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Dr. Guido Paliaga
CNR.IRPI

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0 Cluster Analysis
0 Geomorphology
0 Landscape Analysis
0 Fractal analysis
0 Landslide hazard

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Geomorphology
Landslide hazard
Cluster Analysis
Fractal analysis

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Journal article
Published: 09 June 2021 in Land
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Flash floods represent one of the natural hazards that causes the greatest number of victims in the Mediterranean area. These processes occur by short and intense rainfall affecting limited areas of a few square kilometers, with rapid hydrological responses. Among the causes of the flood frequency increase in the last decades are the effects of the urban expansion in areas of fluvial pertinence and climatic change, namely the interaction between anthropogenic landforms and hydro-geomorphological dynamics. In this paper the authors show a comparison between flood events with very similar weather-hydrological characteristics and the ground effects occurred in coastal areas of three regions located at the top of a triangle in the Ligurian Sea, namely Liguria, Tuscany and Sardinia. With respect to the meteorological-hydrological hazard, it should be noted that the events analyzed occurred during autumn, in the conditions of a storm system triggered by cyclogenesis on the Genoa Gulf or by the extra-tropical cyclone Cleopatra. The “flash floods” damage recorded in the inhabited areas is due to the vulnerability of the elements at risk in the fluvio-coastal plains examined. There are numerous anthropogenic forcings that have influenced the hydro-geomorphological dynamics and that have led to an increase in risk conditions.

ACS Style

Francesco Faccini; Fabio Luino; Guido Paliaga; Anna Roccati; Laura Turconi. Flash Flood Events along the West Mediterranean Coasts: Inundations of Urbanized Areas Conditioned by Anthropic Impacts. Land 2021, 10, 620 .

AMA Style

Francesco Faccini, Fabio Luino, Guido Paliaga, Anna Roccati, Laura Turconi. Flash Flood Events along the West Mediterranean Coasts: Inundations of Urbanized Areas Conditioned by Anthropic Impacts. Land. 2021; 10 (6):620.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Faccini; Fabio Luino; Guido Paliaga; Anna Roccati; Laura Turconi. 2021. "Flash Flood Events along the West Mediterranean Coasts: Inundations of Urbanized Areas Conditioned by Anthropic Impacts." Land 10, no. 6: 620.

Journal article
Published: 18 May 2021 in ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
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In recent years, there has been growing interest in urban geomorphology both for its applications in terms of landscape planning, and its historical, cultural, and scientific interest. Due to recent urban growth, the identification of landforms in cities is difficult, particularly in Mediterranean and central European cities, characterized by more than 1000 years of urban stratification. By comparing and overlapping 19th-century cartography and modern topography from remote sensing data, this research aims to assess the morphological evolution of the city of Genoa (Liguria, NW Italy). The analysis focuses on a highly detailed 1:2’000 scale map produced by Eng. Ignazio Porro in the mid-19th century. The methodology, developed in QGIS, was applied on five case studies of both hillside and valley floor areas of the city of Genoa. Through map overlay and digitalization of elevation data and contour lines, it was possible to identify with great accuracy the most significant morphological transformations that have occurred in the city since the mid-19th century. In addition, the results were validated by direct observation and by drills data of the regional database. The results allowed the identification and quantification of the main anthropic landforms. The paper suggests that the same methodology can be applied to other historical urban contexts characterized by urban and architectural stratification.

ACS Style

Martino Terrone; Pietro Piana; Guido Paliaga; Marco D’Orazi; Francesco Faccini. Coupling Historical Maps and LiDAR Data to Identify Man-Made Landforms in Urban Areas. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information 2021, 10, 349 .

AMA Style

Martino Terrone, Pietro Piana, Guido Paliaga, Marco D’Orazi, Francesco Faccini. Coupling Historical Maps and LiDAR Data to Identify Man-Made Landforms in Urban Areas. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information. 2021; 10 (5):349.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martino Terrone; Pietro Piana; Guido Paliaga; Marco D’Orazi; Francesco Faccini. 2021. "Coupling Historical Maps and LiDAR Data to Identify Man-Made Landforms in Urban Areas." ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information 10, no. 5: 349.

Science
Published: 21 April 2021 in Journal of Maps
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Hydrogeological mapping is a key tool for groundwater resource management. Generally, hydrogeological maps focus mainly on porous or karst aquifer at large scale. In a fractured-rock aquifer, the groundwater flow path is not immediately deductible due to the intrinsic complexity of fracture systems. Then, it is of crucial importance collecting a complete dataset describing the site of interest: fault and strata patterns, geomorphological features, occurrence of springs. Here we present the hydrogeological map at 1:10,000 scale of the fractured rock aquifer of Conglomerate of Portofino (Italy). The graphical information contained in this map is based on the authors’ field survey and the revision of papers written for academic purposes and technical reports. The aim of the research is to achieve a useful tool for land planning, conservation of groundwater resource and geo-hydrological risk reduction in the unique area of the Natural Park of Portofino.

ACS Style

M. Terrone; G. Paliaga; N. Bazzurro; A. Marchese; F. Faccini. Groundwater resources in a fractured-rock aquifer, Conglomerate of Portofino. Journal of Maps 2021, 17, 268 -278.

