A novel composite environmental fragility index to analyse Italian ecoregions’ vulnerability

Italy is one of the countries in Europe with the highest probability of suffering economic losses due to extreme weather and climate events and the fourth country for seismic risk. The study proposes a new Composite Fragility Index to assess the environmental fragility of Italian ecoregions, which represent ecologically homogeneous areas within which natural communities and species interact with the physical elements of the environment. The environmental fragility is the susceptibility of an area to change as a result of a disturbance. The index measures fragility related to natural and anthropic factors. The variables employed are an expression both of natural and anthropic hazard and pressures. Study findings allow for building maps of environmental fragility across Italy, and the derivation of a local spatial autocorrelation index results in the detection of clusters of high or low fragility areas, to which sustainable targeted planning strategies should be promptly addressed. •Italy has a high probability of being involved in an environmental disaster.•A new Fragility Index to assess the vulnerability of Italian ecoregions is presented.•The variables employed measure both natural and anthropic hazard.•Maps of vulnerability are built by deriving Fragility Index at municipal level.•Clusters of very fragile municipalities are detected, needing prompt planning strategies.