Specific level of ecological sensitivity and human pressures can affect the fragility of an area, intended as the opposite of ecological resilience. Therefore, the aims of this research are: (1) the analysis, mapping and classification of the special area of conservation (SAC) in terms of ecological sensitivity and human pressures; and (2) the assessment and classification of the SACs in terms of ecological fragility. The study area is part of an Italian survey, and it includes 18 SACs. Among the nine priority habitats present in the SACs, the habitat 6220* is the largest (5,935.37 ha), followed by the habitat 2270* (1,917.01 ha). The SAC n. 12 has shown the highest ecological sensitivity for its high number of animal and plant species. SAC n. 2 is the only characterized by a very high human pressure, mainly due to habitat fragmentation. In the case of SACs n. 5 and n. 6, the high pressure is attributable in the first case to urbanization, while in the second case to agriculture. SAC n. 2 has resulted the most fragile, because of its high ecological sensitivity and high habitat fragmentation. As habitat connectivity is one of the main concepts used to address the link between landscape pattern and function, we carried out an additional approach not only to analyze habitat connectivity, but also to assess the effect of temperature through LST analysis and biomass productivity through NDVI analysis.

The present research proposes an innovative approach to implement the mere perspective based only on the reduction of habitat size with a comprehensive vision of SACs’ fragility by combining ecological sensitivity and human pressures. In this perspective, it can support the application of the Nature Restoration Law, aiming at promoting EU Biodiversity Strategy and Natura 2000 Network by restoring degraded habitats.