AMA Style

M. Terrone, G. Paliaga, N. Bazzurro, A. Marchese, F. Faccini. Groundwater resources in a fractured-rock aquifer, Conglomerate of Portofino. Journal of Maps. 2021; 17 (2):268-278.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M. Terrone; G. Paliaga; N. Bazzurro; A. Marchese; F. Faccini. 2021. "Groundwater resources in a fractured-rock aquifer, Conglomerate of Portofino." Journal of Maps 17, no. 2: 268-278.

Preprint content
Published: 03 March 2021
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Man-made terraces are widely diffused in hilly-mountainous areas, representing an ancient anthropogenic landscape modification for agricultural purposes. Then, terraces have been involved in several changes through times: socio-economic evolution caused a progressive general abandonment of terraced areas causing land use change and even their obliteration or collapse. In some cases, terraces deeply shaped the landscape and then their maintenance is considered crucial for cultural, aesthetic and even touristic value.

Terraces belong to the soil and water conservation measures as they allow to reduce erosion, improve slope stabilization and retain water runoff; as such they fit perfectly into the Natured-Base Solution definition. The artificial immobilization of debris and stone in terraces may turn in a possible source of geo-hydrological hazard in case of heavy rains, as happened in the Riviera Ligure in the last 20 years; a sequence of events was associated to landslides and flash flood, causing damages and casualties. Then, the proper terraces maintenance and monitoring is crucial for the maintenance of the geomorphological and geotechnical slope stability.

We focused on terraces identification and on the evaluation of debris/stones volume trapped after centuries of human activity in the pilot area of the Portofino Park, which represents a unique natural and cultural landscape that is severely endangered by geo-hydrological hazards. The further step has been the spatial relationships assessment with the exposed elements like buildings, infrastructures and culverted stream, that is the basis of risk assessment and land use planning activities.

The research has been carried out within the framework of the Horizon 2020 RECONECT - Regenerating ECOsystems with Nature-Based Solutions for hydro-meteorological risk rEduCTion; the Italian RECONECT demonstrator is set in the Portofino Park.

Using a detailed Lidar survey, the edges of dry-stone walls were firstly identified, allowing a detailed mapping. Focusing to terrace bases allowed to recognize a possible natural surface through their interpolation along the slope: the difference between the terraced slope profile and the interpolated one allowed a preliminary volume assessment.

Dry-stone wall basis has been detected applying a local upslope curvature routine that is the weighted mean of local curvatures of the directly neighboring upslope contributing cells, controlled with 5 cm orthophoto. In very steep areas terraces stored volume mediumly accounts about 0.35 m3/m2, which agrees with the back analysis estimation of volumes collapsed after recent geo-hydrological events in the Ligurian Riviera.

Stored volume is an essential parameter for prioritizing terraces restoration interventions for risk reduction through NBS techniques. Finally, the survey and analysis outcome may be useful to investigate the recent numerous geo-hydrological events that have been triggered in terraced areas in large sectors of the Mediterranean.

ACS Style

Guido Paliaga; Francesco Faccini; Fabio Luino; Laura Turconi; Zoran Vojinovic. The role of man-made terraces as NBS measure for geo-hydrological risk reduction in the Portofino Park (Italy) - H2020 RECONECT project. 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Guido Paliaga, Francesco Faccini, Fabio Luino, Laura Turconi, Zoran Vojinovic. The role of man-made terraces as NBS measure for geo-hydrological risk reduction in the Portofino Park (Italy) - H2020 RECONECT project. . 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Guido Paliaga; Francesco Faccini; Fabio Luino; Laura Turconi; Zoran Vojinovic. 2021. "The role of man-made terraces as NBS measure for geo-hydrological risk reduction in the Portofino Park (Italy) - H2020 RECONECT project." , no. : 1.

Preprint content
Published: 03 March 2021
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Rainfall-induced shallow landslides characterize most of the geomorphological phenomena occurred in Liguria (North West Italy) in the last decades: high frequency is observed between the beginning of October and the end of April, reasonably correlated with the seasonal rainfall regime.Over the years, in national and international scientific papers, the thickness of the debris cover, the poor geotechnical characteristics of the soil, the sparse forest and shrub areas, the runoff water erosion along the slope surface were identified as landslide causal factors.However, an aspect that does not seem to be considered in Liguria Region is the causal relationship between wildfires and surface landslides.The wildfire determines a series of physical and chemical changes on the slope surface, first of all the wood and shrub cover reduction. The rapid change in land use determines an increase in the run-off and a consequent soil erosion evolving into landslides.This research aims to create a first basic statistics at regional scale among landslides and wildfire, crossing different databases and inventories, estimating a trend line both in the spatial and in the temporal domain.

ACS Style

Martino Terrone; Francesco Faccini; Guido Paliaga; Monica Solimano. Wildfire and shallows landslides: a first statistical description in Liguria (North-West Italy). 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Martino Terrone, Francesco Faccini, Guido Paliaga, Monica Solimano. Wildfire and shallows landslides: a first statistical description in Liguria (North-West Italy). . 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martino Terrone; Francesco Faccini; Guido Paliaga; Monica Solimano. 2021. "Wildfire and shallows landslides: a first statistical description in Liguria (North-West Italy)." , no. : 1.

