Modelling Approach for NBSs Suitability Assessment in an Agricultural Area under Changing Climate Conditions: Case Studies in the Massaciuccoli Catchment (Central Italy)

Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) are considered worldwide as a suitable approach for mitigating the impact of industrial agriculture on sediments and nutrient losses. However, their actual effectiveness is still questioned. In cases where site measurements of NBS performance are scarce, models can provide useful insights if accurately set. This study analyzed the effects of vegetated buffer strips (VBSs) and winter cover crops (WCCs) planted in some herbaceous cropping systems within the Massaciuccoli reclamation area (Vecchiano, Central Italy). Analyses stem from modelling water and soil dynamics by applying SWAT+ at field scale on high resolution close-range photogrammetric digital terrain model (DTM), real crop rotations, and a detailed calendar of the main agronomic interventions. The NBS implementation was modelled in two experimental areas, showing contrasting soil properties. Comparing results from the modelling of different scenarios highlighted that NBS mitigative effect is influenced by soil properties and local topographic irregularities, which could induce concentrated flows. Long term climate changes can induce relevant different effects by varying the nature of soil

Exploring the use of modelling tools within the participatory approach to protect the water resource

Massaciuccoli lake, subsidence, numerical modelling, scenario

Landslide database and susceptibility map updating of a test area in the Serchio River basin (northern Tuscany, Italy)

Extreme rainfall events more and more often affect different regions of Italy. An example of area frequently hit by such events is the Serchio River basin (northern Tuscany), in which floods and landslides commonly occur. For example, the 21–22 July 2014 rainfall induced floods and tens of shallow landslides in the Freddana Torrent valley (a sub-basin of the Serchio River), causing severe damage to roads and population. The aims of this work is to update the landslide inventory and the landslide susceptibility map of a portion (7.1 km2) of the Freddana Torrent valley. The landslide susceptibility map was updated according to the guidelines proposed by the Authority of Serchio River Basin. The new susceptibility map allowed to identify potentially unstable areas basing on the landslide index of the geological formations and on some morphological features of the study area. The new map and the previous one were compared highlighting the changes as regards the individuation of the areas more prone to failures

Modelling Approach for NBSs Suitability Assessment in an Agricultural Area under Changing Climate Conditions: Case Studies in the Massaciuccoli Catchment (Central Italy)

Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) are considered worldwide as a suitable approach for mitigating the impact of industrial agriculture on sediments and nutrient losses. However, their actual effectiveness is still questioned. In cases where site measurements of NBS performance are scarce, models can provide useful insights if accurately set. This study analyzed the effects of vegetated buffer strips (VBSs) and winter cover crops (WCCs) planted in some herbaceous cropping systems within the Massaciuccoli reclamation area (Vecchiano, Central Italy). Analyses stem from modelling water and soil dynamics by applying SWAT+ at field scale on high resolution close-range photogrammetric digital terrain model (DTM), real crop rotations, and a detailed calendar of the main agronomic interventions. The NBS implementation was modelled in two experimental areas, showing contrasting soil properties. Comparing results from the modelling of different scenarios highlighted that NBS mitigative effect is influenced by soil properties and local topographic irregularities, which could induce concentrated flows. Long term climate changes can induce relevant different effects by varying the nature of soil

Implementing nature-based solutions in rural landscapes: Barriers experienced in the phusicos project

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