Case studies.

NaturaConnect will draw on six case studies in Europe, spanning across 19 countries and operating at transborder, national, and local scales, to:

  • Understand European Union countries’ preferences and needs on nature conservation targets

  • Harness best protected area management practices and funding mechanisms
  • Test the spatial prioritization analysis and tools for the Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N) being produced under the project

  • Propose a biodiversity and ecosystem service monitoring system for the network, in connection with EuropaBON

Read on below to find out more about each of our case studies.

1.The Danube-Carpathian Transboundary region

Type: Cross-border region (Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Republic of Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine)
Focus areas: Transboundary connectivity; large-scale connectivity and green infrastructure planning
Partners: WWF CEE, WWF RO, WWF HU, SBE, BOKU

The Carpathians and Danube Basin case study supports the ten European Union and five non-European Union countries working together across national borders on the integrated management of these two intertwined and biodiversity rich ecoregions. We are engaging two expert groups working under the Carpathian Convention, and the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River to improve their knowledge base for better implementation of policies and management measures toward building the Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N).

2.Finland

Type: National (Finland)
Focus areas: National implementation of 30% land protection and 10% strict protection; Strict protection of all old-growth forests; National-scale interconnection of protected areas; Financing mechanisms
Partners: UH, SYKE

The Finland case study aims to evaluate and recognize the conflicts and synergies between national and European Union level conservation priorities and plans. We are assessing where priorities between the two levels of planning align and where disagreements arise. Together with stakeholders, the case study will develop suggestions for solutions to reach optimal and sustainable conservation objectives. This work supports environmental administration and the Finnish Government in refining its pledges for the extension of protected areas in line with the European Union Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
3.France

Type: National (France)
Focus areas: National implementation of 30% land protection and 10% strict protection; Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N) adaptation to climate and land-use scenarios; National-scale interconnection of protected areas
Partners: CNRS

The France case study focuses on designing and testing a decision framework and support system to guide the exploration of spatial conservation decisions within the context of the European Union Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, with the involvement of the French Biodiversity Office (OFB). We will apply the framework together with the OFB to make scenarios for future protected areas expansions and contrast these results with the recently developed national strategy for protected areas.

4.Portugal

Type: National (Portugal)
Focus areas: National implementation of 30% land protection and 10% strict protection; Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N) adaptation to climate and land-use scenarios; National-scale interconnection of protected areas
Partners: Evora University, CIBIO-BIOPOLIS

 

The Portugal case study involves working together with the Portuguese biodiversity conservation agency (Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas), the national planning authority (Direção-Geral do Território), and a sample of regional and/or intermunicipal organisations to examine how Portugal can meet the European Union Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 targets concerning coherence of conservation areas, while analysing whether the results from the “Biodiversidade 2030″ report, and NaturaConnect prioritization and connectivity analysis could assist national authorities in refining their plans.
5.The Doñana region

Type: Sub-national and transboundary level
Focus areas: Regional interconnection of protected areas; Green urban spaces; Green infrastructure across intensively managed ecosystems; Transboundary connectivity; Financing mechanisms
Partner: CSIC

The Doñana region case study focuses on exploring the work on connectivity already done in the area, and mapping and comparing it with the NaturaConnect framework. This will involve identifying the challenges that the framework may find in complex planning contexts such as Doñana, where a large number of stakeholders and interests interact, as well as making a consensus proposal for improved connectivity together with relevant stakeholders. We will also use the framework to develop scenarios that will further connect the Doñana area to other protected areas in the north of Andalusia and East of Portugal.
6.Leipzig-Halle peri-urban floodplains

Type: sub-national urban level
Focus areas: Regional interconnection of protected areas; Green urban spaces; Green infrastructure across intensively managed ecosystems.
Partners: HUB

The Leipzig-Halle peri-urban floodplains case study will involve a broad network of multi-actor governance and policy instruments to show how connectivity can contribute to biodiversity maintenance and multi-functional use in a peri-urban and wetland area between the cities of Halle and Leipzig. A dialogue with stakeholders will particularly focus on the contribution of existing governance structures and bottom-up citizen-supported projects, green and blue infrastructure to the Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N), thus considering connectivity in urbanised regions under climate change.