National Atlas of areas at risk of desertification — Impact Index: presence of erosion phenomena

The Ministry of the Environment and the Protection of the Territory financed by act of 28-12-2001 the Experimental Institute for the Study and Defense of the Soil of Florence for the preparation of National Atlas of areas at risk of desertification at the scale of recognition (reference scales 1:100,000-1.250,000). The MATTM considers this Atlas as a preparatory instrument for the correct implementation of the National Plan for Combating Siccity and Desertification, adopted by the Italian State in implementation of the United Nations Convention on Combating Siccity and Desertification. The above-mentioned act provides for the participation of the National Institute of Agricultural Economics in its specific areas of competence. The study area includes Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Lazio, Marche, Molise Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Umbria. The presence of erosive phenomena observed in the field is an unambiguous indication of soil degradation processes in place in the territory. When present in the soil database, this information testifies to a reality of degradation in progress. The presence of strong erosive phenomena identifies sensitive areas, while the presence of moderate derosion phenomena indicates vulnerable areas. A territorial component shall be considered vulnerable when at least 40 % of the soils describing it are vulnerable.