Speakers
Description
A methodological approach is defined and applied in this study, which aims at implementing climate neutrality through spatial planning policies. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is taken as a comprehensive reference to pursue this objective, based on the features of a regional green in-frastructure (RGI) identified as a provider of a set of ecosystem services (ESs). The study develops as follows.
First, the spatial framework of CCS is characterized through CCS density maps, by using the InVEST suite “Carbon Storage and Sequestration” model which estimates the quantity of carbon stored in land parcels using land cover raster maps (Liquete et al., 2015). Additionally, if alternative future landscape conditions are provided, the model estimates the change in CCS over time, that is increased sequestration and loss (Sun et al., 2019). Current and future possible scenarios can be assessed by building on these outcomes. The spatial context targeted for the methodology im-plementation is represented by the spatial context of Campania, a Region located in Southern Italy.
Secondly, a methodology to characterize the RGI is identified which supports the supply of mul-tiple ESs and provides policy makers with recommendations to improve the quality of the RGI as a multifunctional provider of ESs. Building upon previous studies (Isola et al., 2022) and in-depth analyses of environmental, landscape and socio-cultural contexts, a set of criteria for defining landscape suitability to support RGIs are selected. These criteria account for the functions that RGIs should perform and are assessed through environmental indicators identified based on previous studies that model and spatially assess provision of the following ESs: preserving levels of habitat quality that are suitable to support life cycles of wild plants and animals that can be useful to people; climate regulation through mitigation of land surface temperature; agricultural crop production and harvested wood; preservation of endangered species or habitats and areas that are relevant for conservation purposes; maintenance of elements that are attractive for nature-based recreation; maintenance of landscape characters that support local identity, cultural heritage, and tourism (Zulian et al., 2014).
Finally, correlations between the spatial taxonomies of CCS capacity and of the RGI are detected and analyzed as for the Campania regional context, in order to assess how the characteristics and specific features of the multifunctional supply of ESs by the RGI can be effectively addressed to maximize CCS capacity, while improving the spatial framework of the ESs. This leads to identi-fying place-specific policy recommendations to improve the environmental quality of the RGIs identified in rural areas.
References
Isola, F., Lai, S., Leone, F., and Zoppi, C. (2022) Green infrastructure and regional planning. An operational framework. Milan: FrancoAngeli.
Liquete, C., Kleeschulte, S., Dige, G., Maes, J., Grizzetti, B., Olah, B. and Zulian G. (2015) Mapping green infrastructure based on ecosystem services and ecological networks: A Pan-European case study. Environmental Science & Policy, 54, pp. 268-280.
Sun, X., Crittenden, J.C., Li, F., Lu, Z., and Dou X. (2018) Urban expansion simulation and the spatio-temporal changes of ecosystem services, a case study in Atlanta Metropolitan area, USA. Science of the Total Environment, 622-623, pp. 974-987.
Zulian, G., Polce, C. and Maes, J. (2014) ESTIMAP: A GIS-based model to map ecosystem services in the European Union. Annali di Botanica, 4, pp. 1-7.
| Keywords | carbon capture and storage; regional green infrastructure; ecosystem services |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
