Schweizer Wildtierkorridore auf dem Papier, in den Köpfen und in der Landschaft Schweizer Wildtierkorridore auf dem Papier, in den Köpfen und in der Landschaft

Abstract

Traffic and its associated infrastructure have a negative impact on wildlife, due to road casualties and habitat fragmentation. In 2001, a study on landscape fragmentation in Switzerland proposed a network of wildlife corridors and located the sites most affected by fragmentation. To ensure exchange between wildlife populations, measures were proposed for maintaining and restoring wildlife corridors. The results were incorporated or used in a ministerial guideline, in a decision of the federal court, in the national ecological network and the master plans of two-thirds of the Swiss cantons. These actions ensure consideration of the corridors in environmental impact assessments and governmental planning. A federal restoration plan was started in 2002 for 51 wildlife corridors that are interrupted and require fauna passages to be restored. Since pressure on wildlife corridors resulting from infrastructure projects and urbanisation will continue, we propose to re-evaluate all wildlife corridors and appropriate measures in 2010. Traffic and its associated infrastructure have a negative impact on wildlife, due to road casualties and habitat fragmentation. In 2001, a study on landscape fragmentation in Switzerland proposed a network of wildlife corridors and located the sites most affected by fragmentation. To ensure exchange between wildlife populations, measures were proposed for maintaining and restoring wildlife corridors. The results were incorporated or used in a ministerial guideline, in a decision of the federal court, in the national ecological network and the master plans of two-thirds of the Swiss cantons. These actions ensure consideration of the corridors in environmental impact assessments and governmental planning. A federal restoration plan was started in 2002 for 51 wildlife corridors that are interrupted and require fauna passages to be restored. Since pressure on wildlife corridors resulting from infrastructure projects and urbanisation will continue, we propose to re-evaluate all wildlife corridors and appropriate measures in 2010.