Small but connected: assessing the contribution of civic-led hedgerow planting on landscape connectivity in periurban Paris

Abstract Most studies in landscape connectivity assessment deal with institutional projects led by public or private stakeholders, with a focus on transportation infrastructures impacts over wildlife habitats. Civic-led and place-based initiatives on public space, such as community gardens or collective tree planting projects are rarely considered as significant areas to contribute to landscape connectivity. This research intends to assess the impacts on landscape connectivity of a civic initiative for hedgerow planting and its perceived functions by civic actors, in the southern Paris periurban context. In that purpose, we applied a graph modelling methodology to measure and characterize the contribution of hedgerow sites ( n = 94) on landscape connectivity. Through a comparison between hedgerow and public green sites used as a control group, we find that the hedgerow sites strengthen landscape connectivity. The quantitative assessment is coupled with qualitative data collected from local civic leaders on their perception of social-ecological functions associated with hedgerow planting. The cross-analysis of connectivity metrics and perceived multifunctionality of planting practices gives avenues for incorporating and scale up civic initiatives towards more collaborative urban ecological planning strategies. Finally, our findings highlight the need for further research on the ecological assessment of civic-led planting projects.