The Alpine Ecological Network

The Alps are the largest natural region left in Europe and therefore of extraordinary importance for biodiversity. But the Alps are also home to 14 million people and one of the most visited areas in the world. This is not without impact on biodiversity. Habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, changes of agricultural practices and pollution count among the most important reasons for biodiversity loss and landscape destruction of the Alps. 

The creation of a functioning ecological network in the Alps can contribute to conserve the extraordinary rich alpine diversity. Work has already been started. Three closely linked initiatives are working together in implementing such an ecological network: the platform “ecological network” of the Alpine Convention, the Ecological Continuum Initiative started by four active alpine network organizations and the ECONNECT project of 16 partners.