Assessment of the Ecosystem Services provided by the dune habitats in Natura 2000 sites along the Veneto coast

Abstract

The present research about the assessment of the ecosystems services (ES) supplied by coastal habitats has been carried out within the context of the LIFEREDUNE project (LIFE NAT/IT/000589), with the aim to provide the ex-ante evaluation of the area. Here, we focused on three ES: (i) row materials (biomass, fibers and other materials from plants and algae for direct use and processing), belonging to the provisioning services group; (ii) carbon sequestration belonging to the regulating and maintenance services group; (iii) recreational and leisure time activities belonging to the cultural services group. The Natura 2000 sites investigated are Cavallino, Laguna del Mort (Eraclea) and Vallevecchia (Caorle), along the Veneto coast in north-eastern Italy. In each case study the ES have been assessed, by using the analytical framework for ecosystem assessments Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) and methodologies developed by the Making Good Natura LIFE project. Row materials and carbon sequestration have been assessed through plot-based sampling activities; whereas, the cultural services have been quantified by questionnaires submitted to both tourists and stakeholders. The provisioning services assessment allowed to quantify the amount and type of materials that contributes most to the accumulation. In the context of regulating and maintenance services, the carbon stock and flow have been estimated for 27 species based on dry biomass, relative growth rate, spatial distribution and percentage coverage for each one, taking into the account different habitats. Finally, cultural services have been quantified through the assessment of the recreational value: the supply and the demand for recreational activities have been explored. Information about distance travelled to the site, daily expense, number of days of the visit and accommodation selected allowed to calculate the cost of the trip and willingness to pay.