IUCN Green Belt Coordination Office

Cartographic GIS Mapping and Database Application of results on the local level of the European Green Belt

Introduction

The European Green Belt initiative supports transboundary cooperation in nature conservation and regional deve-lopment, by connecting protected areas with their surrounding landscapes and communities. The route is a legacy of history and in large sections it follows the former „Iron Curtain“. By spanning some of the most important regions for biological and cultural diversity in Europe, the Green Belt includes parts of the migration routes of bird species and crosses mammals migration routes.

The Green Belt appears to have its own face in every country and district, given to the great diversity of political, biological and socio-economic condi-tions in each area. A shared vision for the conservation of biodiversity and the promotion of sustainable regional deve-lopment remains as the conjoining link.

BackgroundThe Green Belt as a habitat network is a bridging element that links core areas and corridors, which can be pronounced as landscape corridors, stepping stone corridors, linear corridors and buffer zones as well as sustainable use areas.Nevertheless, the outstanding ecologi-cal value of the European Green Belt cannot be defined simply by totalling up its conservation sites. The habitat net-work is embedded in a matrix of regular landscape, i.e. a landscape, which is used in various ways.

GIS Mapping of the Green BeltFor joint project development on a local as well as on a regional level, the coordinators of the initiative required the development of a joint geodatabase containing information on the physical features of the Green Belt route, its land cover, land use, habitat status as well as status of protection. With fi-nancial support from BfN and DBU, this could be conducted in 2006 and 2007.

The project resulted in:• a scientific database to identify prio-

rity areas for further engagement in nature conservation,

• the display of the Green Belt in overview and in detail, including the protection status, land cover and species composition,

• a manual and CD for all partners,• a series of 10 posters with clippings

from all Green Belt areas.

The results are a basis for further ana-lyses. In order to show the applicability in a local transboundary area, an exten-sion of the project was granted by BfN.

Project Goal: A model study based on the database that is an analysis of the status quo and of the need for actions in two Central European Green Belt areas.

Identification of potentials in nature conservation and transboundary cooperation in both areas.

Site specific recommendations for a joint regional development.

3270 conservation areas in a 25 to 50 km zone on either side of the Green Belt:

• National Parks and Nature Reserves• SCIs of the Habitats Directive, • SPAs of the Bird Directive• Biosphere Reserves• others

Project Area The model regions were selected according to the following criteria:• potential for harmonisation of pro-

tected area management on both sides of the border

• a certain threat arising from short term infrastructure development

• potential for an alignment of local development based on professional nature conservation aspects.

Model Region 1Morava River Floodplain area between Bratislava and the trilateral border point Austria-Slovakia-Czech Republic

Model Region 2Border Area Bavaria-Czech Republic north of the National Parks Bavarian Forest/Sumava.

Synthesis of site descriptions and processing of material Scientific data, database information and local expe-rience can be aggregated to comprehensive descriptions displaying the uniqueness of sites, the conditions of loca-tion, natural characteristics, and species composition. Targets in protection and de-velopment can be illustrated, together with accomplished measures and ongoing threats.

Links to authorites, organisa-tions, and local stakeholders can be compiled.

Transboundary site descrip-tions for public relations work available for online and print material can be provided.

Map clippings, with information on sites and characteristics can be provided and enhanced with pictures, interactive information or links.

Information can be translated in all local languages.

The synthesis of all available site information is a basis for all further awareness raising and public relations work and a sound preparation for pro-ject development and proposals.

Analysis of potentials for transboundary development and cooperationOn a pan-European scale, the ecologic relevance of a protected area was in some cases only significant in combina-tion with sites on the other side of a na-tional border. These sites have a special function in providing transboundary connectivity, form a functional unit and depend on good communication and cooperation between authorities from both countries.

Systematic investigation and evaluation can identify the gaps and missing links in the protected area network that can be addressed by joint management measures. The results can be used to define the further process of working together.

Needs for action in protection status, harmonised management, and coopera-tion can be determined.

Cartographic data can be completed and joint potentials displayed.

The aim of these analyses is to gain a management concept for one node in the ecologic network of protected areas along the Green Belt, focusing on transboundary cooperation in nature conservation and local or regional development.

Model Region 1

Morava River Floodplain area between Bratislava and the trila-teral border point Austria-Slovakia-Czech Republic

Using the DatabaseThe GIS database can contribute to the following undertakings:• Synthesis of site descriptions and

processing of material• Analysis of potentials for cooperation

in transboundary development and management

• Analysis of biodiversity, species and habitats along the Green Belt

• Suggestions for a foresighted adapti-on to climate change

• Studies on landscape ecology, analy-ses of connectivity and surroundings.

The GIS DataThe European Green Belt Area

Model Region 2

Border Area Bavaria-Czech Republic north of the National Parks Bavarian Forest/Sumava.

Analysis of biodiversity, species and habitats along the European Green Belt393 areas have been aggregated in the database and for most of them informa-tion on habitats and species is shown. In order to set targeted protection measures and focused activities, the data can be systematically evaluated and linked to GIS information.

