ABSTRACT. The Mediterranean terraced landscapes are mainly shaped by agrarian drainage systems. They are nowadays increasingly exposed to degradation as a consequence of their changed management. The aim of this research is to characterize the slope lands drainage systems, at the landscape scale, in a hilly Mediterranean context, in order to define action priorities for their “active conservation, based on structural and agronomic parameters. RÉSUMÉ. Les paysages méditerranéens de terrasse sont souvent façonnés par des systèmes de drainage agricole. Ils sont aujourd'hui fortement exposés à des dégradations du fait de changements et abandon progressifs de leur gestion. L'objectif de la recherche présentée est de caractériser les systèmes de drainage des terrains en pente à l'échelle d'un territoire dans des secteurs de collines méditerranéennes, pour aider à définir des priorités d'interventions agronomiques, environnementales et socio-économiques pour préserver ces systèmes de drainage. La zone d'étude comprend 6 200ha, principalement couverte d'oliveraies, et située sur le versant sud-ouest du Monte Pisano (près de Pise en Toscane). La méthodologie mobilise le SIG et les techniques de la télédétection ; elle conduit à la caractérisation du territoire en termes agronomiques et de structure physique. Ceci permet de dégager des orientations de gestion de ces territoires pour assurer le maintien de leurs fonctions agro-environnementales. ________________ suggested citation: Rizzo D, Sabbatini T, Galli M, Bonari E (2006) Mediterranean landscapes characterization. SAGEO (Spatial Analysis and GEOmatics). Strasbourg (FRA).

1. low
(1.4 m/ha)
high
(583.1 m/ha)
•annual average rainfall: ~1000÷1300 mm,
•averageannualtemperature: from 14.5°C (Arno plain) to 10.2°C (M.te Serra) Results
Mediterranean landscapes characterization
Land Lab
Saint Anna School of Advanced Studies
via Santa Cecilia, 3 56127 Pisa –Italia
* davide@sssup.it
Since the 1960s the agricultural exploitation and management of the territory declined due to the decreasing number of farmers. Study area (Monte Pisano, NW Tuscany)
Geomorphological and climatic constraints implied the need to optimize the production capabilities, modifying the slopes with intensive drainage systems, widely using the dry-stone walls terracing (Galli et al., 2003), as in other hilly areas in Italy and Europe.
•max. height: Monte Serra, 917 m
•average slope37%;
•over than the 80% of the area has a slope > 20%
BaldeschiP., Il Chianti fiorentino, un progetto di tutela del paesaggio, Bari, Laterza, 2000.
Brancucci G., Ghersi A., Ruggiero M.E., Paesaggi liguri a terrazze: riflessioni per una metodologia di studio, Firenze, Alinea Editrice, 2000.
Galli M., Pieroni P., Brunori G.,«Un’esperienza di ricerca partecipativa per la valorizzazione degli spazi rurali nel comprensorio del Monte Pisano»,Estimo e territorio –Rivista di scienze ambientali, vol. LXVI, n°3, 2003: p. 54-63.
Parvex F., Turiel A., Sauvegarde des murs en pierres sèches et du vignoble en terrasses valaisan,Sierre (Switzerland), SEREC, 2001.
Ogrin D., «Mediterranean landscapes: contribution to a better management», Report commissioned by Priority Actions Programme, 2005.
Key references
permanent crops
urban fabric
other abandonedcrops
semi-natural areas & woods
abandonedolive groves
rivers
arable lands
mixed crops
pastures
First results quantitatively characterize the terraced landscape, focussing on the linksbetweendrainagestructuresandcultivationstate(i.e. abandonment).
Dry-stone walls density
Define a studymethodology
focussing on data requirement to understand the agronomicfacetsof terraced landscape degradation,
and develop supports for their future management. Aim
agrarian landscapes as system of landmarks
role of farming activitiesas the main drivers in their making and management
farmers’ choices
to express the productive capabilities of soils
managelimiting factors
augment useefficiencyof the disposable resources
permanent landmarks
superimposing to the territory an agronomic controlfactor
drainage systems for the management and conservation of soil and water resources
bench terraces
olive groves & vineyards
abandoned olive groves
ciglioni
dry-stone walls terracesNdata integration
Land cover

The available data were at a resolution too coarse neither not uniform and complete for the details of the classes.
Therefore a new map has been done, whose classes are defined on the standard CORINE land cover nomenclature.
Survey of present time agricultural activities (cultivated versus abandoned).
The new class “abandoned olive groves” has been defined on a specific area knowledge and field observation.
Cultivation
state

A proper methodology for their characterization is still poorly defined in literature.
We followed three steps:
(1) the description of the various drainage structure typologies,
(2) their localization through photointerpretation,
(3) the gathering of related quantitative data.
Drainage
structures
 Theoretical frameworkConclusions
Working within a GIS provided a profitable and operative supporttoplantheactiveconservationof terraced landscapes, through the localization and prioritization of their management needs.
This degradation cannot be completely understood using a classical geo-morphological approach but it shall be integratedwithagronomicparametersfor their key role in the terraced systems conservation.
•available data
•technical documents
•topographic maps
•aerial photos
decision support system
drainage structures
management priorities
(ongoing analysis) Methodology
1. collect
3. evaluate
4.manage
2. integrate
geo
database
existing knowledge
field surveys
photointerpretation
•land cover
•cultivations state
•drainage structures
•localization
•quantification
•classification
•quantification
cultivated olive groves
but unmanaged dry-stone walls
dry-stone walls terraces
terraces held-up by turf (ciglioni)
pocket terraces
rubble-wall terraces
The terraced landscapes in European Mediterranean areas are increasingly exposed to degradationas a consequence of their changed management
pocket terraces
Drainage structures
The landscapecharacterizationhighlighted the relevance of a landscapedegradationin terms of retaining walls fell-down, insufficient drainage, micro-landslides, etc).
Land cover & abandonmentwww.land-lab.org
mapping and analysis of the terraced olive groves on Monte Pisano
Davide Rizzo*, Tiziana Sabbatini, Mariassunta Galli, Enrico Bonari