Ecological Corridors: Some Examples in Portugal

Ecological corridors are natural or semi-natural areas that connect fragmented habitats, enabling species movement, genetic exchange between populations and ecosystem adaptation to climate change, while also helping reduce fragmentation caused by urban and agricultural expansion.

Examples in Portugal

• Lisbon Ecological Corridor — connects parks, gardens and riverside areas across the metropolitan region.
• Tagus River Valley — links river ecosystems, important for migratory birds such as flamingos and herons.
• Mondego River Corridor — connects the Serra da Estrela and Serra do Caramulo to the coastal zone.
• Arrábida Natural Park — connected to adjacent forest areas on the Setúbal peninsula.
• Ria de Aveiro — a wetland corridor vital for migratory birds.
• Montesinho-Sanabria cross-border corridor — enables movement of the Iberian wolf between Portugal and Spain.

In Portugal, ecological corridors are an important part of the biodiversity conservation and spatial planning strategy, particularly in areas threatened by fragmentation and urbanisation.