Preprint content
Published: 03 March 2021
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Geomorphometric information can be exploited to study the most extensive and common landforms that humans have ever produced: agricultural terraces. An understanding of these historical ecosystems can only be determined through in-depth knowledge of their origin, evolution, and current state in the landscape. These factors can ultimately assist in the future preservation of such landforms in a world increasingly affected by anthropogenic activities. High-resolution topographic (HRT) techniques allow the mapping and characterization of geomorphological features with wide-ranging perspectives at multiple scales. From HRT surveys, it is possible to produce high-resolution Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) to extract important geomorphometric parameters such as topographic curvature, to identify terrace edges, even if abandoned or covered by uncontrolled vegetation. By using riser bases as well as terrace edges (riser tops) and through the computation of minimum curvature, it is possible to obtain environmentally useful information on these agricultural systems such as terrace soil thickness and volumes. The quantification of terrace volumes can provide new benchmarks for soil erosion models, new perspectives for land and stakeholders for terrace management in terms of natural hazard and offer a measure of the effect of these agricultural systems on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. This work aims to realize and test an innovative and rapid methodological workflow to estimate the minimum anthropogenic reworked and moved soil of terrace systems in different landscapes. This aspect of new technology and its application to terrace soil-systems has not been fully explored in the literature. We start with remote terrace mapping at a large scale (using Airborne Laser Scanning) and then utilize more detailed HRT surveys (i.e., Structure from Motion and Terrestrial Laser Scanning) to extract geomorphological features, from which the original theoretical slope-surface of terrace systems were derived. These last elements were compared with in-field sedimentological recording obtained from the excavations across the study sites to assess the nature of sub-surface topographies. The results of this work have produced accurate DTMs of Difference (DoD) for three terrace sites in central Europe in Italy and Belgium. The utilization of ground-truthing through field excavation and sampling has confirmed the reliability of the methodology used across a range of sites with very specific terrace morphologies, and in each case has confirmed the nature of the reconstructed, theoretical original slope. Differences between actual and theoretical terraces from DTM and excavation evidence have been used to estimate the minimum soil volumes and masses used to remould slopes. Moreover, geomorphometric analysis through indices such as sediment connectivity permitted also to quantify the volume of sediment transported downstream, with the associated and mobilized C, after a collapsed terrace. The quantification of terrace soil volumes provides extremely useful standards for further multi-disciplinary analysis on the terrace sediments themselves, aiding physical geographers, geoarchaeologists, palaeo-environmentalists, and landscape historians in the understanding of terrace systems and the impact of agricultural processes on the landscape.

ACS Style

Sara Cucchiaro; Guido Paliaga; Daniel J. Fallu; Ben R. Pears; Kevin Walsh; Pengzhi Zhao; Kristof Van Oost; Lisa Snape; Andreas Lang; Antony G. Brown; Paolo Tarolli. A geomorphometric approach to estimate soil volumes stored in agricultural terrace systems. 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Sara Cucchiaro, Guido Paliaga, Daniel J. Fallu, Ben R. Pears, Kevin Walsh, Pengzhi Zhao, Kristof Van Oost, Lisa Snape, Andreas Lang, Antony G. Brown, Paolo Tarolli. A geomorphometric approach to estimate soil volumes stored in agricultural terrace systems. . 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sara Cucchiaro; Guido Paliaga; Daniel J. Fallu; Ben R. Pears; Kevin Walsh; Pengzhi Zhao; Kristof Van Oost; Lisa Snape; Andreas Lang; Antony G. Brown; Paolo Tarolli. 2021. "A geomorphometric approach to estimate soil volumes stored in agricultural terrace systems." , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 05 February 2021 in Land
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Landslide susceptibility mapping is essential for a suitable land use managing and risk assessment. In this work a GIS-based approach has been proposed to map landslide susceptibility in the Portofino promontory, a Mediterranean area that is periodically hit by intense rain events that induce often shallow landslides. Based on over 110 years landslides inventory and experts’ judgements, a semi-quantitative analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method has been applied to assess the role of nine landslide conditioning factors, which include both natural and anthropogenic elements. A separated subset of landslide data has been used to validate the map. Our findings reveal that areas where possible future landslides may occur are larger than those identified in the actual official map adopted in land use and risk management. The way the new map has been compiled seems more oriented towards the possible future landslide scenario, rather than weighting with higher importance the existing landslides as in the current model. The paper provides a useful decision support tool to implement risk mitigation strategies and to better apply land use planning. Allowing to modify factors in order to local features, the proposed methodology may be adopted in different conditions or geographical context featured by rainfall induced landslide risk.

ACS Style

Anna Roccati; Guido Paliaga; Fabio Luino; Francesco Faccini; Laura Turconi. GIS-Based Landslide Susceptibility Mapping for Land Use Planning and Risk Assessment. Land 2021, 10, 162 .

AMA Style

Anna Roccati, Guido Paliaga, Fabio Luino, Francesco Faccini, Laura Turconi. GIS-Based Landslide Susceptibility Mapping for Land Use Planning and Risk Assessment. Land. 2021; 10 (2):162.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Roccati; Guido Paliaga; Fabio Luino; Francesco Faccini; Laura Turconi. 2021. "GIS-Based Landslide Susceptibility Mapping for Land Use Planning and Risk Assessment." Land 10, no. 2: 162.

