Allocation of European wetland restoration options for systematic conservation planning

Agricultural policies, urbanization and globalization processes can lead to profound land use changes. A strategic coordination for the areas that are allocated for agriculture and nature conservation, respectively restoration, is therefore important to achieve greater benefits for all parties, such as by integrated networks of habitat. In this regard the concept of systematic conservation planning provides methods for locating and designing new reserves to complement existing ones under consideration of competing land uses. This study evaluates both biophysical and economic potentials to preserve existing habitats, to restore formerly native habitats, and to create non-native managed habitats with respect to freshwater wetlands of the EU-25 countries. Spatially explicit wetland distribution data are aggregated to country level and integrated into the European Forest and Agricultural Sector Optimization Model (EUFASOM). For different policy scenarios, the optimization model computes the corresponding economic potential of wetlands, its effects on agricultural and forestry markets, and environmental impacts. The resulting scenario specific wetland area per EU-country is further assessed by a GIS-based site-allocation and selection model which uses environmental and economic constraints under consideration of the spatial context. The final result is a EUFASOM-scenario dynamic wetland suitability map that shows potential wetland restoration areas leveled after its suitability and dependent on defined restoration options. The model is useful to locate sites suitable for wetland restoration programmes, for the introduction of faunistic corridors considering the NATURA2000 network, and aims to favour success in regional conservation planning.