Description

Measuring the potential for green or blue areas to amplify the connectivity and multifunctionality of other urban green/blue areas.

One of the major impacts of urbanization is the fragmentation of open spaces into smaller and more isolated patches. Increased fragmentation of green in urbanized areas can reduce intra- and inter-species connectivity and lead to a loss of biodiversity (Kettunen et al., 2007). Fragmentation of green areas and distance between habitat patches is thus an important factor in determining biodiversity. A Green Infrastructure approach, linking parks and other green spaces, is therefore considered essential for the preservation of biodiversity and to counter further habitat fragmentation and increase connectivity (Sylwester, 2009). Connectivity of landscapes can be evaluated in terms of:

• Structural connectivity – relating to the spatial configuration of patches, without considering the movement of individual organisms among these patches (Ioja et al. 2014) and
• Functional connectivity – relating to the ability of organisms to move among patches (Tischendorf and Fahrig 2000).

Both types of connectivity can be quantified using metrics that span different ranges of scale and complexity.

Evaluation of blue-green space structural and functional connectivity can be used to:

• Underpin green infrastructure and biodiversity spatial planning;
• Prioritise sites for interventions;
• Assess that impacts of NBS projects on pre-existing green networks;
• Promote active transport initiatives.

Scale as linked to D2.2 framework

Applied methods:

• Analysis is generally performed on a city-wide or regional scale. Local connectivity analysis is also possible.

Earth observation/Remote sensing methods:

• Remotely sensed data are inherently suited to provide information on urban vegetation and land cover characteristics, and their change at various geographical scales. However, the higher resolution required, the more expensive would be the RS data needed. In some cases, it would be better to use images provided by drones, but in this case permissions for survey mapping will be required and depends on the local and national/government regulations.

Data source [ link to data framework]

• Satellite/ remote-sensing derived maps

Data needs

• Data input types will depend on selected methods, for further details see applied or earth observation/remote sensing metrics reviews in: https://connectingnature.eu/nature-based-solution-evaluation-indicators-environmental-indicators-review

Expected Outputs

• Outputs depend on selected methods

Calculation methods

• A variety of methods exist from applied/public participation techniques through to earth observation/remote sensing approaches.
• See the pdf for more detail:
• https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:4c40eb0f-b278-45bc-aa6e-0452ea84ba5e

Links and references

• https://connectingnature.eu/nature-based-solution-evaluation-indicators-environmental-indicators-review

Applied methods:

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