Journal article
Published: 24 January 2021 in Journal of Maps
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This work presents the geomorphological features associated with the anthropic morphogenesis of the Bisagno Stream catchment, combined with the geo-hydrological hazards associated with landslides and floods. This catchment is internationally known for its recurring high-magnitude floods and its geo-hydrological hazards associated with the large and widespread presence of elements exposed at risks. It experienced severe morphological changes due to anthropogenic interventions related to urban sprawl and agriculture. Anthropogenic modifications to the former landscape have been particularly widespread and pervasive over the coastline, the floodplain, and the slopes. They include a general alteration of the pristine landforms, excavation and landfill forms, channelization and culvert of riverbeds, and terraced slopes. The 1:20,000 scale map allows to assess the relationships existing among structures and infrastructures, anthropogenic landforms, and landslides and flood-prone areas. Thus, this tool provides relevant information for land-use planning and land management, in particular under the perspective of geo-hydrological hazards mitigation.

ACS Style

Andrea Mandarino; Francesco Faccini; Martino Terrone; Guido Paliaga. Anthropogenic landforms and geo-hydrological hazards of the Bisagno Stream catchment (Liguria, Italy). Journal of Maps 2021, 118 -131.

AMA Style

Andrea Mandarino, Francesco Faccini, Martino Terrone, Guido Paliaga. Anthropogenic landforms and geo-hydrological hazards of the Bisagno Stream catchment (Liguria, Italy). Journal of Maps. 2021; ():118-131.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea Mandarino; Francesco Faccini; Martino Terrone; Guido Paliaga. 2021. "Anthropogenic landforms and geo-hydrological hazards of the Bisagno Stream catchment (Liguria, Italy)." Journal of Maps , no. : 118-131.

Journal article
Published: 17 December 2020 in Atmosphere
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The effects of climate change on landslide activity may have important environmental, socio-economic, and political consequences. In the last decades, several short-term extreme rainfall events affected Mediterranean regions, resulted in damaging geo-hydrological processes and casualties. It is unequivocal that the impact of landslides in several Mediterranean countries is increasing with time, but until now, there has been little or no quantitative data to support these increases. In this paper, both rainfall conditions for the occurrence of shallow landslides and rainfall trends were investigated in the Portofino promontory, which extends in the Ligurian Sea, where heavy rainfall and related ground effects often occur. Adopting a frequentist approach, the empirical intensity-duration threshold was estimated. Our findings highlight that the rainfall intensity required to trigger landslides is lower for the same duration than those expected in other similar environments, suggesting a high susceptibility to rainfall-induced landslides in the Portofino territory. Further, the Mann-Kendall test and Hurst exponent were used for detecting potential trends. Analysis of long-term rainfall time series showed statistically significant increasing trends in short duration precipitation occurrence and rainfall rates, suggesting a possible future scenario with a more frequent exceedance of the threshold triggering value and an increase of landslide risk.

ACS Style

Anna Roccati; Guido Paliaga; Fabio Luino; Francesco Faccini; Laura Turconi. Rainfall Threshold for Shallow Landslides Initiation and Analysis of Long-Term Rainfall Trends in a Mediterranean Area. Atmosphere 2020, 11, 1367 .

AMA Style

Anna Roccati, Guido Paliaga, Fabio Luino, Francesco Faccini, Laura Turconi. Rainfall Threshold for Shallow Landslides Initiation and Analysis of Long-Term Rainfall Trends in a Mediterranean Area. Atmosphere. 2020; 11 (12):1367.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Roccati; Guido Paliaga; Fabio Luino; Francesco Faccini; Laura Turconi. 2020. "Rainfall Threshold for Shallow Landslides Initiation and Analysis of Long-Term Rainfall Trends in a Mediterranean Area." Atmosphere 11, no. 12: 1367.

Journal article
Published: 29 July 2020 in Journal of Maps
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This paper describes the anthropogenic landforms of the alluvial-coastal plain of Rapallo (Eastern Liguria, NW Italy). Since the second half of the nineteenth-century Rapallo experienced a progressive urban sprawl that became particularly intense after the Second World War and severely modified the former landforms. The identification and mapping of morphological changes was performed through a multi-temporal comparison of historical and recent maps and aerial photographs, an analysis of geo-thematic maps and urban planning documents, an interpretation of stratigraphic data from boreholes, and a field survey activity. The main anthropogenic interventions that shaped the urban landscape of Rapallo were riverbed diversions and channelization, excavations, fillings, and embankments construction along the shoreline. These elements highlight the relevant extent of the human imprint on the pristine environment. Furthermore, the identified anthropogenic geomorphological features, combined with the local physiographic and climatic features, increased flood and sea storm hazards and risks.

ACS Style

Pierluigi Brandolini; Andrea Mandarino; Guido Paliaga; Francesco Faccini. Anthropogenic landforms in an urbanized alluvial-coastal plain (Rapallo city, Italy). Journal of Maps 2020, 1 -12.

AMA Style

Pierluigi Brandolini, Andrea Mandarino, Guido Paliaga, Francesco Faccini. Anthropogenic landforms in an urbanized alluvial-coastal plain (Rapallo city, Italy). Journal of Maps. 2020; ():1-12.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pierluigi Brandolini; Andrea Mandarino; Guido Paliaga; Francesco Faccini. 2020. "Anthropogenic landforms in an urbanized alluvial-coastal plain (Rapallo city, Italy)." Journal of Maps , no. : 1-12.

Journal article
Published: 14 June 2020 in Journal of Maps
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ACS Style

Francesco Faccini; Marco Giardino; Guido Paliaga; Luigi Perotti; Pierluigi Brandolini. Urban geomorphology of Genoa old city (Italy). Journal of Maps 2020, 1 -14.

