Ecological Greenways Case Study

Table of contents

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Greenways conservation value and habitat fragmentation

4.0 Case study : Florida's ecological Greenways Network

5.0 Case study :The Kronberg in Hannover

6.0 Conclusion

7.0 Bibliography

Introduction

Greenways are essentially green corridors or connections which can be used as environmental buffers within an urban area. They are known for their ability to connect people and places together. They can come in many forms some natural such as rivers and streams and others manmade like a railroad bed and utility corridors. Originally greenways were used as a way of preventing urban sprawl and separate settlements. Greenways have developed somewhat since then and have many benefits such as creating

Plants and animals use water, wind, other species and their own movements as a way of dispersion. This process is essential for survival and to maintain biodiversity. The distance between locations and land use patterns of the land in-between are key factors in dispersion. As human development reduces the size of corridors for movement or completely cuts them off ,conservation efforts now link these location using greenways.

Case study : Florida's ecological Greenways Network (....)

Since 1995 Florida has been taking steps to create a state wide greenways network with the intention of protecting a wide range of species such as the Florida black bear, maintain a state-wide connected reserve network, prioritising important higher priority linkages and the protection of water resources and habitats. They created a mapping system which had 6 priority classes based on ecological importance.

Using this map critical linkages were identified this was one of several steps that was used in creating and protecting the ecological greenways network. Development pressure was taken into account also, this essentially located areas of ecological importance that could potentially or were already under the threat of human

The other 660 acres is private land. The linkage is one of the 3 most significant in the state and prior to this process was designated a Priority Class 1 Ecological Greenway. One of the main aspects of the linkage is that it provides the largest area of habitat protection for the Florida panther population. As well as providing protection for well known lands that have been used by the panther population to cross the Caloosahatchee River , this will allow for the recreation of the breeding population that was once present north of the river. Another species to benefit from it is the black bear which will help maintain the current population . This designation process is only the first step in the protection of the flora fauna and natural resources that are in and use the greenway. vital locations must be conservation priorities , locations such as the south-western portion of the linkage are under threat by growth pressure as well as other locations that are threatened by intensive agriculture. Locations must also be considered for wildlife underpasses such as the state road 78 and 80 especially in the event that they are proposed for