Tools for Semi-automated Landform Classification: A Comparison in the Basilicata Region (Southern Italy)

Recent advances in spatial methods of digital elevation model (DEMs) analysis have addressed many research topics on the assessment of morphometric parameters of the landscape. Development of computer algorithms for calculating the geomorphometric properties of the Earth’s surface has allowed for expanding of some methods in the semi-automatic recognition and classification of landscape features. In such a way, several papers have been produced, documenting the applicability of the landform classification based on map algebra. The Topographic Position Index (TPI) is one of the most widely used parameters for semi-automated landform classification using GIS software. The aim was to apply the TPI classes for landform classification in the Basilicata Region (Southern Italy). The Basilicata Region is characterized by an extremely heterogeneous landscape and geological features. The automated landform extraction, starting from two different resolution DEMs at 20 and 5 m-grids, has been carried out by using three different GIS software: Arcview, Arcmap, and SAGA. Comparison of the landform maps resulting from each software at a different scale has been realized, furnishing at the end the best landform map and consequently a discussion over which is the best software implementation of the TPI method

Relative Sea-Level Changes and Their Impact on Coastal Zones: Past and Future Scenarios from Cases Studies around the World

In recent decades, the study of sea-level changes as recorded along entire coastlines around the world has been a primary scientific focus in climate change studies; it allows the exploration of past landscape evolution, geomorphological processes, human impact, and system response to develop future perspectives [...

Beach Scenic Quality versus Beach Concessions: Case Studies from Southern Italy

This paper essentially aims to identify coastal sites of great scenic value not (or barely) affected by human intrusions and propose sound management interventions to improve their landscape quality. Today, management of coastal areas in Italy is a very complex task essentially because of institutional fragmentation and overlapping of laws/regulations at the national, regional and municipal levels. It is estimated that only half of the country's beaches are freely accessible and usable for bathing, i.e., 43% are occupied by private concessions and in 7.2% bathing is not allowed because of water pollution. Sites' scenic quality was assessed using the Coastal Scenic Evaluation System (CSES), a robust semi-quantitative methodology based on a set of 26 physical/human parameters, weighting matrices parameters and fuzzy logic mathematics. An evaluation index (D) was afterward obtained for each site and used to classify them into five scenic classes. After a long process of field testing along the coasts of the Tyrrhenian, Ionic and Adriatic seas (25 municipalities, 7 provinces and 4 regions: Campania, Basilicata, Calabria and Apulia), a total of 36 sites were selected for this paper. Twenty-four sites fall within Class I, i.e., were extremely attractive (D >= 0.85; CSES) because of their exceptional geomorphological settings that favour a wide variety of coastal sceneries. Most of Class II (8) and Class III (4) sites could be upgraded by implementing clean-up operations or by reducing intrusive beach facilities. Meanwhile "private" beaches are usually cleaned; beach litter at remote/public sites represents a big concern to be challenged. Today, finding a free/aesthetic/clean beach without human intrusions in a fully natural environment is far more complex than it seems. Given this context, emphasis was particularly placed on beach litter and concessions aspects

Coastal scenic assessment in northern France: An attempt to quantify scenic beauty and analyse the role played by the Conservatoire du littoral

"Buy to protect": this may be the Conservatoire du Littoral philosophy. Since 1975, this unique public French institution endeavours to acquire vulnerable and threatened coastal areas of great natural relevance to ensure their permanent and sound management/protection by establishing conventions with local authorities. This paper is focused on (i) the research of remarkable attractive natural sites not (or only slightly) affected by human intrusions, (ii) the analysis of the Conservatoire policies related to landscape issues and (iii) the proposal of judicious measures to assess/maintain/enhance/monitor landscape quality. For such proposals, the Coastal Scenic Evaluation System (CSES) method was in situ applied along the northern French coast, from Belgium to the Seine estuary. This area, shaped in a macrotidal environment, was chosen as it exhibits a wide variety of scenery composed of majestic dunes complexes, estuaries, bays and impressive cliff formations, alongside a strong cul-tural heritage. It also includes some world-renowned sites such as Les Deux Caps (Gris-Nez and Blanc-Nez), the Somme Bay and the cliffs of ' Etretat. CSES is a strong accurate indicator of scenic quality based on 26 physical and human parameters, and fuzzy-logic mathematics to overcome subjectivity and quantify uncertainties. As a result, an Evaluation Index (D) is obtained, enabling to classify sites into five distinct classes, from Class I (outstanding quality) to Class V (very poor quality). In this paper, 16 sectors respectively located along the Cote d'Opale (8), Cote Picarde (4) and Cote d'Albatre (4) were selected after a long process of field testing. Seven were included in Class I, five in Class II and four in Class III. Finally, suggestions were made to complete the remarkable labour done by the Conservatoire

A Methodological Tool to Assess Erosion Susceptibility of High Coastal Sectors: Case Studies from Campania Region (Southern Italy)