AMA Style

Francesco Faccini, Marco Giardino, Guido Paliaga, Luigi Perotti, Pierluigi Brandolini. Urban geomorphology of Genoa old city (Italy). Journal of Maps. 2020; ():1-14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Faccini; Marco Giardino; Guido Paliaga; Luigi Perotti; Pierluigi Brandolini. 2020. "Urban geomorphology of Genoa old city (Italy)." Journal of Maps , no. : 1-14.

Journal article
Published: 06 June 2020 in Science of The Total Environment
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Anthropogenic modifications at catchments scale may be reconducted primarily at soil sealing and streams culverting, even if important consequences result from roads density and, more in general, infrastructures as they cause landscape fragmentation, and agricultural areas extension. Their most important outcomes in terms of hydrologic balance are the decreasing time of concentration and the increasing flood risk at catchment scale. The research introduces a methodological approach to classify the degree of anthropogenic modifications at catchment scale: clustering techniques have been applied to 508 catchments in a high-risk flooding sector of the Mediterranean region. Then, flood data recorded in the study area in the 1900–2018 period have been compared to clustering classification, pointing out the relationships with soil sealing and hydrographical network culverting in the catchment. The analysis has been performed considering fourteen subsets of 8 descriptive parameters each that differ in the evaluation of culverting in the terminal part of the hydrographical network; the analysis has been conducted identifying the optimal number of descriptive parameters and the corresponding best number of clusters on quantitative basis. The results show that three classes clustering is the more appropriate from a computational point of view. That division looks coherent with the features of the studied basins and is well correlated with floods occurrence in the last 100 years. Finally, the proposed methodology of anthropogenic disturbance classification at catchment scale may be applied to other areas even adapting and implementing other descriptive parameters. Then, it may be used to support the planning of mitigation strategies in term of flood risk.

ACS Style

Guido Paliaga; Francesco Faccini; Fabio Luino; Anna Roccati; Laura Turconi. A clustering classification of catchment anthropogenic modification and relationships with floods. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 740, 139915 .

AMA Style

Guido Paliaga, Francesco Faccini, Fabio Luino, Anna Roccati, Laura Turconi. A clustering classification of catchment anthropogenic modification and relationships with floods. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 740 ():139915.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Guido Paliaga; Francesco Faccini; Fabio Luino; Anna Roccati; Laura Turconi. 2020. "A clustering classification of catchment anthropogenic modification and relationships with floods." Science of The Total Environment 740, no. : 139915.

Preprint content
Published: 23 March 2020
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The European Horizon RECONECT Project (Regenerating ECOsystems with Nature-based solutions for hydro-meteorological risk rEduCTion) aims to contribute to a European reference framework on NBS by demonstrating, upscaling and spreading large-scale NBS in rural and natural areas.

The Italian RECONECT demonstrator is set in the Portofino Natural Park, which represents a unique natural landscape element with high ecologic, social, and economic (touristic) value and severely endangered by hydro-meteorological hazards.

The Portofino Promontory is historically affected by geo-hydrological events. They can produce natural instability processes related to the interaction between meteorological phenomena and the geological environment, which can potentially cause loss of the exposed elements at risk, as happened in the past. The more frequent processes are: shallow landslides and flash floods, sea-storm surges, rockfalls and mud-debris flows. Often, different processes can occur simultaneously during an intense meteorological event, interacting each other and causing an avalanche effect.

This research introduces the NBS interventions proposed in the RECONECT case study of Portofino over two pilot catchments (San Fruttuoso and Paraggi basins), visited by thousands of tourists all over the year. The project envisages the setting up of meteorological-hydrological stations for studying and monitoring geomorphological processes.

In particular, RECONECT project foresees the selection, installation and operation of hydro-meteorological instruments that include three weather stations, two hydrometers and two cameras to monitor small and very steep catchments.

Monitoring activity include the use of remote sensing survey LIDAR data, orthophotography and infrared aerial photography, whose acquisition has been carried out in January 2020.

Remote sensing and monitoring data are used to quantitatively assess the morphological features and processes, allowing to: a) evaluate the critical-instability areas along the slope and channels and to support the reconstruction of dry stone walls of the widespread terraced areas; b) evaluate the potentially more susceptible source areas of mud-debris flows and the identification of thresholds in meteorological conditions.

In relation to future projections of natural, social and economic impacts of climate change, NBS represent a relevant mitigation and adaptation strategy for the Portofino case study, which may be upscaled at national and international level.

ACS Style

Francesco Faccini; Fabio Luino; Alessandra Marchese; Guido Paliaga; Laura Turconi. Hydro-meteorological monitoring activities in Portofino Natural Park (Italy) as demonstrator of the H2020 RECONECT project: preliminary results. 2020, 1 .

