Francesca Lotta

New Perspectives on Ecological Networks

This chapter introduces the theme of ecological networks, exploring the reference theoretical bases within the International academic debate, and proposing a reflection on how protected areas should no longer be considered as the sum of different components, but rather as a network. In relation to this aspect, the transnational and national models of ecological networks, carried out in the different European countries, are analyzed, through a detailed, updated study of relevant national and international documents. Particular attention is given to the European ecological Natura 2000 network that constitutes the official framework for European policies on protected natural areas. The work highlights how different ecological network models are proposed by various national, international, governmental, and non-governmental organizations. In particular, the main difference between governmental and non-governmental is that governmental initiatives have a complex implementing system and various instruments, such as legislation and protection tools, economic and financial instruments, rules for soil use and planning instruments. On the contrary, non-governmental initiatives will inevitably give priority to raising-awareness actions and participatory models involving all concerned stakeholders; such models are less widespread in Europe, where, instead, international, national, and regional governmental initiatives are more common. However, many of these initiatives often appear how non-integrated experiences.

Ecological Networks and Planning

This chapter focuses on the regulation issue of the ecological networks/connections within planning instruments. In effect, the paradigm of ecological networks can be adopted within planning instruments to bridge the split existing in current development patterns between the use of the land and conservation of nature. About this issue, the work clearly explains the critical aspects, also referring to different ecological network models and specific local realities. In relation to this perspective, the most commonly adopted approach for the introduction of ecological networks into the planning process is the ecosystemic approach which, when applied to territory planning, shows it is particularly useful to dealing with the environmental system in an organic and consistent way. In particular, the work examines in depth the regulation issue on the Italian territorial context (both at a national and regional level), also referring to the different normative and planning frameworks. The most interesting result on this analysis is the comparison between different models of ecological networks/connections within plans and the initial theoretical model, explained through the results of the Census of quality/quantity updates of ordinary planning instruments at a local level according to the Ecological Network Model carried out by the Authors for the Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA, National Institute for Environmental Research and Protection) of the Italian Environment Ministry.

Ecological Network, Application of a Model in Sicily

Since the Tertiary period, Sicily (Italy) has been major reservoir of biodiversity. The abundance of these resources, however, is not reflected by developing an effective system of planning and management of wilderness areas. This work analyzes the regional territorial features, referring to the fragmentation process of natural systems, closely related to the phenomenon of soil consumption on wilderness areas that, since the sixties, has strongly contributed to shape the regional territory both from the physical and from the functional point of view. For these characteristics Sicily is particularly suitable for becoming a reflection field where the new perspectives on ecological networks could be put into practice. The careful investigation of plans and projects, which have tried to systematize the natural areas and to define a correct management, are analyzed as interconnected steps for the new conservation of the territory. The case studies are the ongoing planning experiences of Metropolitan city of Palermo and Libero Consorzio di Siracusa, where the topic of ecological networks is or could be the core element of territory development/preservation dynamics and the structuring of plans. The analyzed experiences, tough provinces were abolished with their planning instruments, show how the intermediate territorial scale—that of the metropolitan city or the free municipality consortium—is still the most appropriate so as to efficiently approach the complex relations between the settlement system and networks of areas of natural interest.