Aesthetic Value, Biodiversity, and Ecosystem Services: Optimal Resources' Management and the “Holistic” Role of Landscape

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Authors: Alessia D'Agata, Clio Ciaschini, Marco Maialetti, Donato Scarpitta, Rosanna Salvia, Giovanni Quaranta, Ioannis Konaxis
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Abstract

Climate change implies challenges for both natural ecosystems and human societies, necessitating prompt and coordinated mitigation and adaptation strategies. Understanding and managing these dynamics requires multidimensional approaches capable of integrating environmental, economic, and social knowledge. Current methods for quantifying environmental state, including natural capital and ecosystem services, provide essential 40 information but often fail to capture the resilience of local communities or the complex interactions between human and landscape systems. This contribution emphasizes the development of locally relevant indicators that bridge disciplinary boundaries, combining official statistics, geospatial data, and remote sensing with qualitative and historical knowledge. Such indicators are designed to inform sustainable land management, strategic spatial planning, and policy decisions aimed at mitigating climate impacts, particularly in natural habitats. By linking socioeconomic patterns, demographic dynamics, and environmental changes, this work contributes to a more nuanced understanding of spatial inequalities, ecological functionality, and the effects of human activities on ecosystem services. Ultimately, this approach supports evidence-based policy-making, facilitating adaptation and mitigation strategies aligned with sustainable development goals, while highlighting potential inequalities in resource access and environmental benefits. The operational framework proposed here emphasizes the importance of local-scale, holistic, and temporally informed indicators as a critical foundation for resilient and equitable ecosystem governance in the context of global warming.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Land Use and Ecosystem Services Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy Conservation Biodiversity and Resource Management

Publication details

Journal / source
River Publishers eBooks
Pages
39–50
Publication date
3 March 2026
Language
EN
Document type
Book chapter