Mapping Habitat Quality in the Lombardy Region, Italy

By

Salata, Stefano
Ronchi, Silvia
Arcidiacono, Andrea
Ghirardelli, Federico

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2017-1-19

Original Publication

One ecosystem : ecology and sustainability data journal

Volume

2

Pages

1--8

Subjects

ecosystem services , habitat quality , Landscape planning , legislative tools , mapping

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/oneeco.2.e11402

 

Abstract

This paper reports a case study which examines the how mapping ecosystem services can be used to identify areas of significant natural value to be protected or restored. We mapped habitat quality in Lombardy (northwest Italy) using the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoff) model. Model outputs were used to approximate the spatial distribution of ecological quality across the region provided a framework to support the implementation of the Lombardy Regional Landscape Plan. This resulted in a proposal for introduction of new protected areas in the updated Landscape Plan, while other areas were proposed to be removed.