Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The concept of ecological networks and “green
corridors”. Design and implementation. Current status and trends
with focus on Europe.Transboundary cooperation
Mart KülvikEstonia
content
• Concept, terms, philosophy• Status and trends: European policies• Upside down approach• Bottom-up approach
Concept, terms, philosophy
concept
Ecological networks – coherent assemblages of areas representing natural and semi-natural landscape elements that need to be conserved, managed or, where appropriate, enriched or restored in order to ensure the favourable conservation status of ecosystems, habitats, species and landscapes of regional importance across their traditional range (Bennett, 1998)
terms
wide range of names worldwide:• greenways in the USA, Australia and New
Zealand• ecological infrastructure, ecological
framework • extensive open space systems, multiple use
nodules, wildlife corridors, landscape restoration network
• habitat networks, territorial systems of ecological stability, framework of landscape stability
• the network of ecologically compensating areas
components
Core area
Restoration area
Stepping stone corridor
Linear corridor
Bufferzone
Landscape corridor
Core area
Core area
Core areas Corridors Buffer
zones Restoratio
n areas
Variety of ecological networks appearance
why ecological network needed?
Changing land-use patterns is creating fragmented habitats
Stress for ecosystems is increasing
Number of threatened and endangered species is expanding
philosophy of econet The underlying philosophy of the establishment of
an econet is to promote synergy between existing nature policies, land-use planning, rural and urban development.
Econet offers a dynamic framework for integrating several sectors policies in relation to nature conservation and management that will build on and benefit from the existing agreements, programmes and initiatives.
Econet does not only consists of legally protected areas, valuable landscapes and habitats are not restricted protected areas only. Corridors and buffer zones very often maintained or managed by different land-use sectors.
Status and trends: European policies
status and trends
Central part of an international political process:
the establishment of Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN) is a priority theme of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy (PEBLDS), endorsed in 1995 at 3rd “Environment for Europe” (EfE) Ministerial Conference, Sofia
‘To ensure that a full range of ecosystems, habitats, species and their genetic diversity and landscape of European importance are conserved; habitats are large enough to place species in a favourable conservation status; there are sufficient opportunities for dispersal and migration of species; damaged elements of the network are restored and the system is buffered from potential threats’ (PEBLDS, 1995)
The target of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy:
5th EfE Ministerial Conference in Kyiv, May 2003: biodiversity resolution endorsed by Environment Ministers:
target 2006: PEEN will be identified and reflected on coherent indicative European maps in all States of the Pan-European region,target 2008: all core areas adequately conserved and the PEEN gives guidance to all major national, regional and international land use and planning policies + to the operations of relevant economic and financial sectors.
Upside down approach
Indicative map of the Pan-European Ecological Network in CEE:AREA
Methodology: basic lines of reasoning
Core areas
Internationallydesignated areas
Internationallyacknowledged areas
Areas fulfi lling sizecr iterion
Pan-EuropeanCorridors
Major rivers in region
Connections sizeclass II and II
Indicative map of the Pan-European EcologicalNetwork
Consultation
+
+
+
+
Basic map 1: internationally designated sites
Basic map 2: internationally acknowledged sites
Basic map 3: PEEN habitats map
Analysis steps:
Step 1. Determine large non-fragmented ‘natural’ habitat (complexes) that fulfil species demands
Step 2. Add on corridors: Known migration and potential dispersal routes
Step 3. Estimation of patch sites that support key populations of indicator species
Step 4. GIS analysis
SloCro
BiH
SCG
Bg
Mk
Gr
Tr
Al
100 0 100 200 Kilometers
1:13.000.000 © CKFF
Indicative map of the Pan-European Ecological Network in SEE:AREA
Albania: Directorate of Nature Protection Bosnia and Herzegovina: Agricultural Institute Bulgaria: Wilderness fund Croatia: University of Zagreb Macedonia: Agency of EnvironmentSerbia-Montenegro: Institute for Nature Conservation Slovenia: Center for Cartography Fauna and Flora Turkey: WWF Turkey
LEAD: European Centre for Nature Conservation
Project team
Bottom-up approach
OObjectives of the projectbjectives of the project OObjectives of the projectbjectives of the project
3
to develop the concepts and methodologies for national ecological networks in Baltics;
to implement the concept of ecological network at state level and in pilot areas at county level;
to develop maps, databases and action plans for implementation of National Ecological Networks.
Ecological network of Lithuania Ecological network of Lithuania
1
Traffic accidents with large
mammals (by L.Klein)
IUCN Regional Office for Europe
To supplement the green network at county level
Large natural and semi-natural
areas
IUCN Regional Office for Europe 21
conclusions• Ecological greenway networks have huge
potentials in ecological perspectives but also to unite Europe.
• Among the most important potentials is their function as both an ecological and social network on different levels.
• The network has a potential to increase co-ordination across the “human borders” of administrations, countries, regions and local spots and to increase co-operation between administrative sectors, local people and NGOs.
• The real potential of the ecological networks is, however, that they might potentially widen our – conservationists’ -- understanding of interaction with nature in a socio-economic context.
Many thanks for your attention!
