Desertification Risk, Long-Term Land-Use Changes and Environmental Resilience: A Case Study in Basilicata, Italy

Abstract

Quantifying the environmental vulnerability and the resilience of rapidly changing Mediterranean landscapes under climate change is a crucial undertaking for the sustainable management of regions experiencing intense human pressure. This paper diachronically (1975–2006) analyses the impact of land-use changes (LUCs) on land vulnerability to desertification at two coastal sites in southern Italy with different environmental and socioeconomic conditions to identify landscape responses to territorial reconfiguration. We found that both initial land vulnerability and its increase over time are higher in areas experiencing LUCs than in areas with stable patterns of land-use. Stable, low levels of land vulnerability to desertification were associated with forests and semi-natural areas, while urbanisation and agricultural intensification led to marked increases in land vulnerability. The procedure outlined in this paper is suitable for identifying land-use trajectories associated with the desertification\ud processes and may inform policies aimed at preventing soil and land degradation

Shaping the role of 'fast' and 'slow' drivers of change in forest-shrubland socio-ecological systems

“…institutional factors, changes in labour markets, educational levels, etc.) that directly and indirectly affect changes in natural capital components and, thus, affect the balance (resilience) of the system (Bennett et al, 2005;Salvati et al 2013). In addition, feedback mechanisms operating at slower speeds are seen to induce change in the system which lag behind the faster-rate changes, but onto which policy decisions are ultimately overlaid (Walker and Salt, 2006).…”

“…6515 Salvati, L., De Angelis, A., Bajocco, S.,Ferrara, A., Barone, P.M., 2013. Desertification Risk, Long-Term Land-Use Changes and Environmental Resilience: A Case Study in Basilicata, Italy.…”

The Effect of Land Use Changes on Desertification Hazard (Case Study: Maraveh Tappeh Region of Golestan Province, Iran)

“…Incorrect policy of resource management such as intensive grazing and over-exploitation of land and water resources and deforestation are the main factors in the destruction of resources and the development of desertification process (Abahussain et al, 2002). The results of Salvati et al (2013) in Basilicata, Italy showed that region with stable pattern of land-use are lower at risk of desertification than region with land use changes.…”

Towards a socioeconomic profile for areas vulnerable to soil compaction? A case study in a Mediterranean country

“…As a non-renewable resource, soils undergo degradation limiting or inhibiting their functionality (e.g. Salvati et al, 2013aSalvati et al, , 2013b. Soil compaction is a relevant degradation process at the global scale altering soil structure by mechanical pressure, mostly due to unsustainable agricultural practices (Nawaz et al, 2013;Soane and van Ouwerkerk, 1998).…”