This paper discusses large scale, connectivity conservation areas which interconnect protected areas. It has a special focus on the large, remaining unprotected natural areas found along the great mountain ranges of Earth. These large connectivity areas involve working with people, involve natural lands and provide opportunities for maintaining the connectedness of ecosystem processes; for conserving species, habitat and ecosystems; and for maintaining opportunities for the movement of animals and plants between protected areas. This paper is focused on connectivity conservation areas which can strategically assist the conservation of species at a time of climate change. This focus is an IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) strategic plan action and also a 2015 target of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Programme of Work on Protected Areas. The concept of large scale connectivity conservation is introduced by this paper, the forecast impacts of climate change and biome shift are described and the role of connectivity conservation areas in mitigating climate change threats is discussed. Connectivity conservation areas are also an adaptive response to climate change and some examples of large scale connectivity conservation in mountains are provided and how these areas are managed is introduced. Some of the ecosystem service benefits that flow to people and species as a consequence of an investment in connectivity conservation are also briefly described.
