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Titel |
Spatio-temporal analysis of the urban–rural gradient structure: an application in a Mediterranean mountainous landscape (Serra San Bruno, Italy) |
VerfasserIn |
G. Modica, M. Vizzari, M. Pollino, C. R. Fichera, P. Zoccali, S. Fazio |
Medientyp |
Artikel
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Sprache |
Englisch
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ISSN |
2190-4979
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Digitales Dokument |
URL |
Erschienen |
In: Earth System Dynamics ; 3, no. 2 ; Nr. 3, no. 2 (2012-12-19), S.263-279 |
Datensatznummer |
250001015
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Publikation (Nr.) |
copernicus.org/esd-3-263-2012.pdf |
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Zusammenfassung |
The most recent and significant transformations of European landscapes have
occurred as a consequence of a series of diffused, varied and often
connected phenomena: urban growth and sprawl, agricultural intensification
in the most suitable areas and agricultural abandonment in marginal areas.
These phenomena can affect dramatically ecosystems' structure and
functioning, since certain modifications cause landscape fragmentation while
others tend to increase homogeneity. Thus, a thorough comprehension of the
evolution trends of landscapes, in particular those linked to urban-rural
relations, is crucial for a sustainable landscape planning.
In this framework, the main objectives of the present paper are: (a) to
investigate Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) transformations and dynamics that occurred
over the period 1955–2006 in the municipality of Serra San Bruno
(Calabria, Italy), an area particularly representative of the Mediterranean
mountainous landscape; (b) to compare the settlement growth with the urban
planning tools in charge in the study area; (c) to examine the relationship
between urban–rural gradient, landscape metrics, demographic and physical
variables; (d) to investigate the evolution of urban–rural gradient
composition and configuration along significant axes of landscape changes.
Data with a high level of detail (minimum mapping unit 0.2 ha) were obtained
through the digitisation of historical aerial photographs and digital
orthophotos identifying LULC classes according to the Corine Land Cover
legend. The investigated period was divided into four significant time
intervals, which were specifically analysed to detect LULC changes.
Differently from previous studies, in the present research the
spatio-temporal analysis of urban–rural gradient was performed through three
subsequent steps: (1) kernel density analysis of settlements; (2) analysis
of landscape structure by means of metrics calculated using a moving window
method; (3) analysis of composition and configuration of the urban–rural gradient within three landscape profiles located along significant axes of
LULC change.
The use of thematic overlays and transition matrices enabled a precise
identification of the LULC changes that had taken place over the examined
period. As a result, a detailed description and mapping of the landscape
dynamics were obtained. Furthermore, landscape profiling technique, using
continuous data, allowed an innovative and valuable approach for analysing
and interpreting urban–rural gradient structure over space and time. |
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