Alpine Nature Creating [ecological] connectivity for generations to come

Transcription

1 Alpine Nature 2030 Creating [ecological] connectivity for generations to come

2 Cover picture Lech Valley in Tyrol, Austria (August 2016) provides an excellent example of an intact landscape supporting ecological connectivity. The Lech valley straddles the countries of Austria (Bundesländer of Voralberg and Tyrol) and Germany (the Allgäu, Bavaria) representing one of the last natural riverine systems of the Alps. The three environmental milieus (terrestrial, aquatic and aerial habitats) are all represented within this landscape. Connectivity is required in each of these spaces if wild life and biodiversity are to be safeguarded, and our generation has a responsibility to protect this precious resource for those generations to come. Imprint Published by Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) Public Relations Division Berlin Germany service@bmub.bund.de Website: Edited by BMUB, Division KI II 1 Editors and main authors Dr. Guido Plassmann, Dr. Yann Kohler, Dipl. Ing. Marianne Badura, Prof. Dr. Chris Walzer Editorial board Dr. Guido Plassmann, Dr. Yann Kohler, Dipl. Ing. Marianne Badura, Prof. Dr. Chris Walzer, Dr. PK Walzer Final Editing BMUB, Referat KI II 1, Silvia Reppe Mapping Dr. Dominik Cremer-Schulte Design design.idee, Büro für Gestaltung, Erfurt Printed by Bonifatius GmbH, Paderborn Picture credits See Page 250. Date September 2016 First Print 10,000 copies Where to order this publication Publikationsversand der Bundesregierung Postfach Rostock Germany Tel.: / Fax: / publikationen@bundesregierung.de Website: ISBN number Notice This publication is part of the public relations work of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety. It is distributed free of charge and is not intended for sale. Printed on recycled paper. // 2 //

3 Alpine Nature 2030 Creating [ecological] connectivity for generations to come Connecting Alpine habitats helping preserve global biodiversity The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety considers the creation of an ecological network in Europe to be crucial for achieving a global network of protected areas as envisaged in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). In this context, the spatial connectivity of protected areas and transboundary protected areas plays an important role in the implementation of the Alpine Convention. Article 12 of the Nature Protection and Landscape Conservation Protocol of the Alpine Convention envisages the creation of an ecological network. The Alps are still home to a wealth of different habitats and species, and we want to keep it that way. Thus, together with France, the Federal Environment Ministry has been supporting the creation of an ecological network under the Alpine Convention since The Alpine Network of Protected Areas (ALPARC) is a key partner in this. For many years, this international organisation has been coordinating and monitoring over 1,000 Alpine Protected Areas across all the Alpine countries and supporting them in international projects. The Ministry has provided support for the project based work of ALPARC, the Platform Ecological Network of the Alpine Convention, relevant EU (European Union) projects under the Alpine Space Programme and the development of expert tools and methods for connectivity by means of research projects from the Federal Environment Ministry's departmental research plan. The result of these activities was the establishment of comprehensive, technical, political and strategic principles for implementing the Nature Protection and Landscape Conservation Protocol and, in particular, for creating the Ecological Network as envisaged in Article 12 of the Protocol. These principles can be applied beyond the Alpine region, for instance, in other mountainous regions such as the Carpathians. This publication highlights the results of this long-term and successful cooperation and its contribution to biodiversity conservation in Europe. // 3 //

4 Content Foreword: Ecological networks 8 1 Alpine nature protection: A global historic context and the conception of ecological networks 12 Introduction The global framework for nature protection International conservation agreements Ground-level implementation efforts Nature protection in the Alps Which motivation? Protection of Alpine nature in some of Europe s largest eco-systems Protection from many and diffuse threats Who are the beneficiaries of a new protection policy? Conclusions: Nature protection with the people and for the people Alpine Protected Areas: The long road to modern conservation policies in the centre of Europe Short history of Alpine Protected Areas Protected areas with special status Different styles in different countries Future developments within the Alpine Convention and the Alpine Macro-Regional approach The conditions for success of nature protection in the Alps Different political systems need to cooperate and exchange competences Different historical and cultural backgrounds and use of the Alpine space should not be a disincentive for future-orientated policies Nature protection needs to evolve from a static to a dynamic approach and policy Ecological connectivity entails networking and persuasion The science of connectivity measures Fostering cooperation globally A memorandum of cooperation between the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Alpine Convention and the Carpathian Convention Exchange and experience on ecological connectivity in the Carpathians Ecological connectivity and large scale conservation A planetary response to save nature 44 Box 1: The hierarchical ecological networks Ten years of experiments in Isère 46 2 Current status of Alpine ecological networks 48 Introduction History and implementation of ecological networks in the Alps Ecological connectivity in the Alps 12 years of experience Working on different geographic levels, from the local to the European scale Alpine Protected Areas and their contribution to the Alpine ecological network Alpine Protected Areas as key elements Beyond borders A homogenous representation over the Alpine arch 53 // 4 //

