Researchers: Charla Patterson, Aurora Torres, and Jochen Jaeger

Project description:

This work is for a special issue in the journal Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal (IAPA). The main goal of this special issue is to compile and catalyze emerging areas of research related to the measurement and consideration of ecological connectivity in the EA process. Specifically, we are aiming to (1) highlight the need for studies that link EA and connectivity; (2) learn about current challenges and compile approaches for improving the consideration of connectivity in EA; and (3) foster interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral work that evaluates and advances current practices of connectivity consideration. The special issue includes 10 articles and has been released in two parts, including issue 6 of 2022 (Nov.-Dec. 2022) and issue 5 of 2023 (Sept.-Oct. 2023). This special issue is an outcome of a session on “Prioritizing landscape connectivity in environmental impact assessment” at the 2021 International Conference of the IAIA (International Association for Impact Assessment). While many studies on connectivity have been published in recent years, when preparing this session, it became apparent that there is a paucity of studies about ecological connectivity that explicitly link to EA practice.

Updates:

This project has been highlighted in the Research spotlights of the Concordia News.

Editorial and Summary:

Torres, A., Patterson, C., Jaeger, J.A.G. (2023): Editorial: Advancing the consideration of ecological connectivity in environmental assessment – Part 2 of the special issue. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 41(5): 330-332. 

Torres, A., Patterson, C., Jaeger, J.A.G. (2022): Editorial: Advancing the consideration of ecological connectivity in environmental assessment: Synthesis and next steps forward. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 40(6): 451-459. 

Our contributions:

Patterson, C., Torres, A., Coroi, M., Cumming, K., Hanson, M., Noble, B.F., Tabor, G.M., Treweek, J., Iglesias-Merchan, C., Jaeger, J.A.G. (2023): Pathways for improving the consideration of ecological connectivity in environmental assessment: Lessons from five case studies. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 41(5): 374-390.

Patterson, C., Torres, A., Coroi, M., Cumming, K., Hanson, M., Noble, B., Tabor, G., Treweek, J., Jaeger, J.A.G. (2022): Treatment of ecological connectivity in environmental assessment: A global survey of current practices and common issues. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 40(6): 460-474.

Patterson, C., Casasanta Mostaço, F., Jaeger, J.A.G. (2022): Lack of consideration of ecological connectivity in Canadian environmental impact assessment: Current practice and need for improvement. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 40(6): 481-494.