https://doi.org/10.4081/jae.2023.1526

Assessment of the ecosystem services given by rural and urban green areas to preserve high-quality territories from land take: the case of the province of Monza Brianza (Italy)

Vol. 54 No. 4 (2023)
Published: 16 June 2023
Ecosystem services, rural and urban green areas, land take
Abstract Views: 575
PDF: 199
HTML: 2
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Authors

Giulio Senes
giulio.senes@unimi.it
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
Natalia Fumagalli
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
Paolo Stefano Ferrario
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
Roberto Rovelli
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
Federico Riva
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
Giovanna Sacchi
Studio Geologia Sacchi, Bergamo, Italy.
Paolo Gamba
Studio Geologia Sacchi, Bergamo, Italy.
Giacomo Ruffini
Studio Geologia Sacchi, Bergamo, Italy.
Giacomo Redondi
Studio Geologia Sacchi, Bergamo, Italy.

Rural and urban green areas are essential territories that support life and ecosystems. The significant reduction of these areas due to urbanization is a pressing issue. The process of land take consumes not only land resources but also the connected ecosystems and the benefits generated for human society. Reducing the quantity of land taken is imperative, but preserving high-quality territories is essential to achieving sustainable development. Evaluating the quality of non-urbanized areas can be done by assessing the ecosystem services (ESs) provided by these areas. In this paper, the authors present a further step: an evolution and deepening of the previous methodology (published in 2020) to evaluate the quality of rural and urban green areas through the assessment of the ESs provided. The methodology first allows the identification of the ESs provided by different typologies of rural and urban green areas according to the common international classification of ESs (provisioning, regulation and maintenance, and cultural). Then, it allows the calculation of several singular indexes and a final composite quality index through the use of geographical information systems. An analytic hierarchy process was performed with the creation of different scenarios to consider the different importance of the singular indexes assigned by planners and communities involved. The methodology was applied to the province of Monza Brianza (Italy), for testing and validation purposes. The application to the municipality of Sovico, which is presented in this report, allowed for the identification of areas with higher quality in the different scenarios that were created to consider the relative importance of the territorial characteristics.

