How To Define European Ecological Networks
Price
Free (open access)
Transaction
Volume
46
Pages
10
Published
2001
Size
1,281 kb
Paper DOI
10.2495/ECO010121
Copyright
WIT Press
Author(s)
T. van der Sluis & P. Chardon
Abstract
In this paper we discuss the steps to follow to develop an ecological network on a European scale. Crucial in a design of an ecological network is a proper problem definition, a choice of species aimed at and description of the type of ecosystem involved. Based on habitat distribution, population viability and species requirements, the functional parts of an ecological network are defined. We present the ecological tool LARCH, which assesses species' population structure and spatial cohesion of natural habitats, which form the basis of the design of an ecological network. The spatial cohesion is a relative measure that can visualise the weakest parts in the ecological network for a certain species. Based on the existing network it is assessed if and where corridors are required. The resulting maps can form
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