An integrated approach to a complex case study of land degradation due to human and natural factors

Autor: T. Simoniello, G. Calamita, R. Coluzzi, M. D'emilio, M.L. Giannossi, V. Imbrenda, M. Lanfredi, J. Makris, A. Palombo, S. Pascucci, A. Perrone, S. Pignatti, F. Santini, V. Summa
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2014
Předmět:
Zdroj: Global Change Research Symposium, Ostuni, Brindisi, Italy, 16/09/2014-18/09/2014
info:cnr-pdr/source/autori:T. Simoniello, G. Calamita, R. Coluzzi, M. D'emilio, M.L. Giannossi, V. Imbrenda, M. Lanfredi, J. Makris, A. Palombo, S. Pascucci, A. Perrone, S. Pignatti, F. Santini, V. Summa/congresso_nome:Global Change Research Symposium/congresso_luogo:Ostuni, Brindisi, Italy/congresso_data:16%2F09%2F2014-18%2F09%2F2014/anno:2014/pagina_da:/pagina_a:/intervallo_pagine
Popis: Although humans interact with the biophysical environment almost everywhere, this relationship is stronger in coastal areas that represent, since the beginning of human history, the most suitable place where to settle. The fragile equilibrium characterizing these areas can be easily damaged by the synergic contribution of natural events (storm events, floods, coastal regression) and anthropogenic stressors (tourism, urban sprawl, agriculture intensification) leading in some cases to the occurrence of land degradation phenomena. In this work, inserted within PRO-LAND project (PO-FESR Basilicata 2007-2013), we studied at plot scale a complex phenomenon of degradation (salinization) occurred in a coastal area of the Basilicata region (Southern Italy) that can be considered an interesting hotspot for analyzing the effects of multifaceted interactions between natural and human factors. The study area is located in the southernmost part of the Bradanic Trough along the sandy coastal plain of the Ionian coast, placed between the southern Apennines and the Apulian foreland. The main vulnerability of the examined natural system is linked to hydrogeological conditions that affect shallowness of the aquifer reaching the depth of 45-50 m below the ground level thus allowing the occurrence of seawater intrusion in areas close to the coastline. Moreover, throughout the 20th century, land reclamation works, the built-up of several dams and irrigation schemes, and the presence of farm and industrial activities, some of which not suitably planned and managed, have deeply altered the quality of soil and groundwater in the Ionian coast. The approach adopted in this work is inserted in a multidisciplinary framework combining in situ measurements (geomineralogical and geophysical) and remote sensed data (CASI sensor - Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager). Geomineralogical parameters (granulometry, pH, temperature, clay fraction) were determined on several soil samples. Geophysical data were obtained using the GEM-300, an electro-magnetic induction (EMI) sensor providing Apparent Electric Conductivity measurements at various frequencies. The geophysical surveys were conducted along transects on three different zones inside the study area where the spatial structure of data was inspected. Airborne images were acquired on the study area by the hyperspectral CASI-1500 imager (76 bands with 1.5m of spatial resolution) to derive indices sensitive to soil degradation. We analyzed the collected data to find relationships between them at the aim of getting insights about the proximate causes and the underlying driving forces of the occurred degradation phenomena in the perspective of suggesting the most appropriate best practices and restoration activities to be undertaken.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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