**Table 2.** Summary table of values used for threat definition.


### **4. Results** *Sustainability* **2020**, *12*, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 16

The degradation maps obtained for the current trend and some detailed boxes showing partial (mid-term) and total (long-term) remediation scenarios, respectively, are shown below (Figure 2). Color nuances represent the areas where the reclamation actions have a weaker (light red) or a greater effect (dark red). The effects of a complete remediation, which involves a total of three industrial areas, were more significant. One area was located in the northern part of the SNI zone and the other two were in the immediate downstream area with respect to the SCI/SPA perimeter. The surface area involved in this case was 30.06 ha, equal to 0.04% of the entire study area.

**Figure 2.** Degradation analysis: the large figure represents the entire study area in the current trend. The detail boxes display three areas where, thanks to the greater proximity to industrial sites that currently constitute a source of threat, the effects of remediation measures are more visible. **Figure 2.** Degradation analysis: the large figure represents the entire study area in the current trend. The detail boxes display three areas where, thanks to the greater proximity to industrial sites that currently constitute a source of threat, the effects of remediation measures are more visible.

Figure 3, with respect to the difference in the degradation maps following partial and total remediation related to the current situation, shows the areas where the benefits of the interventions are felt. Out of a total of 21 polygons (i.e., industrial areas) identified as sources of impact according to the MATTM, the medium-term scenario showed the remediation effects of only one of these industrial areas accounting for 3.71 ha. The degradation decrease was, therefore, rather localized and was not extended to the entire study area

The effects of a complete remediation, which involves a total of three industrial areas, were more significant. One area was located in the northern part of the SNI zone and the other two were in the immediate downstream area with respect to the SCI/SPA perimeter. The surface area involved in this case was 30.06 ha, equal to 0.04% of the entire study area.

Figure 3, with respect to the difference in the degradation maps following partial and total remediation related to the current situation, shows the areas where the benefits of the interventions are felt. *Sustainability* **2020**, *12*, x FOR PEER REVIEW 10 of 16

**Figure 3**. Effects of the reclamation procedure: decrease of the degradation degree in mid-term (partial reclamation) and long-term (total reclamation) scenarios. The figure shows the effects, obtained by difference, of the interventions foreseen in the medium and long-term scenario. While the area of influence for the partial remediation scenario is rather limited compared to the study area, total **Figure 3.** Effects of the reclamation procedure: decrease of the degradation degree in mid-term (partial reclamation) and long-term (total reclamation) scenarios. The figure shows the effects, obtained by difference, of the interventions foreseen in the medium and long-term scenario. While the area of influence for the partial remediation scenario is rather limited compared to the study area, total remediation has two much larger areas of influence.

In order to assess the variations following the implementation of a remediation program, the In order to assess the variations following the implementation of a remediation program, the percentage changes were calculated using map algebra operations.

remediation has two much larger areas of influence.

percentage changes were calculated using map algebra operations. The maximum reduction in the degradation level (therefore corresponding to the long-term scenario) within the study area was 6%, whereas in the medium term, a decrease of less than 1% The maximum reduction in the degradation level (therefore corresponding to the long-term scenario) within the study area was 6%, whereas in the medium term, a decrease of less than 1% could be expected.

could be expected. Within the SCI/SPA site, the partial reclamation (mid-term scenario) had no effect on changes in habitat degradation or quality. Differently, in the southern part of the area, the degradation reduction reached 3% as its maximum value (Figure 4). Within the SCI/SPA site, the partial reclamation (mid-term scenario) had no effect on changes in habitat degradation or quality. Differently, in the southern part of the area, the degradation reduction reached 3% as its maximum value (Figure 4).

By overlapping the results obtained in terms of the percentage degradation decrease and landuse map, it appeared that the main beneficiaries of land reclamation interventions were mainly in these areas, led to a reduction of a maximum of 2%.

**Figure 4**. Percentage reduction in habitat degradation in mid-term (partial reclamation) and longterm (total reclamation) scenarios. It is possible to note that the effects of land reclamation were highly dependent on land use, with priority being given to meadows and grasslands. It is also possible to see that in areas where there are several threats that give rise to a cumulative impact, the effects of remediation were less significant. This was the case, for example, of the riparian areas close to the primary road and the railway line. **Figure 4.** Percentage reduction in habitat degradation in mid-term (partial reclamation) and long-term (total reclamation) scenarios. It is possible to note that the effects of land reclamation were highly dependent on land use, with priority being given to meadows and grasslands. It is also possible to see that in areas where there are several threats that give rise to a cumulative impact, the effects of remediation were less significant. This was the case, for example, of the riparian areas close to the primary road and the railway line.

