Ecological regions or ecoregions derive from ecological classification of land and represent broad discrete ecologically homogeneous areas within which natural communities species interact with the physical elements environment. The aim this paper is to define Italy, southern Europe, based on a robust methodological process for mapping. Italy comprise 2 Divisions, 7 Provinces, 11 Sections 33 Subsections constitute first comprehensive country that integrates accurate updated cartographies...

Traditionally fuel maps are built in terms of ‘fuel types’, thus considering the structural characteristics vegetation only. The aim this work is to derive a phenological map based on functional attributes coarse-scale phenology, such as seasonality and productivity. MODIS NDVI 250m images Sardinia (Italy), large Mediterranean island with high frequency fire incidence, were acquired for period 2000–2012 construct mean annual profile at pixel-level. Next, following procedure was used develop...

This paper illustrates a land consumption map for Italy (year 2017) at scale 1:1,300,000, and the assessment of its changes (2012–2017). We define as replacement non-artificial cover to an artificial cover, both permanent no-permanent. The maps are 10 m spatial resolution raster, produced by photointerpretation very high images semiautomatic classification remote sensing images. An overall accuracy 97.7% 2012 99.66% 2017 was obtained. results suggest that method proposed is appropriate...

Land degradation is more evident where conditions of environmental vulnerability already exist because arid climate and unsustainable forms land exploitation. Consequently, semi-arid dry areas have been identified as vulnerable land, requiring attention from both science policy perspectives. In some regions, such the Mediterranean region, particularly intense, although there are no extreme ecological conditions. these contexts, a wide range formal informal responses necessary to face complex...

This paper describes the state of art urbanization in Italian coastal areas 2021, both at national and regional level. Moreover, we focused on six municipalities, aiming to evaluate land consumption relation population dynamics between 2012 2021 assessing per capita consumed each municipality. Finally, an analysis specific prone natural risks along coastline (hydraulic, landslide seismic, hazard) was provided. We considered medium hydraulic hazard, high very seismic hazard. The results...

Desertification, driven by climatic and anthropogenic factors, is one of the most pressing global environmental challenges, causing significant economic, ecological, social consequences. A bibliometric analysis was performed to identify research trends gaps in desertification risk topic. Bibliometrix Biblioshiny software were employed analyze patterns publications. The findings 864 papers published between 1978 2024, sourced from Scopus database, reveal: (1) Over last four decades, has grown...

Abstract The introduction of ecological networks into nature conservation policies promotes a new planning model for maintaining biological and landscape diversity assisting policy sectors in the natural ecosystems. We propose method to design an network sites that satisfy main needs species, community ecosystems by analysing pattern elements land mosaic. define concept (LEN) LEN province Rome (Lazio, Italy) on local scale (1:50,000). is composed core areas, buffer zones connections each...

Identifying fire-affected areas is of key importance to support post-fire management strategies and account for the environmental impact fires. The availability high spatial temporal resolution optical satellite data enables development procedures detailed prompt mapping. This study proposes a novel approach integrating multiple spectral indices generate more accurate burned area maps by exploiting Sentinel-2 images. aims develop procedure combine using an adaptive thresholding method...

Abstract The aims of this paper are to describe the state environmental knowledge terrestrial National Parks (NPs) in Italy and assess their conservation status efficacy deal with pressures land changes. We collected analysed data regarding units, vegetation series, old-growth forests, Important Plant Areas (IPAs) changes landscape status, provide a systemic overview condition NPs verify effectiveness against impacts induced by human activities. Moreover, were organised according ecoregional...

Urban growth is a largely debated issue in social science. Specific forms of metropolitan expansion—including sprawl—involve multiple and fascinating research dimensions, making mixed (quali-quantitative) analysis this phenomenon particularly complex challenging at the same time. sprawl has attracting attention multidisciplinary studies defining nature, dynamics, consequences that dispersed low-density settlements are having on biophysical socioeconomic contexts worldwide. The present...

Urbanization and related land consumption are one of the main causes ecosystem services loss. This is especially case for soil-related affecting functions limiting accessibility to natural resources. Satellite remote sensing environmental databases enable in-depth analysis urban expansion changes, which can be used monitor trends in provision services. work aims describe a multilayered approach assessment biophysical loss flows Italy caused by an increase period 2012–2020. The results show...

In this paper we present the land units map of Italy, covering an area ca. 300,000 km2 between 47°05′ N–35°29′ N and 6°37′ E–18°31′ E. The was created by means a Geographic Information System (GIS) is based on overlay various thematic maps according to hierarchical classification. scale 1:250,000, with minimum mapping unit 50 ha. GIS integration different layers, main environmental components (climate, lithology geomorphology), resulted in number hierarchically arranged units, homogeneous...

Human activity shapes the levels of anthropogenic pressure that depend on land management method adopted. This has a fundamental role in transformation traditional landscapes. study focuses representative region Mediterranean area with objective to analyse landscape's dynamics, detect spatial arrangement class patches, identify main agroecosystem characters and provide framework assess ecosystems services. In order use/land cover changes landscape persistence, period between 1960 2012 was...

In the light of “Biological Diversity” concept, habitats are cardinal pieces for biodiversity quantitative estimation at a local and global scale. Europe EUNIS (European Nature Information System) is system tool habitat identification assessment. Earth Observation (EO) data, which acquired by satellite sensors, offer new opportunities environmental sciences they revolutionizing methodologies applied. These providing unprecedented insights monitoring evaluating Sustainable Development Goals...

Developing appropriate tools to understand and protect ecosystems the services they provide is of unprecedented importance. This work describes activity performed by ISPRA for mapping types evaluation their related ecosystem services, meet needs “ecosystem extent account” physical activities envisaged SEEA-EA framework. A map proposed, obtained integrating main Copernicus data with National Land Consumption Map, according MAES (Mapping Assessment Ecosystems Services) classification system....

This paper proposes an approach for generating land cover information from single-date Landsat images integrating pixel-based and object-based classifiers in two study areas: the province of Oristano region Campania. The process consisted in: a) preprocessing; b) segmentation; c) classification based on radiometric properties integration with textural vegetation indices. A good overall accuracy was obtained at first (Oristano: 87%, Campania: 88%) second 74%, 82%) CORINE Land Cover level....

Abstract The analysis of landscape changes in space and time plays an important role ecology. Analyzing dynamics through may be crucial for identifying historical current processes that shape the actual landscapes developing predictive models ecosystem management conservation. In this view, propensity land cover patches to change is at least partially related nature their contact types. interactions a given patch with adjacent types affect both use exploitation by humans vegetation dynamics....