1. Classification and mapping of the ecoregions of Italy
- Author
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Blasi, C., Capotorti, G, Copiz, ., R, ., Guida, Domenico, Mollo, ., B, ., Smiraglia, D., and Zavattero
- Subjects
physiography ,business.industry ,Biogeography ,Ecological modelling ,Environmental resource management ,Plant Science ,Potential natural vegetation ,Vegetation ,potential natural vegetation ,ecological mapping ,Biodiversity conservation ,Geography ,bioclimate ,biogeography ,ecological land units ,Homogeneous ,Environmental protection ,business ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Ecological regions or ecoregions derive from ecological classification of land and represent broad and discrete ecologically homogeneous areas within which natural communities and species interact with the physical elements of the environment. The aim of this paper is to define the ecoregions of Italy, southern Europe, based on a robust methodological process for classification and mapping. The ecoregions of Italy comprise 2 Divisions, 7 Provinces, 11 Sections and 33 Subsections and constitute the first comprehensive ecological classification of the country that integrates accurate and updated cartographies and knowledges on climate, vegetation, land units and biogeography. This classification has the strength to be adopted as a proper framework for ecological modelling, biodiversity conservation policies and sustainable territorial planning at the national and subnational level.
- Published
- 2014
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