Context

The Alpine region is extremely rich in biodiversity but also one of the most densely populated regions in Europe. In this context, human pressure on Alpine ecosystems are numerous due to tourism, agricultural and economic development and urbanisation. This leads to consequences such as habitat destruction and fragmentation. The reduction of landscape fragmentation in the Alpine Arc is essential to effectively maintain biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services. In fact, biodiversity conservation has long been addressed through the creation of protected areas. However, research shows that the conservation process needs to allow the migration of species across the entire Alpine chain. Thus, the concept of linking protected areas to each other to promote gene flow and allow migration has emerged. It will help species to adapt to environmental changes, changes to their habitats, lack of interconnectivity caused by climate change and human development.

The initiative

The main objective of the initiative is to preserve biodiversity through the integration of an ecological continuum across the Alpine region.
The project has three main axes:

– Information gathering:
Gathering geographical information
Analysing existing physical and legal barriers to the creation of ecological corridors
Defining migration corridors to be set up to allow genetic transfer in the Alps

– Action on the ground:
Establish methods for the creation of ecological corridors
Strengthen cooperation between relevant institutions
Apply methods to pilot regions with high biodiversity value and promote them throughout the Alps

– Communication:
Raise awareness of the importance of ecological connectivity
Disseminate the results of the process

Results, limits and enable factors

The project resulted in policy and implementation recommendations such as the valorisation of ecological connectivity for the society and the economy of the Alps and the establishment of a legal framework for its implementation. The project also led to the publication of a methodological guide for ecological networks and to numerous documents available on the project website. The aim of the guide is to provide the elements and methods needed to draw up an action plan based on an eco-systemic approach to natural areas. It presents a complete assessment of the achievements of the implementation of the concept in Switzerland and in Isère.