This research aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the process of Natura 2000 implementation at the national and regional levels in avoiding the loss and fragmentation of dry grasslands in the SCI/SPA IT9120007 “Murgia Alta” (Apulia region, Italy). Based on a comparison between Corine Land Cover maps for years 1990, 1999, 2006, historic habitat fragmentation was analysed for the whole site extent by means of identification and quantification of fragmentation geometries and size variation intervals of the remaining focal habitat patches. Based on a 2006-2007 high-resolution land-use map, the current level of habitat fragmentation was assessed in 8 transects by a quantitative analysis of the landscape pattern, and by integrating indexes representing both the global and the local approach to landscape pattern analysis. The results indicate that heavy habitat loss and fragmentation occurred during the 1990-1999 period, mostly due to conversion to arable land. This period approximately corresponds to a delay in transposing the UE “Habitats” Directive at the national and regional levels. Negligible changes can be detected, at this scale, for the 1999-2006 period, after Natura 2000 site selection and boundary definition had been approved. Natura 2000 boundary definition in the study area can be considered as appropriate, as a very small surface of the focal habitat is found outside of Natura 2000. An analysis at a finer scale and the joint use of different indices highlight the spatial variability of the current fragmentation and provides indications of the pressure nearby the focal habitat. Besides quantifying the recent change and the current status of dry grasslands in the study area, this analysis shows that the integration of complementary information derived from different approaches and the availability of maps at different spatial scales are necessary to monitoring habitat fragmentation, both within and outside Natura 2000, an essential element for assessing the effectiveness of conservation policies.
Cambiamenti del paesaggio nel sito Natura 2000 “Murgia Alta" e frammentazione delle praterie aride
MAIROTA, Paola
2013-01-01
Abstract
This research aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the process of Natura 2000 implementation at the national and regional levels in avoiding the loss and fragmentation of dry grasslands in the SCI/SPA IT9120007 “Murgia Alta” (Apulia region, Italy). Based on a comparison between Corine Land Cover maps for years 1990, 1999, 2006, historic habitat fragmentation was analysed for the whole site extent by means of identification and quantification of fragmentation geometries and size variation intervals of the remaining focal habitat patches. Based on a 2006-2007 high-resolution land-use map, the current level of habitat fragmentation was assessed in 8 transects by a quantitative analysis of the landscape pattern, and by integrating indexes representing both the global and the local approach to landscape pattern analysis. The results indicate that heavy habitat loss and fragmentation occurred during the 1990-1999 period, mostly due to conversion to arable land. This period approximately corresponds to a delay in transposing the UE “Habitats” Directive at the national and regional levels. Negligible changes can be detected, at this scale, for the 1999-2006 period, after Natura 2000 site selection and boundary definition had been approved. Natura 2000 boundary definition in the study area can be considered as appropriate, as a very small surface of the focal habitat is found outside of Natura 2000. An analysis at a finer scale and the joint use of different indices highlight the spatial variability of the current fragmentation and provides indications of the pressure nearby the focal habitat. Besides quantifying the recent change and the current status of dry grasslands in the study area, this analysis shows that the integration of complementary information derived from different approaches and the availability of maps at different spatial scales are necessary to monitoring habitat fragmentation, both within and outside Natura 2000, an essential element for assessing the effectiveness of conservation policies.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
