A GIS-based decision support system to identify nature conservation priorities in an alpine valley

This paper describes a methodological approach based on the integrated use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Decision Support Systems (DSS) to identify nature conservation priorities among the remnant ecosystems within an alpine valley. The ecosystems are first assessed by means of landscape ecological indicators, and then ranked by using multicriteria analysis (MCA) techniques. Several conservation scenarios are generated so as to simulate different evaluation perspectives. The scenarios are then compared to highlight the most conflicting sites and to propose a conservation strategy for the area under evaluation. The paper aims at exemplifying and discussing the effectiveness of spatial decision-support techniques in land-use planning for nature conservation.