Una visione ecologica del territorio

Abstract

This study stems from the theoretical principle that environment protection and conservation have evolved from a constraint-based approach aimed at designating protected areas, to an ecosystem-based approach intended to protect and preserve biodiversity. The said approach identifies the ecological networks as a possible solution to the need for an ecological-functional connection between natural and semi-natural areas and areas of cultural interest, with the ultimate aim of implementing widespread environment protection “covering” the whole territory. An ecological network can be understood either as a set of natural (or semi-natural) areas interconnected through linear infrastructure or, in a somewhat and detached manner, as relations and connections between actors, even regardless of the location of the linkages, which tend to cancel out any tendency to confine natural areas to numerous little islands each ignoring the other. On one side, the “paradigm of the network” used as an instrument of analysis and economic-functional interpretation of the territory is supported by some literature and an established reference scientific base; on the other, the “ecological network”, that is a system of ecological connectivity throughout the territory, is a relatively more recent interpretation system, which is consolidating its theoretical foundation and trying to find its own role among the territory management tools. In particular, the ecological connections between areas of natural interest represent a strategic hot issue, which has a number of cultural and economic impacts based on the enhancement of natural resources. Over time, however, such an issue has been interpreted in different manners. With respect to these topics, the study we wish to illustrate was carried out under the “Ecological Cross-border Networks Malta-Sicily” R.E.MA.SI. project funded by the Italy-Malta 2007-2013 operational programme, which represents a brick in the construction of the “cross-border network” for the preservation and enhancement of natural areas both as an “intangible network” for the exchange of information and good practices, and as a “tangible network” for the ecological-environmental interconnection of the natural sites in the areas under investigation. In this respect, our research focuses on specific European contexts by adopting an “open” cultural approach aimed at rebalancing the policies in force. As a result, the comparative study on Sicily and Malta is useful not only to point out any unresolved problems, but also to thoroughly investigate and critically analyse the strategies to be implemented. In the framework of the territorial strategy aimed at the ecological-functional connection of natural areas, promoted through the “ecological network”-based model, this study was intended to realize integrated actions and interventions in order to improve and disseminate information about some sites in Sicily and Malta (nature reserves, geosites and Natura 2000 sites). Concerning the general scope of the Italy-Malta Programme, Axis II (Environment, energy and risk prevention), our work contributed to identify, exchange and disseminate - at cross-border level - good practices for an environmentally-friendly management of the territory, with respect to both protected natural areas (Natura 2000 sites, nature reserves, etc.), and un-protected natural areas in two specific territories: the province of Agrigento (Sicily) and Malta . The Maltese Archipelago and Sicily share a number of similarities in terms of environmental features, geographical location (common sea, shared migration routes, morphological-evolutionary similarities, etc.), as well as cultural problems that often prevent the full enhancement of natural resources. To face the said problems, monitoring, protection and enhancement actions must be implemented in a cross-border manner, in order to compare th