Italy represents one of the most suitable
environment for fruit trees and vines and since the origin
of their domestication and introduction in extremely
varying environments, depending on the species
adaptability and local culture, a complex mosaic of
landscapes has been originated by Nature, farmers or
gardeners. In the study of the landscape it must be
considered that the relationship between fruit trees or
vines and landscapes represents a precious aspect of
the Italian culture and has been studied by History,
represented in Art and Literature, analyzed by science
like Architecture and Agronomy, but at first has been
created by Agriculture. Owing to the evolution of the
relationship land and farmers, the development of
agricultural practices, the change of marked requirements
and objectives, different agricultural landscapes
have been created, each having an unique
meaning and functions. Nonetheless, the physiognomy
of tree cropping systems has changed rapidly
starting from half of the past century because of the
introduction of new genetic resources, the change in
the meaning of the product’s quality, the industrialization
of the agronomic technique. These recent developments
have turned out in loss of landscape diversity,
biodiversity erosion, environment resources depletion.
The actual physiognomy of the Italian countryside,
from the plan to the most represented mountain
areas, is characterized by modern and traditional agricultural
landscapes, not even distinguished, frequently
overlaid. They represent the “forms” of the today’s
arboriculture visible in the historic and contemporary
gardens, in the remnants of the coltura promiscua, in
the polycultural growing systems, as well as in the
specialized orchards. The contemporary landscape of
fruit trees and vines witnesses its history, characters
and functions particularly in terms of biological and
environmental diversity maintenance. This review is
focused on the traditional fruit tree and vine’s landscapes
still well rooted in the Italian agricultural landscape,
but differently conserved, managed and perceived.
The aim of the historical excursus is to go
through their development phases and to underline
the changing functions. A survey of the multifunctionality
recognisable in the traditional agricultural landscape,
in particular their role in the preservation of
environmental resources, agro-ecosystems functionality,
landscape diversity and cultural memory justifies
the interest in the preservation and valorisation of
these productive landscapes and of the traditional
agricultural techniques, thank to which they are maintained.
The preserving strategies adopted in the
European countries as well as the modern study
approaches based on multidisciplinary methodologies
are also analysed
