RES and Habitat Quality: Ecosystem Services Evidence Based Analysis in Basilicata Area

In the field of environmental protection, the reference to ecosystem services (ES) - the benefits that human beings derive, directly or indirectly, from ecosystem functions- is increasingly widespread. The objectives of the new energy strategy try to combine two public interests: Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and the landscape and its cultural, environmental and naturalistic values. However, RES has a spatial impact on the landscape and consequently on ES. This paper analyzes some critical aspects of their spatial mutual relationship considering an area of the Basilicata region including 5 municipalities (Cancellara, Pietragalla, San Chirico Nuovo, Tolve and Vaglio Basilicata) assessing changes in Habitat Quality coming from not-regulated wind farms installation. This represents an approach for the correct planning of renewable technologies, the management of the land use and its ecological, cultural and economic functions, in order to preserve biodiversity and sustainability.