Spatial assessment of ecosystem service hotspots: the case of Campania Region, Italy

Climate change poses urgent challenges for urban and rural systems. Forests, wetlands, and soils, as major carbon reservoirs, play a crucial role in carbon sequestration (CS), hence supporting climate regulation and mitigation efforts. This study develops a methodological framework to assess CS potential supply and examines its correlations with key ecosystem services (ESs) relevant to climate neutrality. The approach comprises: i. evaluating six ESs, which include CS, habitat quality, local climate regulation, production, recreation, and landscape value; ii. analyzing CS–ESs interrelationships; and iii. identifying spatial hotspots of regulatory ESs. Applied to Italy’s Campania Region, the study supports regional planning and climate strategies.