Land, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(12), P. 2219 - 2219
Published: Dec. 18, 2024
This study investigates the impact of artificial light at night (ALAN) along Sicilian coasts, using satellite data from 2016 to 2023, focusing on three distinct spatial domains: terrestrial areas within 1 km coastline, marine extending up offshore, and nautical mile coast. In coastal zones, ALAN is a significant anthropogenic pressure with potentially detrimental effects ecosystems. By integrating geographic datasets such as Corine Land Cover (CLC), Natura 2000 protected areas, Posidonia oceanica meadows, this aims characterize analyse temporal variations in across these domains. The findings reveal substantial differences pollution between domains over time, exhibiting highest levels ALAN. contrast, further offshore experience reduced pollution, particularly 1-nautical-mile domain. also indicates that especially those network, show significantly lower than non-protected highlighting effectiveness conservation efforts. Statistical analyses, including ANOVAs, demonstrate factors domain, year, province, CLC classes influence distribution. advocates for considering critical factor environmental assessments, under Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSP) Marine Strategy Framework (MSFD), providing valuable insights support policies aimed mitigating
Language: Английский