The BeeConnected SUDOE project aims to restore and create green infrastructure to enhance ecological connectivity between fragmented habitats and promote the conservation of wild pollinators in agricultural and peri-urban landscapes across the SUDOE area (Spain, France, and Portugal).
Through a combination of scientific research, social participation, and nature-based solutions, pilot actions will be developed to improve biodiversity and the resilience of these ecosystems in the face of global change.
Main Objectives
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Design ecological restoration plans for agricultural and peri-urban environments within the SUDOE area, including measures that increase connectivity between habitats and mitigate the effects of fragmentation on wild pollinators.
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Implement restoration actions in four pilot areas across the SUDOE space, to promote wild pollinator conservation and assess their feasibility and effectiveness in counteracting habitat fragmentation and enhancing connectivity.
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Develop and implement management criteria aligned with European policies, promoting nature-based solutions and green infrastructure, and design an active knowledge-transfer programme targeted at key social stakeholders and public institutions.
Methodology
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Biodiversity diagnosis through standardised sampling of wild pollinators (transects, pan-traps, bioacoustic techniques, etc.), functional analysis, and pesticide detection.
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Habitat condition assessment using ecological indicators and GIS analysis to identify barriers and opportunities for ecological connectivity.
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Design and implementation of specific ecological restoration actions, such as sowing nectar-rich plants, creating ponds, installing nesting structures, and adaptive vegetation management, based on nature-based solutions.
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Structural and functional connectivity analysis, combining habitat mapping with experimental methods (e.g., labelled pollen transport) to assess the effectiveness of green infrastructure.
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Post-intervention monitoring of restored habitats’ use by pollinators and evaluation of the effectiveness of actions using ecological and socio-economic indicators.
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Participatory processes with local stakeholders and public authorities, including workshops, educational materials, awareness campaigns, and training programmes in ecological restoration.
BeeConnected SUDOE represents a transnational commitment to biodiversity, territorial rebalancing, and the creation of more resilient landscapes, aligned with the European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
The BeeConnected SUDOE project will run for 36 months (1 June 2025 – 31 May 2028) and has a total budget of €1,373,723.11, 75% of which is co-funded by the European Commission – Interreg SUDOE Programme.
PARTNER INSTITUTIONS: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (coordinador), Université de Bordeaux, Universidade de Coimbra, Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, SEO/BirdLife, Câmara Municipal de Coimbra, Consorcio CREAF and Diputació de Girona.
RESEARCHERS
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
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Violeta Hevia Martín
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José A. González
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Francisco M. Azcárate
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Alejandro Corrales Romero
For more information, please contact Violeta Hevia at: violeta.hevia@uam.es
