GIS NATURA is a geographic information system incorporating, under one system, the Italian fauna, flora and fungi checklists, the fauna and flora distribution databases, the existing data on marine biocoenoses, the distribution models of Italian vertebrates (REN), the distribution of priority habitats according to the Habitats Directive, the vegetation series (Corine Land Cover level 4), the phytoclimatic, ecopedological and landscape maps, the administrative cartography, the boundaries of parks and protected areas (including Special Protection Areas and Sites of Community Importance). Project ended in 2005 and the most important product for the marine environment is a multiscale patchwork of different (already available) cartographic datasets for both Posidonia oceanicaand other benthic biocoenoses.

This map was created during a feasibility study for the establishment of a new MPA in 2003. The distribution of the benthic habitats was evaluated using high resolution acoustic data (MBES multibeam echosounder) and in situdata provided by scuba divers (up to 50m depth). These direct observations were conducted by carrying out 5 stratified transects. Collected data were elaborated together with abiotic variables collected within previous projects (i.e. currents ÔÇô collected by ÔÇ£Regione SicilianaÔÇØ).

The elaboration of this map started in 2002 within a project funded by the Italian Environmental Ministry aimed to identify the distribution of the Posidonia meadows along the Sardinia coasts. During the first phase of the project, different field activities were carried out by using Side Scan Sonar, ROV and scuba diver. In this phase also biological samples were collected. Furthermore, remote sensing surveys were conducted using hyperspectral scanner and aerial photo. Collected data were elaborated for the creation of the Posidonia meadows distribution. Maps show the upper limits and a number of different Posidonia meadows with distinction of different facies (i.e. Posidonia on rock, Posidona on sand, Posidonia on matte etc).

The elaboration of this map started in 1999 within a project funded by the Italian Environmental Ministry aimed to identify the distribution of the Posidonia meadows along the Sardinia coasts. During the first phase of the project, different field activities were carried out by using Side Scan Sonar, ROV and scuba diver. In this phase also biological samples were collected. Furthermore, remote sensing surveys were conducted using hyperspectral scanner and aerial photo. Collected data were elaborated for the creation of the Posidonia meadows distribution. Maps show the upper limits and a number of different Posidonia meadows with distinction of different facies (i.e. Posidonia on rock, Posidona on sand, Posidonia on matte etc).

The feasibility study for the foreseen Maddalena Is. MPA, was funded by the Italian Environmental Ministry in order to collect environmental and socio-economic information needed for the implementation of the MPA management plan. The biocenotic maps of the archipelago was elaborated using new field integrated with available data. Data were collected both using acoustic and seismic surveys (Side scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler) together with ground truth data (scuba dive transects, grab and dredge samples).

The elaboration of this map started in 2000 within a project funded by the Italian Environmental Ministry aimed to identify the distribution of the Posidonia meadows along the Sardinia coasts. During the first phase of the project, different field activities were carried out by using Side Scan Sonar, ROV and scuba diver. In this phase also biological samples were collected. Furthermore, remote sensing surveys were conducted using hyperspectral scanner and aerial photo. Collected data were elaborated for the creation of the Posidonia meadows distribution. Maps show the upper limits and a number of different Posidonia meadows with distinction of different facies (i.e. Posidonia on rock, Posidona on sand, Posidonia on matte etc).

The feasibility study for the foreseen Asinara Is. MPA, was funded by the Italian Environmental Ministry in order to collect environmental and socio-economic information needed for the implementation of the MPA management plan. The biocenotic maps of the archipelago was elaborated using new field integrated with available data. Data were collected both using acoustic and seismic surveys (Side scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler) together with ground truth data (scuba dive transects, grab and dredge samples).