Mapping and Analyzing Ecosystem Service Hotspots and Their Correlations in the Campania Region, Italy

Climate change poses significant threats to both rural and urban environments, with the need for immediate action to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise. Ecosystems, particularly forests and wetlands, are vital in reducing atmospheric CO2 concentrations through carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). Soil is the largest carbon sink in terrestrial ecosystems, and even small changes in soil carbon levels can significantly impact global temperature rise. This study explores the role of ecosystems in mitigating climate change, particularly through CCS, and its integration into policy and planning frameworks. The research defines a methodology to assess CCS and its correlation with the provision of other key ecosystem services (ESs) that contribute to climate neutrality. The study is structured in three phases: (1) analyzing the supply of six key ESs related to climate neutrality, including CCS, habitat quality, local climate mitigation, agricultural and forestry production supply, recreational services and landscape value; (2) assessing the correlations between CCS capacity and ES supply; and (3) identifying spatial hotspots where regulatory ESs such as CCS, temperature mitigation, and habitat quality are most abundant. The methodology is applied to the Campania Region in southern Italy, which is rich in woodland and semi-natural areas. The study aims to guide regional planning policies and contribute to strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation.