MONITORING LANDSCAPE DEGRADATION IN MEDITERRANEAN AREAS INTEGRATING MEDALUS AND REMOTE SENSING FOR FRAGILE ARCHEOLANDSCAPE PLANNING: THE BASILICATA CASE STUDY

The main objective of the research was identifying the phenomena that generate land degradation (LD), in the Basilicata region’s landscape (southern Italy),with a MEDALUS (Kosmas et al., 1999) and RS approach, through the help of 6 main indicators (Soil Quality Index, Climate Quality Index, Vegetation Quality Index, Management Quality Index, Landslide Risk Index, Water Availability Index) and through NDVI differencing thresholds evaluation in time intervals, covering a 20 years’ time span going from 2000 to 2020. The Basilicata region saw this phenomenon increased in the past centuries, both because there has never been any monitoring of LD at regional planning-level, and for the fact that historically the region suffered severe agricultural stress, with enormous deforestations that have led to soil degradation and consequently to the depopulation of the internal marginal areas. These elements caused a strong impact on the potential regional progress, both economic and social, leading to a huge ecological damage. The methodology helped to outline the future LD predictions for the region, and consequentially its management possibilities and implications in relation to this critical issue, in order to maintain or restore the pre-existing values, thus integrating the study of Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in a scientific validated Decision Support System (DSS), for new coherent and integrated landscape strategies in marginal territories. This objective derives from recognizing the landscape as defined in the European Convention (Council of Europe, 2000) as an important element for community interest, on the cultural, ecological, environmental and social point of view, and as a resource for economic development, pursued by enhancing the preservation of its fundamental component of cultural and natural heritage.