Dall'Aglio P.L., De Donatis M., Franceschelli C., Guerra C., Guerra V., Nesci O., Piacentini D., Savelli S., 2017. Geomorphological and anthropic control of the development of some Adriatic historical towns (Italy) since the Roman age. Quaestiones Geographicae 36(3), Bogucki Wydawnictwo Naukowe, Poznań, pp. 111-123. 6 figs.abstraCt: The geomorphological analysis of historically urbanized areas is the best scientific way to understand how the extant geomorphological factors conditioned urbanization. It also provides a baseline to enable comparisons to be made with the modern environment. This paper considers four urbanized historical sites on the Adriatic coast (Italy) that owe their urban development to particular geomorphological and environmental conditions that were modified over the centuries from the Roman age to the present day. The focus here is on the evolution of the shoreline and associated geomorphic variables (streambeds and river mouths migration). These factors are fundamental for determining the development of a city, both as basic boundary elements -therefore including defence and protection -and also for the development of harbours.

Studying fluvial dynamics and environments, GIS-based analyses are of fundamental importance to evaluate the network geometry and possible anomalies, and can be particularly useful to estimate modifications in processes and erosion rates. The aim of this paper is to estimate short-term erosion rates attributable to fluvial processes in two sample catchment sub-basins of the Marecchia river valley, by conducting quantitative morphometric analyses in order to calculate various descriptive parameters of the hierarchisation of the river networks and the mean turbid transport of streams (Tu). Sediment yield transported by streams can in fact partially express the amount of erosional processes acting within the drainage basin. The study area includes two sub-basins of the Marecchia valley (Senatello river, 49 km2 and Mazzocco river, 47 km2), chosen because of their similar extent and of the different location in the major catchment basin. Starting from geomorphological maps of the two river basins, the Tu parameter has been calculated and converted in short-term rate (average value 0.21 mm/year). Moreover, the comparison of these short-term mean data with the uplift rates calculated on a regional scale (0.41 ± 0.26 mm/year) in the Marecchia valley confirms that the northern Apennines may represent a non-steady state system.

Geoheritage is a geotourism resource that could lead to the sustainable development of society, and could contribute to information on geological and geomorphological characteristics, education, public awareness on geoconservation, and landscape protection. Understanding this cultural wealth is still limited, since the information available is often specialized. Communication addressed to the emotional sphere can profoundly engage people, and technical information can be transmitted more effectively. For several years, our research group dealt with geoheritage and geotourism in central Italy. This work aimed to investigate different communication methods, such as publications, announcements through social media, conferences, live performances, and field excursions aimed at the emotional involvement of the public. Furthermore, the emotional response of the public was explored through a digital survey. These communication methodologies enabled a broad public reach, without any distinction based on social origin, cultural background, or age. Narrating the landscape through different forms of art creates a personal relationship with the audience. The emotional participation of the people demonstrates the effectiveness of the method in transmitting scientific and cultural themes, such as the origin of the geological landforms, the culture and the traditions that the site generated, and the problems pertaining to its protection and conservation.

The aim of this paper is to present the geomorphological map of the right side of the middle Marecchia valley, in the northern Apennines (Italy), as a basis to enhance the geotouristic potential of the area. This area has been chosen because it is representative of the geological, geomorphological and geodynamic context characterizing the whole Marecchia basin, where a massive allochthonous body (known as Valmarecchia Nappe) widely outcrops. This area consists of Ligurian and Epiligurian formations that overthrust the Umbro-Marchean autochthonous units, drawing a peculiar landscape characterized by high geodiversity and marked above all by landforms developing into various formations. In order to map the main geomorphological features, multi-temporal aerial photos analysis, field survey and bibliographical research, concerning both the geomorphological and cultural values, have been carried out. The landforms highlighted in the map include stream terraces, vertical cliffs, alluvial fans, badlands and landslides; additional geomorphological points of interest have been described and mapped as they represent the most distinctive events in the area. The geomorphological features have been integrated with the additional (ecological, aesthetic, cultural) values to quantify the value of each geosite using an adapted version of Reynard et al. ( 2016)'s method, from which it emerged that the sites have high scores both in terms of scientific and additional values, making the study area an ideal territory in which implement actions and proposals for geotouristic fruition.

This work proposes an integrated methodology to inventory and quantitatively assess the geosites located in a mountain context of northern Apennines. The geological and geomorphological heritage and the historical, cultural, and religious heritage produce a complex cultural landscape. Such a context is expressed sometimes through monumental examples and other times through hidden or invisible points of interest. In particular, the test area is located between the Emilia-Romagna and Toscana regions (high valley of Tiber, Senatello and Marecchia rivers), including part of three protected areas. The choice of these test sites has been addressed also considering that meaningful historical sites and cultural testimonies are widely present, in addition to the geological and geomorphological features. Amongst these sites, we have considered the Mt. Faggiola Castle ruins, where Dante was possibly hosted when exiled from Florence, the St. Francesco route from Rimini to La Verna, the Historical Park of the Gothic Line of Badia Tedalda and the background of one of the most iconic Leonardo da Vinci’s portraits, la Gioconda.