Integrated priority map for softening profit nature development and connection

Integrated priority map for the softening profit “nature development and connection” is composed of one criterion map and coincides with it, i.e. that of nature fragmentation. Paved areas located within a nature and habitat protection zone receive a maximum score (5) for this softening priority. Pavement has a major influence on the state of the natural landscape: reducing green-blue areas and fragmenting species’ habitats. This integrated map on nature development and connection contributes to the preparation of the final opportunity map for softening gains (https://www.vlaanderen.be/data location/catalogue/opportunity map-softening gains ). In order to efficiently and effectively reduce the degree of hardening, it is important to gain insight into those locations that are most likely to soften the soil. In order to determine where annealing is most promising, the opportunity map of annealing gains (and assessment framework) was thus developed. The integrated priority maps for softening - including this map for nature development and connection - show per parameter whether a paved location has a large or small impact on the environment and therefore has a large or small priority for softening. More information about the creation of all priority and opportunity cards and the final combination to the final opportunity card softening profit can be found in the final report of the study carried out on behalf of the Environment department: https://researchportal.be/en/publication/softening profit-weighting framework-and-opportunity map-part-1