From the Protection of Landscape and “Natural Beauties” to the Defence of Ecosystems in Italy

Abstract

Between the end of the 19th Century and the first decades of the 20th, in the wake of similar North American and European experience, a movement of public opinion began to develop in Italy, aimed at protecting nature and the natural environment. It was principally launched and supported by small scientific societies, often created for just such purposes. The dedicated activity of these early groups succeeded in stimulating public bodies (in particular the Italian National Parliament and Government) to preserve some natural monuments and create the first national parks. Some positive outcomes were thus achieved; and fauna, flora and geological formations started to have a destiny other than mere human spoilage, lack of concern, and destructive threats as a result of ever-increasing industrial activities (such as exploitation of the water resources for hydro-electric dams and power plants) and the occupation of coastal areas for tourism and bathing beaches. At first, nature was merely regarded as deserving protection for “natural beauty” or because it was inherently linked with sites of historical, artistic or literary heritage. Later, nature protection became mostly a means to conserve landscape beauty. At last, starting a new third era, nature conservation began more correctly to be considered as implying the preservation of relevant natural and ecological values. The present paper aims to explain this progressive evolution of both the Italian cultural scene and the actual regulations, thus showing the basic reasons why conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity in Italy has been so long delayed, and still must face so many obstacles.