Using chorographic sources to reconstruct past agro-forestry systems. A methodological approach based on the study case of the northern Apennines. (2nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pezzi, Giovanna; Donati, Davide; Muzzi, Enrico; Conedera, Marco; Krebs, Patrik
• Is Part Of: Landscape research. Volume 45:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 359
• Page End: 376
• Publication Date: 2020-04-02
• Subjects: Land cover changes -- historical ecology -- landscape history -- provisioning ES -- geographical weighted regression (GWR); Landscape -- Periodicals; Land use -- Planning -- Periodicals; 719.05
• DOI: 10.1080/01426397.2019.1624700
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-6397

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Historical-geographical (chorographic) descriptions provide some of the earliest formal documentation about landscape. We propose a methodological approach aimed at reconstructing a spatial-explicit picture of the agroforestry system of a eighteenth-century landscape, detecting the main land-use drivers, and analysing existing legacies of past agro-forestry productivity in the present landscape. The study area was the Bologna Apennines, and our data source was a chorographic dictionary from 1781–83. We obtained a matrix of 240 administrative units per 18 agro-forestry products with related productivity indices. Multivariate analysis showed that environmental constraints influenced products and productivity. Agricultural areas (and related products) mainly shaped the hillside, while forests and semi-natural areas (and related products) characterized the mountainside. Such former clustering is still recognizable: agricultural land mostly changed to artificial land-cover, whereas semi-natural areas and forests still exist. The proposed approach confirms that chorography can be a useful tool as a primary source in landscape research.