AMA Style

Francesco Faccini, Fabio Luino, Alessandra Marchese, Guido Paliaga, Laura Turconi. Hydro-meteorological monitoring activities in Portofino Natural Park (Italy) as demonstrator of the H2020 RECONECT project: preliminary results. . 2020; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Faccini; Fabio Luino; Alessandra Marchese; Guido Paliaga; Laura Turconi. 2020. "Hydro-meteorological monitoring activities in Portofino Natural Park (Italy) as demonstrator of the H2020 RECONECT project: preliminary results." , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 08 February 2020 in Sustainability
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Nature-based solutions (NBS) are usually defined as complementary or alternative solutions to “grey infrastructures” (traditionally made with cement) aimed at conserving and regenerating the functionality of natural and semi-natural ecosystems. The research to date shows a considerable potential of NBS to address the current challenges related to climate change and geo-hydrological risks. Despite significant interest in NBS by researchers and practitioners, knowledge concerning their practical implementation, monitoring, and evaluation is still lacking. This is particularly true for large-scale NBS. The present paper discusses how such solutions can be implemented in the context of hydro-meteorological risk reduction in small Mediterranean catchments with a strong tourist vocation. The work presented here is situated within the RECONECT Project (Regenerating ECOsystems with Nature-based solutions for hydro-meteorological risk rEduCTion), which aims to contribute to a European reference framework on NBS by demonstrating, upscaling, and replicating large-scale NBS in rural and natural areas. The Italian case study of RECONECT is the Portofino Natural Regional Park, which represents a unique natural landscape element with high ecologic, social, and economic (touristic) value, which is threatened by a range of geo-hydrological hazards, such as flash floods, hyper-concentrated floods, shallow landslides, rockfalls, and storm surges. This paper also presents details of NBS interventions in two pilot catchments (San Fruttuoso and Paraggi) visited by thousands of tourists throughout the year. It addresses some of the key aspects related to monitoring meteorological and hydrological processes, as well as remote sensing activities (i.e., LiDAR surveys), which are necessary for the identification of critical-instability areas along waterways and the reconstruction of dry stone walls. Lastly, a discussion of relevant mitigation and adaptation strategies that are potentially replicable at national and international levels is also provided.

ACS Style

Laura Turconi; Francesco Faccini; Alessandra Marchese; Guido Paliaga; Marco Casazza; Zoran Vojinovic; Fabio Luino. Implementation of Nature-Based Solutions for Hydro-Meteorological Risk Reduction in Small Mediterranean Catchments: The Case of Portofino Natural Regional Park, Italy. Sustainability 2020, 12, 1240 .

AMA Style

Laura Turconi, Francesco Faccini, Alessandra Marchese, Guido Paliaga, Marco Casazza, Zoran Vojinovic, Fabio Luino. Implementation of Nature-Based Solutions for Hydro-Meteorological Risk Reduction in Small Mediterranean Catchments: The Case of Portofino Natural Regional Park, Italy. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (3):1240.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Laura Turconi; Francesco Faccini; Alessandra Marchese; Guido Paliaga; Marco Casazza; Zoran Vojinovic; Fabio Luino. 2020. "Implementation of Nature-Based Solutions for Hydro-Meteorological Risk Reduction in Small Mediterranean Catchments: The Case of Portofino Natural Regional Park, Italy." Sustainability 12, no. 3: 1240.

Journal article
Published: 06 February 2020 in Water
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Stone wall terraces are a largely investigated topic in research for both their landscape and cultural/historical value. Terraces are anthropogenic landforms that interact with natural processes and need permanent maintenance to preserve their functionality. In the Mediterranean region, ground effects related to intense rain events often involve terraced slopes that, in some situations, are directly sourced areas of debris/mud flow. Starting from the 1950s, the changing socio-economic conditions caused the abandonment of large portions of rural areas. Nowadays, at the catchment scale, it is frequently difficult recognizing stone wall terraces because of their abandonment and the uncontrolled re-vegetation. This research faces the issue of identifying terraces in the Monte di Portofino promontory, which is internationally famous for its high-value natural and landscape involving broad anthropogenic modifications dating back to the Middle Ages. A remote sensing application, with LIDAR data and orthophotography, identified terraces on the Portofino promontory, enabling investigating even barely accessible areas and increasing knowledge on the territory. The aim of this paper is first of all to point out the presence of such anthropogenic morphologies in the promontory of Monte di Portofino and then to asses and highlight the related hazard. In fact, terraces can be a source of debris/hyper-concentrated flow with highly damaging power, as occurred in the recent years in neighboring areas during particularly intense hydrological events. Then, terraced area mapping, including in use and in abandonment information, is crucial to perform a spatial relationship analysis that includes hazard-exposed elements and to evaluate the possible connectivity factor of buildings, infrastructures, tourism facilities and Cultural Heritage within the hydrographical network.

ACS Style

Guido Paliaga; Fabio Luino; Laura Turconi; Jerome V. De Graff; Francesco Faccini. Terraced Landscapes on Portofino Promontory (Italy): Identification, Geo-Hydrological Hazard and Management. Water 2020, 12, 435 .

AMA Style

Guido Paliaga, Fabio Luino, Laura Turconi, Jerome V. De Graff, Francesco Faccini. Terraced Landscapes on Portofino Promontory (Italy): Identification, Geo-Hydrological Hazard and Management. Water. 2020; 12 (2):435.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Guido Paliaga; Fabio Luino; Laura Turconi; Jerome V. De Graff; Francesco Faccini. 2020. "Terraced Landscapes on Portofino Promontory (Italy): Identification, Geo-Hydrological Hazard and Management." Water 12, no. 2: 435.

