Biotope and Habitats Network in Styria — A concept created from the perspective of EU needs and GIS opportunities

The intensification of agriculture, especially in recent decades, the ever-increasing density of settlements and the increasingly dense transport network have led to a fragmentation of a formerly small-structured landscape and networked habitats. Negative consequences are the genetic impoverishment of the populations, a reduction in the number of species and a reduced biodiversity. One tool to stop this development is the biotope network. In principle, it expects to network the same or similar biotope types in order to restore functional relationships and enable the migration of plants and animals. The European Union calls for a coherent ecological network of protected areas to be connected by appropriate landscape features in accordance with Article 10 of the Habitats Directive. This thesis is intended to provide initial basic information for a biotope network Styria on a GIS basis. The basic GIS analysis refers to a representation of the most important barriers and composite structures in Styria, a subdivision of Natura 2000 sites by landscape units, which are roughly equivalent to the biogeographical regions, and the calculation of distances between the Natura 2000 sites. Furthermore, GIS analyses, which contain distance calculations, intersectional analyses and habitat analyses, are carried out for FFH protected goods and protective conductive species. The main anthropogenic barriers in Styria include major transport routes, such as motorways, expressways and railroads and high-voltage lines, as well as naturally large flowing waters and mountain ranges. The most important composite elements are the edges of large flowing waters and large contiguous forests. see you. The distance between the Natura 2000 sites of the Obersteiermark (North and Central Alps) and those in the foreland area is considerable. However, a biotope network should be based on biogeographical regions anyway. The main interconnections between the regions are the valleys and rivers in Styria. Based on the exemplary species, the GIS analyses and presentations make it possible to make statements about the isolation and resulting recommendations on further measures. For a sustainable biotope network in Styria, in addition to the Natura 2000 areas, habitats outside the protected areas must be included in the planning. The aim is to achieve a nationwide biotope network planning supported by remote sensing.