{"id":1327,"date":"2023-05-13T13:53:33","date_gmt":"2023-05-13T17:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.azurewebsites.net\/?p=1327"},"modified":"2023-06-15T22:37:18","modified_gmt":"2023-06-16T02:37:18","slug":"lo-que-el-mundo-necesita-ahora-es-conectividad-dulce-conectividad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/2023\/05\/lo-que-el-mundo-necesita-ahora-es-conectividad-dulce-conectividad\/","title":{"rendered":"What the World Needs Now is Connectivity, Sweet Connectivity"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=\u00bb1″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb]

By Wendy Elliott, Robin Naidoo, Rafael Antelo<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/original_ww188341_ed-1-768×432-1.jpg\u00bb title_text=\u00bboriginal_ww188341_ed-1-768×432″ align=\u00bbcenter\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb text_orientation=\u00bbcenter\u00bb custom_margin=\u00bb-25px||||false|false\u00bb custom_padding=\u00bb0px|100px|0px|100px|false|false\u00bb custom_padding_tablet=\u00bb0px|100px|0px|100px|false|false\u00bb custom_padding_phone=\u00bb|0px||0px|false|false\u00bb custom_padding_last_edited=\u00bbon|phone\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb]

Aerial view of the Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) migration. Up to 1.5 million wildebeest move through the Mara\/Serengeti ecosystem each year. This is one of the worlds last great animal migrations. Masai Mara National Reserve. Kenya<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb]

When you think of the word \u2018connectivity\u2019, what\u2019s the first thing that comes to mind? Probably the ability to get onto the nearest WIFI network.<\/p>\n

But there is another kind of connectivity, one that is fundamental to life on earth as we know it \u2014 the connectivity of nature, or ecological connectivity as scientists like to call it. The ability of animals to move, and of ecosystem processes to flow.<\/p>\n

Why is this important? During their life cycles, animals must travel between different areas to meet their ecological needs. The places they find their food are often different from the places where they gather to mate or spawn, which in turn may be different from the places where young are reared, or where reliable water can be found. Streams need to flow, in order to ensure the freshwater on which everything depends gets to where it is needed. As the seasons turn, environments and species\u2019 needs change, leading to the great migrations of birds, mammals, insects and fish that so captivate people around the world. And now, with climate change, animals are needing to move to new areas as their existing habitats become unsuitable.<\/p>\n

Sadly the connectivity of nature is being rapidly eroded. Think of the nearest patch of greenery or park that you know of \u2014 if you live in a city, that patch is most likely an isolated island of green in a sea of man-made infrastructure. This is exactly what is happening to our remaining natural spaces, as more land is converted to agriculture, extractives and other uses. 90% or more of the world\u2019s protected areas now exist in a matrix of human-dominated, fragmented land that is rapidly degrading, endangering animal movement and survival.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1_owpF86SiBo0VG_nNvVnmQQ-1-768×432.jpeg.webp\u00bb title_text=\u00bb1_owpF86SiBo0VG_nNvVnmQQ-1-768×432.jpeg\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb text_orientation=\u00bbcenter\u00bb custom_margin=\u00bb-25px||||false|false\u00bb custom_padding=\u00bb0px|100px|0px|100px|false|false\u00bb custom_padding_tablet=\u00bb0px|100px|0px|100px|false|false\u00bb custom_padding_phone=\u00bb|0px||0px|false|false\u00bb custom_padding_last_edited=\u00bbon|phone\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb]

Kudu jumping over fence, connectivity of nature is being rapidly eroded. Think of the nearest patch of greenery or park that you know of \u2014 if you live in a city, that patch is most likely an isolated island of green in a sea of man-made infrastructure. \u00a9Dominik Wallner \/ Shutterstock<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb]

In our ever more fragmented world, connecting remaining natural habitats will be the challenge of our time. One in which we must succeed if we are to avoid catastrophic tipping points of biodiversity loss, and loss of the ecosystem services on which we all depend.<\/p>\n

The good news is that we have \u2014 right now \u2014 the opportunity to generate transformational government commitments to address nature\u2019s connectivity. 196 of the world\u2019s governments are Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is currently setting the agenda for the next decade of action via its \u2018Global Biodiversity Framework\u2019 (GBF). We are pushing for strong connectivity targets throughout the GBF, and there is good progress to build on \u2014 last year the UN General Assembly adopted its \u00a0<\/span>first ever resolution<\/a>\u00a0<\/span> focused on connectivity of nature, and the Convention on Migratory Species adopted the \u00a0<\/span>Gandhinagar Declaration<\/a>, which called for ecological connectivity to be effectively reflected in the GBF. Initial signs are good \u2014 whilst there are still aspects that need strengthening, and the overall framework still needs to be agreed and adopted, connectivity is provisionally included in one Goal and 4 of the Targets of the GBF. If adopted, connectivity would be a core part of the targets on spatial planning, restoration, protected and conserved areas and urban planning.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1_szIKeVKyHPA8zzg0o-03Jg-768×432-1.jpeg\u00bb title_text=\u00bb1_szIKeVKyHPA8zzg0o-03Jg-768×432″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb text_orientation=\u00bbcenter\u00bb custom_margin=\u00bb-25px||||false|false\u00bb custom_padding=\u00bb0px|100px|0px|100px|false|false\u00bb custom_padding_tablet=\u00bb0px|100px|0px|100px|false|false\u00bb custom_padding_phone=\u00bb|0px||0px|false|false\u00bb custom_padding_last_edited=\u00bbon|phone\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb]

