Abstract ID: 3.12816 | Accepted as Poster | Poster | TBA | TBA

Alpine ecosystems, with their variety of flora, fauna and physical environments, play a crucial role in the global ecological balance and their preservation is essential. However, these ecosystems are threatened by climate change, pollution and human activity, such as uncontrolled tourism and urbanization. In this context studying and monitoring habitats are fundamental activities to understanding their status and ongoing dynamics. “Carta della Natura” is one of the most important national projects of mapping and assessment of terrestrial ecosystems, which aims to assess the status of the natural environment in Italy and to identify priority areas for conservation. The present work is part of ISPRA activities, also in collaboration with the Autonomous Province of Trento and local experts, concerning habitat mapping in the Alpine regions, and focuses on the Dolomites area. Aim of the study was to map the natural, semi-natural and anthropogenic habitats present in this peculiar area at a detailed scale. The study area was identified on the basis of geological-structural limits of Dolomites Alps gathered from the scientific literature. The Dolomites Habitat Map was produced from interpretation of aerial and satellite imagery of the study area, supported by the consultation of thematic maps, field data and literature review. To be able to compare the work with other European studies, EUNIS habitat classification system was chosen to categorise habitats. The map covers an area of about 4.360 km2 with a total of 108 habitat types, covering a wide range of typologies, from high-altitude habitats, generally characterised by high naturalness and largely subject to natural dynamism, to lower altitude environments, conditioned by the presence of human tourist, agro-sylvo-pastoral and marginally industrial activities. The map makes it possible to analyse, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the whole habitats distribution in the study area, inside and outside protected areas. The data will be published and made available to the public through the ISPRA portal and will represent an important contribution to the knowledge of a unique area of the Alpine Arc, which is included in the UNESCO heritage list, also supporting both national and international obligations to which local authorities are called upon.