| Ecological: relating to the stability of the natural ecosystems | The importance of the animal species over and above the value attributed them by man |
| Economic: relating to the financial spin-off deriving from wildlife related activities | Cultural and recreational fruition of the animal species |
| Aesthetic: relating to the importance man attributes to the mere presence of the animals, while not utilising them directly | The inner satisfaction man feels observing the animals, even if completely casually, or simply being aware of their presence |
The projects and activities proposed all take into consideration the fact that the Park must be interpreted in a wider geographical context with important environmental (ecological) and human (socioeconomic) relationships. This type of approach was adopted in the awareness that each action planned or proposed must necessarily take account of a whole series of not exclusively scientific factors which, if neglected, would make all efforts fruitless or even counterproductive. In particular, when planning wildlife strategies, account must be taken not just of the basic legislative priorities, but also of the legitimate expectations of those living and working in the area, never forgetting that in the case of a National Park wildlife management must necessarily give priority to conservation and cultural aspects associated with indirect use of the animal populations.
This is one of the reasons why the Animals Special Project is based on a “holistic approach” aimed at considering not just the most “socially interesting” species (ungulates and galliformes), but also the entire zoocenosis as far as possible.
The following taxa were considered: invertebrates (certain systematic groups only), bony fish, amphibians, reptiles, nesting birds (with particular reference to the alpine galliformes) and mammals (with particular reference to the ungulates and considering rodents and insectivores at mapping level only).
This type of approach enables the Park area to be characterised with respect to areas outside the boundaries.
The complexity of such a task necessitated the setting up of a large working group in order to ensure the availability of all the expertise required.