Degradation, rehabilitation and sustainable management of a dunal ecosystem in central Italy

Abstract

The history of the Feniglia Dune is an example of human-induced degradation and rehabilitation of a Mediterranean ecosystem. Between 1700 and 1900 the forest almost completely disappeared owing to intensive exploitation. The rehabilitation of Feniglia started at the beginning of 1900 with dune consolidation and the sowing of Mediterranean pines. Reforestation was long and complex, and was finished in the 1950s. The evolution of the vegetation can be studied from an aerophotogrammetric series (1955, 1968, 1985 and 1989). GIS was used to analyse the cartographic images. The vegetation dynamics was positive, showing increased plant cover at least until 1985. The 1989 map showed the beginning of cover recession, probably as the result of a number of concurrent disturbing factors: the evolution of the coastline, and an increase in grazing and tourism. Since the Feniglia Dune vegetation is not a resilient natural coenosis, it still needs the support of human interventions to safeguard its natural dynamism.