| Sustainable development, as formulated in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), requires the conservation of biodiversity. SDG 15 in particular addresses core tasks in terms of protecting, restoring and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable forest management and halting the loss of biodiversity. Central European landscapes are characterized by shrinking habitats of various wildlife species, reduced habitat suitability and increasing fragmentation. Although biodiversity is discussed, there is a clear focus on species diversity, while genetic diversity still receives little attention in many cases. Nevertheless, a functioning and sufficient gene flow is essential for the long-term survival of animal populations. While some progress has been made in the protection of habitats and there is at least sectoral knowledge about the distribution and quality of habitats, the functional connectivity of populations in landscape planning and management processes has so far been given little or no consideration. Almost half of Austria’s national territory is covered by forests and a further third by agricultural land, which therefore comprises a large proportion of potential wildlife habitats. On the one hand, management measures on these areas significantly determine the quality and availability of habitats of various animal species, but on the other hand they also decisively shape connections between usable habitat areas and the associated gene flow. Efforts to increase the resilience of forest ecosystems, the achievement of forest structures that are as climate-fit as possible and numerous ecosystem services require complex decision-making and management situations for land managers. There is need for integrative studies that shed light on the landscape structure under the influence of recent management and with regard to the resulting landscape connectivity, as well as providing a basis for decision-making for land managers in a usable form. The aim of this study is to analyze the distribution of potential wildlife habitats and their functional connectivity in sample regions. In particular, we focus on (1) modeling the functional connectivity of different species at a fine spatial scale, (2) assessing the impact of current landscape characteristics and existing infrastructures on connectivity, and (3) supporting habitat managers in their management decisions by making our models available to stakeholders. |