Ecological Assessment in Extended Area Planning

The study concerns the application of a methodology of ecosystems assessment that aims to detect the prior objectives relative to planning and nature conservation in an extended area. The territory in question is the central southern region of Toscana in Italy. In particular, we designed a model to assess Ecological Value and Ecological Sensitivity that together define the Hotspots of Ecological Attention areas and we design a model to assess Anthropic Pressure (Disturbance), which together with Ecological Sensitivity, define the Hotspots of Ecological Fragility (Vulnerability) areas. We have utilized a set of indicators that are integrated according to a multicriteria approach. The results of the work confirm the robustness of the method and its application in the scope of Extended Area Planning.