5 2.3 Alpine national strategies and visions for ecological networks Austria France Germany Italy Slovenia Switzerland Transnational cooperation Work in progress Strategic elements and landscape visions of current Alpine ecological networks The trans-sectoral landscape vision of connectivity Different solutions for different situations Towards a connectivity conservation management framework? Netzwerk Naturwald An innovative network of protected areas in the Northern Limestone Alps Linking policy, science and implementation The Platform Ecological Network of the Alpine Convention Background and objectives Selected activities and achievements Added value Looking ahead Exploring further opportunities 80 Box 2: Ecological connectivity across provincial borders (Netzwerk Naturwald) 81 Box 3: Working with stakeholders in the Pilot Region Berchtesgaden-Salzburg 82 3 The challenges of engendering ecological connectivity Topics and impacts 84 Introduction Planning dynamic landscapes: Opportunities and limitations of spatial planning in creating ecological networks Spatial planning: Biodiversity matters Top down or bottom up? Structural or functional connectivity? Control or dynamic? Connect administrations and sectors Conclusion 87 Box 4: Green Infrastructure Networking for nature The challenges of bringing the right people together Deficits in trans-sectoral stakeholder involvement The need for better coordination from the start Expanding renewable energy within the Alpine ecological network Ecological connectivity and expansion of transport in the Alps Tourism in the Alps A nature and biodiversity perspective Ecological connectivity and alien species Enhancing ecological connectivity in the Alps A catch-22 situation in respect to disease spread in wildlife and livestock? Alpine ecological connectivity and management of hunting 105 // 5 //

6 3.9 Connectivity and ecosystem services in the Alps Introduction Connectivity: Role and limits Biodiversity, ecological functionality and bioindicators Ecosystem functions and landscape connectivity The ESS concept/approach/ framework and spatial planning Which ecosystem services for Alpine connectivity? Conclusions Agriculture and ecological connectivity The link between agriculture production, biodiversity and ecological connectivity What do ecological networks mean in agricultural areas? Conclusions 121 Box 5: The Ecological Continuum Initiative Catalysing and multiplying connectivity in the Alpine area The Alps and their soils 123 Box 6: The Contribution of ecological connectivity to greening the economy Connectivity contributes to continuity 126 Introduction Methods and tools for connectivity implementation in the Alps Methodological approach Implementation Awareness raising and communication First promising results in the Alpine Pilot Regions for ecological connectivity Participatory processes and social impact assessment Social acceptance as prerequisite for success of ecological connectivity implementation projects A four-step participatory process Interference welcome! Flaz Verwall Assertion of power or cooperation? How does participation work? How can a participation process work? Mapping relevant factors for ecological connectivity The JECAMI mapping service Introduction The JECAMI framework The continuum suitability index A structural connectivity approach Mapping species migration areas and corridors Technical solution A case study with JECAMI: Defining ecological connectivity hotspots in the Alps The 50 most important questions relating to the maintenance and restoration of an ecological continuum in the European Alps Introduction to the ecosystem services approach 152 Box 7: Total Economic Value (TEV) of ecosystem services Alpine Pilot Regions for ecological connectivity The Alpine Pilot Regions Protected areas in the heart of Pilot Regions Governance of Pilot Regions Results in Pilot Regions 160 Box 8: Ecological connectivity in mixed-use landscapes 163 Box 9: Restructuring forest to enhance biodiversity 165 // 6 //

7 5 The future: Beyond the current continuum 168 Introduction Description of the Macro-Regional context (EUSALP) and the opportunities of the Macro Region Financing the ecological continuum Funding options and strategic project development Interreg as an option for cross-border and transnational cooperation LIFE: Innovative demonstration projects in the field of biodiversity and nature conservation EU initiatives on Green Infrastructure and the role of the Alpine region: Towards an 'Alpgreen Infrastructure' Alpine connectivity A green island? The aim of the map The approach of the map The interpretation of the map The future of Alpine biodiversity Potential scenarios for Alpine ecological connectivity in Connectivity scenarios for the densely populated inner Alpine Valleys Ecological Intervention Areas Connectivity scenarios for areas retaining well-functioning connectivity Ecological Conservation Areas Connectivity scenarios for areas with a high potential of connectivity Ecological Potential Areas Conclusion statement The macro-regional context Recommendations for future biodiversity and connectivity policy Conclusions and recommendations: Steps to undertake until 2030 The Alpine Ecological Vision Develop an integrated, trans-sectoral landscape vision for the Alps Migrate from practices that require compensation for environmental damage to the valuation of and payment for ecosystem services Ensure trans-sectoral implementation of ecological connectivity measures Ensure project results are visible and given due consideration in EU policies and strategies Empower municipalities to implement strategic biodiversity conservation and ecological connectivity measures Sanction protected area administrations to operate beyond the borders of protected areas Key statements of this publication Closing by viewing Summarising priorities by mapping An outlook Final considerations 218 Box 10: The Danube Habitat Corridor Bridging biogeographic regions and protected areas 222 Box 11: Connecting Alpine actors A short profile of EUSALP AG 7 Developing ecological connectivity in the entire EUSALP territory 225 Epilogue: Alpine Nature 2030 Creating [ecological] connectivity for generations to come 226 Literature 228 Footnotes 244 List of tables 244 List of figures 245 List of maps 246 Abbreviations 246 Main Authors 248 Life needs connectivity 249 Picture credits 250 // 7 //

