Using strategic environmental assessment and project environmental impact assessment to assess ecological connectivity at multiple scales in a national park context

Ecological connectivity within and across the boundaries of protected areas has become a key theme for conservation practitioners in Canada and internationally in recent years. This paper describes four case studies involving the assessment of ecological connectivity in national parks in Canada. Ass...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Impact assessment and project appraisal 2022-11, Vol.40 (6), p.507-516
Main Authors: Cumming, Katherine, Tavares, D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biodiversity
Biodiversity loss
Boundaries
Connectivity
Conservation
Environmental assessment
Environmental impact
Environmental impact assessment
Environmental management
Impact analysis
management
Management planning
National parks
Parks & recreation areas
Protected areas
SEA
spatial scale
Thresholds
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Summary:Ecological connectivity within and across the boundaries of protected areas has become a key theme for conservation practitioners in Canada and internationally in recent years. This paper describes four case studies involving the assessment of ecological connectivity in national parks in Canada. Assessments occurred in three tiers: strategic environmental assessments conducted during management planning processes, an intermediate tier focussed on research and partnering at more refined spatial scales, and project level environmental impact assessments. While improved data, modelling and research on thresholds is needed, the multi-tiered approach facilitated the analysis of information and the collaboration with partners at scales required to conserve ecological connectivity within and across the boundaries of national parks. This work demonstrates practical approaches to conserving ecological connectivity as a response to biodiversity loss and highlights impact assessment in multiple tiers as a solution that is transferable to other sectors.
ISSN:1461-5517
1471-5465
DOI:10.1080/14615517.2022.2031553