A comprehensive diachronic analysis (1951–2010) of precipitation and temperature regimes has been carried out at the national and regional scale in Italy to investigate the impact of climate aridity on the agricultural system. Trends in climate aridity have been also analysed using UNEP aridity index which is the ratio between rainfall and potential evapotranspiration on a yearly basis. During the examined time period, and particularly in the most recent years, a gradual reduction in rainfall and growing temperatures have been observed which have further widened the gap between precipitation amounts and water demand in agriculture.

Summer precipitation and temperature regimes have been compared along the coastal-inland gradient in three sites (Tor Paterno and Castello in Castelporziano forest and Collegio Romano in inner Rome, central Italy) during the last 15 years (1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013). Soil water budget using rainfall, evapotranspiration and maximum water capacity of the soil was calculated according to Thornthwaite-Mather approach for the two forest sites. Meteorological conditions during the dry season were found significantly different in the three sites with minimum temperatures increasing from the coastal site (Tor Paterno) to the inland area (Castello and Rome). Maximum temperatures showed a less marked coastal-inland gradient. Cumulative summer rainfalls (accounting for less than the 10 % of annual precipitation) were comparable in the three sites along with a high variability. Although soil water budget variables (available water content and water deficit) were similar in the two forest sites, the aridity index was higher in the inland site than in the coastal site. Despite based on a relatively short climatic time-series, implications of the climate variations observed along the coastalinland gradient in Castelporziano are discussed in the light of conservation of the residual pristine flat oakwood stands and the traditional agro-forest landscape mosaic.

ABSTRACT. Urban sprawl is among the most debated topics in the field of urbanism, environmental sciences, ecology, economics, and geography. As urban sprawl involves different subjects of study, this phenomenon is extremely fascinating on the one side, but very complex and difficult to analyze on the other side. For this reason, sprawl has and is attracting the interest of many researchers from all over the world, having the objective to define the nature, dynamics and consequences that the process of low-density urban expansion is having on the biophysical and socioeconomic environment. The aim of this review is to provide a brief picture on the nature of the relationship existing between sprawl and the environment with special attention to Europe. The growing environmental vulnerability of the European urban regions was discussed according to a bibliographic survey based on qualiquantitative studies. Evidence support the idea that environmental policy and regional planning should cope more effectively with the increasing vulnerability of 'shrinking' urban regions to natural hazards.

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