Modelling the connectivity of Natura 2000 sites and their integration in the wider landscape

This paper contributes to the methodological needs for European-wide broad scale assessment of connectivity of N2K sites in the context of the newly adopted Green Infrastructure Communication and European Biodiversity Strategy for 2020, where increasing spatial and functional connectivity between protected and un-protected areas is one objective. The paper includes the JRC integrated model workflow which is based on two available free software packages (GUIDOS at forest.jrc.ec.europa.eu/download/software/guidos from Soille and Vogt, 2009 and Conefor at www.conefor.org from Saura and Torné, 2009) and new Python programming tools for automation of model procedures operating spatial data with ESRI Arcpy libraries. The second part of the paper shows the model application based on N2000 spatial dataset and a newly generated land use friction map. The connectivity of N2K sites network is reported European-wide and per country on the basis of both structural and functional criteria. The study concludes by showing two country examples on the identification of key site providing connectivity to the country N2000 network and the identification of isolated sites worth considering to prioritise conservation and restoration efforts.

ESTREGUIL Christine;  CAUDULLO Giovanni; 

2013-10-14

Wichmann Verlag

JRC84011

ISBN-13: 978-3-87907-532-4 ISBN-13,   

http://hw.oeaw.ac.at/7438-7_inhalt?frames=yes,    http://www.ms-monina.eu/Events/eo4hab-workshop,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC84011,   

10.1553/giscience2013s508,