Ökologische Konnektivität

The quality of the Belgian green-blue network depends on its ecological integrity and connectivity. Infrastructures – railways, roads, highways, rivers/canals, parking lots, etc. – are a major driver of the ecological network fragmentation and this fragmentation has a huge impact on biodiversity. Besides actions to enhance green and blue spaces in urban and peri-urban areas, it is equally important to ensure that these areas are connected in a qualitative way in, outside and between cities, while also integrating biodiversity into the management and development of infrastructures. With the elimination of obstacles to the connectivity, the network’s quality will also be improved.

For example, enhancing the ecological connectivity between large parks, across borders and between regions can be done with the plantation of hedges and landscape elements, restoration of riverbeds or the building of wildlife bridges across roads and railways. Landscape elements such as hedges, trees and free-flowing rivers are also key components of ecological connectivity and can ensure safe pathways for several species. 

These new connecting elements will facilitate the movement of animal and vegetal species between different zones and ensure safer displacements while enhancing Belgium’s green-blue network.