Toward a geography of land take and forest depletion in Italy

This chapter analyzes the impact of land Take and Soil Sealing on regional ecosystems by integrating data from Italy's national land consumption monitoring program with innovative forest cover maps containing canopy elevation data. Specifically, it examines forest cover changes due to land consumption monitored by ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) between 2020 and 2023, assessing height loss and spatial correlations with key disturbance factors, such as proximity to major roads and urban areas, geographic conditions (e.g. elevation classes), and major environmental protection measures (e.g. protected areas by law). Additionally, the study evaluates the state and change in the level of fragmentation for forest patches, as defined by FAO classification. The purpose of checking context data on deforestation and land consumption is to determine the patterns of the phenomenon's combined evolution, which will provide helpful data for research on forest degradation and law enforcement efforts to halt it. The results of this study highlighted repercussions on natural ecosystems due to a consolidated trend of urban and infrastructural expansion.