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How Do Local Economic Structures Influence the Variability of Land Sensitivity to Degradation in Italy?

Author

Listed:
  • Emma Bruno

    (Department of Management and Quantitative Studies, University of Naples Parthenope, Via Generale Parisi 13, 80132 Naples, Italy)

  • Rosalia Castellano

    (Department of Management and Quantitative Studies, University of Naples Parthenope, Via Generale Parisi 13, 80132 Naples, Italy)

  • Gennaro Punzo

    (Department of Economic and Legal Studies, University of Naples Parthenope, Via Generale Parisi 13, 80132 Naples, Italy)

  • Luca Salvati

    (Department of Methods and Models for Economics, Territory and Finance, Faculty of Economics, Sapienza University of Rome, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between local economic structures and environmental sensitivity in Italy, focusing on a novel indicator that estimates the spatial variability of the Environmentally Sensitive Area Index (ESAI) over time. This approach captures within-region disparities in degradation processes, addressing a key gap in the existing literature. Using a dataset covering all Italian provinces from 1960 to 2010 and considering multiple socio-economic variables, the research evaluates their impacts on ESAI variability. In particular, this study adopts a spatial autoregressive model (SAR), which allows both direct and indirect effects of selected predictors to be captured. The findings offer insights for policymakers in designing strategies to mitigate the spread of land degradation hotspots and promote strategies that balance environmental conservation with socio-economic development to ensure resource sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Emma Bruno & Rosalia Castellano & Gennaro Punzo & Luca Salvati, 2025. "How Do Local Economic Structures Influence the Variability of Land Sensitivity to Degradation in Italy?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:2149-:d:1603716
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gianluca Egidi & Giovanni Quaranta & Rosanna Salvia & Luca Salvati & Renata Včeláková & Pavel Cudlín, 2022. "Urban sprawl and desertification risk: unraveling the latent nexus in a mediterranean country," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 65(3), pages 441-460, January.
    2. Demetrios E. Tsesmelis & Christos A. Karavitis & Panagiotis D. Oikonomou & Stavros Alexandris & Constantinos Kosmas, 2018. "Assessment of the Vulnerability to Drought and Desertification Characteristics Using the Standardized Drought Vulnerability Index (SDVI) and the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Index (ESAI)," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Bruno M. Meneses & Eusébio Reis & Susana Pereira & Maria J. Vale & Rui Reis, 2017. "Understanding Driving Forces and Implications Associated with the Land Use and Land Cover Changes in Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-20, February.
    4. Remus Prăvălie & Pasquale Borrelli & Panos Panagos & Cristiano Ballabio & Emanuele Lugato & Adrian Chappell & Gonzalo Miguez-Macho & Federico Maggi & Jian Peng & Mihai Niculiță & Bogdan Roșca & Cristi, 2024. "A unifying modelling of multiple land degradation pathways in Europe," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
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    6. Sutton, Paul C. & Anderson, Sharolyn J. & Costanza, Robert & Kubiszewski, Ida, 2016. "The ecological economics of land degradation: Impacts on ecosystem service values," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 182-192.
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