ABSTRACT
Green infrastructure (GI) strongly depends on the connectivity of well-functioning ecosystems. However, this connectivity is often lost by landscape fragmentation. GI intends to restore these lost connections, but how can the transition from planning to practical implementation be successfully achieved? This chapter addresses this question by focusing on two steps: 1) prioritising interventions by mapping key areas for conservation and restoration actions; and 2) selecting the most suitable actions for ecosystem restoration and conservation tailored for each GI component.
The chapter begins with a review of ecosystem restoration and conservation actions and highlights those most relevant for GI implementation in the Mediterranean context.
A Mediterranean case study is then presented to demonstrate how the transition from GI planning to practice could be implemented. The result is the GI Conservation and Restoration Map for Portugal’s Central Region, identifying priority areas for conservation or restoration. The proposed methodology can be easily replicated in other case studies.
