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The Impact of Urbanization on Land: A Biophysical-Based Assessment of Ecosystem Services Loss Supported by Remote Sensed Indicators

Author

Listed:
  • Francesca Assennato

    (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, I-00144 Rome, Italy)

  • Daniela Smiraglia

    (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, I-00144 Rome, Italy)

  • Alice Cavalli

    (Department of Innovation in Biology, Agri-Food and Forestry Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo del Lellis SNC, I-01100 Viterbo, Italy)

  • Luca Congedo

    (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, I-00144 Rome, Italy)

  • Chiara Giuliani

    (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, I-00144 Rome, Italy)

  • Nicola Riitano

    (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, I-00144 Rome, Italy)

  • Andrea Strollo

    (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, I-00144 Rome, Italy)

  • Michele Munafò

    (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, I-00144 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Urbanization and related land consumption are one of the main causes of ecosystem services loss. This is especially the case for soil-related services affecting ecosystem functions and limiting accessibility to natural resources. Satellite remote sensing and environmental databases enable in-depth analysis of urban expansion and land changes, which can be used to monitor trends in the provision of ecosystem services. This work aims to describe a multilayered approach to the assessment of biophysical loss of ecosystem services flows in Italy caused by an increase in land consumption in the period 2012–2020. The results show higher losses in wood production, carbon storage, hydrological regime regulation, and pollination in the northern regions of Italy, as well as in some southern regions, such as Campania and Apulia. Habitat quality loss is widespread throughout Italy, whereas crop production loss varies on the basis of the locations in which it occurs and the crop types involved. Loss of arable land and fodder production mainly occurs in northern regions, whereas southern regions have experienced a drop in permanent crop production. This study highlights the importance of using integrated data and methodologies for well-founded approaches, with a view to gaining a thorough understanding of ecosystem services-related processes and the changes connected therewith.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesca Assennato & Daniela Smiraglia & Alice Cavalli & Luca Congedo & Chiara Giuliani & Nicola Riitano & Andrea Strollo & Michele Munafò, 2022. "The Impact of Urbanization on Land: A Biophysical-Based Assessment of Ecosystem Services Loss Supported by Remote Sensed Indicators," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:2:p:236-:d:742515
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Alessia D’Agata & Giovanni Quaranta & Rosanna Salvia & Margherita Carlucci & Luca Salvati, 2023. "Mixed Land Use as an Intrinsic Feature of Sprawl: A Short-Term Analysis of Settlement Growth and Population Distribution Using European Urban Atlas," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Xiaomei Shen & Hong Zheng & Mingdong Jiang & Xinxin Yu & Heyichen Xu & Guanyu Zhong, 2022. "Multidimensional Impact of Urbanization Process on Regional Net CO 2 Emissions: Taking the Yangtze River Economic Belt as an Example," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-16, July.
    3. Daniela Smiraglia & Alice Cavalli & Chiara Giuliani & Francesca Assennato, 2023. "The Increasing Coastal Urbanization in the Mediterranean Environment: The State of the Art in Italy," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Paolo De Fioravante & Andrea Strollo & Alice Cavalli & Angela Cimini & Daniela Smiraglia & Francesca Assennato & Michele Munafò, 2023. "Ecosystem Mapping and Accounting in Italy Based on Copernicus and National Data through Integration of EAGLE and SEEA-EA Frameworks," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-22, January.

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