The indicator shows the surface area of nature protected areas in Slovenia and their share in the total surface area of the country. Nature protected areas include conservation areas – Natura 2000 sites and areas which fulfil the conditions for Natura 2000 sites, as well as protected areas, that is parks, nature reserves and natural monuments.

The indicator shows the surface area of the protected areas; it does not, however, provide direct information as regards to achieving a favourable state of wild plant and animal species, their habitats as well as habitat types in these areas.

Protected areas partially overlap with Natura 2000 protection sites. They encompass a smaller surface area than the Natura 2000 sites, although they are organized to a higher level with elaborated management plans and appointed managers.

Up till 2004 the physical space of specific significance in Slovenia was protected within the framework of nature protected areas (national parks, regional parks, landscape parks, strict nature reserves, nature reserves and natural monuments). Roughly 12 % of the whole territory was thus protected in 2005, which has not changed significantly until today. The Triglav national park represents an important share of these areas, while in recent years the protected surface area has increased mostly due to the proclamation of two larger parks (the Notranjska Regional Park and the Goričko Landscape Park). Natura 2000 sites joined protected areas in 2004. These areas include almost 7203 km² or 35.5 % of the whole Slovenian territory. Areas which fulfil the conditions for Natura 2000 sites, covering 340 km² or 1.7 % of the country, were further designated in 2008. Protected areas partly overlap with the Natura 2000 areas and those areas which fulfil the conditions for Natura 2000. In 2008 these areas combined represented 39.8 % of the Slovenian territory, which is six times as much as in 1992.

In Slovenia, the share of Natura 2000 areas is large in comparison to other European countries. Slovenia protects a share of its territory 2.5 times larger than EU-27, both according to the Directive on the conservation of natural habitats of wild fauna and flora, as well as the Directive on the conservation of wild birds. A large portion of the protected areas arises from a rather environment-friendly use of physical space, which is reflected in extensive forest cover and a high ratio of grassland in the structure of agricultural land. Considerable surface areas of partly overgrown or plantless land above the timber line also contribute to a large share of protected areas.