J_oint E_cological C_ontinuum A_{nalysing and} M_apping I_nitiative 2.0 On ecological connectivity

Connectivity Areas

Strategic regions, where protection, planning and specific ad-hoc measures are necessary to avoid isolation of Alpine biodiversity at the Alpine periphery and to allow the conservation of large-scale wildlife corridors reaching neighbouring mountain massifs.

Centrality of Ecological Conservation Areas (SACA1) > 300 ha

The indicator shows the importance of an Ecological Conservation Areas (SACA1) larger than 300 ha for keeping the overall network connected.

Centrality of regional potential linkages

The indicator shows the importance of a potential linkage connecting Ecological Conservation Areas (SACA1) larger than 300ha for keeping the overall network connected.

Linkages constituting the minimum spanning tree

Network of the shortest linkages connecting Ecological Conservation Areas (SACA1) larger than 300ha.

Urban barriers

Representation of settlement barriers along the regional potential linkages.

Regional potential linkages with urban barriers and threats

Urban barriers on short-distance linkages (< 2.5 km)

Representation of settlement barriers along short-distance (< 2.5 km) regional potential linkages.

Settlement areas

Settlement areas from the Esri ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World.

Linkage priority types - Type, structural importance, urbanisation risk

Linkage priorities:
Type 1: should be restored and protected from urbanisation very soon. These linkages are very important to keep the network together, but are highly at risk by urbanisation processes.
Type 2: located mainly in the pre-alpine flatlands and threatened by urbanisation. These linkages have a similar characteristic to Type 1 linkages,however they are not fulfilling one of the criteria of the structural importance to keep the network together.
Type 3: mainly situated in the inner Alpine Space. Approximately half of these linkages have a high centrality, they are important for keeping the inner network together. They are less threatened by settlement development, and a potential restorability should be given.
Type 4: least priority to focus on. These linkages are mostly located in the inner Alpine Space but are less important for keeping the overall network together and are less threatened by urbanisation at the moment.

Sections of potential linkages passing through SACA3 areas

The calculated width of the corridor, intersecting restoration areas (SACA3 areas), are provided by the downloadable geodata (see DOI).

Sections of potential linkages passing through SACA3 areas

Pinch points / bottlenecks on potential linkages

Represents crucial pinch points / bottlenecks that should be preserved by spatial and landscape planning instruments.

Motorway barrier intersection

Represents intersections between the regional potential linkages and different categories of motorway infrastructures ( Motorways, Motorway tunnels, motorway bridges, green bridges, underpasses).

Motorway level