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Ecological Network, Ecosystem Services, and Green Infrastructure Planning: A Method for the Metropolitan City of Cagliari, Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Vittorio Serra

    (University of Sassari)

  • Sara Defraia

    (University of Sassari)

  • Antonio Ledda

    (University of Sassari)

  • Giovanna Calia

    (University of Sassari)

  • Federico Corona

    (University of Sassari)

  • Andrea De Montis

    (University of Sassari)

  • Maurizio Mulas

    (University of Sassari)

Abstract

Human settlements exert relevant pressures over contemporary landscapes, which are progressively fragmented and threatened. Fragile landscapes are vulnerable to external shocks, such as natural disasters, flooding, and other similar events that happen more frequently, because of the changes of climate conditions. Green infrastructures, a generalization of the ecological networks, can be conceived as ensembles of artificially and naturally shaped green areas able to deliver ecosystem services to local societies, in terms of series of benefit delivered to local communities. Green infrastructures counter act landscape fragmentation through reconnecting the isolated patches back towards a system which is more resilient than before. This is a major explanation of why the integration of green infrastructure in landscape planning is at the edge of innovation in planning theory and practice. In this paper, we aim at discussing the theoretical cornerstones underlying spatial network issues of green infrastructure analysis and planning and presenting a methodology based on the assessment of the efficiency of a green infrastructure for the Metropolitan City of Cagliari, Italy. Efficiency is measured, according to the capacity to deliver ecosystem services able to increase the resilience of local landscapes in the perspective of a higher ability to adapt to climate changes. Results demonstrate a very good viability of the method and a remarkable efficiency of the GI selected for the Metropolitan City of Cagliari.

Suggested Citation

  • Vittorio Serra & Sara Defraia & Antonio Ledda & Giovanna Calia & Federico Corona & Andrea De Montis & Maurizio Mulas, 2025. "Ecological Network, Ecosystem Services, and Green Infrastructure Planning: A Method for the Metropolitan City of Cagliari, Italy," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 95-120, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:netspa:v:25:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11067-024-09656-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s11067-024-09656-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mascarenhas, André & Ramos, Tomás B. & Haase, Dagmar & Santos, Rui, 2016. "Participatory selection of ecosystem services for spatial planning: Insights from the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Portugal," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 87-99.
    2. Santé, Inés & Tubío, José María & Miranda, David, 2020. "Public participation in defining landscape planning scenarios and landscape quality objectives (LQO): Landscape Guidelines for Galicia (NW Spain) case study," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    3. Heiko Paeth & Daniel Schönbein & Luzia Keupp & Daniel Abel & Freddy Bangelesa & Miriam Baumann & Christian Büdel & Christian Hartmann & Christof Kneisel & Konstantin Kobs & Julian Krause & Martin Krec, 2023. "Climate change information tailored to the agricultural sector in Central Europe, exemplified on the region of Lower Franconia," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 176(10), pages 1-24, October.
    4. Ignazio Cannas & Sabrina Lai & Federica Leone & Corrado Zoppi, 2018. "Green Infrastructure and Ecological Corridors: A Regional Study Concerning Sardinia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-21, April.
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