Ecological risk assessment through landscape science approaches

Risk assessment of landscape biological integrity, associated with ecotypes or ecotype mosaics, is addressed by simple multi-scale conceptual models incorporating metrics related to current human disturbance, based on native species most threatened with extinction and reduction. We aim at identifying gaps in the Italian existing reserve network to establish new reserves and protected areas to get a more representative network of regional biological diversity, based on (1) their "natural values", and (2) "fragility". Distribution maps of habitat sensitivity and fragility give policy makers and land managers information on impacts their land-use decisions will have on existing risks to biological integrity. Such approaches have application in Central Asian ecological evaluation and environmental decision-making.