The Impact of Urbanization on Land: A Biophysical-Based Assessment of Ecosystem Services Loss Supported by Remote Sensed Indicators

Land

Alice Cavalli¹  Daniela Smiraglia²  Luca Congedo²  Chiara Giuliani²  Michele Munafò²  Francesca Assennato²  Nicola Riitano²  Andrea Strollo² 

[1] Department of Innovation in Biology, Agri-Food and Forestry Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo del Lellis SNC, I-01100 Viterbo, Italy;Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, I-00144 Rome, Italy;

关键词: ecosystem services flows;    land monitoring;    land cover;    land consumption;    Italy;   

DOI  :  10.3390/land11020236

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Urbanization and related land consumption are one of the main causes of ecosystem services loss. This is especially the case for soil-related services affecting ecosystem functions and limiting accessibility to natural resources. Satellite remote sensing and environmental databases enable in-depth analysis of urban expansion and land changes, which can be used to monitor trends in the provision of ecosystem services. This work aims to describe a multilayered approach to the assessment of biophysical loss of ecosystem services flows in Italy caused by an increase in land consumption in the period 2012–2020. The results show higher losses in wood production, carbon storage, hydrological regime regulation, and pollination in the northern regions of Italy, as well as in some southern regions, such as Campania and Apulia. Habitat quality loss is widespread throughout Italy, whereas crop production loss varies on the basis of the locations in which it occurs and the crop types involved. Loss of arable land and fodder production mainly occurs in northern regions, whereas southern regions have experienced a drop in permanent crop production. This study highlights the importance of using integrated data and methodologies for well-founded approaches, with a view to gaining a thorough understanding of ecosystem services-related processes and the changes connected therewith.

【 授权许可】

Unknown