Submit to Sustainability Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

Frontiers in Geomorphological and Historical Landscape Changes, Sustainable Landscape Planning and Soil Erosion Assessment

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sustainability and Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (26 March 2023) | Viewed by 16218

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maurizio Lazzari

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

National Research Council, Institute of Cultural Heritage Sciences, 85050 Tito, Italy
Interests: natural and anthropic hazard and risk factors; landslides and triggering factors; geological and geomorphological mapping; soil erosion; preservation of historical and archeological sites; monitoring; cultural landscape and UNESCO Heritage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Ram L. Ray

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), Prairie View, TX 77446, USA
Interests: natural hazards (e.g., landslide and flood) and risk analysis using GIS/remote sensing and spatial statistical analysis; fluvial geomorphology; flood risk analysis; flood hazards; soil water dynamics; water resource management; hydrologic modeling; remote sensing; climate change; carbon sequestration; soil moisture dynamics; drought; precision agriculture and land use/land cover change
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Veronica Guerra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Earth, Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", 61029 Urbino PU, Italy
Interests: Geomorphological mapping; geoheritage assessment; valorization proposals for the enhancement of geological, geomorphological, and additional values of cultural landscapes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The main objective of this Special Issue is to highlight the state of the art of the new and traditional advances of study and research in geomorphological and historical landscape changes, sustainable landscape planning and soil erosion assessment, with a particular focus on the historical transformations of the landscape caused by human activities, historical land use and climate change. Another goal is to combine and stimulate an interdisciplinary debate on these interconnected themes and reflect the different interactions between humans and the environment, including natural resources, which have favored and induced local and global changes in the physical landscape and land use over time.

For example, a particularly relevant aspect of the last century is the impact of the urban sprawl of small and big urban centers and consequent land consumption, resulting in multiple situations of criticality and sustainability in urban planning and landscape choices, especially if we consider the current 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this type of analysis, the analysis of multitemporal images from satellite and historical aerial photos is also essential, which allows the return of GIS numerous useful information for the reconstruction of historical scenarios of the change of the physical and anthropic landscape, also in relation to changed climatic conditions, especially in the occasion of extreme events.

Considering these premises, contributions regarding different geographical areas, analysis methods, and reviews of the existing literature and case studies focusing on the Special Issue key themes from the geomorphological, geoarcheological, and landscape architectural disciplines are strongly encouraged, as are broader overviews.

Dr. Maurizio Lazzari
Dr. Ram L Ray
Dr. Veronica Guerra
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

geomorphology
geoarcheology
GIS and remote sensing
historical and cultural landscape
landscape change assessment methods
landscape analysis and planning
landscape degradation
landscape protection and enhancement
landscape value and natural resources
landscape archeology
landscape and climate change
human impact on the landscape
land use/land cover change
soil erosion rate
soil loss
soil and water interactions

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

13 pages, 4100 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Erosion vs. Vineyard Productivity: The Case of the Aglianico del Vulture DOC and DOCG Areas (Southern Italy)

by Maurizio Lazzari and Marco Piccarreta

Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15700; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215700 - 07 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 637

Abstract

Soil erosion in European Mediterranean vineyards is the main impact factor of uncontrolled solute and nutrient transport, degradation of soil structure, and loss of organic matter, which are key controlling factors in grape productivity and quality. The relationship between soil loss and grape productivity in the Aglianico DOC and DOCG areas of Southern Italy has been studied. Erosion values estimated through the RUSLE model were compared with grape productivity from 2011 to 2019. The obtained results show a negative correlation between the two parameters. The amounts of soil loss for different vineyard slope classes were also considered. The erosion values increase by an order of magnitude moving from the gentle slopes (0–5°) to the steeper ones (>30°), typical of hilly and mountainous areas. The planned shift in the future of vineyards towards these altitudinal bands could prove to be uneconomical if conservative techniques are not carried out. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Geomorphological and Historical Landscape Changes, Sustainable Landscape Planning and Soil Erosion Assessment)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 34112 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Mt. Catria–Mt. Nerone Ridge in the North-Marchean Apennines (Central Italy): A Potential Geopark?

by Laura Valentini, Veronica Guerra and Olivia Nesci

Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 11382; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411382 - 21 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 786

