@article {494,
	title = {A GIS-Based Decision -Suport Tool for Zoning Italian Marine Protected Areas},
	journal = {Impact 2005},
	year = {2005},
	abstract = {<p>Italian Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are multiple objective, aiming to  ensure environmental conservation and the sustainable use of marine and  coastal resources. Italy has established 22 national MPAs and 28 more  are foreseen by law. This national MPA system requires a standardised  design approach. Zoning is the first tool applied to regulate human  activities, focusing on conservation and the separation of usage  conflicts. A multiple-use zoning should provide high protection to  noteworthy natural areas and identify suitable zones for environmentally  sustainable activities. ICRAM has conceived a specific GIS-Decision  Support Tool (GIS-DST) as support to the Italian Ministry of Environment  in the zoning of MPAs. This tool provides a comprehensible, reasonable  and repeatable analysis process which clearly displays the final  results. The GIS-DST integrates the following guidelines: the zoning  plan must be of straightforward application; fragmentation among the  zones must be minimal; boundaries must be based on easily identifiable  land based points of reference; levels of protection must decrease  progressively from maximum protection to unrestricted zones. The GIS-DST  is conceived to assist decision makers in identifying priorities and  facilitating the relations with the stakeholders. This tool delineates a  comprehensive picture of all the environmental and socio-economic  values and of their relative importance and helps the exchange of views  with the stakeholders by clearly visualising the priorities and values.</p>},
	keywords = {boundary, conflict, conservation, design, environment, GIS, guidelines, Italy, law, management tool, marine protected area, Mediterranean sea, methodology, natural area, protected area, protection, stakeholders, value, western Mediterranean, zoning, zoning plan},
	author = {L. Tunesi and G. Mo and T. Di Nora and S. Agnesi}
}
