Ecological networks

There are a number of EU policy areas that could have a direct or indirect impact on nature and biodiversity, and without effective application of cross-compliance principles, conservation efforts cannot be successful. The current publication does not make an attempt to cover all those areas but instead it presents in detail those most relevant to the protection of nature.

IUCN's 5th World Parks Congress (2003) concluded that parks should not exist as unique islands, but need to be planned and managed as an integral part of the broader landscape. Ecological networks provide an operational model for conserving biodiversity that is based on ecological principles and allow a degree of human use of the landscape.

This book presents the project called "Bug river valley as the ecological corridor : state, threats, protection" that focusses mainly on the preservation and restoration of the biological diversity of the Bug river and its valley as well as on the promotion of the nature values of the Bug river and its valley.

This report comprises a worldwide review of 38 ecological network initiatives that are currently being developed or implemented. It includes an inventory of a wide range of proposals, plans and ongoing programmes to establish ecological networks at scales varying from the regional to intercontinental, and summary findings on the main features of the initiatives.