The Earth system is undergoing unprecedented changes, with six out of nine planetary boundaries already crossed. This poses severe risks globally to biodiversity and ecosystem services (ES) supply, and therefore represents a major challenge for Humans. Key pressures such as habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and invasive species have contributed to the rapid degradation of ecosystems, impacting their ability to support human well-being. Addressing this crisis requires conservation approaches that integrate ecological, social, and economic dimensions. Switzerland, despite its rich biodiversity and diverse ecosystems, faces significant challenges in meeting international conservation targets. With nearly half of its native species threatened and a comparatively low percentage of protected areas, there is an urgency for a functioning ecological infrastructure (EI).

The EI represents the key components of natural and semi-natural ecosystems that are necessary for maintaining ecological functions and biodiversity, and delivering services that support human well-being. The Swiss Biodiversity Strategy, adopted in 2012, aims to establish a functioning EI made of networks of core and connecting habitats by 2040. However, delays in implementation and difficulties to meet international commitments highlight the need for more effective and integrated conservation planning tools. The overarching goal of this thesis is to reflect on the ways to translate global conservation commitments into actions at the national level.