Abstract
Italy is characterized by widespread geomorphological instability, among which landslides leave impressive marks on the landscape. Nevertheless, landslide bodies may represent key sites for thematic and educational itineraries, especially in protected areas, where their management becomes an important issue. Our study focuses on the “Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve” (Central Apennines, Italy), where iconic landslides are present. Here, the “Scialimata Grande di Torre Alfina” landslide (SGTA) is listed in the regional Geosite database. This work aims to propose a multiscale procedure for landslide analysis, in terms of both hazard sources but also educational and geoheritage enhancement opportunities in natural reserves. After performing a Landslide Susceptibility conditional Analysis (LSA) for the reserve territory, attention was focused on the SGTA, to define properly its features and morphodynamics. A multi-disciplinary approach was adopted, by applying both remote sensing (UAV structure from motion, Photointerpretation) and field survey (geomorphological and GPS monitoring). From the LSA, based on drainage density, curvature, and slope triggering factors, the road and trail susceptibility maps were derived, as base tools for future risk assessments and trail paths management within the reserve. At the SGTA scale, the monitoring showed a displacement of up to 23 m during the time interval between 2015 and 2018. The landslide dynamics seem to be driven by alternating dry and extremely wet periods; moreover, leaks from the aqueduct in the detachment area and piping effects through clays may have also decreased the substrate cohesion. The SGTA complex influence on the Paglia River valley geometry was also hypothesized, underlining the action of landslide through different spatial scales (on-site and off-site) and on different environment features (sediment connectivity, hydrology). Finally, the SGTA appears highly representative of the geomorphic dynamics within the Nature Reserve (i.e., scientific value) and it could be classified as an active geosite. Since the site was featured by a tourist trail, adequate management strategies must be adopted, considering the educational value and safety issues.
Article PDF
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Aleotti L, Fontana F, Sacchetti N (2016) Hydrogeological report on the “Scialimata Grande di Torre Alfina” landslide. Technical hydrogeological report. La Sapienza University, IT. (In Italian)
Amici V, Maccherini S, Santi E, et al. (2017) Long-term patterns of change in a vanishing cultural landscape: a GIS-based assessment. Ecolog Informat 37: 38–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2016.11.008
Amodio M, De Rita D, Di Filippo M, et al. (1987) Geologicalstructural evolution of the Bolsena volcano-tectonic (vulsino volcanic complex). Bollett Grup Naz Vulcan 21 - 36. Arsial (2021) Agrometeorological integrated services. http://www.arsial.it/portalearsial/agrometeo/F1.asp
Ayalew L, Yamagishi H (2005) The application of GIS-based logistic regression for landslide susceptibility mapping in the Kakuda-Yahiko Mountains. Central Japan. Geomorphology 65: 15–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2004.06.010
Belisario F (2003) Geosite n°396. Geosites database of the Lazio region. (In Italian). https://dati.lazio.it/catalog/it/dataset/banca-dati-dei-geositi-del-lazio
Belisario F, Romagnoli C (2010) Report on the damage to the natural-engineering works of the hiking trail “La Scialimata” (Monte Rufeno nature reserve) caused by the exceptional rainfall of November 2010. MRNR Technical Reports. (In Italian)
Bertolini G, Corsini A, Tellini G (2017) Fingerprints of large-scale landslides in the landscape of the Emilia Apennines. In: Soldati M. and Marchetti M (eds.), Landscapes and Landforms of Italy. World Geomorphological Landscapes. Springer, Cham. pp 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26194-2_18
Betz S, Croce V, Becht M (2019) Investigating morphodynamics on Little Ice Age lateral moraines in the Italian Alps using archival aerial photogrammetry and airborne LiDAR data. Zeit für Geomorph 62(3): 231–247. https://doi.org/10.1127/zfg/2019/0629
Blasi C (1993) Phytoclimatic map of the Lazio region. Reg Lazio, Univ La Sapienza, Dip Biolog Veg, IT. (In Italian)
Bolia P, La Vecchia G, Giaquinto S, et al. (1982) Geological-structural features of the Paglia river catchment. In: Bacino del Fiume Paglia: Studi Strutturali, Idrogeologici, Geochimici. CNR, PFE, RF 16. (in Italian)
Bollati I, Coratza P, Panizza V, Pelfini M (2018) Lithological and structural control on Italian mountain geoheritage: opportunities for tourism, outdoor and educational activities. Quaest Geog 37(3): 53–73. https://doi.org/10.2478/quageo-2018-0025
Bollati I, Crosa Lenz B, Zanoletti E, Pelfini M (2017a) Geomorphological mapping for the valorization of the alpine environment. A methodological proposal tested in the Loana Valley (Sesia Val Grande Geopark, Western Italian Alps). J Mt Sci 14(6): 1023–1038. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-017-4427-7
