Latest news

You can find the newsletters of the Continuum Initiative and the ECONNECT project here.
Further news, events and publications on the ecological connectivity issue are available in the dossier Ecological networks in the Alpine region. In each language different publications, links and events are listed! News from the ECONNECT project are available here.

------------------------------------------------
21.7.2010 /New publication
Approaches, tools and activities for implementing a pan-Alpine ecological network
In the series “BfNSkripten” a new report “Implementing a Pan-Alpine Ecological Network - A Compilation of Major Approaches, Tools and Activities” in English language has just been published. It is available for download here. You can order your free copy writing to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
During the last few years various documents, publications and reports which reflect approaches, tools and activities that support the implementation of an ecological network across the Alps have been published. Some of this information had not been made available for a wide public until now. Others exist only as comprehensive independent publications. Therefore these activities and results have now been compiled and summarised by the Ecological Continuum Initiative in the report “Implementing a Pan-Alpine Ecological Network - A Compilation of Major Approaches, Tools and Activities”.

------------------------------------------------
30.6.2010 /New publications
Communicating ecological connectivity to stakeholders made easy
What significance do water management, tourism and agriculture have for ecological networks? Can measures in the transport sector have a positive effect for ecological corridors? How shall I design my garden to be a habitat for domestic plants and animals? These questions are answered by a series of eleven fact sheets provided by the Ecological Continuum Initiative.
The fact sheets help communicating the ecological connectivity topic in a tailored way to selected stakeholder groups, supporting the implementation of ecological connectivity measures in the Alpine region and beyond. The series has been completed now: the fact sheets on nature protection, agriculture, traffic, forestry, water management, spatial planning, citizens and landowners, hunting, communities and tourism are available in German, French and Italian language on http://www.alpine-ecological-network.org/index.php/the-ecological-continuum-initiative/measures. Printed versions will be made available to the ECONNECT pilot regions in July.
The fact sheets do not only inform. Their main objective is to move to action. They target stakeholders from the most important fields of work who are implementing ecological networks. Each fact sheet explains the importance of its respective sector for ecological connectivity and lists concrete connectivity measures that stakeholders are encouraged to implement. Furthermore, each fact sheet presents a good-practice example from the Alps showing that connectivity measures really work. These successful examples should encourage stakeholders to imitate them.

------------------------------------------------
30.6.2010 /Workshop results
Think tank workshop Dobbiaco/Toblach: Elaborating recommendations for stakeholder integration
Local connectivity projects can only be implemented if stakeholders are integrated into these activities. Potential difficulties and supportive tools were in the centre of an exchange of experiences between representatives of the ECONNECT pilot areas and other stakeholders carrying out connectivity activities. The discussions were facilitated by the Ecological Continuum Initiative in the frame of a workshop. The workshop on stakeholder integration took place in Dobbiaco/I on April 23rd, 2010 and was organised by Guido Plassmann, Thomas Scheurer and Beat Schlüchter. It was the first workshop in the frame of the "Think tank" - a poll of experts who cooperate in a problem and result oriented way in the field of ecological connectivity in the Alps. The topics to be discussed within the Think tank workshops have been elaborated at the inaugural workshop in December 2009 in Chamonix where 26 experts from all Alpine countries expressed their needs and expectations in relation to a think tank on Alpine ecological networks.
As a result of the workshop, a comparative overview about the tools used for stakeholder integration in the seven ECONNECT pilot areas has been made. Since most of the activities in the ECONNECT pilot regions are yet in an early phase, the actions focus mainly on tools relevant for this state, e.g. on preparation and communication. Furthermore, the workshop participants concluded some recommendations for stakeholder integration in connectivity projects. The conclusions are divided in three major topics: cooperation with stakeholder groups, communication and initiation of projects. Further information and the report on the workshop are available here.
The next think tank workshop will take place on 17 November in Bolzano/I with the aim of discussing follow-up activities to the ECONNECT project.

------------------------------------------------
30.6.2010 /Announcement event
Making the public aware of connectivity problems and solutions
Every day we build new obstacles on the migrating routes for animals and we prevent plants to spread freely. In most of the cases we are not even aware of this problem. How would it feel and look like, if our living spaces would suddenly get fragmented by obstacles we cannot easily overcome? More
Join us on the 20th of October in one of six major cities! We will set up obstacles in busy pedestrian areas of Zurich/CH, Milan/I, Munich/D, Ljubljana/SI, Lyon/F and Vienna/A. The Ecological Continuum Initiative prepares this big international event to raise the awareness on the interruption of ecological corridors towards a wide public. Apart from setting up the obstacles, a number of accompanying activities will take place.

