The impact of urbanization processes in landscape fragmentation: A comparison between coastal zones of Sardinia and Liguria

Landscape fragmentation (LF) is the process, according to which landscape parts (patches) become smaller and more isolated. LF is partly due to human activity and has always accompanied man since prehistoric times. In recent decades, the increase of human population, the exponential growth of human needs and the construction of settlements and transport and mobility infrastructures have accentuated the effects of LF. These situations result in a reduction of connectivity of habitats, due mainly to a barrier effect that hinders the movement of animal species. In literature, numerous indices have been proposed for the quantification of LF. In this paper, we apply the Urban Fragmentation Index (UFI), that evaluates the fragmentation caused by urbanized areas, and the Infrastructural Fragmentation Index (IFI), that evaluates the LF caused by road infrastructure. In addition, we aim at comparing LF in the Italian regions of Liguria and Sardinia, with a typical focus on coastal and inner areas. We demonstrate how LF is always higher in coastal landscape units, where there is a higher impact of human development.