Landscape and Vegetation Patterns Zoning Is a Methodological Tool for Management Costs Implications Due to Xylella fastidiosa Invasion

Francesco Bozzo, Michel Frem, Vincenzo Fucilli, Gianluigi Cardone, Paolo Francesco Garofoli, Stefania Geronimo and Alessandro Petrontino
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Francesco Bozzo: Department of Agro-Environmental and Territorial Sciences, University of Bari—Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
Michel Frem: Department of Agro-Environmental and Territorial Sciences, University of Bari—Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
Vincenzo Fucilli: Department of Agro-Environmental and Territorial Sciences, University of Bari—Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
Gianluigi Cardone: Mediterranean Agronomic Institute, CIHEAM BARI, Via Ceglie 9, Valenzano, 70010 Bari, Italy
Paolo Francesco Garofoli: Department of Environment, Landscape and Urban Quality, Apulia Region, Via Giovanni Gentile 52, 70126 Bari, Italy
Stefania Geronimo: Department of Environment, Landscape and Urban Quality, Apulia Region, Via Giovanni Gentile 52, 70126 Bari, Italy
Alessandro Petrontino: Department of Agro-Environmental and Territorial Sciences, University of Bari—Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus 1758, hereafter Ps ) is considered one of the main insect vectors responsible for the spread of an alien biota, Xylella fastidiosa (Wells 1987, hereafter Xf ), in the Salento area, Apulia region (Southern Italy). Effective management of this biological invader depends on the continuous surveillance and monitoring of its insect vector. As such, this research elicits the invasion drivers (i.e., landscape and vegetation indicators) that influence the abundance and the dynamics of this vector and, consequently, the spatial spread of this bacterium in this Italian region. For this purpose, a spatial pattern clustering methodological approach is considered. The results reveal that spatial variation and territorial differentiation may differ from zone to zone in the same invaded area, for which effective management and monitoring planning should be addressed. Further, six agro-ecosystems zones have been identified with respect to five indicators: (i) vegetation index, (ii) intensity of cultivation, (iii) cultural diversity, (iv) density of agricultural landscape elements, and (v) altitude. This paper has public implications and contributes to an understanding of how zoning of an infected area, by an alien biota, into homogenous zones may impact its effective management costs. This approach could also be applied in other countries affected or potentially affected by the phenomenon of Xf invasion.

Keywords: alien biota; biological invasion costs; invasion drivers; landscape heterogeneity; management; methodological spatial analysis; vegetation pattern; Philaenus spumarius; Xylella fastidiosa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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