Abstract

The inventory and evaluation of geosites are fundamental steps of any geoconservation strategies and in setting priorities for the management of protected areas. The North-Marchean Apennines (central Italy) host an extraordinary geoheritage, making its use by society worthwhile and meaningful (e.g., teaching/learning, tourism, and recreation). An area of 600 square kilometres embracing 18 municipalities, mainly distributed along the Mt. Catria–Mt. Nerone ridge, is home to numerous spectacular geosites. The purpose of this study is to analyze the environmental heritage of the North-Marchean Apennines through the recognition, selection, and description of an extensive list of geosites, with a view to providing useful data for the establishment of a possible geopark discussed in the context of a region that is rich in protected areas. Among these, seven geosites were chosen as representative of the area and were processed through a quantitative evaluation method. The calculated Q-values are indicative of geosites of high significance and well represent the great variety and strong potential of this area. The seven geosites, witnesses of sites with a high aesthetic value, are framed from a geological and geomorphological point of view, without neglecting the additional values that make these localities particularly attractive for geotouristic and educational purposes. The study area is finally framed in the context of the region’s protected areas, with a view to the conservation and enhancement of its environmental heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Geomorphological and Historical Landscape Changes, Sustainable Landscape Planning and Soil Erosion Assessment)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 4390 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Impact of Statistical Bias Correction on Climate Change Signal and Extreme Indices in the Jemma Sub-Basin of Blue Nile Basin

by Gebrekidan Worku Tefera, Yihun Taddele Dile and Ram Lakhan Ray

Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10513; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310513 - 04 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1038

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of the statistical bias correction techniques of distribution mapping and linear scaling on climate change signals and extreme rainfall indices under different climate change scenarios in the Jemma sub-basin of the Upper Blue Nile Basin. The mean, cumulative distribution function (CDF), mean absolute error (MAE), probability of wet days (Pr_wet (%)), and 90th percentile (X₉₀ (mm)) of observed rainfall and the regional climate model (RCM) simulations of rainfall with and without statistical bias correction were compared with the historical climate (1981–2005). For future (2071–2100) climate scenarios, the change in climate signal and extreme rainfall indices in the RCM simulations with and without bias correction were also evaluated using different statistical metrics. The result showed that the statistical bias correction techniques effectively adjusted the mean annual and monthly RCM simulations of rainfall to the observed rainfall. However, distribution mapping is effective and better than linear scaling for adjusting the probability of wet days and the 90th percentile of RCM simulations. In future climate scenarios, RCM simulations showed an increase in rainfall. However, the statistically bias-adjusted RCM outputs revealed a decrease in rainfall, which indicated that the statistical bias correction techniques triggered a change in climate signal. Statistical bias correction methods also result in changes in the extreme rainfall indices, such as frequency of wet days (R1mm), number of heavy precipitation days (R10mm), number of very heavy rainfall days (R20mm), and other intensity and frequency indices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Geomorphological and Historical Landscape Changes, Sustainable Landscape Planning and Soil Erosion Assessment)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4720 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Land Use/Land Cover Change Detection and NDVI Estimation in Pakistan’s Southern Punjab Province

by Yongguang Hu, Ali Raza, Neyha Rubab Syed, Siham Acharki, Ram L. Ray, Sajjad Hussain, Hossein Dehghanisanij, Muhammad Zubair and Ahmed Elbeltagi

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3572; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043572 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 6966

Abstract

Land use/land cover (LULC) changes are among the most significant human-caused global variations affecting the natural environment and ecosystems. Pakistan’s LULC patterns have undergone huge changes since the 1900s, with no clear mitigation plan. This paper aims to determine LULC and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) changes as well as their causes in Pakistan’s Southern Punjab province over four different periods (2000, 2007, 2014, and 2021). Landsat-based images of 30 m × 30 m spatial resolution were used to detect LULC changes, while NDVI dynamics were calculated using Modis Product MOD13Q1 (Tiles: h24 v5, h24 v6) at a resolution of 250 m. The iterative self-organizing (ISO) cluster method (object meta-clustering using the minimal distance center approach) was used to quantify the LULC changes in this research because of its straightforward approach that requires minimal human intervention. The accuracy assessment and the Kappa coefficient were calculated to assess the efficacy of results derived from LULC changes. Our findings revealed considerable changes in settlements, forests, and barren land in Southern Punjab. Compared to 2000, while forest cover had reduced by 31.03%, settlement had increased by 14.52% in 2021. Similarly, forest land had rapidly been converted into barren land. For example, barren land had increased by 12.87% in 2021 compared to 2000. The analysis showed that forests were reduced by 31.03%, while settlements and barren land increased by 14.52% and 12.87%, respectively, over the twenty year period in Southern Punjab. The forest area had decreased to 4.36% by 2021. It shows that 31.03% of forest land had been converted to urban land, barren ground, and farmland. Land that was formerly utilized for vegetation had been converted into urban land due to the expansion of infrastructure and the commercial sector in Southern Punjab. Consequently, proper monitoring of LULC changes is required. Furthermore, relevant agencies, governments, and policymakers must focus on land management development. Finally, the current study provides an overall scenario of how LULC trends are evolving over the study region, which aids in land use planning and management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Geomorphological and Historical Landscape Changes, Sustainable Landscape Planning and Soil Erosion Assessment)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 7190 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Land Use and Land Cover Changes on Soil Erosion Using Remote Sensing, GIS and RUSLE Model: A Case Study of Battambang Province, Cambodia

by Taingaun Sourn, Sophak Pok, Phanith Chou, Nareth Nut, Dyna Theng and P. V. Vara Prasad

Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 4066; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14074066 - 29 Mar 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4125

Abstract

Soil erosion causes land degradation which negatively impacts not only natural resources but also livelihoods of people due to low agricultural productivity. Cambodia is prone to soil erosion due to poor agricultural practices. In this research we use Battambang province as a case study to quantify impact of land use and land cover change (LULC) on soil erosion. This study assessed the impact from LULC changes to soil erosion. LULC change maps were analyzed based on Landsat satellite imagery of 1998, 2008, and 2018, computed in QGIS 6.2.9, while the soil erosion loss was estimated by the integration of remote sensing, GIS tools, and Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. The results showed that the area of agricultural land of Battambang province significantly increased from 44.50% in 1998 to 61.11% in 2008 and 68.40% in 2018. The forest cover significantly decreased from 29.82% in 1998 to 6.18% in 2018. Various soil erosion factors were estimated using LULC and slope. Based on that, the mean soil loss was 2.92 t/ha.yr in 1998, 4.20 t/ha.yr in 2008, and 4.98 t/ha.yr in 2018. Whereas the total annual soil loss was 3.49 million tons in 1998, 5.03 million tons in 2008, and 5.93 million tons in 2018. The annual soil loss at the agricultural land dramatically increased from 190,9347.9 tons (54%) in 1998 to 3,543,659 tons (70.43%) in 2008 and to 4,267,439 tons (71.91%) in 2018 due to agricultural land expansion and agricultural practices. These losses were directly correlated with LULC, especially agricultural land expansion and forest cover decline. Our results highlight the need to develop appropriate land use and crop management practices to decrease land degradation and soil erosion. These data are useful to bring about public awareness of land degradation and alert local citizens, researchers, policy makers, and actors towards land rehabilitation to bring the area of land back to a state which is safe for increasing biodiversity and agricultural productivity. Measures to reduce or prevent soil erosion and the use of conservation agriculture practices, along with water and soil conservation, management, agroforestry practices, vegetation cover restoration, the creation of slope terraces, and the use of direct sowing mulch-based cropping systems should be considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Geomorphological and Historical Landscape Changes, Sustainable Landscape Planning and Soil Erosion Assessment)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 7524 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stability Assessment and Geomorphological Evolution of Sea Natural Arches by Geophysical Measurement: The Case Study of Wied Il-Mielah Window (Gozo, Malta)

by Giovanni Leucci, Raffaele Persico, Lara De Giorgi, Maurizio Lazzari, Emanuele Colica, Salvatore Martino, Roberto Iannucci, Luciano Galone and Sebastiano D’Amico

Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12538; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212538 - 12 Nov 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1574

Abstract

The Wied il-Mielaħ Window (Gozo–Malta) is a limestone natural arch on the north-western coast of the island of Gozo in Malta. It is located at the end of the Wied il-Mielaħ valley north of the village of Għarb. This natural arch is less well known than the Azure Window, which collapsed in March 2017 following a heavy storm, but notwithstanding, it is an imposing and important natural monument too. In the past, the Wied il-Mielah valley was responsible for discharging wastewater from the surrounding localities to the Mediterranean directly at the Wied il-Mielah Window. The sewage flag was often clearly visible underneath the archway into the open sea. The natural features of the arch provide an outstanding touristic attraction. To avoid what happened to the Azure Window, a methodology for the evaluation of the collapse hazard, combining passive seismic, ground penetrating radar (GPR), geological/geomorphological surveys and mine engineering methods, is here proposed. In this study, a methodological approach was applied, based on the following: (i) passive seismic method to study the physical–mechanical characteristics of the rock mass that constitutes the window; (ii) GPR method in order to demonstrate the conservation state (i.e., the intensity of fracturing); (iii) geological/geomorphological surveys in order to obtain a crack pattern; and (iv) scaled span empirical analysis in order to evaluate the stability of the arch. The calculation of the safety factor, with a static method, gave a value equal to 3.75 with a probability of collapse of the marine arch within 50 and 100 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Geomorphological and Historical Landscape Changes, Sustainable Landscape Planning and Soil Erosion Assessment)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Frontiers in Geomorphological and Historical Landscape Changes, Sustainable Landscape Planning and Soil Erosion Assessment

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (6 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI