Geomorphological changes and land-use variations of the Lower Volturno River (Southern Italy) by Cartography and Remote sensing imagery: preliminary results

Abstract

Drawing inspiration from the geomorphological analysis of available topographic maps integrated with the analysis of satellite imagery (Landsat) and orthophotos, a study of the geomorphological changes experienced by the channel of the lower reach of the Volturno River during the period 1875-2020 was performed. The observed geometric variations of the channel mainly fall in the floodplain i.e., they are limited to the area of meandering. To quantify these variations, some specific morphometric parameters such as length (L), mean width (W) and sinuosity index (SI) of the channel were measured. The main morphological changes observed consist of a phase of severe narrowing of the channel, which occurred between the 1929 and the 1954, and a reduction in length that occurred between the 1984 and the 2020. The data obtained are in line with those reported in the literature by other authors who have identified precise temporal phases in which these variations occurred and the possible causes, mainly anthropogenic, that led to them. In addition, the analysis of the existing bibliography together with the study of satellite imagery revealed important variations also in the different land use in the same study area that are probably compatible with the geometric variations of the channel. The changes in land use found between the 1984 and the 2020 can certainly be attributed to the significant increase in urbanized areas and water bodies at the expense of agricultural areas.