"Barrier Effect" Across Sciences and Policies–A Need for an Integrated Approach to the Protection of Ecological Connectivity

The starting point of this article is the assumption that the “barrier effect” in applied ecology is undisputable and exceptional, because in both human and ecological dimen-sions it constitutes the “causal” and the “nexus”. As regards the human dimension the causative factors are lack of vertical cooperation between scientists and practitioners, as well as polarisation of practitioners’ viewpoints, which leads to neglected horizon-tal relationships. The “humane” nexus arises not only during the law-making stage but also during administrative procedures authorising plans or projects affecting the en-vironment (SEA and EIA procedures). It manifests first in documentary evidence: mul-tiplying advanced analyses, often mediated by computer-model abstractions, creates a time load for public administration. As regards ecological dimension the causative factor results from infrastructural development. The “nexus” concerns fragmentation and loss of habitats, as well as increased mortality rates of specimens during migration routes. Anchored in Land’s remit at the interface of landscape ecology and land-use governance, the authors intend to prove that “applied ecology” should be understood as a “joint venture agreement” between all entities undertaking education, research and exchange of knowledge to restore sustainable ecological phenomena, and to open discussion on transboundary impact assessments of wind-farm developments as re-gards bird migration.