Ecological networks

For plants and animals the landscape is a broad spatial system with which they have interactions at different levels. This system is of special value as it offers a large number of big size habitats as well as a diversity of natural structure elements that are connected at small scale. These connections are important for natural life, especially for animals, because they need to move and use several types of different landscape parts. Most species are adapted to such a diversity of the landscape and use different environments during their development, in different seasons or during daytime. These spatial requirements vary according to the different species, therefore each specie has its own requirements.

An ecological network is an area of natural habitats that are interconnected physically (territorially) and functionally through populations of species and ecosystems. It is composed of different elements:

- Core zones (for example protected areas) as static components and
- Connection elements between these zones as dynamic components of the network.

These connection elements can be linear (rivers, forest boarders…) and facilitate movements of the flora and fauna or they can be punctual like small biotopes (stepping stones) with the function of migration stations and dispersion pools.

Principal goal of establishing an ecological network in the Alps is the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions.