From grapes to getaways: Unraveling the residential tourism impact on land use change and soil erosion processes in Menfi district

Abstract

The Mediterranean basin has experienced widespread changes in land use and, along with this, changes in geomorphological and hydrological processes and erosion risks. The Menfi area (Italy) has been no exception, and residential tourism has played an unexplored role. Using satellite images in 2007 and 2022, the main changes in land use were determined comparatively, and the variation in soil erosion levels was calculated using the RUSLE equation. The contribution of residential tourism to these processes was also analyzed. The results show a substantial decrease in the area occupied by vineyards and a increase in the site devoted to residential tourism (second homes) with olive orchards. Erosion values have also decreased. The results allow us to conclude that the decrease in the area with vineyards results in a reduction in soil erosion. The main drivers of the change in land use are socioeconomic factors, including the aging of farmers, the shift of subsequent generations to alternative activities, and the overall decrease in agricultural income. In addition, the expansion of tourist infrastructure was accentuated in the new land with olive orchard groves in south-faced, medium-altitude, and lower slope areas, which together provide landscape value and contribute to the reduction of soil erosion.