Application of Bioengineering Techniques as Geo-Hydrological Risk Mitigation Measures in a Highly Valuable Cultural Landscape: Experiences from the Cinque Terre National Park (Italy)

Giacomo Pepe, Elena Baudinelli, Matteo Zanini, Domenico Calcaterra, Andrea Cevasco, Patrizio Scarpellini and Marco Firpo
Additional contact information
Giacomo Pepe: Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italy
Elena Baudinelli: Private Consultant, Via Valle 31, 19020 Vezzano Ligure, Italy
Matteo Zanini: Private Consultant, Via Provinciale 64/4, 28855 Masera, Italy
Domenico Calcaterra: Department of Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences (DiSTAR), Federico II University of Naples, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
Andrea Cevasco: Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italy
Patrizio Scarpellini: Geologic Risks Studies Center of the Cinque Terre National Park, 19017 Riomaggiore, Italy
Marco Firpo: Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italy

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 20, 1-22

Abstract: In this work, experiences from the use of bioengineering techniques as geo-hydrological risk mitigation measures within the territory of Cinque Terre National Park (Eastern Liguria, Italy) after an extreme rainfall event that occurred on 25 October 2011 are described. This rainstorm was responsible for intense erosive processes and triggered numerous shallow landslides, causing severe structural and economic damage. After this disastrous event, many bioengineering interventions were planned to stabilize the most unstable slopes and the most problematic streams. Based on multidisciplinary studies and field surveys, an inventory of the executed bioengineering works was compiled. Subsequently, on the basis of expert judgement, both the efficiency and effectiveness of the works three years after their construction were examined. Furthermore, the compliance of the executed works with the design requirements was analysed. This study revealed that some of the investigated works lack post-intervention maintenance and require the adoption of remedial measures aimed at improving the biotechnical functions of live materials, which are often ineffective. This case study highlights the importance of technical aspects that should be considered during the design phase of bioengineering works, especially when implemented within protected areas. Specifically, it would be greatly helpful to define instructions for post-intervention maintenance and monitoring and to perform vegetational studies. Considering the great cultural and natural heritage of the study area, the obtained results are expected to provide useful information for the definition of guidelines for the best practices to be adopted when future bioengineering works are planned for geo-hydrological risk management purposes.

Keywords: bioengineering; Cinque Terre; cultural landscapes; geo-hydrological risk; shallow landslides; slope stabilization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/20/8653/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/20/8653/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8653-:d:431098

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().