Author(s)

N. Marchettini, F. M. Pulselli, R. M. Pulselli & E. Tiezzi

Abstract

Preserving (and managing) mountain ecosystems is fundamental because they continuously provide environmental functions, goods and services to the global community and for their heritage of biodiversity, traditions and culture. In Italy, 54% of the total area is classified as mountainous, with 12 million inhabitants in 4200 municipalities. More than 44% of the mountainous area is characterised by woodlands, while only 2.3% is urbanized. Because of their geomorphology, many Italian regions present industrially developed coastal areas together with mountain areas whose socio-economic reality is atypical for several reasons: the low level of population density and the propensity of the young people to leave and look for a job elsewhere, the natural difficulties in communication an

Keywords