Mapping the fragility hotspots of a Mediterranean terraced system: a landscape agronomy approach based on GIS multi-criteria analysis. Rizzo D, Gennai-Schott S, Sabbatini T, Bonari E | #ITLA2016 The current management of Mediterranean terraced landscapes rises questions that go beyond the agricultural dynamics. Numerous studies addressed so far the terraced landscape management, encompassing various geographic locations and several disciplinary or integrative approaches. Yet, the observable current dynamics suggest instead that the major challenge for terraced landscape conservation is to capitalize past knowledge to provide a reliable support for the new land managers. Indeed, terraced landscapes have sometimes shifted toward neo-rurality and periurbanity, and farming is pursued just as part-time or hobby activity. Whereas the abandonment of the entire farming system implies the basic problem to conserve both soil and landscape cultural features, new management styles may imply a partial farming abandonment (i.e., just of the terrace management). Altogether, this claims for new landscape strategies to preserve the character of these traditional systems. Accordingly, we carried out a landscape agronomy assessment to support the management of a terraced system. This article aims to discuss a spatially explicit method combining natural and anthropic landscape features related the expected terrace degradation dynamics (i.e., fragility). Of note, we targeted the formalization of local expert knowledge as fundamental complement to existing and available maps. The method is a GIS based multi-criteria analysis (MCA) designed and implemented on the Monte Pisano (62 km², Tuscany, ITA) as illustrative of Mediterranean terraced landscapes. Schematically a MCA method is composed by three cognitive processes: the characterization of the decision-making situation, the modeling of the preferences, and the formulation of final recommendations. In our case-study these were articulated in a 6-steps method drawn upon the structure proposed by Malczewski (1999, GIS and multicriteria decision analysis. Wiley). First there was the definition of decision problem (1), then divided into operational objectives and associated to a set of criteria (2). The GIS environment added the need to identify the relevant spatial scale (3). These bases supported the selection and the elaboration of attributes (4), then aggregated according to the preferences expressed by the decision maker(s) (5). In this way, the terraced landscape was delimited into a set of ranked spatial alternatives responding to the initial decision problem. Finally, the assessment of the result reliability with field validation allowed formulating the final recommendations (6). The main results were the maps of local terraced landscape structural and overall fragility, classed into four levels ranging from weak to strong, i.e. where intensive management is required to mitigate/avoid expected degradation.

1. Davide RIZZO et al. – Sant’Anna Pisa – ridavide@gmail.com
Mapping the fragility hotspots of a Mediterranean terraced system
a landscape agronomy approach based on GIS multi-criteria analysis.

2. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
Davide
Sabine
Tiziana
Enrico
RIZZO landscape agronomist
GENNAI-SCHOTT geographer
SABBATINI geologist
BONARI agronomist
Mapping the fragility hotspots of a Mediterranean terraced system
a landscape agronomy approach based on GIS multi-criteria analysis.
2

3. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
3
Focus on management
PhD on terrace
landscape management
and function with
research action
approach
PhD on landscape
agronomy mapping to
identify management
priorities
International research
project (French ANR) to
characterize periurban
agricultural systems
and actors
Where are the different terraces?
Who is managing the terrace system?
http://bit.ly/MontemagnoStories

4. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
Introduction
& aim
4

5. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
introduction and aim
Current management of
Mediterranean terraced landscapes
rises questions that go beyond the
agricultural dynamics.
Numerous studies addressed so far
various geographic locations though
mainly with disciplinary approaches.
We need a shift towards a territorial
perspective to cope with the post-
productive context
5
Terraced landscapes: beyond sectorial approaches
Cf. introductory plenary by Sabina Asins-Velis
October 7, 2016 in Venice

6. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
introduction and aim
6
Terrace systems are mainly in foothills
Varotto et al., 2016 MapTer early results
TL3 plenary October 7, Venice
Terrace height average

7. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
introduction and aim
7
Foothill periurbanisation in central Tuscany
http://bit.ly/ISPRA2015
Ispra, report n.218, 2015
Foothill areas in
between Florence and
Pisa farming systems
are increasingly
urbanized
So, local terrace
systems are shifting
toward neo-rurality and
periurbanity: farming is
just as part-time or
hobby activity.
MapTer2016

8. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
introduction and aim
8
What is abandonment (in periurban systems)?
These systems
are concerned by
either the
complete
abandonment of
the farming
system OR, with
new
management
styles, may imply
only a partial
abandonment
(just of terrace
management).Monte Pisano (ITA) | Photo: Rizzo D
Importance of mapping terrace management practices

9. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
introduction and aim
9
Informing & supporting new land managers
Observable
current
dynamics
suggest that
major
challenges for
conservation is
to capitalize
past
knowledge to
provide a
reliable
support for the
new land
managersMonte Pisano (ITA) | Photo: Rizzo D

10. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
introduction and aim
To develop
territorial
strategies to
preserve the
character of
terrace systems
we proposed a
landscape
agronomy
approach.
10
A landscape agronomy background
Benoît M, Rizzo D, et al. Landscape
agronomy: a new field for addressing
agricultural landscape dynamics.
Landscape Ecology 10 (2012)

11. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
introduction and aim
Discussing a spatially explicit
method combining natural and
anthropic landscape features
related the expected terrace
degradation dynamics (fragility).
11
AIM of this talk
1. mapping terraces
2. describe management
3. prioritize management
4. support management
Monte Pisano (ITA) | Photo: Rizzo D

12. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
The study
1. mapping terraces
2. describe management
3. prioritize management
4. support management
12
Monte Pisano (ITA)
| Photo: Rizzo D

13. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
13
Terraces throughout the Mediterranean
Main terraced systems below 1000m a.s.l.
Ambroiseetal.,1989;GroveeRackham,2000;Brancuccietal.,2000;
Pinto-CorreiaeVos,2004;Baldeschietal.,2005

14. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
14
A clear knowledge gap (ISPRA report, 2008)
plain
hill
mountain
Source: Landslides in Italy - Special Report 2008, ISPRA Original source: LPIS refresh di AGEA-SIN
Red dots:
terraced
fields

15. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
15
Terrace intensity (Agnoletti et al., 2015)
18 sample area with
terrace intensity
ranging from
512 to 1,422 m/ha
The greatest part is
cultivated with olive groves
“Given the historical and cultural
significance of these agricultural
landscapes, we need to expand our
knowledge through an integrated
and multidisciplinary approach.”
Territorial Analysis of the Agricultural Terraced Landscapes
of Tuscany (Italy): Preliminary Results. Sustainability 7(2015)

16. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
16
Terrace per landscape unit (Rossi et al., 1994)
• Widespread in the Region
(Apennine hills)
• 2 areas emerge: Monte Pisano
(near Pisa) and Montalbano
(near Vinci)
• Both with intensive olive grove
production systems
Ratio on
the total
landscape
unit area
http://bit.ly/ArsiaTer

17. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
17
Different techniques 1 (Region Tuscany)
Elaborated from the Piano di Indirizzo
Territoriale 2005-2010, Reg. Tuscany
Coexistence
of different
techniques
http://bit.ly/ArsiaTer

18. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
18
Different techniques 2 (historical maps)
Best suited for
local geology,
pedology and
morphology
http://bit.ly/ArsiaTer

19. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
19
Study area: Monte Pisano (ITA, Tuscany)

20. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
20
Mapping for managing

21. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
The study
1. mapping terrace
2. describe management
3. prioritize management
4. support management
21
Monte Pisano (ITA) | Photo: F. Casella

22. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
22
Immediate issues: runoff & acessibility
http://bit.ly/MontemagnoRain
Photo: Fabio Casella

23. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
23
Where is the abandonment?
Monte Pisano (ITA) | Photo: Rizzo D

24. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
24
Altogether, a simple structure
To p h i l l w o o d s
M i d h i l l t e r r a c e s
F o o t h i l l v i l l a g e s

25. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
25
Terraces are part of a complex system
Total monuntain: 160 Km2;
Study focus: 62 Km2
Ave slope37%
(>20% in >80% of the area)
Shallow soils
Ave rain: 1000÷1300 mm/yr
micro-topography is crucial
ave dry-stone wall density
1,050m/ha
(max 2000m/ha)

26. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
26
Dry-stone wall terraces
Caruso, 1883

27. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
27
Complex practice to manage soil & water
Figures: F. Casella & D. Rizzo

28. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
28
Dry-stone wall density
ave 1050m/ha
(max 2000m/ha)
1,813 ha of total
agricultural surface

29. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
29
Different techniques / management
Best suited for local
geology, pedology and
morphology

30. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
The study
1. mapping terraces
2. describe management
3. prioritize management
4. support management
30

31. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
31
GIS-Multicriteria workflow
Rizzo et al. (in preparation) Evaluation and reliability of a GIS-based multicriteria assessment Mediterranean terraced system fragility

32. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
32
Modeling preferences
Orientation
Elevation
Agro-pedology
Geomorphological risk
Terrace type
Terrace density
Land use and
abandonment
Structural
fragility
Agronomic
parameters
Anthropic
modifications
Total
fragility
Management
practices
Geomorphology
GOALS CRITERIA ATRIBUTES

33. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
33
Attribute classification (rasters 10x10m)
min maxGeomorphological risk
min. erodibility
max. infiltration
max. erodibility
min. infiltration
agro-pedology
high suitability for local crops low suitability for local cropsaltitude
high suitability
max. total evapotransp.
low suitability
min. total evapotransp.
orientation
little morphological change
simple management
great morphological change
intensive management
Terrace type
low labour intensity, cultivated high labour intensity, abandoned
Land use
Terrace density

34. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
34
Structural fragility
Ranked spatial
alternatives responding to
the initial decision
problem, classed into four
levels ranging from weak
to strong,
i.e. where intensive
management is required to
mitigate/avoid expected
degradation phenomena.

35. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
35
Total fragility
Accounting for actual
agricultural management (i.e.,
cultivated versus abandoned
olive groves) reduced fragility
for >1/3 compared to
structural fragility
35% improved
56% unchanged
9% worsen

36. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
The field validation showed
that the method proved
reliable at identifying the
extreme classes of fragility.
36
Evaluating the GIS-MCA accuracy
KHAT measures accuracy removing
random effect. It varies between 0
(completely random results) and 1
(perfect accuracy)
79.1%
76.8%
Producer accuracyProducer accuracy User accuracy Producer accuracy User accuracy
Structural fragility Total fragility

37. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
The study
1. mapping terraces
2. describe management
3. prioritize management
4. support management
37

38. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
38
Map provides context for management

39. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
39
Evaluating terrace management costs

40. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
40
Insight in production practices
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
0 200 400 600 800 1000
oil(l)/tree
number of trees
Olive oil per tree as function of nb of tree
managed per farmer
46%
43%
8%
3%
Tree managed/ hobby farmer
up to200
up to 400
up to 1000
more than 1000

41. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
Altogether, the
various study outputs
(maps, handbook,
disseminations
activities) are
supporting local policy
makers at prioritizing
the use of monetary
resources (e.g., public
investments or
targeted subsidies)
ordinarily insufficient
to cope with the huge
need for the whole
terraced system.
41
Capitalizing knowledge
http://bit.ly/MP_Manuale

42. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
the study
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
Progetti
Manuali (capitalizing knowledge)
Cost evaluations (PIT Toscana)
42
Disseminating management skills
Monte Pisano (ITA) | Photo: Rizzo D

43. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
Perspective
& conclusion
43
Monte Pisano (ITA) | Photo: Rizzo D

44. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
perspectives and conclusion
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
44
Where do we go from here?
Remote sensing and
multidisciplinary methods to fill
the knowledge gap on terrace
system structure
Interviews and participatory
approaches to involve local
experts and complement
existing and available maps.
Formalization through
handbook and maps to ease
transmission and
dissemination.
Involve the various land
managers and raise awareness
on the system perspective

45. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
45

46. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
46
REF

47. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
47
References
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48. 48
Classe di fragilità somma
1 2 3 4
strutturale
1 14,0 % 3,9 % 1,1 % - 18,9 %
2 1,8 % 3,6 % 1,8 % 0,1 % 7,3 %
3 1,2 % 5,9 % 21,5 % 6,7 % 35,3 %
4 - 0,9 % 13,5 % 24,1 % 38,5 %
somma 17,1 % 14,2 % 37,9 % 30,9 % 100 %
complessiva
1 15,5 % 3,6 % 1,1 % - 20,1 %
2 1,4 % 9,1 % 6,9 % 4,8 % 22,2 %
3 0,2 % 1,4 % 27,2 % 15,4 % 44,3 %
4 - 0,1 % 2,7 % 10,6 % 13,4 %
somma 17,1 % 14,2 % 37,9 % 30,9 % 100 %
Matrice di errore
introduzione caso di studio metodo risultati conclusioni
Accuratezza della mappatura :
• dati corretti sulla diagonale
• errori di stima (confronto per riga)
% sul totale della
superficie rilevata
stimata
rilevata

49. Mapping the fragility hotspots of
a Mediterranean terraced system
Davide Rizzo et al.
Chiavari October 10, 2016
49
Cameo di Crozza all'interno dell'album "Cicciput" di Elio e le Storie Tese
Ciao, sono Maurizio Crozza, e voglio dirti una cosa.
Ogni anno la Toscana è depredata della sua terra stessa.
Ogni giorno un po' di Toscana muore.
Forse per gli incendi? No no no no no.
Forse per i saccheggi? No no no no no.
Forse perché...? No no no no no.
La Toscana muore perché ogni giorno qualcuno porta via un sasso.
Se ognuno di noi portasse via un sasso, la Toscana si espanderebbe
in tutto il mondo e nessuno potrebbe riconoscere più la Toscana,
perché sarebbe ormai in tutto il mondo, quindi tutto il mondo si
potrebbe chiamare Toscana, quindi la Toscana non esisterebbe più.
Non portare via un sasso dalla Toscana, perché altrimenti non
sappiamo più dov'è la Toscana.
https://youtu.be/Lp-HOfJfElk