## 4 Discussion
For the latter indicators, the calculation of which is foreseen in the Italian manuals and guidelines for the mapping and evaluation of habitats [10], the results would be more representative and in greater detail. In addition, detailed monitoring of quarries is a very important activity in order to ensure the sustainability of mining activities and improve the management of environmental problems deriving. The methodology developed aims to ensure the strengthening of monitoring and control activities of the territory. The mining sector requires important technological, organisational, and managerial innovations aimed at controlling and protecting the environment. Often illegal activities are hidden behind such activities [52; 53] and therefore it is considered necessary to deepen the levels of knowledge also aimed at preventing any illegal activities. In particular, the methodology developed for the characterisation of the areas affected by mining activities implements a cognitive model, in a GIS environment. It allows us to identify detailed information and evaluate the extensions of the quarry fronts and the depth of the excavations. This technique analyses the trends of the activities in space and in time and evaluates the temporal transformations with change detection [54; 55]. The proposed methodology is very expeditious and based on the wide availability and high temporal resolution of satellite images. It allows detailed monitoring of the progress of the extraction of quarry materials allowing the administrator to know the status of the activity with adequate frequency. This important step forward is necessary because, until now, monitoring delegates base the assessment of the state of the quarry activities on-site inspections. Currently, it is possible to identify the critical issues (with a certain margin of error) in the proper time to operate and monitor the state of the places. This method avoids wasting time or avoidable environmental damage. Other very valid methods consulted [56] are based on LIDAR surveys integrated with SAPR surveys and terrestrial laser scanners in order to obtain a representative result of detail. However, these surveys, in the monitoring of quarries, are carried out along slopes and in complex extractive districts. In our study area, the quarries are on a flat surface. It can be achieved valid results with lower time and money [57]. In addition, the cognitive model obtained based on the needs of the territories can be implemented and can make use of the integration of the following relevant data:  
* waste which disappears every year;
* complaints about environmental offences managed by organised crime;
* verification of contamination. The development, consolidation, and enhancement of synergistic operating practices through an updating, monitoring, and increase of information flow between different subjects favor the circularity of information. This is functional for the state of environmental health and for the assessment of land restoration projects in the territory of _Puglia_[58]. From an ecological point of view, the dunes of the sandy coasts, often associated with wetlands behind, are among the most vulnerable and threatened ecosystems at a global and national level by anthropic pressure [59]. These habitats are destined to disappear if decisive measures are not applied for their survival. On the other hand, human activities represent important opportunities for economic growth for communities but at the same time they can constitute if not adequately controlled, factors of threat as they can predominantly upset the environmental, social, and economic balances. It is known that environmental degradation is only the precursor of further degradation and very dangerous activities [52; 60], for example, the abandonment of the countryside (an aspect of environmental degradation) is the precursor of illegal phenomena such as illegal disposal.