Figuring the features of the Roman Campagna: recent landscape structural transformations of Rome’s countryside

This article evaluates the impact of urban expansion on landscape composition and structure of a landscape icon, the Roman Campagna, central Italy, during the last 30 years. Landscape attributes were assessed between 1974, when the distinguish ing features of Roman Campagna are still widespread, and 2008, following decades of urban decentralization and urban sprawl. Changes in landscape structure were explored by spatial pattern analysis to detect how structural changes in landscape components can modify land structure and landscape profile. Non-parametric correlation statistics and factor analysis showed that the distinctive features of the Roman Campagna landscape are now blurred. A generalized landscape mix was generated by the juxtaposition of different land-use, reflected in a negative relationship between changes in surface area and patchiness found in natural and agri cultural uses of land. Adaptation measures for preserving peri-urban agriculture in a changing landscape were finally discussed.