| Summary: | Erosion of biodiversity is mainly caused by habitat loss and fragmentation. In this situation, ecological networks, which are composed by natural zones interconnected by corridors, are an operational answer preconized by scientists and developed by governments. In France, the Ministry of environment conducts a policy, named “Trame verte et bleue” (TVB), to protect and restore a green and blue infrastructure at different spatial scales. In 2007-2010, when the strategic framework document (named “ONTVB”) was adopted, the relations between light pollution and ecological networks were still an emerging issue. But since TVB began, scientific knowledge has clearly progressed. Recently a barrier effect of artificial light at night (ALAN) has even been demonstrated as light infrastructure can’t be crossed by some animals. Then, TVB seems to be adapted to also reduce habitat fragmentation caused by light pollution. At the regional scale, planning documents (named “SRCE”) strongly underlined the issues. Even if in practice ALAN hasn’t been considered in the design of those regional ecological networks, actions have been planned to improve this point in the future. In addition, at the local scale, several projects have been currently developing by natural area managers, as national parks and regional natural parks, or by collectivities. Based on this diagnostic, this article makes recommendations to consolidate the national framework of the TVB programme to better take light pollution into account. For example, those strategic orientations could suggest a new dark ecological network (“trame noire”) and give some methodologic details about how to design it. They also might set national priority zones to protected and restore the quality of nocturnal environment.
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