Bollati I, Della Seta M, Pelfini M, et al. (2012) Dendrochronological and geomorphological investigations to assess water erosion and mass wasting processes in the Appennines of Southern Tuscany (Italy). Catena 90: 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2011.11.005
Bollati I, Pellegrini M, Reynard E, Pelfini M (2017b) Water driven processes and landforms evolution rates in mountain geomorphosites: example from Swiss Alps. Catena 158: 321–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2017.07.013
Bollati I, Smiraglia C, Pelfini M (2013) Assessment and Selection of Geomorphosites and Trails in the Miage Glacier Area (Western Italian Alps). Env Manag 51(4): 951–967. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-012-9995-2
Bollati I, Vergari F, Del Monte M, Pelfini M (2016) Multitemporal dendrogeomorphological analysis of slope instability in upper Orcia Valley (Southern Tuscany, Italy). Geog Fis Din Quat 39(2): 105–120. https://doi.org/10.4461/%20GFDQ%202016.39.10
Brandolini P, Faccini F, Pelfini M, Firpo M (2013) A complex landslide along the Eastern Liguria rocky coast (Italy). Rend on Soc Geol It 28: 28–31. https://hdl.handle.net/2434/234508
Brandolini P, Pelfini M (2010) Mapping geomorphological hazard in relation to geotourism and hiking trails. In: Regolini-Bissing G, Reynard E (eds.), Mapping Geoheritage, Lausanne, Institut de géographie, Géovision: 35: 31–45. https://hdl.handle.net/2434/151693
Calcaterra D, Guida D, Budetta P, et al. (2014) Moving geosites: how landslides can become focal points in Geoparks. In: Latest Trends in Engineering, Mechanics, Structures, Engineering Geology. Salerno, Italy: 162–171.
Campobasso C, Carton A, Chelli A, et al. (2018) Geomorphological map of Italy 1:50.000. New guidelines and integrations. In: ISPRA, Servizio Geologico d'Italia. Progetto CARG: Modifiche ed Integrazioni al Quaderno N. 4/1994. (In Italian)
Carrara A, Cardinali M, Guzzetti F, Reichenbach P (1995) GIS technology in mapping landslide hazard. In: Carrara A, Guzzetti F (eds.), Geographical Information Systems in Assessing Natural Hazards. Kluwer, Dordrecht 135–175. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8404-3_8
Chung CF, Fabbri A (2003) Validation of spatial prediction models for landslide hazard mapping Nat Hazards 30: 451–472. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NHAZ.0000007172.62651.2b
Ciccacci S, D'Alessandro L, Fredi P, Lupia Palmieri EN (1998) Geomorphic-quantitative analyses contribute to the denudation processes of the Paglia river catchment. Torino: Supp Geog Fis Din Quat- Supp. I - Comitato glaciologico italiano. (In Italian)
Ciotoli G, Della Seta M, Del Monte M, et al. (2003) Morphological and geochemical evidence of neotectonics in the volcanic area of Monti Vulsini (Latium, Italy). Quat Intern 101-102: 103–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1040-6182(02)00093-9
Clerici A, Tellini C, Vescovi P (2006) Landslide failure and runout susceptibility in the upper T. Ceno valley (Northern Apennines, Italy). Nat Haz. 10.1007%2Fs11069-009-9349-4
Coratza P, De Waele J (2012) Geomorphosites and natural hazards: teaching the importance of geomorphology in society. Geoheritage 4(3): 195–203. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-012-0058-0
Cresta S, Fattori C, Mancinella D, Basilici S (2005) Lazio geodiversity - Geosites and geoconservation in the system of protected areas. ARP - Regione Lazio.
Dailling JW (1994) Vegetation Colonization of Landslides in the Blue Mountain, Jamaica. Biotropica: 392–399. https://doi.org/10.2307/2389233
Damiani AV (1991) Stratigraphic-structural observations on the valleys of Paglia and Tevere rivers. Stud Geol Camerti, Spec 1:243–250. (In Italian). http://193.204.8.201:8080/jspui/handle/1336/560
Damiani AV, Mencarelli I (1991) Structural controls on the etruscan deposits in the tectonic window of Monte Peglia. Rend Soc Geol Ital 13:147–150. (In Italian)
Della Seta M, Del Monte M, Fredi P, Lupia Palmieri E N (2009) Space-time variability of denudation rates at the catchment and hillslope scales on Thyrrenian side of Central Italy. Geomorphology 107(3-4):161–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.12.004
Del Monte M (2017) The typical badland landscapes between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Tiber River. In: Soldati M, Marchetti M (eds.), Landscapes and Landforms of Italy. Springer, Cham. pp 281–291. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26194-2
Diéz-Herrero A, Vegas J, Carcavilla L, et al. (2018) Techniques for the monitoring of geosites in Cabañeros National Park, Spain. Geoheritage 417–430. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809531-7.00024-1
Direzione Regionale Capitale Naturale, Parchi e Aree Protette (2015) Web repository of the Lazio Region Geosites. (In Italian). http://dati.lazio.it/catalog/it/dataset/banca-dati-dei-geositi-del-lazio
Fantucci R, McCord A (1995) Reconstruction of landslide dynamic with dendrochronological methods. Dendrochronologia 13: 43–58.
