National biodiversity strategy in Italy

Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use guarantee the correct functioning of ecosystems as well as the provision of their services, which constituite the essential basis for human economy and life. The loss of biodiversity and the reduced efficiency of ecosystem-related services have high social and economic costs as regards not only environmental sustainability, but also attempts made to reduce poverty, hunger and disease throughout the world. Indeed, the direct and indirect benefits of biodiversity are reflected in services regarding supplies (food, pharmaceutical drugs, raw materials, water), regulation (climate control, protection against extreme events), support (oxygen production, soil formation) and cultural interest (increased knowledge, aesthetic value, social relations). Modern society and economy are strongly linked to natural resources and productive ecosystems use. In particular, this dependence is expressed through agriculture and forest activities. It is evident that this dependency is also linked to other human activities related to transports, tourism and urban growth. The achievement of the optimum balance between biodiversity conservation, natural resources valorization and economic development mean the pursuing of sustainable development.