Aerial view of Ecoduct wildlife crossing at Dwingelderveld National Park, Beilen, Drenthe, The Netherlands \u00a9 Rudmer Zwerver \/ Shutterstock<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb hover_enabled=\u00bb0″ global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb sticky_enabled=\u00bb0″]

But there is a challenge. We have had connectivity targets in the past at the CBD, but those have sadly not been met. Implementation has fallen short. Whilst the target of 17% of the earth\u2019s terrestrial area being protected was almost met \u2014 with new protected areas being established that now total 15.73% \u2014 much less progress was made in ensuring these areas are connected to each other. How can we avoid such a situation this time around? We believe that one of the keys to ensuring effective implementation of connectivity targets comes in having the right tools to measure connectivity, so that there is transparency and accountability for all actors in ensuring those targets are met. New research published yesterday in Science of the world\u2019s first assessment of terrestrial functional connectivity is so groundbreaking and couldn\u2019t have come at a better time. With this assessment, we can visualize and measure the ability of animals to move between protected areas. We can see how countries are performing relative to their neighbours. And we can track progress over time.<\/p>\n

This\u00a0<\/span>Science<\/em><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>paper introduces the Protected Area Isolation index (PAI), which estimates how isolated each of the world\u2019s terrestrial protected areas are. This estimation is based on published data from dozens of mammal species around the world that show that mammals are able to move greater distances in areas that have been less impacted by people. Combining this relationship with the global\u00a0<\/span>Human Footprint Index<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>and harnessing an ingenious approach to measuring connectivity called circuit theory, the results of the paper can be used both to estimate how connected a nation\u2019s system of protected areas is, and to prioritize conservation actions in the world\u2019s most important areas for connectivity.<\/p>\n

What is crucial about this approach is that it can be used globally \u2014 to track progress of governments in meeting their targets under CBD. But PAI could also be calculated and used at the landscape level, to enable local actors from communities to civil society to governments to measure how actions such as removing fences, building wildlife under or overpasses, and making agricultural lands more hospitable to wildlife improves connectivity in real time, which is essential information for adaptive management.<\/p>\n

We are living in exciting times. The science of connectivity is advancing in leaps and bounds \u2014 this new paper in Science is complemented by a myriad of new scientific approaches and tools in this field, including methodologies that give us that all important crystal ball \u2014 visualizing how connectivity will look in the future, based on climate change and land-use change and development projections. Such future-facing science is crucial to ensure we plan and act today in ways that will have the greatest impact in the long term.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1_IlmE_CXrwy3xpEXqR1vWSQ-768×432-1.jpeg\u00bb title_text=\u00bb1_IlmE_CXrwy3xpEXqR1vWSQ-768×432″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb text_orientation=\u00bbcenter\u00bb custom_margin=\u00bb-25px||||false|false\u00bb custom_padding=\u00bb0px|100px|0px|100px|false|false\u00bb custom_padding_tablet=\u00bb0px|100px|0px|100px|false|false\u00bb custom_padding_phone=\u00bb|0px||0px|false|false\u00bb custom_padding_last_edited=\u00bbon|phone\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb]

Red deer (Cervus elaphus) hinds running through long grass during rut, Klampenborg\nDyrehaven, Denmark \u00a9Wild Wonders of Europe \/ Florian Moellers \/ WWF<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbpost_content\u00bb]

Complementing these scientific advances, there is a growing body of connectivity conservation in practice happening all over the globe, with actors from a wide range of sectors working together towards a common purpose. Communities in the\u00a0<\/span>Kavango Zambezi landscape<\/a>in southern Africa are managing their lands in wildlife dispersal areas to support wildlife movement, a plantation company in Borneo has\u00a0<\/span>reforested a wildlife corridor<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>within their concession to allow for wildlife movement between otherwise isolated reserves, the government of\u00a0<\/span>Canada just committed $60 million<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>to a new National Program for Ecological Corridors, and\u00a0<\/span>cotton farmers in India<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>are shifting to organic practices, supporting the movement of tigers and other wildlife through their farms.<\/p>\n

So we have the science, and we have delivery of connectivity on the ground. We now need the global political momentum and set of commitments that will take this to scale. CBD\u2019s GBF offers this exact opportunity IF we get it right. The growing momentum to\u00a0<\/span>protect and conserve 30% of the planet by 2030<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u2014 a big step up from the previous 17% target \u2014 is encouraging. But unless equal attention is given to ensuring that 30% is well-connected, we will repeat the same mistakes of the past, and fail to secure a resilient future for nature.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

We therefore encourage all government Parties to the CBD to continue to strengthen connectivity language in the Goals and Targets, and crucially, adopt a headline indicator on connectivity that will help ensure that the connectivity aspects of this framework do indeed get fully implemented. Last century, the conservation movement was successfully focused on protected and conserved areas \u2014 now it is time to connect them. If we succeed in this, we can look forward to a connected, healthy planet that benefits us all.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Por Wendy Elliott, Robin Naidoo y Rafael AnteloAerial view of the Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) migration. Up to 1.5 million wildebeest move through the Mara\/Serengeti ecosystem each year. This is one of the worlds last great animal migrations. Masai Mara National Reserve. KenyaAl pensar en la palabra \u201cconectividad\u201d \u00bfqu\u00e9 es lo primero que nos viene […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1332,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[],"tags":[],"wf_post_folders":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1327"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1327"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1327\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1336,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1327\/revisions\/1336"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1327"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1327"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1327"},{"taxonomy":"wf_post_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_post_folders?post=1327"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}