Ecological regions or ecoregions derive from ecological classification of land and represent broad and discrete ecologically homogeneous areas within which natural communities and species interact with the physical elements of the environment. The aim of this paper is to define the ecoregions of Italy, southern Europe, based on a robust methodological process for classification and mapping. The ecoregions of Italy comprise 2 Divisions, 7 Provinces, 11 Sections and 33 Subsections and constitute the first comprehensive ecological classification of the country that integrates accurate and updated cartographies and knowledges on climate, vegetation, land units and biogeography. This classification has the strength to be adopted as a proper framework for ecological modelling, biodiversity conservation policies and sustainable territorial planning at the national and subnational level. © 2014, © 2014 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis

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In this paper we present the land units map of Italy, covering an area of ca. 300,000km(2) between 47 degrees 05 N-35 degrees 29 N and 6 degrees 37 E-18 degrees 31 E. The map was created by means of a Geographic Information System (GIS) and is based on the overlay of various thematic maps according to a hierarchical classification. The map scale is 1:250,000, with a minimum mapping unit of 50ha. The GIS integration of different layers, covering the main environmental components (climate, lithology and geomorphology), resulted in a number of hierarchically arranged land units, homogeneous in terms of biotic potential and ecological processes. These units highlight the role of physical determinism in characterizing the Italian territory with a high degree of environmental heterogeneity. The proposed land classification scheme could be taken into consideration when planning initiatives aimed at surveying, monitoring, managing and sustainably developing the territory

Urban forests represent key elements of green infrastructure and provide essential ecosystem services in both the ecological and social spheres. Therefore, forestation planning plays a decisive role in the sustainable development strategies of metropolitan areas and addresses the challenge of maintaining biodiversity while improving human health and well-being. The aim of this work is to present a methodological approach that can be used to identify priorities in urban forest planning and can provide comprehensive responses to ecological and social needs in any metropolitan context. The approach, which is based on interdisciplinary principles of landscape ecology, ecosystem geography and dynamic plant sociology, has been adopted in the Municipality of Rome (Italy). The first step entails defining an ecological framework for forestation plans by means of the ecological land classification and assessment of landscape conservation status. The second step entails setting forestation priorities according to both ecological and social criteria. The application of the method proved to effectively select limited areas requiring intervention within an extensive metropolitan area. Furthermore, it provided responses to sustainability issues such as long-term maintenance of restored habitats, landscape perspective of planning, greening of urban agriculture, improvement in urban resilience, and cost-effective improvement in ecosystem services provision. OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2015, 7 3959

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Target 2 of the European Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, whose aim was to maintain and restore ecosystems and their\ud services, deals in practical terms with the mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services, with the development\ud of green infrastructure and with halting the loss of biodiversity at the EU, national, and subnational levels. The aim of this\ud short communication was to show the activities currently being carried out in Italy that are related to this target, focusing\ud on the contribution of vegetation science skills to the national implementation process. In particular, we outline noteworthy\ud inputs in ecosystem mapping, in the assessment of ecosystem conservation status, in the individuation of priorities for the\ud restoration of ecosystems, and in the settingup of an ecological framework to promote green infrastructure. An overview of\ud the process outcomes and their relevance within the national and international contexts is also provided