Journal article
Published: 04 February 2020 in Sustainability
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Geo-hydrological risk reduction policies are becoming a critical challenge for environmental sustainability, both at the national and international levels. The reason is twofold: On the one hand, climate change has increase rainfall frequency and intensity, while on the other, reckless urban expansion has increased exposure to such hazards over time. Italy is a country that is very vulnerable to flood and landslide hazard; the city of Genoa, which, in recent decades, has been frequently hit by severe floods, has risen to symbolize Italian geo-hydrological risk. Recent studies on Genoa’s geo-hydrological hazard have focused on the analysis of hydro-geomorphological features of the Bisagno stream basin, yet their main focus was on hazard control. Very little research has been done to enhance the understanding of the source of risk in such catchments. This paper presents a study on the increased urban exposure and vulnerability to geo-hydrological hazard along the Bisagno stream catchment area over the last 200 years. Morphometric analyses were coupled with historical documents showing the evolution of the urban layout in this area. The results show that the “Bisagno Master Plan”, a territorial planning strategy aimed at reducing geo-hydrological hazard and risk, has not produced the expected benefits. In spite of the plan, critical changes in land use and the hydrographic network, along with uncontrolled anthropization of the Genoa metropolitan area, has continued over the last two decades.

ACS Style

Guido Paliaga; Fabio Luino; Laura Turconi; Fausto Marincioni; Francesco Faccini. Exposure to Geo-Hydrological Hazards of the Metropolitan Area of Genoa, Italy: A Multi-Temporal Analysis of the Bisagno Stream. Sustainability 2020, 12, 1114 .

AMA Style

Guido Paliaga, Fabio Luino, Laura Turconi, Fausto Marincioni, Francesco Faccini. Exposure to Geo-Hydrological Hazards of the Metropolitan Area of Genoa, Italy: A Multi-Temporal Analysis of the Bisagno Stream. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (3):1114.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Guido Paliaga; Fabio Luino; Laura Turconi; Fausto Marincioni; Francesco Faccini. 2020. "Exposure to Geo-Hydrological Hazards of the Metropolitan Area of Genoa, Italy: A Multi-Temporal Analysis of the Bisagno Stream." Sustainability 12, no. 3: 1114.

Research article
Published: 18 December 2019 in Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment
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Tsunamis are one of several processes that contribute to coastal remodeling. This research interpreted geomorphic features over time to better understand if a relationship exists between the flash remodeling of coasts, expressed by bidimensional-fractal dimensions, and known tsunami energy. Fractal geometry analysis, through the box-counting and correlation integral methods, was applied to the physiography of four oceanic coastlands: three in Sumatra, Indonesia, and one in Japan, hit by tsunamis in the last 14 years. Their shoreline fractal dimensions before and after the events and the present-day ones were calculated and compared. Results highlighted any difference or convergence of calculated fractal dimensions. Significant numerical variations of fractal dimensions of the shores before and after each tsunami were registered, and those values gradually decreased post-tsunami. These shorelines, considered stable before tsunamis, increased in physiographic irregularity up to 5–11% immediately after the phenomena; this slowly diminished to 2–5% about 8 to 15 years later; and finally to 3–6% present-day, compared to the pre-event shorelines. Considering these changes of the fractal dimension and the hydrodynamic energy of the tsunami, responsible for the abrupt coastal remodeling, a simple empirical expression and evaluation of the residual resilience is proposed. As a first step, a real physical meaning, in terms of energy, is attributed to the (dimensionless) fractal dimension.

ACS Style

Carlo Donadio; Guido Paliaga; John D. Radke. Tsunamis and rapid coastal remodeling: Linking energy and fractal dimension. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 2019, 44, 550 -571.

AMA Style

Carlo Donadio, Guido Paliaga, John D. Radke. Tsunamis and rapid coastal remodeling: Linking energy and fractal dimension. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment. 2019; 44 (4):550-571.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carlo Donadio; Guido Paliaga; John D. Radke. 2019. "Tsunamis and rapid coastal remodeling: Linking energy and fractal dimension." Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 44, no. 4: 550-571.

Research article
Published: 31 October 2019 in Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment
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Urban-geomorphology studies in historical cities provide a significant contribution towards the broad definition of the Anthropocene, perhaps even including its consideration as a new unit of geological time. Specific methodological approaches to recognize and map landforms in urban environments, where human-induced geomorphic processes have often overcome the natural ones, are proposed. This paper reports the results from, and comparison of, studies conducted in coastal historical cities facing the core of the Mediterranean Sea – that is, Genoa, Rome, Naples, Palermo (Italy) and Patras (Greece). Their settlements were facilitated by similar climatic and geographical contexts, with high grounds functional for defence, as well as by the availability of rocks useful as construction materials, which were excavated both in opencast and underground quarries. Over centuries, urbanization has also required the levelling of relief, which was performed by the excavation of heights, filling of depressions and by slope terracing. Consequently, highly modified hydrographic networks, whose streams were dammed, diverted, modified in a culvert or simply buried, characterize the selected cities. Their urban growth, which has been driven by maritime commercial activities, has determined anthropogenic coastal progradation through port and defence or waterfront works. Aggradation of artificial ground has also occurred as a consequence of repeated destruction because of both human and natural events, and subsequent reconstruction even over ruins, buried depressions and shallow cavities. As a result, the selected cities represent anthropogenic landscapes that have been predominately shaped by several human-driven processes, sometimes over centuries. Each landform represents the current result, often from multiple activities with opposing geomorphic effects. Beyond academic progress, we believe that detecting and mapping these landforms and processes should be compulsory, even in risk-assessment urban planning, because of the increase of both hazards and vulnerability as a result of climate-change-induced extreme events and extensive urbanization, respectively.