High coastal sectors constitute the most widespread coastal environment and, under the present accelerated sea-level rise scenario, are suffering huge impacts in terms of erosion. The aim of this paper is the proposal of a new methodological approach for the assessment of their susceptibility to erosive processes. The method is based on the combination of two matrices, i.e., a matrix considering the main physical elements (essentially morphological and geotechnical characteristics) that determine the proneness to erosion of a specific high coastal sector, and a forcing matrix, which describes the forcing agents affecting the considered sector. Firstly, several variables were selected to construct each one of the two matrices according to existing studies and, in a second step, they were interpolated to obtain the susceptibility matrix (CSIx). The approach was applied to Procida Island and Cilento promontory, both located in southern Italy. Results obtained were validated by comparing them with cliff retreat data obtained by means of aerial photographs and satellite images. The analysis shows that the greater part of the analyzed high coastal sectors belongs to the high-susceptibility class due to the combination of adverse morphological, geotechnical and forcing characteristics. Such sectors can be considered "hotspots" that require an increase in monitoring programs and, at places, urgent protective actions

Coastal vs volcanic processes: Procida Island as a case of complex morpho-evolutive response

The island of Procida (Gulf of Naples, Italy) is a site of considerable importance from a historical, cultural, and landscape point of view. The island is located along a volcanic active area in the mid-Tyrrhenian and owes its formation to several explosive eruptions started more than 70 ka BP. Presently, the entire perimeter of the island is bordered by cliffs, often articulated in an alternation of headlands and coves, sometimes with shallow sandy beaches at the base (pocket beaches). However, the presence of different orders of submarine terraced surfaces represents a significant clue to coastal response to former sea-level stands.This paper aims at reconstructing the main coastal changes that occurred in the area during the Holocene mainly driven by the interaction between the post-glacial sea-level rise, vertical ground movements (VGMs) of volcano-tectonic origin, and wave action. The coastal sector was investigated using a multi-techniques approach including direct and indirect methods, in order to obtain a detailed geomorphological characterization of the whole study area. In particular, data from direct coastal surveys were integrated with photo-interpretation of areal and satellite photos, morphometric analysis of high-resolution DTMs from Lidar and bathymetric data, interpretation of morpho-acoustic data, archaeological, geomorphological and geological sea-level markers. The geomorphological analysis of this multidisciplinary dataset resulted in the detection of the main morphological elements interpreted as evidence of ancient seascapes. In particular, three orders of paleo-shore platforms were mapped in the underwater sector, allowing the evaluation of as many phases of relative sea-level stand, at-23.2 m,-11.2 m, and -4.2 m MSL dated at approximately 4.0, 2.0, and 1.0 ka BP. These coastal landforms were interpreted as the main consequence of a seacliff retreat, exacerbated by volcano-tectonic intermittent subsidence that favoured their poly-cyclic formation. However, the integration between the geomorphological and meteo-marine analysis allowed discriminating differentiated cliff backwearing responses between the western and eastern coastal sectors of the island, due to a prevailing occurrence of storms from the south-western sector. The proposed methodological approach focused on a multi-temporal geomorphological analysis applied to a multi-modal dataset, aims to comprehensive reconstruct the coastal response of a volcanic high rocky coast to the complex interaction between endogenous and exogenous forcing factors during the Holocene

Most Attractive Scenic Sites of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast: Characterization and Sensitivity to Natural and Human Factors

Beach management is a complex process that demands a multidisciplinary approach, as beaches display a large variety of functions, e.g., protection, recreation and associated biodiversity conservation. Frequently, conflicts of interest arise, since management approaches are usually focused on recreation, preferring short-term benefits over sustainable development strategies; meanwhile, coastal areas have to adapt and face a changing environment under the effects of long-term climate change. Based on a "Sea, Sun and Sand (3S)" market, coastal tourism has become a major economic sector that depends completely on the coastal ecosystem quality, whilst strongly contributing to its deterioration by putting at risk its sustainability. Among beach users' preferences, five parameters stand out: safety, facilities, water quality, litter and scenery (the "Big Five"), and the latter is the focus of this paper. Bulgaria has impressive scenic diversity and uniqueness, presenting real challenges and opportunities as an emerging tourist destination in terms of sustainable development. However, most developing countries tend to ignore mistakes made previously by developed ones. In this paper, scenic beauty at 16 coastal sites was field-tested by using a well-known methodology, i.e., the Coastal Scenic Evaluation System (CSES), which enables the calculation of an Evaluation Index "D" based on 26 physical and human parameters, utilizing fuzzy logic matrices. An assessment was made of these high-quality sites located in Burgas (8), Varna (3) and Dobrich (4) provinces. Their sensitivity to natural processes (in a climate change context) and human pressure (considering tourist trends and population increases at the municipality scale) were quantified via the Coastal Scenic Sensitivity Indexes (CSSIs) method. The CSES and CSSI methods allowed us to conduct site classification within different scenic categories, reflecting their attractiveness (Classes I-V; CSES) and level of sensitivity (Groups I-III; CSSI). Their relationship made it possible to identify management priorities: the main scenic impacts and sensitivity issues were analyzed in detail and characterized, and judicious measures were proposed for the scenic preservation and enhancement of the investigated sites. Seven sites were classified as extremely attractive (Class I; CSES), but with slight management efforts; several Class II sites could be upgraded as top scenic sites, e.g., by cleaning and monitoring beach litter. This paper also reveals that investigated sectors were more sensitive to environmental impacts than human pressure; for example, eight were categorized as being very sensitive to natural processes (Group III; CSSI)