Ecological networks in Europe an overview

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Ecological networks in Europe- an overview -

• Mihály Végh

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Introduction the ecological network concept

• counteract fragmentation
• conservation of core areas
• buffering
• maintaining and establishing ecological
  connectivity
• tool for ecological design and planning
• tool for interaction with other land uses

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Different approaches in designing ecological
networks in Europe

• Eco-stabilizing approach Estonia, Lithuania
• - focus on communities and species assemblages
• aims at maintaining a coherent spatial structure
  of interconnected ecosystems
• Bio-ecological approach Western Europe
• targeted species recovery or habitat restoration
• more process-oriented than the eco-stabilizing
  approach
• Greenways approach USA, Russia, Czech Republic
• open natural or semi-natural areas around urban
  areas
• providing easy access to nature for citizens

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Elements of ecological networks

• It is a simple system,
• consisting of
• core areas
• buffer zones
• corridors
• restoration areas

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A typology of corridors
Line Corridor
Line Corridor with nodes
Stepping stone corridor
Landscape corridor
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Ecological Networks Current programmes

• Applied at all scales from local to
  supracontinental
• Over 150 ecological network programmes worldwide
• Over 50 ecological network programmes in Europe
• Many in planning stage

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Networks under development in Europe

• International level
• - Emerald Network
• - Natura 2000 Network
• - Pan European Ecological Network
• - ECONET-CA/Eco-Region projects in CCA
• - Green Corridor Network
• National level national ecological networks,
  wider countryside approach in UK and Ireland
• Regional level and trans-boundary networks

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The Emerald Networks
Natura 2000 Networks

• Network of protected areas
• 1989 Recommendation No 16, 1996 Resolution No 3
  on a network of Areas of Special Conservation
  Interest (ASCIs) of Bern Convention (1979) (CoE)
  soft law
• Pan-European scale (47)Africa (4)
• Designated ASCI sites coherent with Natura
  network in EU states
• Aims at protecting
• - Habitats of wild flora and fauna species
  (listed under Annex 2)
• - Endangered natural habitats
• - Areas of importance for migratory species
• Pilot projects are to be carried out
• Encourages corridors

• Network of protected areas
• EU Bird directive (1979) Special Protection Areas
  (SPAs)
• 1992 EU Habitats Directive coherent European
  ecological network of Special Areas of
  Conservation Annex I (habitats) and II (species)
  (SACs) - obligatory, legally binding
• SPAsSACs
• 25 EU member states
• Aims at protecting
• - Habitats of wild flora and fauna species
  (listed under Annex 2)
• - Endangered natural habitats
• - Areas of importance for migratory species
• Corridors are mentioned in Article 10, but not
  obligatory

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The Emerald and Natura 2000 Networks
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Pan European Ecological Network (PEEN)

• Ecological network, 53 countries, legally
  non-binding
• Promotes synergy between different networks
• Internationally accepted
• Endorsed in 1995 as part of the PEBLDS
• Reinforced in 2003 Kyiv Resolution on
  Biodiversity
• PEEN Experts Committee (CoE, ECNC)

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Kyiv Resolution - PEEN Target I

• By 2006, the Pan-European Ecological Network
  (core areas, restoration areas, corridors and
  buffer zones, as appropriate) in all States of
  the pan European region will be identified and
  reflected on coherent indicative European maps,
  as a European contribution towards a global
  ecological network.

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Kyiv Resolution PEEN Target II

• By 2008, all core areas of the PEEN are
  conserved, and guidance is given to all involved
  sectors to implement PEEN

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Indicative maps of the Pan-European Ecological
Network
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EECONET in Central Asia

• ECONET for 5 states of Central Asia
• NGO Initiative WWF and variable stakeholders of
  the region
• Aims to integrate ecological network in the
  regional and national plans of sustainable
  development

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National Ecological Networks in Europe

• Development of national and regional ecological
  networks is not yet consistently placed in an
  international perspective
• They vary a lot in
• - geographic scale
• type of core areas and ecological corridors
• N.B. The map only includes information about
  Council of Europe states

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Regional level / Trans-boundary projects
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Cross border Duna Drava-Kopacki Rit Ecological
Network
Regional level / Trans-boundary projects
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ECNC Involvement in ecological networks

• 14 years of experience
• ECNC coordinates the establishment of the PEEN
  together with the Council of Europe
• ECNC developed, inter alia, the indicative map of
  the PEEN for CEE and SEE
• ECNC supports the establishment of Natura 2000 in
  the new EU Member States and the EU Accession
  Countries
• ECNC coordinated cross-border pilot projects
• ECNC coordinates facilitation and communication
  programmes
• ECNC assists local authorities and stakeholders
  in the development and financing of ecological
  networks