Assessing land take by urban development and its impact on carbon storage: Findings from two case studies in Italy

摘要: Abstract Land take due to urbanization triggers a series of negative environmental impacts with direct effects on quality life for people living in cities. Changes ecosystem services are associated land take, among which is the immediate C loss use conversion. change monitoring represents first step quantifying and its drivers impacts. To this end, we propose an innovative methodology (in particular, loss) under multi-scale contexts. The devised approach was tested two areas similar sizes, but different levels during time-span 1990–2008 Central Italy (the Province Rome Molise Region). estimates total coverage built up were calculated using point sampling. area urban patches including each sampling classified as year 1990 and/or 2008 used estimate abundance average areas. Biophysical economic values carbon InVEST. Although 7–8 times higher (from 15.1% 20.4% 2008) than region, our findings show that relative impact storage latter, where growth consistently affects not only croplands also semi-natural uses such grasslands other wooded lands. has been estimated 1.6 million Mg C, corresponding almost 355 million €. Finally, paper discusses main characteristics their ecological leading risks challenges future planning policies.