The course deals with concepts, strategies and methods for landscape monitoring, with particular focus on agro-forestry areas through the use of geographic (GIS) and remote sensing data.
Methodologies for landscape representation, evaluation and promotion are detailed.
Krönert R., Steinhardt U., Volk M. 2017. Landscape Balance and Landscape Assessment. Springer. ISBN 978-3-662-04532-9;
ISBN 978-3-540-67399-6
Zhu X. 2016. GIS for Environmental Applications: A practical approach Routledge. ISBN 9780415829076
Agnoletti M. 2013. Italian Historical Rural Landscapes. Springer. ISBN 978-94-007-5354-9
Learning Objectives
Knowledge: sampling and environmental monitoring and implementation through geografical information systems.
Acquired skills: study of the territory through geostatistics techniques; classification and prioritization of habitats and landscapes; spatial analysis of the land changes.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course): Use of software for geostatistical analysis, GIS and remote sensing.
Prerequisites
Basic mathematics and computer skills.
Teaching Methods
Until the end of the covid-19 emergency, audio/video registrations and virtual classroom discussion (GMeet). At the end of the covid-19 emergency, lessons in the usual terms will resume: computer room lessons and outdoor laboratories.
The course is equally divided between theory (50%), laboratories and exercises (50%).
Interview of about 30' on course program plus the presentation of a GIS project aimed at monitoring of a selected area chosen by student, with the creation of a thematic map.
Evaluation criteria: speech clarity and appropriate use of technical language; ability to use techniques and methods defined during the course.
Important: in case of persisting covid-19 emergency, examination will be held in virtual classroom with GMeet, instead of the usual university location at Villa Rucellai (Florence).
Course program
GENERAL SECTION
(1) Introduction to the course. Training objectives, definition and importance of monitoring the agro-forest landscape. Monitoring and control systems for environmental and territorial policies. Environmental sustainability, Criteria-Indicators System. European protocols and standards.
(2) Methodologies for the representation and enhancement of the territory. Analysis of the multifunctionality of the landscape. Representation techniques.
(3) Territorial monitoring and geostatistical analysis. Design, research and harmonization of thematic, geographic and territorial data. Examples, applications.
SPECIAL SECTION
(1) Territory and landscape: concepts and methods of analysis. Guide to the implementation of territorial monitoring through territorial information systems.
(2) Analysis of the territory aimed at its enhancement and control of policies. Multifunctional role of the Rural Landscape and main national and international programs for its protection (Ministry of Agricultural Policies, UNESCO WHL, FAO GIAHS): importance of the Landscape Heritage Cards in the process of inclusion of territorial areas in the National Register of Historic Rural Landscapes.