Abstract
Following an operational framework derived from earlier research, our study research estimates the specific contribution of biophysical and socioeconomic factors to soil sensitivity to degradation at two-time points (Early-1990s and Early-2010s) in Italy, a Mediterranean hotspot for desertification risk. A total of 34 variables associated (directly or, at least, indirectly) with different processes of soil degradation (erosion, salinization, sealing, contamination, and compaction) and climate change were considered here, delineating the predominant (underlying) cause (i.e., biophysical or socioeconomic). This set of variables represented the largest (quantitative) information available from national and international data sources including official statistics at both national and European scale. Contribution of biophysical and socioeconomic dimensions to soil sensitivity to degradation was heterogeneous in Italy, with the level of soil sensitivity to biophysical factors being the highest in less accessible, natural areas mostly located in hilly and mountainous districts. The highest level of soil sensitivity to socioeconomic drivers was instead observed in more accessible locations around large cities and flat rural districts with crop intensification and low (but increasing) population density. All these factors delineated an enlarged divide in environmental quality between (i) flat and upland districts, and between (ii) Northern and Southern Italian regions. These findings suggest the appropriateness of policy strategies protecting soils with a strong place-specific knowledge, i.e., based on permanent monitoring of local (biophysical and socioeconomic) conditions.
Highlights
Soil is a sensitive environmental matrix affected together by biophysical degradation and socioeconomic transformations [1,2,3]
The spatial distribution of two composites (“biophysical” and “socioeconomic”) indicators of soil sensitivity to degradation at two-time points in Italy was illustrated in Figure 1 and tabulated as average scores by latitude and elevation (Table 2), regarded as relevant geographical gradients in the analysis of soil degradation and desertification risk in Italy
The studied relationship was linear, a more evident heterogeneity was observed in agricultural districts showing the highest values of soil sensitivity to biophysical factors. These results indicate a partial substitution between biophysical7aonfd14 socioeconomic factors of soil sensitivity especially in agricultural districts with less critical background conditions
Summary
Soil is a sensitive environmental matrix affected together by biophysical degradation and socioeconomic transformations [1,2,3]. Humans need to exploit natural resources; it is necessary to identify specific thresholds to avoid the activation of irreparable processes of soil degradation [5,6,7]. When the soil surface is properly managed, conserved, and protected, it can be considered a renewable resource [23,24]. Soil characteristics such as fertility, quality, or depth, are expensive to maintain and associated with very slow (natural) renovation processes [25,26]. The damage caused to the ecosystem services is becoming higher and soil functions are significantly reduced [52,53]
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