Ecological connectivity is the basis of Alpine and global habitat and species protection. However, with the fact of different regions having different tools to measure and improve biodiversity, it becomes a main issue to realize an integrative concept for the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity within the Alps, a beautiful and unique European landscape rich in valuable habitats and structures, but endangered by over-exploitation and development. The overall objective is to consolidate and enhance transnational cooperation in the field of nature conservation while providing a harmonized concept of preserving natural habitats and common planning tools to realize a high level of ecological connectivity for biodiversity conservation.
ALPBIONET2030 aims to implement:
--> A coherent and complementary Alps-wide system of Strategic Alpine Connectivity Areas (SACA), reflecting the valuable and potential areas for ecological connectivity, defined at large scale and implemented at the level of Ecological Connectivity Pilot Regions (in cooperation with the Alpine Convention)
--> An integrated wildlife management for the Alps and an increased level of defragmentation in sectoral policies (hunting, forestry, agriculture, tourism, spatial development, etc.)
A new momentum comes in by the EUSALP, the new EU macro-metropolitan areas. The exchange between relevant Action Groups (in particular 6 & 7), will support a cross-cutting exchange between the Alpine convention and the EUSALP perimeter with their respective key players.
Objectives
Objective 1: Provide standardised cross-cutting institutional procedure for Alps-wide ecological connectivity coordination and planning across all Alpine states (EUSALP perimeter)
Objective 2: Create a new and enhanced understanding of spatial cooperation for biodiversity and ecological connectivity among the Alpine countries with SACA and transnational wildlife strategy elaboration
Objective 3: Define priorities and contribute to implementing existing planning criteria for ecological connectivity between the Alps and the EUSALP space
Results
The main results of the project refer to the level of integration of the ecosystem services approach in the policy systems of the Alpine space. Harmonized concepts and planning tools that are based on common and scientific assumptions on Ecological Connectivity can be used by various natural resource managers to constitute the basis for ecosystem services availability. With the involvement of stakeholders from relevant sectors Strategic Alpine Connectivity Areas for Ecological Connectivity and wildlife management strategy can be identified (so-called SACA). Those are needed to establish a safe link between the Alpine nature conservation bodies and EUSALP AG7 to improve Ecological Connectivity and Biodiversity protection in the EUSALP macro-region perimeter.
Please find our results here: http://www.alpine-space.eu/projects/alpbionet2030/en/project-results