Temporal pattern over the last 200 years in the SCI Mt. Vigese (IT4050013). Northern Apennines (Italy).

The landscape - a geographical and ecological space where interaction between its elements creates a unique pattern - is transformed by spatial reorganization of its elements due to interaction between human impact and natural processes. Comparing land use/land cover maps of different years highlights the main trends in vegetation types. The Mt. Vigese SCI (Site of Community Importance) is an excellent example of a mosaic where coltural systems dating from different periods are found together with highly natural systems. The changes of the last 200 years (1807-2005) were assessed on the basis of cadastral maps (1807, 1924) and aerial photographs. A geographical database from these different sources was created. Despite the difficulty of standardization, the historical cadastral data was found to be invaluable and is still very relevant if we consider that the well delineation of chestnut orchards is the real starting point for any study of community dynamics.