Enhancing Connectivity of Protected Areas in China

The Symposium“Enhancing Connectivity of Protected Areas in China: Methods, Practices, and Policy Coordination”, held at Tsinghua University in Beijing and co-organized by NatureXpairs and the Institute for National Parks at Tsinghua University, with the support of the China Biodiversity Facility (CBF — a EU-funded project implemented by Agence Française de Développement (AFD)), marked an important step in deepening exchanges on ecological connectivity.

Bringing together representatives from government agencies, research institutions, civil society, and international organizations, the seminar created a platform for dialogue on one of the most pressing challenges in biodiversity conservation: maintaining and restoring connectivity across protected landscapes.

A Shared Global Challenge

As habitat fragmentation, infrastructure expansion, and climate change increasingly disrupt ecosystems, ensuring connectivity between protected areas has become essential for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The symposium directly contributes to the ambitions of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which calls for well-connected conservation systems worldwide.

NatureXpairs, as co-organizer and implementing partner of the AFD-supported project on connectivity, played a key role in facilitating this dialogue between Chinese and European actors.

Chinese Perspectives: From Assessment to Governance

Opening remarks emphasized the growing importance of connectivity in China’s policy and research agenda.

Prof ZHAO Zhicong (Tsinghua University; IUCN WCPA Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group) highlighted that connectivity is not only essential for ecological integrity, but is increasingly becoming a key entry point for biodiversity governance.

Speakers from academia and government underlined that while China has made significant progress in addressing fragmentation, further work is needed in methodological frameworks, cross-regional coordination, and policy alignment.

Research and Practice from China

Key presentations showcased recent advances in connectivity assessment and implementation:

• WANG Pei (Tsinghua University) presented preliminary results of a national connectivity assessment, showing that while China’s overall connectivity level is slightly above the global average, strong regional disparities persist, particularly in eastern regions, and monitoring and institutional systems require further strengthening.
• HUANG Qiaowen (Chinese Felid Conservation Alliance) shared a flagship case on the North Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus japonesis), demonstrating how corridor restoration, wildlife crossings, and community engagement can jointly support population recovery—highlighting the need to combine ecological engineering with social mechanisms.
• WANG Yun (China Academy of Transportation Sciences; IUCN WCPA CCSG) emphasized that transport infrastructure is a major driver of fragmentation, and stressed the need to integrate connectivity considerations early in infrastructure planning, alongside improved monitoring during operation phases.

European Perspectives on Connectivity Governance and Practice

European experts provided complementary insights combining strategic policy frameworks and local implementation experience.

Theo Van der Sluis, Senior Researcher at Wageningen Environmental Research, presented lessons from over 35 years of ecological network development in Europe, highlighting:

• The evolution of pan-European ecological networks, including the Emerald Network, PEEN, and Natura 2000
• The role of EU policy frameworks, particularly the Birds and Habitats Directive, in integrating connectivity into land-use planning
• The structure of ecological networks, composed of core areas, corridors, buffer zones, and restoration areas
• The importance of species-specific design, ecological modelling, and long-term viability of populations
• The integration of connectivity into the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, with clear targets for ecosystem recovery

His presentation emphasized the need for long-term, science-based planning with clear objectives, while noting strong synergies with China’s existing policy tools, such as ecological redlines.

Christian Schwoehrer, Director of ASTERS, Vice president of ALPARC focused on the practical integration of ecological connectivity into spatial planning and local governance, drawing from experience in France and the Alpine region. He highlighted:

• The rapid pace of land conversion and its impacts on soils, habitats, and biodiversity
• The French practice of embedding connectivity into multi-level planning instruments, from regional strategies (SRADDET) to territorial (SCoT) and local urban plans (PLU)
• The use of data and monitoring tools (e.g. hedgerow mapping, wetland inventories, wildlife crossing databases) to inform decision-making
• The French framework of green and blue infrastructure (Trame verte et bleue)
• A concrete case study from the Bout du Lac d’Annecy National Nature Reserve, illustrating how wildlife crossings (e.g. amphibian tunnels) support species life cycles and ecological resilience

His intervention demonstrated that connectivity depends not only on ecological design, but also on planning systems, local implementation, and data-driven management.

Governance Challenges and Collective Reflections

The roundtable discussion brought together experts from research institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and project partners, Qianming, CHEN from NatureXpairs engaged with the discussions. Following key challenges were discussed:

• The need to move from technical assessments to actionable policy and planning tools
• Persistent barriers in cross-regional and cross-administrative coordination
• Insufficient integration of connectivity into infrastructure planning processes
• Tensions between conservation and development at the local level
• The importance of long-term ecological monitoring and data-driven decision-making

A shared understanding emerged that connectivity is no longer only an ecological issue, but increasingly a matter of multi-level, cross-sector governance.

Participants highlighted key pathways forward:

• Expanding from isolated protected areas to large-scale ecological networks
• Embedding connectivity into territorial spatial planning systems
• Strengthening cross-sector and cross-regional coordination mechanisms
• Integrating community development and socio-economic considerations into conservation strategies

Looking Ahead

The seminar reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation in addressing biodiversity challenges. NatureXpairs remains committed to supporting continued dialogue and collaboration between China and Europe on ecological connectivity.