ALPBIONET2030/ 2016-2019

Project Summary

Ecological connectivity is the basis of Alpine and global habitat and species protection. However, with the fact that different regions have varying tools to measure and improve biodiversity, it becomes difficult to create 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 of this project 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 produce a high level of ecological connectivity for biodiversity conservation.

ALPBIONET2030 aims to implement:

• A coherent and complementary Alpine-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.

ALPBIONET2030 lasts from November 2016 to October 2019 and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg Alpine Space programme (Total budget: 2.637.285 € - ERDF grant: 2.241.639 €).

Project main outputs

• Multi-stakeholder and cross-border concept for integrated wildlife management in the Alps
• Alps-wide integrative concept by mapping the Alpine situation; integrating the first Alpine-wide wildlife strategy & recommendation for implementation which is the basis for a common Alpine biodiversity conservation approach
• Identification of most important barriers around the Alps (of different categories) & Ecological Connectivity pathways between EUSALP perimeter & Alps. Recommendations for large-scale implementation of Ecological Connectivity in EUSALP (AG 6 & 7)
• Alpine-wide toolbox with concepts, documentation & technical recommendations for strengthening Ecological Connectivity by a user-friendly interface Alpine GIS system (as a standard connectivity planning tool, based on JECAMI)
• Alpine conflict resolution strategy and coexistence toolbox

Project specific objectives

• Provide standardized, cross-cutting institutional procedures for Alpine-wide EC coordination and planning across all Alpine states (EUSALP perimeter)
• 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
• Define priorities and contribute to implementing existing planning criteria for Ecological Connectivity between the Alps and the EUSALP space

More information available here: www.alpine-space.eu/project/alpbionet2030/

Contact ALPARC: info[@]alparc.org

Contact ALPBIONET2030: info[@]alpbionet2030.eu