Inside-outside park planning: A mathematical approach to assess and support the design of ecological connectivity between Protected Areas and the surrounding landscape

An effective biodiversity conservation in Protected Areas (PAs) requires that they are seen as part of larger ecosystems and that the ecological connectivity is maintained beyond PA administrative boundaries. The study of ecological processes that link PAs to their surrounding landscapes is thus of great importance to understand which actions should be implemented to promote inside-outside ecological connectivity. In this paper, we used a system of indicators and a mathematical model (PANDORA model) to describe in a quantitative way the present and the foreseen ecological state of a Regional Nature Park (Parc Naturel Régional de la Montagne de Reims) and its surrounding area. The landscape ecological quality was assessed in terms of the capability of the system to transmit its biological energy all around its territory, thus highlighting the degree of ecological connectivity in landscapes situated both inside and outside the Park. The outcomes showed how the areas situated outside the Park are characterized by a less positive evolutionary trajectory with respect to those situated inside the Park. This is mainly due to urbanization processes that are taking place precisely outside the Parks' boundary. To avoid the risk of Park's “insularization”, the need and ways of developing integrated inside-outside planning and management policies, both by the Park Authority and external authorities, is highlighted. The mathematical approach presented here could be replicated also in other PAs, to sustain and address an integrated spatial planning of PAs and their context.