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Alpine SACA – first overview

Mid-term conference 3rd July 2018, Berchtesgaden

Rachel Lüthi, Swiss National Park

Guillaume Costes, ASTERS

Yann Kohler, Alparc

Hans Lozza / SNP

2, 30.10.2018Rachel Lüthi / SNP

3, 30.10.2018Rachel Lüthi / SNP

4, 30.10.2018Rachel Lüthi / SNP

5, 30.10.2018

Ecological connectivity

The degree to which the landscape facilitates or impedes movement (Taylor et al., 1993)

Different definitions:

• species-specific connectivity of habitats

• connectivity of human-defined patterns of landcover

• connectedness of ecological processes

6, 30.10.2018

Continuum suitability indices CSI – general considerations

The aim is to …

… map relevant factors for ecological connectivity. The landscape is analysed with regard to their quality as an ecological continuum and classified accordingly.

… create a homogenous and consistent dataset covering the whole EUSALP perimeter (no regional solutions)

… develop a model producing valid results for as many cases as possible (100% is never possible)

• The individual indicators complement each other – even though some duplications can’t be avoided.

• The classification schemes need to be consistent in comparison to each other.

7, 30.10.2018

Continuum suitability indicators (CSI) - history

Before Alpbionet2030• Developed in the framework of

econnect (2008-2011)Experts workshops and literature review on indicators definition

• Integrated in a wep mapping and analysing application (www.jecami.eu)

• Applied in and adapted to variousregions/projectsExperts workshops on indicators definition

Alpbionet20301st version of Alpine CSI indicators based on econnect methodology

• Workshop (Apr. 2017, Zernez CH)• Refinement of indicators by different

project partners (literature review, evaluation of questionnaires)

• Workshop (Oct. 2017, Trenta SI)

2nd version of Alpine CSI indicators

• Further refinement of indicators

3rd (and final) version of Alpine CSI indicators

8, 30.10.2018

Continuum suitability indices (CSI) - overview

• TOP: altitude and topographyImpact of altitude and slope angle on the EC - to express the potential for theestablishment of ecological networks at lower altitudes

• POP: population pressureInfluence of population on EC – expressed as population density

• ENV: environmental protectionPositive attitude towards ecological integrity – defined by the legal protection status of an area

• LAN: land useCoherence of activities with the type of landscape according to principles of sustainability.

• FRA: fragmentationDegree of fragmentation of natural or semi natural spaces by human infrastructure –expressed as effective mesh density

9, 30.10.2018

TOP (altitude and topography)

Data:• ASTER Global Digital Elevation

Model GDEM V2 (30m resolution)

Classification:

TOP = (valuealtitude + valueslope)/2

Altitude

(m a.s.l.)

Indicator

Value (0-10)

-1500 10

1500-1675 9

1675-1850 8

1850-2025 7

2025-2200 6

2200-2375 5

2375-2550 4

2550-2725 3

2725-2900 2

> 2900 1

Slope (°)Indicator

Value (0-10)

≤ 30° 10

30-40° 7

40-45° 5

> 45° 3

10, 30.10.2018

POP (population pressure)

Data:

• Population density grid of EU-27+, version 5 (100m resolution)

• STATPOP2016, BFS GEOSTAT (CH) (100m resolution)

Processing:

• Kernel density estimation of theinhabited areas proxy for theinfluence of population on itssurroundings

Classification:Inhabitants per

hectare

Indicator value

(0-10)

0 - 2 10

2 - 5 9

5 - 9 8

9 - 16 7

16 - 26 6

26 - 43 5

43 - 67 4

67 - 106 3

106 - 172 2

172 - 300 1

300 - max 0

11, 30.10.2018

ENV (environmental protection)

Data:

• World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), Oct. 2017

• Various national datasets

Classification:

Legal protection status Indicator value (0-10)

Strict conservation status, no economic use

10

Protected areas with strictly regulated economic use

9

Protected areas with legal restraints

6-7

Protected area where the management serves the

sustainable development of natural ecosystems

5

Protected areas without legal restraints

5

No protection 0

12, 30.10.2018

LAN (landuse)

Data:

• Corine Land Cover data set 2012 (100m resolution)

• ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model GDEM V2 (30m resolution)

Processing:

Classification ofCLC2012 dataset1

Reclassification ofconiferous forests

Reclassification of «high-altitude» forests

13, 30.10.2018

FRA (fragmentation)

Data:

• EuroGlobalMap

– Roads

– Railroads

Processing:

Calculation of effective mesh density(seff) of all fragmenting elements

Calculation of effective mesh density(seff) of highways and motorways

14, 30.10.2018

LAN

Continuum Suitability Index (CSI)

POPFRATOP

ENV

CSI = (2*LAN + 2*POP + FRA + TOP + ENV)/7

15, 30.10.2018

Continuum Suitability Index (CSI)

16, 30.10.2018

Workshop - JECAMI 2.0

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20, 30.10.2018

21, 30.10.2018

LAN (landuse)

Data:

• Corine Land Cover data set 2012 (100m resolution)

• ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model GDEM V2 (30m resolution)

Processing:

Classification ofCLC2012 dataset1

Reclassification ofconiferous forests

Reclassification of «high-altitude» forests