Using historical maps to analyze two hundred years of land cover changes: case study of Sorrento peninsula (south Italy)
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Date
2015-08-14
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Abstract
Historical maps are effective sources of geographical information and useful for historical and
territorial research. In this study, the examination of landscape dynamics on the basis of
historical maps over a period of more than 200 years was conducted. The study area is
Sorrento peninsula and part of the near Sarno river basin in South Italy. This study provides a
general framework for the assessment of the overall quality and accuracy of historical maps.
The application of the methodology used in this specific case study can contribute to a better
understanding of the dynamics of the landscape in the long term. The derived knowledge can
be applied in the planning of the landscape in order to implement correct conservation
strategies. The comparison was made on four maps 1817, 1875, 1960, and 2006. Geodetic
accuracy of the sheet maps of 1817 and 1875 offer a right basis for a macro analysis of land
cover dynamics, evaluating conversion from one land cover category to another. Main trans
formation, identified in the period between 1875 and 1960, was the disappearance of vineyards,
which covered 25% of the total study area in 1875. Agricultural areas increased in this period to
cover 57% of the total area.
Description
Keywords
Land use cover change, historical GIS, Sorrento Peninsula, MapAnalyst, kappa statistic
Citation
Stefania Pindozzi, Elena Cervelli, Alessandra Capolupo, Collins Okello & Lorenzo Boccia (2016) Using historical maps to analyze two hundred years of land cover changes: case study of Sorrento peninsula (south Italy), Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 43:3, 250-265, DOI: 10.1080/15230406.2015.1072736