Forest connectivity (1km dispersal distance)

Connectivity (or isolation) is measured with a network-based habitat availability index that quantifies functional connectivity on the basis of the forest area, its spatial configuration, inter-patch distances, matrix permeability and specific dispersal capabilities of generic groups of forest-dwelling species. The Root Probability of Connectivity Index (RPC) was computed locally per landscape units of 25 km by 25 km, for forest species dispersing in average a 1km distance and assuming a 50% probability at the 1km distance. The European-wide assessment applies an inter-patch Euclidian distances and a homogeneous non-forested matrix. It is dimensionless and ranges from 0 to 1. An average of the landscape based RPC values is provided per provinces (administrative units NUTS2/3) and per country (NUTS0). Forest connectivity for the year 2006 is reported at broad scale (spatial details up to 25 ha) and fine scale (spatial details up to 1 ha). Regional trends are provided for the period 1990-2000-2006 at broad scale observation only. A negative trend means that on average for this region landscapes undergo forest fragmentation (loss and isolation) processes. Connectivity is not available from nationally aggregated area estimates.