250 The Barcelona Region’s land mosaic
and Montnegre-El Corredor, are increasingly threatened by urbanization, and in
Serralada Transversal watershed protection is needed for the critical reservoirs.
Fire managementhas special importance in the GBRegion because built areas
alternate with large natural areas (Vallejo and Alloza 1998, Moreiraet al.2001,
Forman 2004a). Fire management tends to focus on the large natural areas,
where three overriding objectives often have to be spatially meshed. Protecting
(1) forests growing wood products, (2) rare fire-adapted species, and (3) built areas
(near natural areas) requires quite different strategies. Thus a carefully designed
arrangement of fire-management techniques is required.Connected land: five types of connections
The overall objective is to provide landscape connectivity to facilitate
themovement of species as well as people (Saunders and Hobbs 1991 ,Forman
1995,Bennett2003,Ahern2002,Jongman and Pungetti2004). Wide connect-
ing areas are the most certain long-term way of accomplishing this in the face
of human activities changing and spreading in unforeseen ways. Probably few
species require corridors, but movement of numerous species is enhanced with
them. Also the fauna is better off on connected than isolated patches. Where veg-
etation corridors cross major transportation routes it is important to construct
passages, either underpasses or overpasses, for effective wildlife and people cross-
ing (Rosell Pages and Velasco Rivas1999,Formanet al.2003, Iuellet al.2003,
Trocmeet al.2003). Walking paths in the corridors provide connectivity for hik-
ing and recreation in the GBRegion. Serious hikers could walk across or even
around the entire region. More importantly though, everyone will live not too
farfrom a path for a relaxed brief stroll in nature.
Five types ofconnections, all providing for species movement and a walking
path between emeralds, offer flexibility (Color Figure 41 )(Forman 2004a). Nat-
ural vegetation forms the predominant land use, though in some connections
farmland or ‘‘people parks” are also quite appropriate:(1) Reconnection zone:awide vegetation connection of nearby protected areas
that normally creates a single stronger integrated protected area.
(2) Green ribbon:awide vegetation corridor that crosses overland and nor-
mally connects protected areas.
(3) Blue-green ribbon:awide vegetation corridor, usually covering floodplain
and adjacent slopes, that protects a stream and may connect to a pro-
tectedarea.
(4) Ribbon of pearls:awide vegetation corridor with attached small natural-
vegetation patches (pearls) as ‘‘rest stops” to enhance wildlife movement
along its length.