Abstract
The Interreg ADRION DinAlpCONNECT project builds on previous experiences of ecological connectivity projects in the Alps, to safeguard the ecological network between the Alps and the Dinaric Mountains, and in the whole Adriatic area. The project aims at developing specific regional, transboundary strategies to protect the most relevant core areas and corridors, and overcoming existing and future barriers, for the connection of these two mountain ranges.
Spatial models for ecological connectivity have provided the basis for the development of macro-regional strategies for the enhancement of ecological connectivity on a trans-boundary level. However, such an analysis has never been conducted so far to analyze the ecological continuum between the Alps and the Dinaric mountains, including the natural elements, the socioeconomic dimension, and the human management of the territories.
With this contribution we show the adaptation and use of a spatial model, developed in former Interreg Alpine Space projects, simulating the landscape permeability and defining the most important connections between the Alps and the Dinarides, involving eight different countries. The model follows a structural approach based on the Continuum Suitability Index (CSI), a specific multi-criteria evaluation, which takes into account the experts’ opinion done in each of the countries involved. An ecological connectivity assessment was elaborated combining the GIS model results with the SWOT analyses done in each of the four trans-boundary pilot regions, which highlighted the main issues regarding the interactions between the socioeconomic matrix of each area and the ecological needs of wildlife species.
At macro-regional level, the results shows that, while 82% of the ecological conservation areas are overlapping with protected areas, non-Eu countries have still wide gaps of protected landscapes, compared to the member states. It was also revealed that 36% of protected land is strongly fragmented, in altitudes not suitable for most species, or is facing a high land use pressure in combination with a low protection status. 416 regional ecological corridors were identified and categorized. The main barriers identified are mostly represented by cities, main roads and productive land uses. In the whole project area, 108 ecological corridors were intersected by highways, of which 60 represent a real physical barrier, proving that the area is highly fragmented and in need of specific actions for local enhancement of ecological connectivity.
The results from the combined analysis GIS-SWOT in one of the four transboundary pilot sites will be presented. The integration of stakeholders on both sides of the border has highlighted the need for habitat conservation and maintenance of the conditions appropriate for target species, mainly through an increase in cross-border cooperation, encouraging people to recognize that nature knows no political or administrative boundaries and to promote sustainable agriculture, forestry, tourism, and organic production. This innovative approach will represent the basis for the development of a macro-regional strategy, which will focus on the most important corridors for protection or restoration measures in agriculture, forestry, and spatial planning.