On 7 July 2020, the IUCN WCPA Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group released the first global guidelines for protecting nature’s ecological connectivity. These guidelines on “Conserving Connectivity through Ecological Networks and Corridors” are now freely available.

The guidelines serve as a resource to inform connectivity conservation practices based on the best-availabe science and innovations for effective connectivity in the terrestrial, freshwater and marine realms. They take inspiration from a great diversity of world wide efforts already underway and provide examples of applications around the world with 25 interesting case studies, common definitions and recommend designation of ecological corridors.

These guidelines can help Eurosite members and other natural site managers in learning more about the importance of connectivity between sites, connectivity practices, applications of ecological corridors in different environments, as well as provide inspiration from impressive examples throughout the world.

Key message of the guidelines include:

– “Science overwhelmingly shows that interconnected protected areas and other areas for biological diversity conservation are much more effective than disconnected areas in human-dominated systems, especially in the face of climate change;

– Although it is well understood that ecological connectivity is critical to the conservation of biodiversity, approaches to identify, retain and enhance ecological connectivity have been scattered and inconsistent. At the same time, countries on every continent, along with regional and local governments, have advanced various forms of legislation and policy to enhance connectivity; and

– It is imperative that the world moves toward a coherent global approach for ecological connectivity conservation, and begins to measure and monitor the effectiveness of efforts to protect connectivity and thereby achieve functional ecological networks.

– These Guidelines define ecological corridors as ways to identify, maintain, enhance and restore connectivity, summarize a large body of related science; and recommend means to formalize ecological corridors and networks.”

https://conservationcorridor.org/2020/07/iucn-guidelines/

You can access and download the Guidelines here.