Hystorical development and future evolution of the Po Delta Park coastal areas (Italy) as a response to the predicted sea-level rise.

The Po Delta Park coastal area is a highly dynamic and peculiar environment with an important naturalistic value, mostly represented by wetlands, lagoons and marshes. Short-medium term climate change has played an important role in shaping this environment in the last millennies years. However, in the last few centuries, human impact has also been fundamental in driving the evolution of this area. Anthropic influence is accelerating the already unstable vulnerability of these environments, increasing the risks connected to their endurance. Considering the foreseeable climate change, the forecasted sea level rise will constitute a primary element of modification for this territory. Only an Integrated Coastal Zone Management will help managers to perform an adequate planning and make wiser choices.