Author/Contact:
Lone Kørnøv
Aalborg University, Instituto Superior Técnico
Resource description:
This resource presents a causal-map tool developed to analyze and visualize the cause-effect relationships between spatial planning activities and biodiversity outcomes. It integrates systems thinking and causal-loop diagrams (CLDs) to enhance the transformative potential of Environmental Assessment Instruments (EAIs) like Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The tool focuses on four key planning cases:
- Conversion of agricultural land (e.g., to photovoltaic parks).
- Habitat conversion (e.g., urban development in protected areas).
- Habitat fragmentation (e.g., due to linear infrastructure).
- New habitat development (e.g., afforestation).
IT serves as decision-support tool for planners, policymakers, and environmental practitioners to identify leverage points, mitigate negative impacts, and enhance biodiversity in spatial planning processes.
Applications:
- Supports transformative change in spatial planning by integrating biodiversity considerations.
- Provides a framework for assessing and improving mitigation hierarchies in EAIs.
- Facilitates stakeholder engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Partners:
Lone Kornov (AAU), Emilia Ravn Boess (AAU), Johanna S. Gordon (AAU), Søren Qvist Eliasen (AAU), Maria Rosario Partidário (IST-ID), Margarida Monteiro (IST-ID)
DOI reference:
doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13736459