Fredi P, Ciccacci S (2017) A Route of Fire in Central Italy: The Latium Ancient Volcanoes. In: Soldati M and Marchetti M (eds.), Landscapes and Landforms of Italy. World Geomorphological Landscapes. Springer, Cham: 303–315 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26194-2_26
Fredi P, Lupia Palmieri E N (2017) Morphological Regions of Italy. In: Soldati M and Marchetti M (eds.), Landscapes and Landforms of Italy. World Geomorphological Landscapes. Springer, Cham: 39–74 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26194-2_5
Forno MG, Gianotti F, Gattiglio M, et al. (2022) How Can a Complex Geosite Be Enhanced? A Landscape-Scale Approach to the Deep-Seated Gravitational Slope Deformation of Pointe Leysser (Aosta Valley, NW Italy). Geoheritage 14(3): 1–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-022-00730-8
Fugazza D, Scaioni M, Corti M, et al. (2018) Combination of UAV and terrestrial photogrammetry to assess rapid glacier evolution and map glacier hazards. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 18: 1055–1071. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-18-1055-2018
Garavaglia V, Diolaiuti G, Smiraglia C, et al. (2012) Evaluating Tourist Perception of Environmental Changes as a Contribution to Managing Natural Resources in Glacierized Areas: A Case Study of the Forni Glacier (Stelvio National Park, Italian Alps). Env Manag 50(6): 1125–1138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-012-9948-9
Garavaglia V, Pelfini M, Bini A, et al. (2009) Recent evolution of debris-flow fans in the Central Swiss Alps and associated risk assessment: two examples in Roseg Valley. Phys Geography 30(2): 105–129 https://doi.org/10.2747/0272-3646.30.2.105
Guida D, Pelfini M, Santilli M (2008) Geomorphological and dendrochronological analyses of a complex landslide in the Southern Apennines. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Phys Geography: 211–226. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0459.2008.340.x
Hutchinson MF, Dowling TI (1991) A continental hydrological assessment of a new grid-based digital elevation model of Australia. Hydrol Proc 5: 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.3360050105
ISPRA (2009) Geosites National Inventory. (In Italian). http://sgi.isprambiente.it/geositiweb/
Korup O (2005) Geomorphic imprint of landslides on alpine river systems, southwest New Zealand. Earth Surf Proc and Land 30(7): 783–800. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1171
Lazio Region Open Data (2003) CTR 1:5.000 - Provincia di Viterbo. (In Italian). (http://dati.lazio.it/catalog/it/dataset/carta-tecnica-regionale-2002-2003-5k-viterbo) Leonelli G, Bollati I M, Cherubini P, et al. (2022) Tree-ring stable isotopes indicate mass wasting processes at Radicofani in the upper Orcia Valley (Tuscany, Italy). Sci of The Tot Env 812: 152428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152428
Lucieer AS, De Jong M, Turner D (2014) Mapping landslide displacements using structure from motion (SfM) and image correlation of multi-temporal UAV photography. Prog in Phys Geography: 38(1): 97–116. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133313515293
Margottini C, Melelli L, Spizzichino D (2017) The Tuff Cities: A “Living Landscape” at the Border of Volcanoes in Central Italy. In: Soldati M and Marchetti M (eds.), Landscapes and Landforms of Italy. World Geomorphological Landscapes. Springer, Cham. pp 293–301. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26194-2_25
Martino S, Battaglia S, D'Alessandro F, et al. (2020) Earthquake-induced landslide scenarios for seismic microzonation: application to the Accumoli area (Rieti, Italy). Bull Earthquake Eng 18: 5655–5673. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-019-00589-1
Nagarajan R, Roy A, Vinod Kumar R, et al. (2000) Landslide hazard susceptibility mapping based on terrain and climate factors for tropical monsoon regions. Bull Eng Geol Env 275–287. https://doi.org/10.1007/s100649900032
Niculita M, Margarint MC (2018) Landslides and Fortified Settlements as Valuable Cultural Geomorphosites and Geoheritage Sites in the Moldavian Plateau, North-Eastern Romania. Geoheritage 10: 613–634. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-017-0261-0
Noti V (2018) GIS Open Source per Geologia e Ambiente. Dario Flaccovio Editore, Italy. (In Italian) Panizza M (2001) Geomorphosites: concepts, methods and examples of geomorphological survey. Chi Sci Bull 4–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03187227
Pelfini M, Bollati I (2014) Landforms and geomorphosites ongoing changes: Concepts and implications for geoheritage promotion. Quaest Geog 33(1): 131–143. https://doi.org/10.2478/quageo-2014-0009
