Evaluating impact on landscape areas
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Scope
Does the option split the landscape into smaller areas or in other ways affect migration routes, ecological corridors or buffer zones?[1]
Definition
Habitat fragmentation is a major cause for the loss of biodiversity. Fragmentation generally results in the remnant areas of native vegetation surrounded by a matrix of agricultural or other developed land. This in turn has important influence on the biota within the remnant patches, especially at the areas at or near the edge between the patches and the surrounding matrix. These consequences vary with the distance from the patches and connectivity with the other patches.[1]
Ecological corridors connect different patches with each other and might in some cases therefore be the important link to the survival of species. Remnants would otherwise be too seperated or spread out to ensure the survival of the species. But the same can be true for migration routes especially if a species is reliant on the ability to travel for its reproduction, or if a species is reliant on the existance of buffer zones.
A vegetative buffer zone f.e. is an undeveloped area directly adjacent to a body of water. Buffer zones close to water bodies include e.g. aquatic plants in shallow water, moisture-loving plants along the shore, and upland plants in dry soils. The ecologic function of vegetative buffer zones close to water bodies are to: reduce runoff by increasing stormwater infiltration into soil, stabilize soils with plant root systems, reduce shoreline erosion due to wave action, purify water with aquatic vegetation, improve wildlife and fish habitat by providing food, shelter, and shade. [1]
Result
Indicators:
The following Eurostat Structural Indicators are relevant to address the key question:
Influence on landscape fragmentation is exerted by the amount of protected area. The 1992 Habitats Directive aims at protecting wildlife species and their habitats and together with the Birds Directive, they make up the Natura 2000 network, aiming at biodiversity and nature conseravation through composition of a protected areas network, decreasing nature fragmentation if possible.[1]
There are no Eurostat Sustainable Development Indicators directly related to this key question.
Additional Links:
European Environment Agency Indicators
covers inter alia
covers inter alia
- Change in area and use of grasslands
- Pressures on grasslands (lowland and mountain areas)
- Protection of grasslands[1]
See also
References
This text is for information only and is not designed to interpret or replace any reference documents.