generally good state of preservation. Lowland swamp forests were heavily deforested in the past, are not in a favourable state of preservation and are additionally protected through the network. Out of all non-forest areas, the Natura 2000 network comprises ca. 20% of agricultural land, the most important thereof being extensive meadows. In several areas, the meadows are still in a favourable state of preservation, though pressures decreasing the favourable state are great and include both natural overgrowth due to the discontinuation of farming as well as intensified use of meadows.
The Natura 2000 network also specifically protects caves (in 70 areas of altogether 260). Surface continental waters represent only slightly over one percent of the network, yet they are of great importance for the preservation of the network. Several waters are nevertheless not in the most favourable state of preservation. Human dwellings are of significance for reproduction, resting or wintering of certain species, making certain built-up areas vital in the Natura 2000 network. The species in question are mainly animals from bird groups (for example the white stork, the European scops owl) and mammals (such as bats).

Ecologically important areas were designated by the Decree on ecologically important areas in 2004. These are areas of significant habitat types, parts thereof or larger ecosystem units which greatly contribute to the preservation of biodiversity. Certain protection guidelines and rules must be taken into consideration in spatial planning and use of natural assets. However, building objects in ecologically important areas which are not simultaneously a Natura 2000 site, a protected area or an area of high nature value does not require natural protection consents or conditions to be given or imposed.
Among ecologically important areas are the main habitat of big game,the sea and the sea coast. Natura 2000 areas are an element of ecologically important areas.