Advancing the consideration of ecological connectivity in environmental assessment: Synthesis and next steps forward

Abstract

We hope this special issue will help improve the treatment of ecological connectivity in the EA process and will inspire progress by catalyzing findings and emerging areas of research related to the measurement and integration of connectivity in the practice of EA. Specifically, we aimed 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 COVID-19 pandemic has triggered reflection and debate about an urgent need to re-evaluate how humans relate to the natural world, particularly biodiversity, and how environmental assessment (EA) can be improved to prevent further biodiversity decline (Gannon [15];Figueiredo Gallardo et al. [14]). [Extracted from the article]