Sub-Regional Biophysical and Monetary Evaluation of Ecosystem Services: An Experimental Spatial Planning Implementation

Anna Richiedei (), Marialaura Giuliani and Michele Pezzagno
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Anna Richiedei: Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture, Land, Environment and of Mathematics—DICATAM, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Marialaura Giuliani: Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture, Land, Environment and of Mathematics—DICATAM, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Michele Pezzagno: Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture, Land, Environment and of Mathematics—DICATAM, University Research and Documentation Center on the UN Agenda 2030 (CRA2030), University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-45

Abstract: Preserving soil is crucial for addressing the key challenges of the new millennium, like climate change and biodiversity loss. Spatial planning plays a pivotal role in stopping soil consumption and degradation, thereby safeguarding soils that provide valuable ecosystem services. With the advent of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting by the UN, countries are developing a shared protocol for the biophysical and monetary quantification of ecosystem services. However, downscaling efforts are necessary and must be conditioned by the national context, policies, economic dynamics, and data availability. Therefore, this research proposes a soil quality assessment methodology based on its ecosystem value at the sub-regional level in northern Italy, building upon national guidelines. This study includes modeling and mapping outputs involving six ecosystem services through eight biophysical indicators and the monetary quantification of these services. Both assessments have been conducted over two time periods to highlight the impacts of land cover transformation.

Keywords: land planning; land cover changes; ecosystem quality; ecosystem accounting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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