Ecological Connectivity Study
What an ecological connectivity study is
An ecological connectivity study assesses the degree to which a territory allows wildlife to move and flora to disperse between different population cores or habitat areas, and evaluates a project's effect on that connectivity. It is increasingly required in the environmental impact assessment of renewable energy projects and linear infrastructure, since the barrier effect and habitat fragmentation are cumulative impacts of growing relevance across the Spanish territory.
Why it matters
Ecological connectivity enables gene flow between wildlife populations, helps species adapt to climate change by moving towards newly favourable areas, and maintains essential ecological processes such as seed dispersal and seasonal migration. The proliferation of linear infrastructure and of wind and solar farms across the territory generates a cumulative fragmentation effect that is receiving ever greater scrutiny from environmental authorities.
Methodology
- Identification of existing ecological corridors within the study area, based on official cartography and connectivity models (landscape resistance analysis, circuit-theory models).
- Selection of focal species representative of different functional groups (large mammals, mesocarnivores, amphibians) for the connectivity analysis.
- Landscape permeability modelling before and after project implementation, identifying the barrier effect generated.
- Cumulative impact analysis, taking into account other infrastructure existing or under processing within the same ecological corridor.
- Proposal of measures: wildlife crossings, keeping corridors free of installations, permeability of perimeter fencing, connectivity restoration measures.
Relevance for solar projects
The cumulative effect of multiple fenced solar farms within the same district can generate significant habitat fragmentation for terrestrial species with limited mobility (such as rabbits or certain reptiles), even where each individual project has an apparently minor impact. A connectivity study makes it possible to anticipate this cumulative effect and to propose measures such as fencing permeable to certain species or maintaining free corridors between neighbouring farms.
Regulatory framework
Under Spanish and EU law, the assessment of the barrier effect and habitat fragmentation forms part of the environmental impact assessment procedure (Spanish Law 21/2013 on environmental assessment) and connects with the objectives of ecological connectivity and green infrastructure set out in Spanish and EU biodiversity policy, including the Natura 2000 network.
Why choose Ideas Medioambientales
We carry out ecological connectivity studies with landscape permeability modelling, integrated into the Environmental Impact Study of renewable energy projects and linear infrastructure, with particular attention to the cumulative effect where multiple projects lie close together within the same corridor. Our in-house team combines wildlife biologists with GIS specialists, with more than 25 years of experience across Spain.
Tell us about your project and its surroundings and we will advise whether you need a connectivity study and what scope it should have.
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What can we cover in 30 minutes?
It's more than enough time to have an overview of your needs and recommend the best route forward. Here there is a summary of the steps we will follow.
