Story | 15 Jul, 2019

Consultation on draft guidance for ecological corridors and networks

The WCPA Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group invites input to produce consistent guidance by 2020 for arresting fragmentation and maintaining intact large-scale ecological networks

Draft Guidance for Ecological corridors in the context of ecological networks for conservation - How to contribute to the consultation

Anyone wishing to contribute toward improving the guidance can download the consultation draft.

Proposed improvements should address substantive matters and provided as a formulated amendment, deletion, or improvement to the document as far as possible. To be considered, all comments must be logged in the corresponding survey feedback form.  

Background

This document is the culmination of over two decades of work within IUCN, and serves to incorporate the growing body of scientific underpinnings into a framework for more coherent large-scale conservation measures that conserve, restore, and complement protected and conserved areas (aka OECMs) by reconnecting fragmented land- and seascapes.

The  online consultation process will run from 1 July through 30 September 2019. The exercise is intended to gather diverse input, ensure broad applicability, and rally support for embedding ecological connectivity solutions squarely within more ambitious conservation targets and actions within IUCN, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on Migratory Species, other Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and the Post-2020 Framework for Biodiversity.

Objectives of the guidance

  • Defining ecological corridors and ecological networks for conservation for terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments;
  • Reinforcing the advancement of connectivity conservation science, policy, and law;
  • Emphasizing that connectivity conservation is a vital strategy that should be formally promoted to counteract habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss;
  • Demonstrating how connectivity conservation links networks of protected and conserved areas across categories and governance types to ensure that ecosystems are more resilient and adaptable to global change;
  • Proposing ecological corridors as a supplemental conservation designation for creating and managing bounded areas that knit together protected and conserved areas;
  • Highlighting best-practices for the identification, spatial recognition, retention, and effective management of ecological corridors and ecological networks for conservation;
  • Providing guidance for coordinated policy integration, spatial planning, and management approaches taking account large-scale dynamics and the vital contributions of stakeholders; and
  • Presenting a variety of examples from around the world

Any questions can be directed to the IUCN WCPA Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group Secretariat - contact Aaron Laur