An evaluation of data can focus on • the abundance of priority species,• the selection of characteristic spe-

cies,• the value a protected area network

has for species requiring vast spaces,• the occurrence of priority habitats• the occurrence of extensive habitats,• the identification of biodiversity hot

spots along the Green Belt,• the value of the Green Belt for (large

mammal) migration routes and avian flyways,

• the determination of representative areas regarding species composition and/or land-use management,

• the evaluation of threats, impacts and adverse effects,

• a scientific survey of climate change in a north-south cooridor as well as cross border transects.

The result can serve as a basis for an action plan focused on habitats and species along the European Green Belt. Emphasis should be layed on the appropriate management of species and habitats which may range from strict protection to conservation mea-sures, sustainable use and sustainable development.

Suggestions for a foresighted adaptation to climate changeThe European Green Belt represents a spacious corridor from north to south, that is in some parts also covers a remarkable elevation profile. This not only makes up an excellent area for sci-entific study of changes due to climate change, e.g. in species abundance. It also creates the possibility to establish the Green Belt as a migration room, sin-ce adaptation to climate change relies on sufficient space that can be colo-nised by species in distress and allows their movement.

The GIS data can contribute to the que-stion whether the Green Belt can offer retreat and which habitats and species can profit from the development.

Unbridgeable gaps and confining bar-riers can be identified and limitations and barriers to successful adaptation can be perceived in time.

Connectivity of even distant areas along the Green Belt can be identified and put to awareness, e.g. to conserve stepping stones along migration routes.

For the surroundings of protected areas an evaluation of the need for special adaptation in management can be undertaken.

The results can help to derive a con-cept for scientific study and actions, that might help to mitigate the effects of climate change on nature.

Studies on landscape ecology, analyses of connectivity and surroundingsThe data compiled during the cartogra-phic mapping of the Green Belt contains extensive information that can be used for studies on connectivity, fragmenta-tion as well as on mutual interaction of the protected areas and their surroun-dings.

Studies concerning landscape ecology can be undertaken based on the exist-ing mapping data and can include the analysis of distances between Green Belt areas and the surroundings of pro-tected areas (CORINE landcover data is integrated in the database).

The need and possibilities to complete and support the habitat network in be-tween Green Belt areas can be analysed based on the development potential shown by CORINE landcover data.

Fragmentation of the European Green Belt can be detected and isolation of areas can be identified.

These studies can lead to a land-use concept with reference to space, quality and surroundings of Green Belt areas. The evaluation can help to identify sites, where support is needed in large areas and where a need for sustainable development is evident.

Donors and PartnersThis project extension was financially supported by the German Federal Agen-cy for Nature Conservation (BfN) with funds from the German Ministry for the Environment (BMU).

Additional data was kindly provided by the local NGOs active in each area. The project was implemented by the Green Belt Coordination Office in coo-peration with the Office for ecological Studies (BfoeS) in Bayreuth, Germany.

Contact:Green Belt Coordination OfficeIUCN Programme Office for South East-ern EuropeDr. Ivana Ribara 9111070 Belgrade, Serbia

www.europeangreenbelt.org

DisclaimerIUCN does not hold responsibility for the current status of the displayed protected areas. IUCN and the Green Belt Coordination Office accept no liability for any errors, mis-prints or omissions herein concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area, or its authorities, or concerning the definition of its frontiers or boundaries.

The European Green Belt

Method used in both Model RegionsIn a first step, the protected areas of each model region were displayed. Building on the outcomes and database of the GIS mapping project, a detailed analysis was undertaken for each regi-on. A map was extracted from the GIS files and species and habitat informati-on was extricated. The regional infor-mation was synthesized and compiled for further use in awareness raising and public relations.

In a second step, interviews and mee-tings took place with representatives of NGOs that are active in the model regions. The results from the interviews together with the site descriptions were used to analyse the potential of a joint development in both Green Belt areas.

Results and OutcomesImportant points discussed with theproject partners included:• information on conservation measures• threats and adverse effects in each of

the areas,• cooperation between the stakeholders

in nature conservation,• harmonisation of protected areas ma-

nagement and manament planning.

OutputsFor each of the model regions, one brochure with a summary of all site descriptions was issued for all partners.

The brochures can be used in further pro-ject development, for awareness raising and public relations work.

SuggestionsSuggestions for an im-proved transboundary cooperation in nature conservation and regional development included:• transboundary

workshops for local stakeholders from all relevant sectors,

• seminars on trans-boundary coopera-tion,

• joint efforts to contribute to an en-hanced range of information products,

• display of cross-border interrelation-ships and support of partnerships,

• participation of nature conservation stakeholders in local development, for example in tourism development.

All project outcomes were made availa-ble for the project partners in printed form. Green Belt partners may obtain all material on CD-ROM from the Green Belt Coordination Office, or download it from the Green Belt website: www.europeangreenbelt.org.

Edited by Katharina Diehl