Land use Change, a Case Study from Southern Italy: General Implications for Agricultural Subsidy Policies. (10th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shelef, Oren; Stavi, Ilan; Zdruli, Pandi; Rachmilevitch, Shimon
• Is Part Of: Land degradation & development. Volume 27:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 868
• Page End: 870
• Publication Date: 2015-03-10
• Subjects: economic viability -- environmental regulation -- biodiversity and geodiversity -- land use conversion -- soil erosion -- unsustainable agriculture; Land degradation -- Periodicals; Soil conservation -- Periodicals; Reclamation of land -- Periodicals; Land use -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 333.7315
• DOI: 10.1002/ldr.2343
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1085-3278

Abstract

Abstract: For many years, farmers across Italy have struggled to convert rocky landforms into farmlands. Recently, expensive, heavy machineries have been widely used for these activities, exaggerating costs on land preparation. Subsidised by the Italian authorities, nearly 20% of Apulia lands in southern Italy have been converted to farmland through these methods. Recent evidence shows that in the short term, rock grinding enriches the soil with nutrients and improves soil quality. However, over the long run, land degradation and ecosystem service deterioration become prominent, resulting in the abandonment of extensive lands. This Italian case study should be considered as an alarming example of the possible detrimental effects of the national subsidies policy that supports the conversion of natural landforms into agricultural lands. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.