**5. Discussions**  An interpretation of the results must take into account that the model neglects the morphology of the territory and, therefore, the privileged directions of pollutant diffusion. The results are linked to land-use class characteristics in terms of habitat suitability and vulnerability to different threats. Because it is, in actual fact, a valley riverbed with two converging sides, the expected spatial By overlapping the results obtained in terms of the percentage degradation decrease and land-use map, it appeared that the main beneficiaries of land reclamation interventions were mainly riparian areas close to creeks (reduction in degradation degree up to 4%) and grazing grounds. On the contrary, the wooded areas were affected to a lesser degree by the reclamation operations which, in these areas, led to a reduction of a maximum of 2%.

### distribution of reclamation effects—all other variables being equal—is not isotropic as, however, **5. Discussions**

appears from the image. As a matter of fact, in the western part of the study area there is a sector along the slope where a relevant degradation reduction is recorded, especially with respect to An interpretation of the results must take into account that the model neglects the morphology of the territory and, therefore, the privileged directions of pollutant diffusion. The results are linked to land-use class characteristics in terms of habitat suitability and vulnerability to different threats. Because it is, in actual fact, a valley riverbed with two converging sides, the expected spatial distribution

of reclamation effects—all other variables being equal—is not isotropic as, however, appears from the image. As a matter of fact, in the western part of the study area there is a sector along the slope where a relevant degradation reduction is recorded, especially with respect to meadows, grazing grounds, and agricultural crops. Moreover, no improvement in the wooded areas has been achieved, especially where they are surrounded by cultivated areas. This is due to the fact that agriculture is in itself a source of threat, and the relevant reclamation effects are clearly marginal. *Sustainability* **2020**, *12*, x FOR PEER REVIEW 12 of 16

However, in analyzing data distribution (Figure 5), it is evident that reclamation effects have a positive impact on different patches that, in the long-term scenario, are included in the lowest degradation class. meadows, grazing grounds, and agricultural crops. Moreover, no improvement in the wooded areas has been achieved, especially where they are surrounded by cultivated areas. This is due to the fact that agriculture is in itself a source of threat, and the relevant reclamation effects are clearly marginal.

**Figure 5.** Distribution of degradation values in relation to the three scenarios. **Figure 5.** Distribution of degradation values in relation to the three scenarios.

However, in analyzing data distribution (Figure 5), it is evident that reclamation effects have a positive impact on different patches that, in the long-term scenario, are included in the lowest degradation class. In attentively analyzing the data, the partial reclamation (mid-term scenario) has an effect on a portion of territory that is equal to 0.56% of the total area. In particular, the classes that in the current In attentively analyzing the data, the partial reclamation (mid-term scenario) has an effect on a portion of territory that is equal to 0.56% of the total area. In particular, the classes that in the current situation are characterized by a high degradation, move to the low (0.43%) and medium (0.13%) degradation classes. The long-term remediation scenario, on the other hand, involves 3.79% of the total surface area which, from the higher degradation classes, shifts to the lowest degradation level.

situation are characterized by a high degradation, move to the low (0.43%) and medium (0.13%) degradation classes. The long-term remediation scenario, on the other hand, involves 3.79% of the total surface area which, from the higher degradation classes, shifts to the lowest degradation level. The results show that habitat degradation in the study area is certainly due to the cumulative The results show that habitat degradation in the study area is certainly due to the cumulative impact of multiple threats arising partially from the industrial area located along one of the main regional road infrastructures and partially from the road and rail network that from the river valley branches off along the slopes, also bordering or crossing areas of high naturalness.

