The project "Unveiling" investigates the role and the relevance of the aesthetic dimension for the design and effective implementation of strategies for the conservation of endangered fauna, with particular regard to European butterfly species.

 

Our aim is to understand whether , in order to protect certain endangered species rather than others , the "aesthetic bias" intervenes: are we more willing and motivated to defend what we experience as beautiful? And if so, how is it possible to quantify the extent and weight of this aesthetic bias? Moreover, if it is true that even species at first glance less striking or aesthetically relevant must, if at risk, be submitted to plans of protection, how is it possible to act for the remodulation of aesthetic bias? Said otherwise: what we experience as beautiful in nature is fixed once and for all, according to invariable criteria and standards, or can we "accustom" our ability to aesthetic appreciation, at least within certain limits?

 

To answer these questions, "Unveiling" will work on a large amount of data, proceeding mainly along two directions: the verification of aesthetic appreciation (in the totality of its components: perceptive, emotional, cognitive, imaginative) by means of a special online test. ; the aesthetic analysis of the photo-reports of European butterflies uploaded on the well-known website of citizen sciences "iNaturalist". In this way, "Unveiling" will make use of the contribution of ordinary citizens (more or less experts) for the effective conduct of research and will build a real shared aesthetic "archive". 

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The potential impact of the project is very high: ascertained, evaluated and quantified aesthetic bias, it will be possible to verify if, for example, the red lists of endangered species currently in use accurately reflect the situation of endangered fauna in the Anthropocene or if they are also affected by aesthetic inclinations; in this sense, Nature Parks, Research centers, institutions of scientific museology, nature oases and environmental associations and wildlife protection at risk will greatly benefit from the conceptual and quantitative tools developed by "Unveiling".