8 3.8 Alpine ecological connectivity and management of hunting // Friedrich REIMOSER // Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Integrative Ecology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria The connectivity of wild mammal populations depends on fragmentation of their habitats (natural barriers, barriers through settlements and fences, infrastructure for traffic and tourism, measures of agriculture and forestry and more) as well as on behaviour and habitat use of the animals. These latter elements can be strongly influenced by hunting methods and wildlife management strategies. In the Alps there exists a wide variety of national and regional traditions as well as legal regulations dealing with wildlife. A harmonisation of measures along the border areas is mostly non-existent or is not sufficient. This lack of consistency can produce considerable problems for population connectivity for some species, particularly those with large home ranges, such as red deer and large carnivores. The hunting systems of the individual Alpine states differ considerably. In some countries the hunting right is tied to the land ownership (for example Revier hunting system in Germany and Austria), in others it lies in public authority, for example in the Principality of Liechtenstein (district hunting system) and in Switzerland (patent hunting system or district hunt system, depending on the canton). The hunting seasons on ungulates can also vary considerably among countries and regions. This ranges from a very short three-week season (Grisons, Switzerland) to a season of more than eight months (Germany and Austria). In some areas, supplementary feeding of game in winter is prohibited for example in some cantons of Switzerland, whereas in Germany and Austria it is allowed or in part even mandatory. corridors for wildlife connectivity in cooperation with the hunters is rarely embodied in the hunting law (for example Carinthia). While hunting and wildlife management for example in Germany and Austria are mainly administered by hunters themselves in their leisure time, these activities fall under the management of publicly employed professional staff in other countries (for example: gamekeepers in Switzerland). In the Mountain Forest Protocol of the Alpine Convention (1996), the contracting parties commit towards considering the objectives of this protocol in their respective policies and political frameworks. This is also valid for the management of hoofed-animal populations (Article 2.b): "In the border areas, the contracting parties undertake to harmonise their measures for regulating the game animals." Until recently, this occurred only in rare cases for example in the Rätikon, the triborder region including Vorarlberg (Austria), Grisons (Switzerland) and the Principality of Liechtenstein. A project optimising the management of the crossborder red-deer population was carried out by these three countries (Reimoser et al., 2015). Together with the Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology (Vetmeduni Vienna) habitat use, activity patterns and physiological 4 5 Resting zones (undisturbed wildlife habitats) are mandated in some regions, for example in the canton Grisons by the municipalities, whereas in some federal states of Austria official rest zones for hunted wildlife species do not exist. The preservation of habitat Chamois, an important game species throughout the Alpine arch. // 105 //

9 The European lynx has been reintroduced to several locations in the Alps. parameters of red deer were examined. 67 animals were provided with GPS-GSM collars and the collected data was analysed. The study served as a basis for an efficient harmonisation of wildlife management measures between Vorarlberg, Grisons, and Liechtenstein, enabling seasonal migration while mitigating red-deer-human-forestry conflicts. Migration routes of red deer and respective barriers for the animals were documented, and the influences of weather conditions and disturbance factors were evaluated. The daily and seasonal activity patterns of red deer showed marked differences between the three countries. Here in particular, a strong influence of the supplementary winter-feeding in Vorarlberg and distinct effects of the hunting system (duration of hunting season, hunting method, disturbance by hunters) were clearly demonstrated. Quiet resting zones as well as the location of winter-feeding stations had a large influence on migration and habitat use of the red deer. In order to obtain better information for the enlargement of protected areas, the influence of different habitat factors on behaviour and habitat use of the animals was examined. Prior to this Rätikon-Project efforts were already underway by the late 1980 s, attempting to include all hunted ungulate species. At that time a Wildlife Ecological Spatial Planning (WESP) was developed on a national level with the different stakeholders in a collaborative approach. This tool was implemented in the hunting laws of the three countries to support large-scale and integrated management of wildlife species (Reimoser, 1996, 1999). The WESPtool was again used later in other federal states and regions for the harmonisation of wildlife management between national parks and the relevant game-ecological environment (Zink et al., 2008, Reimoser et al., 2012). WESP could also be further developed with regard to Alpine ecological connectivity and management of hunting species integrated into general spatial planning. To date, cross-border harmonisation of wildlife management and hunting remains in a long lasting dormancy state within the Alpine region. It is obviously difficult to move forward from the entrenched individual practices within the regions towards an Alpswide cross-linked and integrated approach. However, as some positive examples show, a lot can be achieved when people cooperate constructively and put common goals ahead of discordant customs. // 106 //