ACS Style

Pierluigi Brandolini; Chiara Cappadonia; Gian Marco Luberti; Carlo Donadio; Leonidas Stamatopoulos; Cipriano Di Maggio; Francesco Faccini; Corrado Stanislao; Francesca Vergari; Guido Paliaga; Valerio Agnesi; Georgios Alevizos; Maurizio Del Monte. Geomorphology of the Anthropocene in Mediterranean urban areas. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 2019, 44, 461 -494.

AMA Style

Pierluigi Brandolini, Chiara Cappadonia, Gian Marco Luberti, Carlo Donadio, Leonidas Stamatopoulos, Cipriano Di Maggio, Francesco Faccini, Corrado Stanislao, Francesca Vergari, Guido Paliaga, Valerio Agnesi, Georgios Alevizos, Maurizio Del Monte. Geomorphology of the Anthropocene in Mediterranean urban areas. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment. 2019; 44 (4):461-494.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pierluigi Brandolini; Chiara Cappadonia; Gian Marco Luberti; Carlo Donadio; Leonidas Stamatopoulos; Cipriano Di Maggio; Francesco Faccini; Corrado Stanislao; Francesca Vergari; Guido Paliaga; Valerio Agnesi; Georgios Alevizos; Maurizio Del Monte. 2019. "Geomorphology of the Anthropocene in Mediterranean urban areas." Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 44, no. 4: 461-494.

Journal article
Published: 11 October 2019 in Water
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Interest in geoheritage research has grown over the past 25 years and several countries have issued laws to encourage improvement and conservation. Investigations on geosites are prevalently carried out on land environments, although the study of underwater marine environments is also of paramount scientific importance. Nevertheless, due to the constraints of underwater environments, these sites have been little explored, also on account of the higher costs and difficulties of surveying. This research has identified and assessed the terrestrial and marine geosites of the Portofino Natural Park and Protected Marine Area, which are internationally famous owing to both the land scenic features and the quality of the marine ecosystem. The goal was to pinpoint the most suitable sites for tourist improvement and fruition and identify possible connections between the two environments. In all, 28 terrestrial sites and 27 marine sites have been identified and their scientific value as well as their ecological, cultural, and aesthetic importance has been assessed. In addition, accessibility, services, and economic potential of geosites has also been taken into account. Both the updated database of terrestrial and marine geosites in the Portofino protected areas and the assessment procedure adopted can become useful tools for the managers of these sites and provide decision-makers with possible strategies for tourist development.

ACS Style

Paola Coratza; Vittoria Vandelli; Lara Fiorentini; Guido Paliaga; Francesco Faccini. Bridging Terrestrial and Marine Geoheritage: Assessing Geosites in Portofino Natural Park (Italy). Water 2019, 11, 2112 .

AMA Style

Paola Coratza, Vittoria Vandelli, Lara Fiorentini, Guido Paliaga, Francesco Faccini. Bridging Terrestrial and Marine Geoheritage: Assessing Geosites in Portofino Natural Park (Italy). Water. 2019; 11 (10):2112.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paola Coratza; Vittoria Vandelli; Lara Fiorentini; Guido Paliaga; Francesco Faccini. 2019. "Bridging Terrestrial and Marine Geoheritage: Assessing Geosites in Portofino Natural Park (Italy)." Water 11, no. 10: 2112.

Journal article
Published: 23 August 2019 in Sustainability
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Since the nineteenth century, most urban catchments in Europe have been subject to significant landscape variations. These modifications have been caused by population change and the transition through rural, industrial and post-industrial economies. Land use and rainfall regime changes, together with land use variations, are frequently associated with flood hazard increase. This paper examines geomorphological landscape changes from the nineteenth century to the present day in the Bisagno Valley, Genoa metropolitan area. The Valley is internationally known for its recurring floods: the last events with fatalities occurred in 2011 and 2014. The extent of landscape change and the history of floods were examined by combining scientific data and information from historical maps, written accounts, topographical drawings and photographs. Historical–geographical and geomorphological analyses were used to reconstruct the runoff for three different periods since 1850. Our results demonstrate that geomorphological landscape variations, including modifications of the river bed, and the abandonment of the countryside and terraces are not sustainable and have progressively allowed an increase in flooding, making it necessary to implement sustainable management policies. In particular, specific spatial urban planning and management measures are necessary in order to mitigate flood hazard and vulnerability.

ACS Style

Pietro Piana; Francesco Faccini; Fabio Luino; Guido Paliaga; Alessandro Sacchini; Charles Watkins. Geomorphological Landscape Research and Flood Management in a Heavily Modified Tyrrhenian Catchment. Sustainability 2019, 11, 4594 .

AMA Style

Pietro Piana, Francesco Faccini, Fabio Luino, Guido Paliaga, Alessandro Sacchini, Charles Watkins. Geomorphological Landscape Research and Flood Management in a Heavily Modified Tyrrhenian Catchment. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (17):4594.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro Piana; Francesco Faccini; Fabio Luino; Guido Paliaga; Alessandro Sacchini; Charles Watkins. 2019. "Geomorphological Landscape Research and Flood Management in a Heavily Modified Tyrrhenian Catchment." Sustainability 11, no. 17: 4594.