Environmental Sustainability and Global Change
Forests, Agriculture, and Soils vis à vis Human Disturbance
- 1st Edition - November 22, 2024
- Imprint: Elsevier
- Editor: Luca Salvati
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 3 1 5 9 6 - 1
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 3 1 5 9 7 - 8
Environmental Sustainability and Global Change: Forests, Agriculture, and Soils vis à vis Human Disturbance offers an integrated approach to the socio-environmental dynamics of the… Read more
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Request a sales quoteEnvironmental Sustainability and Global Change: Forests, Agriculture, and Soils vis à vis Human Disturbance offers an integrated approach to the socio-environmental dynamics of the ecological-economic nexus characteristic of Mediterranean landscapes. Evidencing the role of policies targeting sustainable development goals in Southern Europe, case studies from Italy, Spain, and Greece confirm the need of place-specific approaches to socio-ecological complexity and the partial effectiveness of generalized, top-down measures. Authored by leading scholars in Southern Europe – with eminent contributions from Eastern Europe – the book identifies the intrinsic peculiarity of the environmental-economic nexus characteristic of the Northern Mediterranean basin, along with important regional differences.
Stimulating a spatial planning for rural areas, the book proposes a dynamic image of Mediterranean rural landscapes, providing novel interpretations, conceptual definitions, and operational tools designed to reduce ecological fragility and economic vulnerability.
Stimulating a spatial planning for rural areas, the book proposes a dynamic image of Mediterranean rural landscapes, providing novel interpretations, conceptual definitions, and operational tools designed to reduce ecological fragility and economic vulnerability.
- Offers a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to ecological and economic issues, including studies spanning agronomy, demography, ecology, and economics
- Contains unique case studies from comparative cases and quali-quantitative studies with extensive geographical coverage
- Includes updated ecological issues of complex rural systems in the Mediterranean region and provides specialized strategies for sustainable development in these less studied areas
undergraduate and postgraduate students of ecology and forest science
- Title of Book
- Cover image
- Title page
- Table of Contents
- Copyright
- List of contributors
- Chapter 1. A new “sustainability thinking” for land resources, economic growth, and global change in Southern Europe
- Abstract
- Introduction
- The “environmental” dimension of rural development
- The “socioeconomic” dimension of rural development
- Contributing to the “planning” dimension of rural development
- Conclusions
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 2. Sustainable development and integrated soil management: tools and keys for surveying the landscape evolution and degradation processes in Mediterranean mountainous regions
- Abstract
- Introduction
- The study area
- State and evolution of the study area
- Considering fluvial processes
- Climatic effects on geomorphological features in mountainous Mediterranean areas
- Soils in the study area
- Analyzing environmental dynamics at hillslope scale using drones
- Concluding remarks
- Acknowledgments
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 3. Toward unsustainable grazing? The influence of topography on soil compaction at the farm scale in Iberian dehesas/montados
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Material and methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Concluding remarks
- Acknowledgments
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 4. Natural resources, economic dynamics, and the renewed quest for ‘rural development’: a multistep statistical framework to complexity analysis of land quality
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Results and discussion
- Principal component analysis
- Hierarchical clustering
- Discriminant analysis
- Concluding remarks
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 5. Climate-driven dynamics in the Mediterranean agroecosystems: a pre-2007 economic crisis satellite-based sustainability analysis
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Materials and methods
- Results and discussion
- Concluding remarks
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 6. A brief outlook at the environmental consequences of rural development: Evidence from a Southern European country
- Abstract
- Introduction
- A historical overview of the Italian agricultural policy after the World War II
- Failure to modernize farms: fragmentation and concentration shaping land quality
- Farmholders’ aging: envisaging consequences for the environment
- Agricultural land-use and economic transformations
- Concluding remarks
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 7. Environmental-economic dimensions of land-use transformations: exploring the Mediterranean rural sustainable development
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Soil quality, urbanization, and landscape degradation
- Land degradation as a joint biophysical and socioeconomic process of change
- Envisaging land degradation as a set of socioeconomic spirals
- Concluding remarks
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 8. Spending for the environment: the long-term evolution of Italian agriculture from a (concise) historical perspective
- Abstract
- Introduction
- The primary sector after the World War II
- A brief outlook on the agricultural production in contemporary Italy
- The rapid development of mechanization and the emergence of land subcontracting
- The role of public intervention: agricultural policies after World War II
- Toward the end of the public intervention in agriculture?
- Concluding remarks
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 9. Contextual differences, contrasting trends? Sustainable development, economic performances, and divergence in land resource depletion
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Moving toward the economic literature: the notion of “environmental convergence”
- Environmental “divergence”, geographical gradients, and the economic scale of production
- Policy implementation
- Concluding remarks
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 10. Rural development and sustainable agriculture in advanced economies: socioeconomic realities—environmental efficiency nexus
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Data sources and methodology
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 11. Toward a 'Mediterranean model' of rural development? Land degradation, agricultural intensification, spatial planning, and the evolving socio-demographic pressure in Italy
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Results
- Discussion
- Concluding remarks
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 12. Mediterranean environments, rural development, and local communities: toward a zero-net degradation perspective?
