Investigating the Time Evolution of a Rural Landscape: How Historical Maps May Provide Environmental Information When Processed Using a GIS.

A rural landscape is the result of the interaction among natural elements and human activities which takes place in time and space. It represents a non-renewable resource that can provide incomparable information on the general state of the environment. The rapid transformations that are taking place in the last century push towards the implementation of monitoring actions able to take into account the various components of the land use, including their concurrent time evolution as well. We performed an analysis of temporal transformations of a rural landscape using an open-source GIS approach that allowed for mainstreaming of the main features of this rural landscape, i.e. land use patterns, naturalness dynamics, landscape diversity and visual quality. These four parameters have been selected since they represent those which most affect the processes at the base of the environmental planning and management of a rural landscape. The survey has been carried out over a period of 138 years, using historical maps, interpretation of aerial photos and implementing digital cartography, that have been retrieved with reference to a study area located in the Basilicata Region (southern Italy), which is considered a territory with an high rural – i.e., both natural and agricultural - landscape value. This methodology has allowed for the examination of the landscape from different points of view, experimenting the performance of a multi-temporal and inter-disciplinary analysis. The main results show – since the landscape has been completely transformed by man in terms of land use – that the areas covered in the past by forest have been transformed into agricultural areas, as opposed to some areas where re-naturalisation processes have taken place. Starting from this first analysis, the implemented methodology, based on a multidisciplinary approach, has enabled to identify the transformations which have greatly influenced the time evolution of the study area. The resulted assessment of land use patterns, landscape diversity, naturalness dynamics and visual quality of this study area, thus enables suitable strategies for the restoration of the local rural ecosystems

A GIS-based approach to monitor and assess historical forest landscape evolution

In order to assess landscape dynamics, as well as the effectiveness of relevant management strategies, it is necessary to develop monitoring systems based on qualitative and quantitative tools for its conservation, valorisation and restoration. This approach is particularly important for historical rural landscapes having a recognized ecological and cultural value. To do this, it is first necessary to apply a chronological methodology since, by definition, landscapes result from an interaction of natural and anthropogenic factors over time. Thanks to the constant evolution of Geographic Information Systems and of different geodata available, the monitoring of historical landscapes is increasingly effective and inclusive. Using as a case study an historical forest landscape recognized at Italian level for its high value (Lucanian Apennines’s beech forest - Basilicata Region), a diachronic analysis was applied to evaluate its multi-temporal evolution. Starting from historical cartographies up to Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, a GIS-based approach was implemented to evaluate the spatial variations of forest cover in this landscape. The techniques applied have allowed to reconstruct the original structure of the beech forests, useful for a possible restoration in some areas, but also to monitor the processes in place by using vegetation indices derived from remote sensing

Integrating remote-sensed and historical geodata to assess interactions between rural buildings and agroforestry land

The rural built heritage constitutes a unique example, due to architectural and technical issues, which plays a central role in the formation of rural landscape. In this research, interactions between rural buildings and the surrounding land have been examined. Two case studies exemplifying some of typical dynamics of some internal mountain areas of Mediterranean region have been considered. These areas are located in Basilicata Region (Southern Italy) and suffer from land and rural buildings heritage abandonment, as well as from the concurrent disappearance of agroforestry systems with high ecological value. A multi-chronological geo-database incorporating different land cover datasets over a period of 62 years (1955–1988–2008–2017) has been implemented into a GIS to assess relationships between some rural buildings and the surrounding land have been then assessed. This has been achieved by integrating different types of remote-sensed geodata: historical aerial photos, digital orthophotos and satellite images. The analyses carried out have shown that the intensity of land abandonment can also be related to the type of rural building and prevalent agricultural activity. Moreover, thanks to this methodology, it has been possible to produce several spatial information useful to support public decisionmakers at different level

Historical GIS as a Tool for Monitoring, Preserving and Planning Forest Landscape: A Case Study in a Mediterranean Region

In order to assess the dynamics of forests and the effectiveness of their management strategies, it is necessary to develop monitoring systems based on qualitative and quantitative tools for their conservation, valorization and restoration. This approach is particularly important for areas that have undergone intense anthropogenic transformations in the last century. In order to do this, it is first necessary to apply a chronological methodology based on historical GIS that allows the integration of different types of geodata. As a result of constantly evolving spatial analysis tools, the monitoring of landscape forest evolution is increasingly more effective and complete. Using as a case study a region representative of common processes of other Mediterranean areas (Southern Italy–Basilicata region), a diachronic analysis of 156 years was applied to evaluate the forest landscape dynamics. Starting from historical cartographies to remotely sensed data available online, a GIS-based approach was implemented to evaluate the spatial and statistical variations of the forest landscape. In this way, it was possible to assess how much, where and how the forest landscape has changed in order to provide a methodology to support more detailed and sectoral studies

The role of green areas in the City of Matera (Southern Italy) as a recreational and tourist potential for its territory

The growth of population living in city centers, brings with it the need to make people's lives healthier, intervening in urban and peri-urban areas to increase the presence of green spaces, able to control air pollution levels, maintain biodiversity and improve the city's microclimate. The evaporation produced by plants also mitigate the heat peaks of the summer season, while the shading of buildings allows significant savings on energy for air conditioning. The Italian city with the highest amount of green per capita is Matera. This city has indeed around 59 million square meters of historical green areas: parks, villas and gardens with an historical value. In the present paper, it is presented the Green Plan for the Municipality of Matera, designed and implemented as an essential strategic tool to know, enhance, protect and design the green of the city as a system, taking into account the identity of places. The Census of the area, with the support of a GIS tool, covers the entire public green heritage: location of green areas, recognition of botanical species present, detection of the characteristics of the public tree, shrub heritage and the description of the characteristics and forms of use of different areas

Valorization of an old sheep trail as a new opportunity for sustainable public recreation: a case study in southern Italy.

