EU's dying ecosystem: Recent assessments show that the overall state of EU biodiversity is declining, with two-thirds of protected species across Member States being at risk of dying out. Protection networks, such as Natura 2000, play a key role in the protection of our ecosystems, yet less than 8% of designated areas are effectively managed. Considering that biodiverse ecosystems provide indispensable services to life on Earth, how can the EU ensure their protection and conservation?