Land quality, sustainable development and environmental degradation in agricultural districts: A computational approach based on entropy indexes
Author(s)
Date Issued
2017
Type
article
Volume
64
Issue
64
Start Page
37
End Page
46
ISSN
1959255
Abstract
Land Degradation (LD) in socio-environmental systems negatively impacts sustainable development paths. This study proposes a framework to LD evaluation based on indicators of diversification in the spatial distribution of sensitive land. We hypothesize that conditions for spatial heterogeneity in a composite index of land sensitivity are more frequently associated to areas prone to LD than spatial homogeneity. Spatial heterogeneity is supposed to be associated with degraded areas that act as hotspots for future degradation processes. A diachronic analysis (1960–2010) was performed at the Italian agricultural district scale to identify environmental factors associated with spatial heterogeneity in the degree of land sensitivity to degradation based on the Environmentally Sensitive Area Index (ESAI). In 1960, diversification in the level of land sensitivity measured using two common indexes of entropy (Shannon's diversity and Pielou's evenness) increased significantly with the ESAI, indicating a high level of land sensitivity to degradation. In 2010, surface area classified as “critical” to LD was the highest in districts with diversification in the spatial distribution of ESAI values, confirming the hypothesis formulated above. Entropy indexes, based on observed alignment with the concept of LD, constitute a valuable base to inform mitigation strategies against desertification.
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
EIR_2016_308_Revision 1_V0.pdf
Size
1.63 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
0b5debec992043fe7b61f9306c81bab7
Conference(s)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REVIEW