Within the valorization process of rural landscape for public recreation, an increasing interest is currently registered on ancient sheep-tracks. Indeed, these paths constitute the historical infrastructure of the transhumance system, that covered all over Europe thousands of kilometers, forming the routes of shepherds, merchants, warriors and pilgrims. In Italy, these tracks - known as “tratturi“ - are landscape-bound, while the practice of transhumance has recently been included in the intangible UNESCO World Heritage. In addition to their cultural and scenic value, today some old sheep-tracks are being rediscovered as new rural hiking trails. However, they present some technical drawbacks, that make them barely usable by tourists for walking in the nature. Taking as a case study an old sheep-track connecting the two cities of Matera and Montescaglioso (Basilicata Region - Southern Italy), a GIS approach was applied, to evaluate the possibilities to use this path as an hiking trail, highlighting the difficulties to be solved for its valorization. The final results showed how, thanks to a GIS tool, it is possible to compare different types of data, from historical to modern ones, so relating the route with all elements of tourist interest, evaluating its potential for excursion purposes as well

The implementation of GIS tools for planning the development of rural tourism along the network of old sheep-tracks.

Rural tourism is progressively growing in several areas of the World, thanks to its characteristics to noticeably combine naturalistic, cultural and eno-gastronomic opportunities. In this framework, many old agricultural buildings have been successfully converted into new accommodations, typical restaurants or educational farms. Tourism activities related to these rural structures are currently expanding, so incentivizing the arrival of more tourists and valorizing the rural land. One of the elements of the rural landscape that could be improved to further spreading, is the network of old sheep-tracks. Indeed, these paths can be exploited for cultural and nature hiking activities since, in addition to often crossing rural areas, they are perfect places to immerse the tourist in the nature and surrounding landscape. The present study considers the Basilicata Region (Southern Italy) and its important network of old sheep-tracks, which have been included into a GIS database, specifically implemented to exploit these paths for touristic purposes. Thanks to this GIS tool - that allowed the creation of a complex georeferenced database, by entering all data related to elements of tourist and cultural interest - it has been therefore possible to plan suitable tourist routes, even aimed at the sustainable valorization of the rural landscape

Reducing the visual impact of plasticulture on rural landscapes by a sustainable management of agricultural plastics.

The use of plastics in agriculture represents one of the main factors having a major impact on the environmental sustainability of the agricultural sector. The effectiveness, economy and versatility of using different plastic polymers has made these products widespread in highly profitable agricultural activities (orchards and horticulture). However, their incorrect management can determine serious environmental impacts, mainly connected to large quantities of post-consume plastic waste. Another problem is linked to the visual impact that these large clusters can have on the surrounding rural landscape. Indeed, the aesthetic quality of these territories may be reduced, with negative impacts on the surrounding areas - often characterized by a fragile environment and a marked tourist vocation - whose perception is difficult to quantify and evaluate. In this paper, a GIS-based methodology has been implemented, to perform a visual impact assessment, by applying it to the case study of the agri-food district of “Metapontino” (Basilicata Region - Southern Italy). GIS tools, besides allowing complex spatial analysis, revealed as a planning instrument that can be used by public authority also to activate suitable strategies for mitigating the visual impact of plastics on rural landscape, so as to contribute to reducing the plastic footprint of agriculture

Assessing the impact of built heritage on the rural landscape through the integration in a GIS of cartographic information and remote-sensed data.

Rural landscapes are the result of the interaction occurred over time between human activities and natural environment. Humanity has built constructions conceived to host farmers and biological productions, that have contributed to increase the level of agricultural productivity, meeting the food demand. This built heritage constitutes now a unique example - due to architectural and technical issues different from other building sectors - which plays indeed a central role in the formation of the rural landscape, as well as on relevant ecosystem services. In this paper, the interactions between historical rural buildings and the surrounding landscape have been examined. A specific geo-database incorporating different datasets from topographical maps, aerial photos and satellite images has been implemented into a GIS. This approach has enabled to assess land dynamics around rural buildings, in terms of land cover and landscape indexes. A case study in an internal mountain area of Southern Italy has been considered. Thanks to a large-scale detailed spatial analysis, the relationships between some rural buildings and the surrounding landscape have been then assessed. This methodology allowed to implement a spatial system finalized to support solutions useful to public decision-makers, as well as to evaluate activities of protection and/or valorisation of the agro-forestry landscapes

Implementing a GIS-based Digital Atlas of Agricultural Plastics to Reduce Their Environmental Footprint. Part I: A Deductive Approach.

The agricultural sector has benefitted over the last century from several factors that have led to an exponential increase in its productive efficiency. The increasing use of new materials, such as plastics, has been one of the most important factors, as they have allowed for increased production in a simpler and more economical way. Various polymer types are used in different phases of the agricultural production cycle, but when their use is incorrectly managed, it can lead to different environmental impacts. In this study, an applied and simplified methodology to manage agricultural plastics monitoring and planning is proposed. The techniques used are based on quantification through the use of different datasets (orthophotos and satellite images) of the areas covered by plastics used for crop protection. The study area chosen is a part of the Ionian Coast of Southern Italy, which includes the most important municipalities of the Basilicata Region for fruit and vegetable production. The use of geographical techniques and observation methodologies, developed in an open‐source GIS environment, enabled accurate location of about 2000 hectares of agricultural land covered by plastics, as well as identification of the areas most susceptible to the accumulation of plastic waste. The techniques and the model implemented, due to its simplicity of use and reliability, can be applied by different local authorities in order to realize an Atlas of agricultural plastics, which would be applied for continuous monitoring, thereby enabling the upscaling of future social and ecological impact assessments, identification of new policy impacts, market searches, etc