Ecological Networks, A Challenge For Territorial Planning -the Case Of Region Abruzzo, Italy

This paper presents the result of an analysis of the ecological network for Regione Abruzzo (central Italy). The aim of this analysis is (1) to identify the functional ecological, network at present, and (2) to identify opportunities to optimise the ecological network. The landscape-ecological model LARCH was used to analyse habitat distribution in relation to wildlife populations, and sustainability of these populations. In addition, also the model METAPHOR was used, to assess viability of the population of Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) for Regione Abruzzo, and the movement model Smallsteps, to obtain an estimate of patchbased landscape connectivity for this species. For the LARCH analysis four ecosyst