### impact of multiple threats arising partially from the industrial area located along one of the main regional road infrastructures and partially from the road and rail network that from the river valley **6. Conclusions**

branches off along the slopes, also bordering or crossing areas of high naturalness. **6. Conclusions**  Although the conservation of biodiversity is a priority on the European Union's agenda, the Although the conservation of biodiversity is a priority on the European Union's agenda, the results reached so far are still lagging behind the objectives set [22]. The need to achieve a better integration between policies and stakeholders at all levels is highlighted with particular regard to the N2K network [16].

results reached so far are still lagging behind the objectives set [22]. The need to achieve a better integration between policies and stakeholders at all levels is highlighted with particular regard to the N2K network [16]. This work analyzes a case study where a strong contradiction in the management of the territory emerges. On the one hand, the presence of industrial areas with high pollution potential has led to the identification of a SNI whose remediation procedure is the direct responsibility of MATTM. On This work analyzes a case study where a strong contradiction in the management of the territory emerges. On the one hand, the presence of industrial areas with high pollution potential has led to the identification of a SNI whose remediation procedure is the direct responsibility of MATTM. On the other hand, the recognition of naturalistic and biodiversity conservation values has led to the identification of a N2K site, whose management plan, approved in 2015, completely neglects the presence of a SNI.

the other hand, the recognition of naturalistic and biodiversity conservation values has led to the identification of a N2K site, whose management plan, approved in 2015, completely neglects the presence of a SNI. The aim of this work is to provide and test a methodology able to measure the effects of two overlapping and conflicting policy frameworks: the first is oriented toward naturalness preservation The aim of this work is to provide and test a methodology able to measure the effects of two overlapping and conflicting policy frameworks: the first is oriented toward naturalness preservation (N2K) and the second aims at solving environmental contamination issues (SNI). Both policies substantially ignore each other and demonstrate a fragmentation in the territorial governance system, where different authorities are responsible for specific fields of intervention.

As already pointed out by the authors in previous works [47–51], the ES framework allows for the integration and simultaneous consideration of multiple scales, multiple habitats, and multilevel environmental policies, thus offering the advantage of more holistic environmental management [52]. Therefore, the use of the InVEST Habitat Quality model allowed us to contribute to the general process for the provision of an effective territorial monitoring system, suitable to assess the effects of

where different authorities are responsible for specific fields of intervention.

As already pointed out by the authors in previous works [47–51], the ES framework allows for the integration and simultaneous consideration of multiple scales, multiple habitats, and multilevel environmental policies, thus offering the advantage of more holistic environmental management [52].

Therefore, the use of the InVEST Habitat Quality model allowed us to contribute to the general process for the provision of an effective territorial monitoring system, suitable to assess the effects of ongoing threats and environmental management actions on habitat quality. Although the model simplifies the complex reality linked to the phenomenon of pollutant diffusion, temporal and spatial variability, boundary conditions, and more generally the complex dynamics with which threats act to the detriment of habitat quality [46,53], it is useful to perform a scenario analysis in order to identify threats and habitats with respect to land use, especially in those area in which information on species abundance and composition, endemism, and functional significance is poor [40].

Considering the emerged strengths and weaknesses presented in the discussion section, future research should deepen the proposed methodology that proves to be efficient in approaching the issue of territorial governance by overcoming the limits of sectorial policy fragmentation. Therefore, further developments will be oriented toward testing alternative tools so as to better model the remediation processes in detail, including information on specific remediation actions (today not available) and integration input data with additional layers, such as morphology, water quality, air pollution, noise pollution, and evidence of climate-change effects.

The ES approach is considered adequate to deliver a common spatial evaluation framework in order to achieve a better integration of territorial governance, which has been fragmented into different decision centers (see also the work by Balletto et al. 2020 [54]). The proposed methodology should be useful for the construction of a cognitive framework that supports a regional landscape plan which we consider to be the appropriate planning level to manage such a contradictory case (SNI and SCI/SPA overlapping). This planning level is still lacking in the Basilicata Region even if the Regional Planning Law (23/99) foresees its development as a structural node in hierarchy planning.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, A.P. and F.S.; methodology, F.S.; software, A.P.; validation, B.M., F.S. and A.P.; formal analysis, L.S.; investigation, A.P.; resources, A.P. and L.S.; data curation, L.S.; writing—original draft preparation, A.P. and L.S.; writing—review and editing, A.P. and F.S.; visualization, F.S.; supervision, F.S. and B.M.; project administration, B.M.; funding acquisition, F.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Conflicts of Interest:** Authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

### **References**


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