ARPHA Preprints, doi: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e129021
Guidelines for connectivity conservation and planning in Europe
expand article infoFrancisco Moreira, Filipe S. Dias, Jeremy Dertien§, Ana Ceia Hasse, Luis Borda-de-Água, Silvia Carvalho, Miguel Porto, Francesca Cosentino|, Luigi Maiorano|, Andrea Sacchi|, Luca Santini|, Florian Borgwardt, Georg Gruber, Nikolaj Poulsen§, Rafaela Schinegger, Carina Seliger, Néstor Fernández§#
‡ CIBIO-BIOPOLIS, Vairao, Portugal§ German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany| Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy¶ University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria# Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
Open Access
Abstract

Ecological connectivity is key to maintaining a coherent and resilient network of protected areas in the EU. The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 has identified the unhindered movement of species, nutrients and ecological processes across connected landscapes as a key feature of a coherent Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N) of protected and conserved areas. However, to date, streamlined guidance on planning for and implementing connectivity measures specifically at the European scale has been limited.

This report presents a coherent methodological framework and guidelines for mapping functional and structural connectivity at the European scale, as part of the Horizon Europe NaturaConnect project, which is supporting EU Member States in developing a coherent TEN-N of protected and conserved areas.

It describes key ecological connectivity concepts and approaches; outlines methods and tools for estimating connectivity; presents an overview of connectivity projects across Europe; identifies connectivity priorities, gaps and challenges following a stakeholder consultation process; and provides practical and operational guidelines for implementing ecological connectivity for conservation projects ranging from regional to national and European levels. The guidelines present a strategic blueprint aimed at enhancing ecological connectivity across Europe, and address the specific challenges and opportunities related to planning ecological connectivity in the European context.

This report has been written for practitioners and individuals involved in the management and administration of protected areas and ecological connectivity projects across Europe. This includes professionals working in TEN-N implementation at national or regional levels, others involved in spatial planning outside protected areas, and professionals engaged in the implementation of connectivity projects and protected area management.

Keywords
Biodiversity policy, connectivity assessment, conservation planning, ecological corridors, landscape fragmentation, population models, species dispersal, species traits, user needs