Analysis of the Effect of Soil Erosion in Abandoned Agricultural Areas: The Case of NE Area of Basilicata Region (Southern Italy)

Valentina Santarsiero, Antonio Lanorte (), Gabriele Nolè, Giuseppe Cillis, Biagio Tucci and Beniamino Murgante
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Valentina Santarsiero: CNR IMAA, Tito Scalo, 85050 Potenza, Italy
Antonio Lanorte: CNR IMAA, Tito Scalo, 85050 Potenza, Italy
Gabriele Nolè: CNR IMAA, Tito Scalo, 85050 Potenza, Italy
Giuseppe Cillis: CNR IMAA, Tito Scalo, 85050 Potenza, Italy
Biagio Tucci: CNR IMAA, Tito Scalo, 85050 Potenza, Italy
Beniamino Murgante: School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-22

Abstract: Land abandonment is among the most complex la nd use change processes driven by a multiplicity of anthropogenic and natural factors, such as agricultural over-exploitation, implementation of agricultural policies, socio-economic and climatic aspects. Therefore, it is necessary to deepen the effects of land abandonment based on methodologies that are as multidisciplinary as possible. Environmental and social problems related to abandonment include soil erosion and environmental degradation. Approaches combining GIS (Geographic Information System), remote sensing, and image analysis techniques allow for assessments and predictions based on integrating theoretical models with advanced geospatial and geostatistical models. One of the most widely used models for soil erosion estimation is the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The present work developed a model using remote sensing and GIS tools to investigate some factors of the RUSLE equation to evaluate the adverse effects of soil erosion in areas covered by arable crops and subsequently abandoned. To identify potentially degraded areas, two factors of the RUSLE were related: the C Factor describing the vegetation cover of the soil and the A Factor representing the amount of potential soil erosion. Through statistical correlation analysis with the RUSLE factors, based on the deviations from the average erosion values and mapping of the areas of vegetation degradation relating to arable land, the areas identified and mapped are susceptible to soil degradation.

Keywords: land abandonment; soil erosion; remote sensing; GIS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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