## 1 Introduction  
The numerous fields of application of geographic information systems (GISs) have now become an effective and irreplaceable element in the study of anthropogenic activities and natural phenomena, thanks to sophisticated technologies and the growing interest generated by the science of geographic information [1]. Geospatial data gathered on natural phenomena are required to construct maps and they are increasingly being used in GISs. These are systems that can capture, store, analyze, manage, and share data that are linked to geographical locations [2]. Over the years, GISs have become more dynamic, flexible, and accessible to users [3]. Once a GIS project has been prepared, web publishers can create and publish interactive web pages characterized by a high level of customization in the form of a WebGIS. It allows the information, including access to the maps published online, to be available to end users, such as citizens, tourists, and regional administrations, by using a common web browser by connecting from remote Internet locations [4]. The WebGIS combines two powerful technologies: GIS and the Internet, providing connectivity at the global level [5]; the result of this synergy results in greater ease in finding data, sharing analytical tools, and reaching a larger number of users [6,7]. [PERSON] [7] has argued that communication between science and society constitutes a relevant tool to optimize any planning and management. [PERSON] et al. [8] discussed the development of web mapping and presented a timeline of major web mapping events starting just after the creation of the World Wide Web with the publication of online maps in 1993 to the development of real-time services in 2017. Examples of WebGISs have been developed in various fields, including radon risk management [9] and a risk assessment system for heavy metal pollution [10], georeferenced bibliographies [11], wastewater treatments [12] and water environment monitoring and management systems [13], planning and emergency phases in case of floods [14], transport infrastructure management [15], management of abandoned mines [16], civic education on peace and conflict [17], and as a landslide early warning system [18]. In the coastal field, examples of WebGISs have been utilized for visualizing coastal flooding vulnerability and planning for resiliency [19] and as a support to the management of coastal areas [20, 21, 22]. Application and interface servers have been used in WebGISs already consolidated by important public administrations, such as, for example, the Province of Belluno [23], Arpa Puglia [24], and the Metropolitan City of Venice [25]. The WebGIS approach can be defined as a set of geographic information services for the internet, based on a network that uses different forms of internet access to provide geographic information, analytical tools, and different GIS services [26]. The WebGIS is a GIS that uses web technology to communicate between the web application server and the end user client [19, 27, 28]. While incredibly powerful, the adoption of desktop GIS software has often lagged, due to several reasons, such as the expense of site licenses and higher-end computer hardware and the complexity of GIS software requiring high levels of training and expertise. With WebGISs, users do not need to purchase and install expensive GIS software to access and work with maps and databases [29]. Also, users do not need to become experts in sophisticated GIS applications, since the functionality is made available through a regular web browser and an integrated viewer with a simple, user-friendly interface. Otherwise, GIS tools and data are often beyond the reach of ordinary citizens with an interest in a particular place-based decision problems [19].