Pelfini M, Bollati I, Pellegrini L, Zucali M (2016) Earth Sciences on the field: educational applications for the comprehension of landscape evolution. Rend On Soc Geol It 40: 56–66. https://doi.org/10.3301/ROL.2016.72
Pelfini M, Parravicini P, Fumagalli P, et al. (2019) New methodologies and technologies in Earth Sciences education: Opportunities and criticisms for future teachers. Rend Online Soc Geol It 49: 4–10. https://doi.org/10.3301/ROL.2019.45
Pelfini M, Santilli M (2008) Frequency of debris flows and their relation with precipitation: A case study in the Central Alps, Italy. Geomorphology 101: 721–730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.04.002
Ramsankaran RP, Navinkumar J, Kulkarni AV (2021) UAV-based Survey of Glaciers in Himalayas: Challenges and Reccomendations. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 49: 1171–1187. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12524-020-01300-7
Remondo J, Gonzales A, Diaz De Teràn JR, et al. (2003) Validation of landslide susceptibility maps; examples and applications from a case study in Northern Spain. Nat Hazards 30: 437–449 https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NHAZ.0000007201.80743.fc
Reynard E, Fontana G, Kozlik L, Scapozza C (2007) A method for assessing scientific and additional values of geomorphosites. Geog. Helvetica 62(3): 148–158. https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-62-148-2007
Rossi G, Tanteri L, Tofani V, et al. (2018) Multitemporal UAV surveys for landslide mapping and characterization. Landslides - ICL/IPL Activities. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-018-0978-0
Santacana N, Baeza B, Corominas J, et al. (2003) A GIS-based multivariate statistical analysis for shallow landslide susceptibility mapping in La Pobla de Lillet Area (Eastern Pyrenees, Spain). Nat Hazards 30: 281–295. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NHAZ.0000007169.28860.80
Shiels B, Walker LR (2013) Landslides cause spatial and temporal gradients at multiple scales in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico. USDA National Wildlife Research Center - Staff Publications 1581.
Stark M, Neugirg F, Kaiser A, Della Seta M (2020) Calanchi badlands reconstructions and long-term change detection analysis from historical aerial and UAS image processing. J Geomorph. https://doi.org/10.1127/jgeomorphology/2020/0658
Sterlacchini S, Ballabio C, Blahut J, et al. (2011) Spatial agreement of predicted patterns in landslide susceptibility maps. Geomorphology 125: 51–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.09.004
Vergari F (2015) Assessing soil erosion hazard in a key badland area of Central Italy. Nat Haz 79: S71–S95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-015-1976-3
Vergari F, Della Seta M, Del Monte M, et al. (2011) Landslide susceptibility assessment in the Upper Orcia Valley (Southern Tuscany, Italy) through conditional analysis: a contribution to the unbiased selection of causal factors. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 11: 1475–1497. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-11-1475-2011
Vergari F, Troiani F, Faulkner H P, et al. (2019) The use of the slope-area function to analyse process domains in complex badland landscapes. Earth Surf. Proc. and Landforms 44(1): 273–286. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4496
Yeh F, Huang C, Han J, Ge L (2017) Modelling slope topography using unmanned aerial vehicle image technique. 10617 Taipei, Taiwan: Dep of Civil Eng, National Taiwan University, MATEC Web of Conference 147: 07002. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201814707002
Zglobicki W, Poesen J, Cohen M, et al. (2017) The potential of permanent gullies in Europe as geomorphosites. Geoheritage: 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-017-0252-1
Zglobicki, W, Poesen, J, Daniels, M, et al. (2018). Geotouristic value of Badlands. In: Badlands Dynamics in a Context of Global Change. Elsevier. pp 277–313.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve staff for the scientific and logistic support and the NHAZCA S.r.l. for contributing to the UAV operations. A special thanks to the anonymous reviewers for their valuable contributions to the improvement of this work.
Funding
Open Access funding provided by Università degli Studi di Milano within the CRUI-CARE Agreement.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Electronic supplementary material
Rights and permissions
Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
About this article
Cite this article
Tronti, G., Vergari, F., Bollati, I.M. et al. From landslide characterization to nature reserve management: The “Scialimata Grande di Torre Alfina” landslide Geosite (Central Apennines, Italy). J. Mt. Sci. 20, 585–606 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-022-7596-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-022-7596-y