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Transforming landscapes: direct and indirect drivers
- Landscape transformations and regional planning
- Toward future landscapes
- Discussion
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 13. Toward a socio-environmental disadvantaged region? The case of Western Macedonia, Greece
- Abstract
- Introduction
- A brief outlook to regional policies in Greece
- Regional demographic data and the position of Western Macedonia
- Sectoral specialization of Greek regions: the location quotient
- Unraveling the economic structure and dynamics of Western Macedonia
- The relation between national and regional unemployment in Greece
- The natural environment of Western Macedonia
- Environmental policy goals in Western Macedonia and the economic development path
- Discussion
- Concluding remarks
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 14. Rural development, economic growth, and the acceptance of immigrants: the quest for a comprehensive framework
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Materials and methods
- Survey questionnaire
- Survey limitations
- Data analysis
- Results and discussion
- Conclusion
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 15. Demographic change and beliefs toward marriage: exploring the associated factors in urban and rural Greece before and during recession
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Target population and sampling design
- Data analysis
- Results and discussion
- Students’ attitudes toward marriage and cohabitation
- Factors associated with attitudes toward marriage
- Modeling attitudes toward marriage and cohabitation
- Conclusions
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 16. In-between costs and benefits: the evolving paradigm of forest management planning
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Basic concepts
- Strategic planning
- Tactical planning
- Operational planning
- Information quality and multiscale integration
- Looking for an updated paradigm
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 17. Biodiversity loss, climate change, and Nature Restoration Law in the modern legal system of the European Union
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Recent European strategies to protect the environment: between innovation and prevention
- European Union strategy on adaptation to climate change
- European Union biodiversity strategy for 2030
- New European Union Soil Strategy: better soils by 2050
- Nature Restoration Law: state of the art and prospects
- Protection of terrestrial ecosystems
- Protection of marine habitats
- Protection and enhancement of urban ecosystems
- Agricultural and forestry ecosystems: between protection and production
- Conclusion
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 18. Economic resilience and sustainability in the European Union: a comparative analysis of pre- and posteconomic crisis
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Understanding economic crisis: United States and European Union contexts
- European Union unity dynamics: “Prudent” versus “Foolish” and vice versa
- Contrasting economic governance: struggles for stability and sovereignty
- Eurozone entry amidst doubts: a prelude to crisis
- Challenges and controversies in European integration
- Turbulent times: from pandemic recovery to conflict-induced inflation
- Mapping the economic crisis: spatial patterns across the European Union
- Concluding reflections
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 19. Sustainability, resilience, and disparities in regional value chains: reframing hegemonic concepts from the ‘rural’ perspective of Greek agro-food sector
- Abstract
- Introduction
- The development of the Greek economic model of competitiveness
- The memoranda period (2010–18)
- The Greek agri-food sector and its significance in the Greek economy
- Greece’s partial incorporation into global value chains and extroversion challenges
- The role of the agri-food sector in Greece as a facilitator of economic growth and development
- Future prospects
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 20. Policy and planning for “zero-net energy” real estate development in rural and exurban districts
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Shifting sustainability paradigms to net positive outcomes
- Zero-net energy development projects and sustainable development
- Design of zero-net energy development and ecosystem functioning
- Net positive energy tools and practices
- Policies, incentives, and motivations toward “energetic sustainability”
- Toward a rural “positive” development?
- Existing examples and showcases
- Concluding remarks
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Chapter 21. Regional competitiveness and tourism growth: a “latent” issue in rural development
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Territorial competitiveness and tourism development
- Concluding remarks
- References
- Chapter 22. In the fight against climate change: the importance of environmental, social, and governance initiatives
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Definition of environmental, social, and governance investing
- Environmental, social, and governance investments in climate change mitigation
- Challenges of environmental, social, and governance investing
- Conclusions
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- Reference
- Chapter 23. Ecological sustainability and socioeconomic resilience: forest management and natural conservation practices in a long-term planning vision
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Planning forest resources
- Concluding remarks
- References
- Chapter 24. Economic–environmental convergence and the quest for sustainable development
- Abstract
- Introduction
- The environmental conundrum: sustainable rural development and the “ecological–territorial” dimension of research and practice
- Regional changes and the “rural sustainability” challenge
- Rural development, spatial planning, and the shift toward “dispersed” settlement models
- Concluding remarks
- Learning and knowledge outcomes
- References
- Index
- Edition: 1
- Published: November 22, 2024
- Imprint: Elsevier
- No. of pages: 352
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN: 9780443315961
- eBook ISBN: 9780443315978
LS
Luca Salvati
Luca Salvati is an adjunct professor and staff researcher at Sapienza University of Rome. Since 2001 he has been staff researcher at the National Council for Research in Agriculture and the Analysis of Agricultural Economics (CREA). He is an expert in official statistics, spatial statistics, Geographic Information Systems and Remote sensing applied to socioeconomic and environmental issues. He has conducted studies on topics of economic statistics, urban economics, regional demography, and sustainable development, using exploratory multivariate statistics and geographic information systems for decision support. He has held courses in Economic Statistics (University of Rome Tor Vergata), Basic Mathematics (University of Rome La Sapienza), Multivariate Statistics (University of Roma Tre), Regional Economics (University of Camerino, University of Eastern Piedmont), Strategic Evaluation of environmental impact (University of Roma Tre). He has supervised master's and doctoral theses and has published more than 30 printed books and over 600 scientific publications in English.
Affiliations and expertise
CREA, Rome, ItalyRead Environmental Sustainability and Global Change on ScienceDirect