Interdisciplinary research for the proposal of the Urban Biosphere Reserve of Rome Municipality

• Published in: Plant biosystems 2008-07, Vol.142 (2), p.305-312
• Main Authors: Blasi, Carlo, Capotorti, Giulia, Marchese, Marina, Marta, Miriam, Bologna, Marco Alberto, Bombi, Pierluigi, Bonaiuto, Marino, Bonnes, Mirilia, Carrus, Giuseppe, Cifelli, Federica, Cignini, Bruno, Dierna, Salvatore, Esposito, Giusi, Funiciello, Renato, Giannarini, Ilaria, Gratani, Loretta, Grillotti Di Giacomo, Maria Gemma, Manes, Fausto, Orlandi, Fabrizio, Zapparoli, Marzio, Scarascia Mugnozza, Gian Tommaso
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Diversity of urban landscape; interdisciplinary research; Rome Municipality; Urban Biosphere Reserve
• ISSN: 1126-3504; 1724-5575
• DOI: 10.1080/11263500802150571

The issue of urban sustainability is considered within the context of the metropolis of Rome, the capital of Italy. The aim is pursued through an Urban Biosphere Reserve proposal, drawn up by an interdisciplinary group of experts comprising landscape ecologists, geologists, plant ecologists, zoologists, geographers, city planners and environmental psychologists. The potential applicability of this project on an international level is discussed, with particular focus on its importance as (i) one of the first proposals of an Urban Biosphere Reserve encompassing the whole municipality of a large city, (ii) an original approach to urban ecosystem investigations within the framework of landscape ecology principles, and (iii) a good example of cooperation between scientists and local decision-makers to preserve the cultural and landscape identity in an urban and periurban context.