Land-cover changes in a remote area of central Apennines (Italy) and management directions

摘要: Abstract In the Mediterranean mountains and hills spontaneous reforestation occurred in last fifty years at expenses of open habitats. This process was triggered by depopulation cessation traditional farming. this paper we investigate landscape changes one such area central Apennines (Italy), which is currently almost uninhabited after centuries human presence; give a quantitative description that between 1955 2006, discuss their management implications multidisciplinary context. To do this, used aerial photos field surveys to map land-use/land-cover classes 1955, 1978 2006; then employed transition matrix model based on Markov chains, together with class metrics, analyze gains losses each over time. Our results show all were replaced directly woodlands: no “shrub stage” observed surprisingly brief interval about 25 years sufficient for canopy closure abandoned lands; furthermore, some increased transformation rate from period 1 (1955–1978) 2 (1978–2006), while others did not. Metrics accompanied simplification homogenization original mosaic, intermediate fragmentation process. We current plans propose strategies take into account presence endangered species: should exploit promote creation preservation mature forests; concurrently, it plan maintain “islands” grasslands, even if small.