------------------------------------------------
30.6.2010 /Photo contest
ECONNECT photo contest: clicks beyond borders
The partners in the ECONNECT project invite amateurs and professional photographers to make a pictorial record of ecosystem fragmentation in the Alps. The recently launched photo contest “Clicks beyond the borders” aims to visualize the importance of ecological links in the Alps in powerful images. The pictures should show barriers to ecological connectivity as well as strategies of animals and plants, helped by human beings, to surmount these barriers. The closing date is 15 January 2011. There will be awards for the twelve best pictures. These will also be exhibited during the final conference of the ECONNECT project in Berchtesgaden/D and be reproduced in a calendar.
With this contest, the partners in the EU-funded three-year project ECONNECT want to make the public more aware of the theme of ecological connectivity: although the theme is a very important one, it has received little attention in the popular media so far.
More information on the contest: http://www.econnectproject.eu/cms/?q=news/en (de/en/fr/it/sl)

------------------------------------------------
30.6.2010 /International seminar
Legal barriers and potentials for a pan-Alpine ecological network 
How can legal instruments contribute to the objectives of ecological connectivity in the Alps? This question was in the focus of an international technical seminar organised by CIPRA France and CIPRA International on 6 May in Grenoble/F, in the frame of the “legal barrier” work package of ECONNECT. The seminar was a key step between the inventory of all legal instruments in favour of ecological connectivity and the concrete actions that should be carried out on the ground.
About 40 participants from several Alpine countries and from different sectors such as law, administration, protected areas and environmental associations exchanged their experiences and view points in the frame of the discussions. They gathered the main obstacles and potentials of legal instruments. The results of the discussions will contribute to the further work within ECONNECT.
Even if an ecological corridor cannot be clearly defined by legal means, the participants agreed that enough legal instruments exist that can help to implement ecological networks. Nevertheless, they are not known well enough by the different actors from local to international level. Associations, technicians and researchers are asked to contribute to a better communication and awareness raising towards decision makers. The Alpine Convention could be a good common framework for a pan-Alpine ecological network, but until now it is not binding enough and there is not enough commitment to support its implementation.
The presentations are available on http://www.cipra.org/fr/CIPRA/cipra-france/manifestations-1/manifestations-passees-1. A synthesis report in English and French will follow soon.

------------------------------------------------
30.6.2010 /Pilot regions
A common tool for pilot regions
The second international meeting of the pilot areas which proceeded in Dobbiaco/Toblach on April 22, 2010 bore its fruits. Indeed, the pilot areas adopted a common tool, entitled JECAMI (Joint Ecological Continuum Analysing and Mapping Initiative-Web services). This instrument has been developed by the Swiss National Park in collaboration with the Arinas company. The benefits of this initiative are manifold. The "JECAMI" tool provides a harmonized strategy to the pilot regions in order to analyze the situation of ecological connectivity. The pilot regions will be able to identify the ideal and priority area to establish future measures of connectivity.
They also can make use of the Internet tool in order to support communication towards the various users and authorities. JECAMI is easily accessible and will increase the visibility of connectivity. It will be possible to visualize at the same time the habitats of the species and the results of connectivity. Econnect awaited an effective tool to incorporate and to combine the spatial results of the project and a facilitated access of all the stakeholders concerned. With JECAMI this is done!
Contact : Delphine MAURICE - Task Force Protected Areas, Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

------------------------------------------------
30.6.2010 /Platform activities
5th meeting of the Ecological Network Platform
The 5th official meeting of the Ecological Network Platform of the Alpine Convention was held in Dobbiaco/Toblach (I) on 21 April 2010. The main topic at the meeting was progress made to date in nominating a number of pioneering Alpine regions as Pilot Regions of the Alpine Convention. It is hoped that the first regions will receive official recognition at the next Alpine Conference to be held in March 2011.
Another major item on the agenda in Dobbiaco/Toblach was the definition of indicators for evaluating progress made in the implementation of an Alps-wide Ecological Network. Under Italian chairmanship, the members of the Platform will now start to develop and analyse a suitable number of relevant indicators.
The next meeting of the Platform will be held in combination with a meeting with the Carpathian countries in Mikulov (CZ) on 20 - 23 September 2010. The event is being organised in the framework of the 2008 Memorandum of Cooperation between the Alpine Convention, the Carpathian Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The programme will include an excursion along the Alpine-Carpathian corridor, a workshop, and presentations of networking in the Alps and the Carpathians with supporting excursions.
More information on the Mikulov meeting: http://www.alpine-ecological-network.org/images/stories/Annex_3DescriptionProgramme6thPlatformMeeting.pdf 

------------------------------------------------
30.6.2010 /Traffic safety
Linking-up the German roads for animals and for a better traffic safety
The German Government is developing a National Connectivity Programme which foresees to build wild animal crossings at the most important sites of migrating corridors. This year the first systematic research on ecological corridors in Germany has been finished, representing an important scientific groundwork for the implementation of the Programme.
The National Connectivity Programme will address different aspects of connectivity, e.g. traffic planning and investments, nature protection, spatial planning, research, awareness raising and international co-operation.
The investments in animal crossings will be done on the basis of a priority paper, listing the countries most important connectivity sites. In the frame of an economic stimulus package approximately 69 million euro should be used by the year of 2011 to support seventeen measures, among these predominantly the building of green bridges. The National Connectivity Programme is based on the fact that investing in connectivity helps rising the traffic safety and in the same time serves nature protection.
The German road network is one of the densest in whole Europe. It causes a strong fragmentation of habitats and represents a high level of risk for migrating animals as well as for drivers. Every year more than 3'000 persons get injured on German roads, more than 20 get killed. The German Hunting Association estimates at least 250'000 accidents involving wild animals each year. These accidents cause material cost amounting to 500 million euro.
More information: http://www.bmu.de/pressemitteilungen/aktuelle_pressemitteilungen/pm/45883.php  

------------------------------------------------
30.6.2010 /Research
Identifying urgent questions concerning an ecological continuum in the Alps to direct funds towards priority issues
Ecological connectivity in the Alps and elsewhere is a "hot topic". In the past years many projects were realised and a substantial amount of research has been performed. A new initiative, launched under the lead of the Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology in Vienna, will determine the most important questions related to this topic. More.
Selected experts from research institutions, national administrations, protected areas, major stakeholder groups and non-governmental organizations have been invited to write down the research questions they consider of highest importance. In a joint workshop in December 2010 and via two email enquiries the knowledge and experience of all “Alpine actors” will be brought together. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal in order to support researchers in focusing their activities. The results will also be available to the public and donor organisations within the Alps and beyond in order to direct funds towards urgent and important projects. The outputs are meant to be a useful planning and policy tool for the Alps within the International Year of Biodiversity 2010.
The initiative is based on a methodology that has been developed by William J. Sutherland and successfully applied in several other studies and regions. It is a joint venture of ECONNECT, “The Platform Ecological Network” under the Alpine Convention and the “Ecological Continuum Initiative”.
More information: Christine Kowalczyk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

------------------------------------------------
30.6.2010 /Barriers
Obstacles and facilitations for the movement of fishes
An inventory of all the artificial barriers that impede the flow of rivers has found out that French rivers are interrupted by 60,000 dams, weirs, locks, mills etc. The inventory has been recently published as a on-line-map where the works are shown divided by department, municipality or watercourse. All these works obstruct the movement of migratory aquatic organisms and the transport of sediments, thereby affecting ecosystems. In some cases, these barriers are inconsistent with the objective set by law on the rivers and aquatic environments (LEMA), which is to put watercourses in good ecological conditions by 2015.
The Institute of the University of Kassel (D) has developed a new kind of facility that, through the use of pumps, creates a flow able to attracts fishes. With an injector a more intense flow is created at the entrance of the fish pass, that is exactly where it is needed. In this way, fishes can find more easily the entrance of the artificial pass without having to use more water to feed the fish pass. Moreover, special barriers made of synthetic material ease further the entrance of the fishes in the right canal and prevent them from ending up in the canal that feed the turbines.
Map of the barriers: http://carmen.carmencarto.fr/66/ROE.map (F), http://www.actu-environnement.com/ae/news (F), http://www.sonnenseite.com (D)

------------------------------------------------
30.6.2010 /Connectivity project in Central Europe
News from TransEcoNet – transnational ecological networks in Central Europe
Similar as ECONNECT, the Platform Ecological Network and the Ecological Continuum Initiative in the Alps, in Central Europe the TransEcoNet project strives for a better connection of protected and less or unprotected landscapes across national borders.
One major goal of the project is to reveal local people’s perception and relation to their surrounding landscape in form of a survey of oral history. This is being carried out in the form of interviews in selected project regions.
How have rural landscapes developed from the 18th century until today in Central Europe? This is one of the main research questions of TransEcoNet. To encourage the transnational exchange of experiences in landscape history, a scientific workshop has been organised on 22 April 2010 in Sopron, Hungary. The presentations given highlighted that the history of a landscape provides valuable insights for recent spatial planning processes which design our future natural and socio-economic environment.
More information on these and other current activities within TransEcoNet is given in its recently published newsletter on http://www.transeconet.eu (project news).

------------------------------------------------
18.6.2010/Announcement event
2nd international workshop in the frame of the Think Tank of the Ecological Continuum Initiative
17.11.2010, Bolzano, Italy: Follow-up projects and new projects implementing ecological networks beyond ECONNECT. Announcement

------------------------------------------------
18.6.2010/Documentation event
The report of the 1st think tank workshop on stakeholder integration in the frame of the Ecological Continuum Initiative (23 April 2010) is now available here.

------------------------------------------------
8.6.2010/Announcement event
6th meeting of the Platform Ecological Network and international exchange with the Carpathians
20-23 September 2010, Mikulov, Czech Republic. Draft announcement

------------------------------------------------
9.2.2010/Event announcement
2010 IENE International Conference on Ecology and Transportation: Improving connections in a changing environment
27.9.-1.10.2010, Velence/ Hungary. Language: en, organiser: Infra Eco Network Europe (IENE), more information: www.iene.info