Insights into the 'ecological economics' of land degradation: A multi-scale analysis with implications for regional development policy and local mitigation measures. Issue 126 (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salvia, Rosanna; Quaranta, Giovanni; Cividino, Sirio; Cudlinova, Eva; Salvati, Luca
• Is Part Of: Environmental science & policy. Issue 126(2021)
• Page Start: 197
• Page End: 203
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Desertification risk -- Wealth accumulation -- Environmental Kuznets Curve -- Italy; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Sciences de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Environmental policy; Environmental sciences; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70561
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2021.10.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-9011

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines the intrinsic relationship between land degradation and the accumulation of wealth at various planning scales in Italy, a desertification hotspot in Southern Europe. Local development was scrutinized at four planning scales (administrative regions, provinces, economic districts, and municipalities) to verify if land sensitivity to degradation increases over time more rapidly in economically advanced contexts. Land sensitivity to degradation increased between the early 1990s and the early 2010s contrary to the level of income per-capita based on linear, squared, cubic, and fourth-grade polynomial specifications. Spatially implicit and explicit statistical approaches indicate linear models are the best fit at all planning scales. The income-land degradation relationship was negative, showing the role of both centralized and decentralized planning scales, and suggesting that developmental policies may have less impact on land degradation in specific territorial contexts. More suited local models displayed a negative socio-economic development impact in more affected Southern districts. Checking for spatial heterogeneity, multi-scale regressions provided insights into complex ecological-economic processes whilst also evaluating the impact of regional development at different planning levels contributing to design scalable mitigation policies against desertification. Highlights: Land degradation and wealth were analysed at various planning scales in Italy. Land sensitivity to degradation increases more rapidly in economically advanced contexts. Linear models are the best fit at all planning scales. Developmental policies have less impact on land degradation in specific local contexts. Multi-scale regressions provided insights into complex ecological-economic processes.