kärnområde

Kärnområde, or core area, is a term used in Swedish to describe the central part of a spatial system that contains essential features or functions. The core area is typically characterized by a high concentration of activity, resources, or habitat quality and often forms the focal point for planning and management.

Urban planning and geography: In cities, kärnområde refers to the inner city or central district where population density, employment, and services are highest and access to transport is strongest. It acts as the economic and cultural hub of a municipality or region and often concentrates infrastructure, institutions, and amenities.

Ecology and conservation: In ecological contexts, the core area is the portion of a habitat that provides the best conditions for a species, such as the highest population density or breeding site quality. Core areas are frequently prioritized for protection and monitoring and are surrounded by buffer zones to reduce edge effects and maintain ecological integrity.

Landscape and protected-area planning: In protected-area design, core areas designate zones with strict protection, while surrounding areas are managed for sustainable use and to maintain ecological connectivity, enabling movement between core habitats.

Measurement and boundaries: Core areas can be mapped using thresholds for species occupancy, habitat suitability, or levels of human disturbance, often with GIS and remote-sensing data. Boundaries may be refined over time as new information becomes available and conditions change.

See also: core habitat, inner city, protected-area zoning.