Abstract
During 25 October 2011, an extremely intense rainfall event occurred in Eastern Liguria and Northern Tuscany. Severe damages were registered in the Monterosso and Vernazza basins, located in the famous area of Cinque Terre, which have been affected by hundreds of landslides, mud flows, and erosions. The main feature of the Cinque Terre landscape is the presence of terraced cultivations on steep slopes facing the sea. The area represents a remarkable cultural landscape, is a National Park, and is included in the World Heritage List of the UNESCO. This work aims to analyze the effect of abandoned terraced land on hydrogeological risks and in landslide prevention, by comparing what happened in Cinque Terre to other experiences presented in scientific literature. The cessation of maintenance of dry stone terraces due to the crisis of traditional agriculture was identified as the main cause of failure during the heavy rainfall event. However, we found some contrasting and, in some cases, unexpected results in the literature regarding the effects of the vegetation that develops on abandoned terraces. This paper compares different results in order to better understand what the future of terraced landscapes is and which are the best management strategies for such complex and fragile territories. In particular, where they represent a cultural heritage and a resource for the rural economy.
Highlights
The existence and importance of terracing in Italy is attested ever since the Neolithic Age and is well documented from the Middle Ages onward
During 25 October 2011, an extremely intense rainfall event occurred in Eastern Liguria and Northern Tuscany
Severe damages were registered in the Monterosso and Vernazza basins, located in the famous area of Cinque Terre, which have been affected by hundreds of landslides, mud flows, and erosions
Summary
The existence and importance of terracing in Italy is attested ever since the Neolithic Age and is well documented from the Middle Ages onward. Italian agriculture has suffered a progressive decline that began 60 years ago This phenomena has been even more evident in terraced landscapes, since they are less convenient and less remunerative to cultivate. The abandonment of cultivated terraces affected many other countries, especially in Europe [1,2,3,4,5,6]. They have a historical and aesthetic significance, and are a resource for agriculture and tourism, they are a challenge for land conservation and management [7,8]
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