2. The concept of ecological networks and “green corridors”. Design and implementation. Current status and trends with focus on Europe. Transboundary cooperation Mart Külvik Estonia

3. content Concept, terms, philosophy Status and trends: European policies Upside down approach Bottom-up approach

4. Concept, terms, philosophy

5. concept Ecological networks – coherent assemblages of areas representing natural and semi-natural landscape elements that need to be conserved, managed or, where appropriate, enriched or restored in order to ensure the favourable conservation status of ecosystems, habitats, species and landscapes of regional importance across their traditional range (Bennett, 1998)

6. terms wide range of names worldwide: greenways in the USA, Australia and New Zealand ecological infrastructure, ecological framework extensive open space systems, multiple use nodules, wildlife corridors, landscape restoration network habitat networks, territorial systems of ecological stability, framework of landscape stability the network of ecologically compensating areas

7. components Core area Restoration area Stepping stone corridor Linear corridor Bufferzone Landscape corridor Core area þCore areas þCorridors þBuffer zones þRestoration areas

8. Variety of ecological networks appearance

9. why ecological network needed? þChanging land-use patterns is creating fragmented habitats þ Stress for ecosystems is increasing þNumber of threatened and endangered species is expanding

10. philosophy of econet þThe underlying philosophy of the establishment of an econet is to promote synergy between existing nature policies, land-use planning, rural and urban development. þEconet offers a dynamic framework for integrating several sectors policies in relation to nature conservation and management that will build on and benefit from the existing agreements, programmes and initiatives. þEconet does not only consists of legally protected areas, valuable landscapes and habitats are not restricted protected areas only. Corridors and buffer zones very often maintained or managed by different land-use sectors.

11. Status and trends: European policies

12. status and trends Central part of an international political process: the establishment of Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN) is a priority theme of the Pan- European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy (PEBLDS), endorsed in 1995 at 3rd “Environment for Europe” (EfE) Ministerial Conference, Sofia

13. ‘To ensure that a full range of ecosystems, habitats, species and their genetic diversity and landscape of European importance are conserved; habitats are large enough to place species in a favourable conservation status; there are sufficient opportunities for dispersal and migration of species; damaged elements of the network are restored and the system is buffered from potential threats’ (PEBLDS, 1995) The target of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy:

14. 5th EfE Ministerial Conference in Kyiv, May 2003: biodiversity resolution endorsed by Environment Ministers: þtarget 2006: PEEN will be identified and reflected on coherent indicative European maps in all States of the Pan-European region, þtarget 2008: all core areas adequately conserved and the PEEN gives guidance to all major national, regional and international land use and planning policies + to the operations of relevant economic and financial sectors.

15. Upside down approach

16. Indicative map of the Pan-European Ecological Network in CEE: AREA

17. Methodology: basic lines of reasoning

18. Basic map 1: internationally designated sites

19. Basic map 2: internationally acknowledged sites

20. Basic map 3: PEEN habitats map

21. Analysis steps: Step 1. Determine large non-fragmented ‘natural’ habitat (complexes) that fulfil species demands Step 2. Add on corridors: Known migration and potential dispersal routes Step 3. Estimation of patch sites that support key populations of indicator species Step 4. GIS analysis

23. Indicative map of the Pan-European Ecological Network in SEE: AREA

24. Ü Albania: Directorate of Nature Protection Ü Bosnia and Herzegovina: Agricultural Institute Ü Bulgaria: Wilderness fund Ü Croatia: University of Zagreb Ü Macedonia: Agency of Environment ÜSerbia-Montenegro: Institute for Nature Conservation Ü Slovenia: Center for Cartography Fauna and Flora Ü Turkey: WWF Turkey Ü LEAD: European Centre for Nature Conservation Project team

25. Bottom-up approach

27. Objectives of the project 3  to develop the concepts and methodologies for national ecological networks in Baltics;  to implement the concept of ecological network at state level and in pilot areas at county level;  to develop maps, databases and action plans for implementation of National Ecological Networks.

29. Ecological network of Lithuania

30. 1 Traffic accidents with large mammals (by L.Klein) IUCN Regional Office for Europe To supplement the green network at county level

31. Large natural and semi-natural areas IUCN Regional Office for Europe 21

36. conclusions Ecological greenway networks have huge potentials in ecological perspectives but also to unite Europe. Among the most important potentials is their function as both an ecological and social network on different levels. The network has a potential to increase co- ordination across the “human borders” of administrations, countries, regions and local spots and to increase co-operation between administrative sectors, local people and NGOs. The real potential of the ecological networks is, however, that they might potentially widen our – conservationists’ -- understanding of interaction with nature in a socio-economic context.

37. Many thanks for your attention!