Dimensions

Altmetric

PlumX Metrics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC
Albert C., Galler C., Hermes J., Neuendorf F., von Haaren C., Lovett A. 2016. Applying ecosystem services indicators in landscape planning and management: The ES-in-Planning framework. Ecological Indicator. Vol 61 part 1:100-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.03.029. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.03.029
Boroushaki, S., Malczewski, J., 2008. Implementing an extension of the analytical hierarchy process using ordered weighted averaging operators with fuzzy quantifiers in ArcGIS. Computers and Geosciences 34 (4), 399–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2007.04.003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2007.04.003
Burkhard, B., de Groot, R., Costanza, R., Seppelt, R., Jørgensen, S.E., Potschin, M., 2012. Solutions for sustaining natural capital and ecosystem services. Ecological Indicators 21, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.03.008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.03.008
Colsaet A., Laurans Y., Levrel H. 2018. What drives land take and urban land expansion? A systematic review. Land Use Policy. 79:339-349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.08.017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.08.017
Costanza, R., d’Arge, R., de Groot, R., Farber, S., Grasso, M., Hannon, B., Limburg, K., Naeem, S., O’Neill, R.V., Paruelo, J., Raskin, R.G., Sutton, P. and van den Belt, M. 1997. The value of the world’s ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature. 387:253-260. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/387253a0
CRCS. 2018. Consumo di suolo, servizi ecosistemici e green infrastructures: caratteri territoriali, approcci disciplinari e progetti innovativi. Rapporto 2018. INU Edizioni, Roma, Italy.
de Groot, R.S., Alkemade, R., Braat, L., Hein, L., Willemen, L., 2010. Challenges in integrating the concept of ecosystem services and values in landscape planning, management and decision making. Ecological Complexity 7 (3), 260–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecocom.2009.10.006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecocom.2009.10.006
De Montis A.; Serra V.; Ganciu A.; Ledda A., 2020. Assessing Landscape Fragmentation: A Composite Indicator. Sustainability, 12, 9632. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229632 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229632
Dos Santos, P.H., Neves, S.M., Sant’Anna, D.O., Oliveira, C.H.D., Carvalho, H.D., 2019. The analytic hierarchy process supporting decision making for sustainable development: An overview of applications. Journal of Cleaner Production 212, 119–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.11.270. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.11.270
European Commission. 2016. Science for Environment Policy. Future brief: No net land take by 2050. Issue 14. Doi:10.2779/537195.
European Environmental Agency. 2019. Land take Indicator Specification. Indicator codes: CSI 014 , LSI 001 (Published 11 Dec 2019; Last modified 11 Dec 2019). Available from: www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/land-take-3
European Union. 2013. Building a Green Infrastructure for Europe. European commission. Bruxelles. Belgium. SBN 978‐92‐79‐ 33428‐3. doi:10.2779/54125.
Fabos J.G. 1978. The Metland Landscape Planning Process: Composite Landscape Assessment, Alternative Plan Formulation and Plan Evaluation. Research Bulletin n. 653. University of Massachusetts. Amherst. USA.
Fairbrass A., Jones K., McIntosh A., Yao Z., Malki‐Epshtein L., Bell S. 2018. Green Infrastructure for London: A Review of the Evidence. A Report by the Engineering Exchange for Just Space and the London Sustainability Exchange, Natural Environmental Research Council: London, UK.
Fumagalli N., Senes G., Ferrario P.S., Toccolini A., 2017. A minimum indicator set for assessing fontanili (lowland springs) of the Lombardy region in Italy. European Countryside, 1-2017, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1515/euco-2017-0001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/euco-2017-0001
Haines-Young R., Potschin-Young M. 2018. Revision of the Common International Classification for Ecosystem Services (CICES V5.1): A Policy Brief. One Ecosyst. 3:e27108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/oneeco.3.e27108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/oneeco.3.e27108
Higgs G., 2006. Integrating multi-criteria techniques with Geographical Information Systems in waste facility location to enhance public participation. Waste Management & Research. 24:105-117. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X060638. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X06063817
Itami R.M., MacLaren G.S., Hirst K.M. 2001. Integrating the AHP with Geographic Information Systems for Assessing Resource Conditions in Rural Catchments in Australia. In: The Analytic Hierarchy Process in Natural Resource and Environmental Decision Making. Schmoldt D.L., Kangas J., Mendoza G.A., Pesonen M. (Eds.). Kluwer Academic Publishers. 269-287. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9799-9_17
Koschke L., Fürst C., Frank S., Makeschin F. 2012. A multi-criteria approach for an integrated land-coverbased assessment of ecosystem services provision to support landscape planning. Ecological Indicators. 21:54–66.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2011.12.010.
Koschke, L., Fürst, C., Frank, S., Makeschin, F., 2012. A multi-criteria approach for an integrated land-cover-based assessment of ecosystem services provision to support landscape planning. Ecological Indicators 21, 54–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2011.12.010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2011.12.010
La Rosa D., Privitera R. 2013. Characterization of non-urbanized areas for land-use planning of agricultural and green infrastructure in urban contexts. Landscape and Urban planning. 109(1):94-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2012.05.012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2012.05.012
Ledda A.; Kubacka M.; Calia G.; Bródka S.; Serra V.; De Montis A.,2023. Italy vs. Poland: A Comparative Analysis of Regional Planning System Attitudes toward Adaptation to Climate Changes and Green Infrastructures. Sustainability, 15, 2536. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032536 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032536
