Are protected areas covering important biodiversity sites? An assessment of the nature protection network in Sicily (Italy)

Giovanni Signorello, Carlo Prato, Alessia Marzo, Renzo Ientile, Giuseppe Cucuzza, Saverio Sciandrello, Javier Martínez-López, Stefano Balbi and Ferdinando Villa

Land Use Policy, 2018, vol. 78, issue C, 593-602

Abstract: GIS spatial analysis of three indicators (vegetation value, faunal richness and landscape heterogeneity) was used to detect and map High-Value Biodiversity Areas (HVBAs), estimate the coverage of biodiversity in the Sicilian protected areas network, and identify new priority areas that could improve long-term biodiversity conservation outcomes. Findings indicated that only 32% of HVBAs are currently covered by the protected areas network. Hotspot analysis revealed that a modest expansion (less than 1%) in the current extent of protected areas would include a disproportionate amount (56%) of biodiversity hotspots, and identified prioritized candidates HVBAs for designation of new protected areas.

Keywords: Protected areas; Biodiversity value; Conservation planning; GIS; Spatial analysis; Hot spots (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:78:y:2018:i:c:p:593-602

DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.07.032

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