Vol.:(0123456789) 1 3 Rendiconti Lincei. Scienze Fisiche e Naturali https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-019-00785-w The role of infrastructural barriers and gaps on Natura 2000 functionality in Italy: a case study on Umbria region Alessandro Marucci 1  · Francesco Zullo 1  · Lorena Fiorini 1  · Bernardino Romano 1 Received: 2 March 2018 / Accepted: 31 January 2019 © Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei 2019 Abstract The present work is part of the Road Ecology theme, and thus, the fragmentation of ecosystems caused by road networks, a very important phenomenon throughout Italy, but especially in the central part of the peninsula where there is a high con- centration of natural areas of European importance. The research was carried out with the aim to implement a method for measuring fragmentation caused by the large regional road network towards the Special Conservation Zones (SCZs) of Natura 2000 system (92/43/CEE—Habitat Directive). The goal of the method described herein is to provide the region with design instructions, which will be part of a pilot project following the current one, to mitigate the intense landscape fragmentation identifed in this crucial central region of Italy. Since 2002, the region had already resolved on the implementation of an ecological regional network (RERU), but the work carried out provides the necessary information to achieve full efciency in the connections between the diferent habitats by identifying gaps that may actually allow wildlife to move from one area to another. This is an essential knowledge in a territory that, even though of high overall environmental value, is crossed by a dense network of infrastructural road barriers almost entirely occlusive. Work materials have been processed as part of a LIFE Nature project “SUN” under the leadership of the Umbria Region. Keywords Ecological barriers · Road Ecology · Ecological network · Natura 2000 · Central Italy 1 Introduction The research that is illustrated is part of the theme of Road Ecology, a scientifc sector for some years in great inter- national success (Forman et al. 2002). It is a study of the ecological efects of infrastructural network and these efects may include local efects, such as on noise, local air quality, pollution and habitat destruction and disturbance, and wider efects such as habitat fragmentation, ecosystem degrada- tion, and climate change from vehicle emissions. The design, construction, and management of roads, parking, and other related facilities as well as the design and regulation of vehi- cles can change their efect. The research developed as part of a LIFE Nature project under the leadership of the Umbria Region, initiated in 2013 and ending in 2018 (LIFE 13 NAT/IT/371—Umbra Natura 2000 Strategy). N2000 is a network of sites of community interest (SCIs) created by the European Union (EU) for the protection and conservation of habitats and of species, animals, and plants, identifed as priorities by the EU Member States. The sites belonging to the N2000 Network are considered of great value as natural habitats, by virtue of exceptional examples of fauna and fora housed. Protected areas are set up within the framework of the so-called “Habitats Directive”, which also includes the areas designated as part of the so-called “Birds Directive”. The aim of the study is to determine the degree of landscape fragmentation caused by the regional road net- work towards the N2000 system, with the aim of setting up projects for the mitigation of the fragmentation (Fahrig 2003; EEA 2011; Girardet et al. 2013; Karlson et al. 2014). * Bernardino Romano bernardino.romano@univaq.it Alessandro Marucci alessandro.marucci@univaq.it Francesco Zullo francesco.zullo@univaq.it Lorena Fiorini lorena.forini@graduate.univaq.it 1 DICEAA, University of L’Aquila, Via degli Orsini 7, 67100 L’Aquila, Italia