A Model to Support Sustainable Resource Management in the “Etna River Valleys” Biosphere Reserve: The Dominance-Based Rough Set Approach

Alessandro Scuderi, Luisa Sturiale, Giuseppe Timpanaro, Agata Matarazzo, Silvia Zingale and Paolo Guarnaccia
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Alessandro Scuderi: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, 95127 Catania, Italy
Luisa Sturiale: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, 95127 Catania, Italy
Agata Matarazzo: Department Economics and Business (DEI), University of Catania, 9512 Catania, Italy
Silvia Zingale: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, 95127 Catania, Italy
Paolo Guarnaccia: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, 95127 Catania, Italy

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: For several decades, studies and conventions have highlighted the importance of the ecosystem services provided by natural resources and biodiversity for humanity and the need to move their management towards a sustainable model. Inthe United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2015), among its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there isalsoSDG 15, “ Life on Land ”, specifically dedicated to biodiversity, forests and desertification. The aim is to “ sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt the loss of bio-diversity ”. The UNESCO “ MAB—Man and Biosphere ” Programme could achieve this goal by establishing Biosphere Reserves (BRs). Among them, the establishment of the BR “ Etna river valleys ” is an opportunity to adopt sustainable development models in the “Etna Park system” (UNESCO site since 2013) for the regeneration of virtuous relationships between cities and rural areas and the promotion of the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity through strategies of territorial enhancement with a multifunctional vision of agriculture and territory. This research aims to provide, through the methodology of “Rough Sets”, a useful tool to support the strategic choices that stakeholders will be called upon to make for the management of the complex environmental, cultural and economic mosaic that characterises the BR “ Etna river valleys ”.The results show both weaknesses and strengths in the transition towards a sustainable land management model, which will nonethelesshave to be supported and accompanied by information and financial support.

Keywords: Manand Biosphere Program (MAB); ecosystem services; biodiversity; Etna environment; UN SDGs; decision support model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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