3. Natural Capital and Biodiversity
Endemism, Ecological Connectivity and Resilience
Sardinia’s ecological significance is closely linked to its insular geography. Long-term isolation, varied geology, altitude, climate and coastal conditions have contributed to a distinctive concentration of habitats and endemic species. Endemism matters because species and plant communities with restricted distributions are less easily replaced if habitat quality declines or ecological connections are broken.
ISPRA has identified Sardinia as one of Italy’s principal centres of plant endemism, recording 256 endemic flora species and 277 plant species exclusive to the region in the dataset cited. More recent academic research similarly characterises Sardinia as a biodiversity meso-hotspot within the Tyrrhenian Islands macro-hotspot, estimating endemism at between 13% and 15% of its vascular flora. The study identifies 195 taxa endemic exclusively to Sardinia and a further 81 shared only with Sardinia and Corsica.[isprambiente.gov][iris.unica]
These figures should not be interpreted as an invitation to turn endemic species into a tourism catalogue. Their relevance is more fundamental: endemic biodiversity increases the conservation responsibility of land-use, coastal and destination-management decisions. A habitat that supports restricted species may also be vulnerable to urbanisation, road construction, wildfire, invasive species, unmanaged visitor access, water stress or changing climatic conditions.
Ecological resilience depends not only on the legal protection of individual sites, but also on connectivity between them. Species need movement routes, suitable habitats and functioning ecological processes across landscapes and seascapes. Fragmentation can isolate populations, reduce genetic exchange and limit the ability of ecosystems to adapt to climate change.
Sardinian research on ecological corridors has demonstrated a framework for mapping connections between protected areas and integrating them into regional green infrastructure. The work identifies ecological corridors as a spatial basis for strengthening the operational effectiveness of protected-area networks and for informing territorial planning.[mdpi]
| Connectivity dimension | Why it matters | Destination-management implication |
|---|---|---|
| Coast-to-inland links | Connect coastal habitats, wetlands, forests and rural landscapes | Avoid development patterns that sever ecological and landscape continuity |
| Wetland and lagoon systems | Support migratory birds, water regulation and habitat diversity | Manage water quality, visitor access, roads and surrounding land use |
| Forest and mountain corridors | Enable species movement and support climate adaptation | Integrate fire prevention, trail management and habitat restoration |
| Marine connectivity | Connect marine protected areas, seagrass meadows, rocky reefs and nursery habitats | Coordinate boating, anchoring, fishing, pollution prevention and marine spatial planning |
| Rural landscape mosaics | Link agriculture, pasture, woodland, hedgerows and small settlements | Support viable land management rather than treating rural areas only as visitor scenery |
Posidonia oceanica provides a clear example of the relationship between biodiversity, coastal resilience and destination value. It is an endemic Mediterranean seagrass, not an algae, and its meadows provide habitat, nursery areas, oxygen production, carbon sequestration and sediment stabilisation. Sardinian environmental authorities describe Posidonia meadows as biodiversity hotspots that can host 20–25% of Mediterranean species, while also helping protect coastlines from erosion. ARPAS is monitoring Posidonia condition across 18 Sardinian areas during the 2021–2026 Marine Strategy monitoring programme.[sardegnaambiente]
The relevance to tourism is direct. Damage to seagrass meadows through anchoring, poor coastal-water quality, sediment disturbance or inappropriate coastal activity can reduce ecological condition while increasing vulnerability to erosion. Yet the ecological value of Posidonia should not be reduced to its usefulness for beach tourism. Its protection is a conservation responsibility in its own right, with wider benefits for coastal systems and communities.
Sardinia’s natural capital should therefore be considered as a connected system rather than a collection of isolated attractions. Destination development that protects ecological corridors, maintains rural landscape function, reduces marine disturbance and restores degraded habitats can increase resilience to climate pressures while safeguarding the environmental quality on which the visitor economy depends.