Logsdon R.A., Chaubey I. 2013. A quantitative approach to evaluating ecosystem services. Ecological Modelling. 257:57–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2013.02.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2013.02.009
Malczewski, J., 2004. GIS-based land-use suitability analysis: a critical overview. Progress in Planning 62, 3–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progress.2003.09.002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progress.2003.09.002
MEA - Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Synthesis; Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Series; Island Press: Washington, DC, USA, 2005; ISBN 9781597260404.
Mosadeghi, R., Warnken, J., Tomlinson, R., Mirfenderesk, H., 2015. Comparison of Fuzzy-AHP and AHP in a spatial multi-criteria decision making model for urban land-use planning. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems 49, 54–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2014.10.001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2014.10.001
Promoting ecosystem and human health in urban areas using Green Infrastructure: A literature review. Landscape Urban Planning. 81(3):167-178. 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2007.02.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2007.02.001
Regione Lombardia. 2005. Legge regionale 11 marzo 2005 n.12. Legge per il governo del territorio. BURL 16 marzo 2005 n.11.
Regione Lombardia. 2008. D.G.R. 19 settembre 2008. Criteri per la definizione degli ambiti destinati all’attività agricola di interesse strategico nei Piani Territoriali di Coordinamento Provinciale. BURL 29 settembre 2008 n.40.
Regione Lombardia. 2014. Legge regionale 28 novembre 2014 n.31. Legge regionale per la riduzione del consumo di suolo e per la riqualificazione del suolo degradato. BURL 1 dicembre 2014.
Rodela R., Tucker C.M., Šmid-Hribar M., Sigura M., Bogataj N., Urbanc M., Gunya A., 2019. Intersections of ecosystem services and common-pool resources literature: An interdisciplinary encounter. Environmental Science & Policy, 94, 72-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2018.12.021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2018.12.021
Ronchi S., Salata S., Arcidiacono A., Piroli E., Montanarella L. 2019. Policy instruments for soil protection among the EU member states: A comparative analysis. Land Use Policy. 82:763-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.01.017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.01.017
Rovelli R., Senes G., Fumagalli N., Sacco J., De Montis A., 2020. From railways to greenways: a complex index for supporting policymaking and planning. A case study in Piedmont (Italy). Land Use Policy, 99, 104835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104835. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104835
Saaty T. 1980. The Analytic Hierarchy Process. McGraw-Hill. New York. US. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21236/ADA214804
Senes G, Ferrario P.S., Cirone G., Fumagalli N., Frattini P., Sacchi G, Valè G. 2021. NatureBased Solutions for Storm Water Management—Creation of a Green Infrastructure Suitability Map as a Tool for Land‐Use Planning at the Municipal Level in the Province of Monza‐Brianza (Italy). Sustainability. 13, 6124. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116124. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116124
Senes, G.; Fumagalli, N.; Crippa, R.; Bolchini, F., 2012. Nursing homes: Engaging patients and staff in healing garden design through focus group interviews. Neuropsychological Trends 12(1):135-146. https://doi.org/10.7358/neur-2012-012-sene. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7358/neur-2012-012-sene
Senes G, Fumagalli N., Ferrario P.S., Rovelli R., Sigon R. 2020. Definition of a land quality index to preserve the best territories from future land take. An application to a study area. Lombardy (Italy). Journal of Agricultural Engineering. LI:1006:43-55. https://doi.org/10.4081/jae.2020.1006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/jae.2020.1006
Senes G., Cirone G. 2018. I servizi ecosistemici del territorio rurale. La valutazione della qualità dei territori non urbanizzati come misura dei servizi ecosistemici a scala comunale. Rapporto nazionale 2018 del Centro di Ricerca sui Consumi di Suolo (CRCS). ISBN 978-88-7603-185-4. INU Edizioni, Roma.
Seyedmohammadi, J., Sarmadian, F., Jafarzadeh, A.A., McDowell, R.W., 2019. Development of a model using matter element, AHP and GIS techniques to assess the suitability of land for agriculture. Geoderma 352, 80–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.05.046. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.05.046
Tassinari P., Torreggiani D., Benni S. 2013. Dealing with agriculture, environment and landscape in spatial planning: A discussion about the Italian case study. Land Use Policy. 30:739-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2012.05.014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2012.05.014
Türk, E., 2018. Multi-criteria Decision-Making for Greenways: The Case of Trabzon, Turkey. Planning Practice and Research 33 (3), 326–343. https://doi.org/10.1080/02697459.2017.1378864. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02697459.2017.1378864
Tzoulas K.,Korpela K.,Venn S., Yli-Pelkonen V.,Kaźmierczak A., Niemela J., Jamesp. 2007.
Weber T., Sloan A., Wolf J. 2006. Maryland’s green infrastructure assessment: development of a comprehensive approach to land conservation. Landscape Urban Planning. 77 (1–2):94-110. 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2005.02.002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2005.02.002

How to Cite

Senes, G., Fumagalli, N., Ferrario, P. S., Rovelli, R., Riva, F., Sacchi, G., Gamba, P., Ruffini, G. and Redondi, G. (2023) “Assessment of the ecosystem services given by rural and urban green areas to preserve high-quality territories from land take: the case of the province of Monza Brianza (Italy)”, Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 54(4). doi: 10.4081/jae.2023.1526.
Copyright (c) 2023 the Author(s) Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

PAGEPress has chosen to apply the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) to all manuscripts to be published.