Publications
The First Relative Sea Level Rise and Storm Surges Scenarios up to 2150 CE for the Coasts of Monterosso and Vernazza, Cinque Terre National Park (Liguria, Italy)
By 2150, the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre coast—already threatened by sea-level rise—could see relative sea levels climb between 60 cm and 1.17 m under high-emission scenarios (SSP5-8.5), potentially flooding up to 22,079 m² of Monterosso’s harbor and Vernazza’s pocket beaches. Storm surges in the same scenario could push waves 13.36 m above current levels. Researchers combined high-resolution topography, tide-gauge records, and storm-surge modeling to project coastal hazards under three IPCC pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, SSP5-8.5), revealing that low-lying harbor areas and narrow beaches are the most vulnerable. The findings underscore the need for targeted adaptation—quay elevation, drainage improvements—to protect critical transport and tourism infrastructure in this World Heritage Site.
Storia della Torre di San Giovanni Battista o Torre Scola vicino a Porto Venere, SP (Italia) e applicazione delle nuove tecnologie di rilevamento per la restituzione 3D e lo studio architettonico
A groundbreaking application of modern surveying techniques, including aerial photogrammetry with drones and artificial intelligence, has enabled the creation of a highly accurate 3D digital twin of the Torre di San Giovanni Battista (Torre Scola), a historic Genoese fortification near Porto Venere, Italy. This approach overcame the challenges posed by the tower's inaccessible maritime location, allowing for detailed architectural analysis and the production of scale replicas via 3D printing. The study also enhanced historical photographs using AI, providing new tools for both academic research and public engagement. Originally built in 1606 to defend the Gulf of La Spezia, the tower was partially destroyed in 1800 but preserved due to its historical significance. Today, it stands as a potential symbol of tourism in Liguria, gaining prominence through social media and drone imagery.
What If an Intense Rain Event Should Trigger Diffuse Shallow Landslides in a Small Mediterranean Catchment? Numerical Modeling Through Remote Sensing Techniques
A high-detail numerical model, developed using remote sensing data from the H2020 RECONECT project, reveals that intense rainfall events in small Mediterranean catchments can trigger widespread shallow landslides and debris flows, particularly from man-made terraces. This research highlights the vulnerability of culturally significant sites like Portovenere and Cinque Terre, where such hazards pose risks to buildings, infrastructure, and tourism. The model successfully simulates triggering areas, transport channels, deposition zones, and their interaction with exposed elements, offering a scalable approach to assess risk in similar regions. The findings underscore the need for nature-based solutions to mitigate these hazards, which are increasingly common due to climate change.
Terraced landscape preservation and tourism sustainability in Cinque Terre, Liguria
Cinque Terre's terraced landscape faces significant challenges from mass tourism despite ongoing preservation efforts. The study reveals a conflict between declared sustainability goals and the risks posed by excessive tourist activity. Since its inscription in 1997 and the establishment of the Cinque Terre National Park in 1999, regional laws have aimed to protect this vulnerable cultural landscape. However, analysis of regulatory frameworks, tourism data, and promotional strategies indicates that the site's ecological and structural integrity remains at risk due to unchecked visitor numbers. This research underscores the urgent need for balanced tourism management to preserve the unique harmony between human ingenuity and nature that defines Cinque Terre.
Gastronomy tourism experiences: the cooking classes of Cinque Terre
A study on gastronomy tourism in Cinque Terre, Italy, reveals that cooking classes significantly enhance tourist experiences through four interconnected dimensions: involvement, hedonism, local culture, and knowledge. These dimensions often overlap, creating complex bonds that enrich the overall experience. The research analyzed online reviews from TripAdvisor using an experiential framework to assess how tourists perceive these interactive foodscapes. This finding contributes to the understanding of third-generation gastronomy tourism, emphasizing the role of participation in culinary activities within UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Landscape Perception and Public Participation for the Conservation and Valorization of Cultural Landscapes: The Case of the Cinque Terre and Porto Venere UNESCO Site
Public participation significantly enhances the effectiveness of management plans for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly in addressing threats to cultural landscapes. A study on Porto Venere and Cinque Terre revealed that involving local communities—specifically farmers and residents—helped identify critical issues such as the abandonment of terraced cultivations and secondary forest growth, which pose risks like landslides. This engagement also strengthened community trust in institutional efforts. The research suggests that active public involvement is crucial for conserving fragile, high-quality landscapes and improving decision-making processes.
The International Terraced Landscapes Alliance Journal 2021 Volume 2 Number 2
A mosaic of women-led initiatives across terraced landscapes reveals diverse strategies for heritage revitalization, blending local activism with sustainable transformations. In Arcens, France, a 19th-century garden's rehabilitation united authorities, schools, and associations to restore dry stone wall practices, emphasizing historical and ecological education. Valbrenta, Italy, showcased the 'Adopt a Terrace' initiative as a dynamic process of memory and adaptation, leading to sustainable landscape redesigns. In Peru’s Yauyos region, Andean women’s personal perceptions highlighted the cultural significance of terraces, while Cinque Terre, Italy, demonstrated a grassroots activism model that scales globally without losing local roots. These cases underscore the potential for collaborative, gender-inclusive approaches to preserve and transform terraced landscapes worldwide.
Global importance, local problems
Tourism-driven economic growth in UNESCO World Heritage Sites often leads to ecological strain and social challenges, complicating the adoption of degrowth policies aimed at sustainable tourism. A study analyzing mature (Cinque Terre) and emerging (Northern Dolomites) Italian sites reveals that while degrowth measures can mitigate environmental damage and tourist congestion, their implementation is hindered by economic reliance on tourism in established destinations and short-term growth priorities in emerging ones. The research critiques the feasibility of degrowth strategies, highlighting tensions between conservation goals and local economic needs.
Il faro dell’isola del Tino. Trasformazione di una struttura di difesa in riferimento per la navigazione
The lighthouse on Tino Island, originally built as a defensive structure by the Republic of Genoa around 1600, has evolved into a critical navigational reference point. Its strategic position allows for unobstructed sea visibility from Livorno to Genoa, making it historically significant for both defense and navigation. While its offensive capabilities were likely limited due to its elevation, defensive features suggest potential use during sieges. The lighthouse's transformation was driven by the Savoy government, particularly under King Carlo Alberto, who added a new structure in 1839 and later a taller one in 1884, which remains functional today. The island's preservation, now owned by the Italian Navy, highlights its architectural integrity amid natural surroundings, offering insights into its dual role as both a defensive and navigational landmark.
Land capability classification of Vernazza catchment, Cinque Terre National Park, Italy
A land capability classification of the Vernazza catchment, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cinque Terre National Park, reveals that only 30% of the area is suitable for crop cultivation, but even these lands require meticulous management and conservation practices. The study leveraged a pedolandscape map, grounded in soil-landscape paradigms, to predict soil classes and their spatial distribution, which was then used to create a detailed land capability map at a 1:4000 scale. This approach highlights the severe limitations of most lands in the catchment, underscoring the need for sustainable territorial planning to balance agricultural use with conservation efforts in this historically terraced landscape.
Rappresentazioni planimetriche, vedutistiche e tridimensionali per la fortificazione di due isole del Mediterraneo occidentale: Elba e Palmaria (secolo XIX)
A comprehensive analysis of French military cartography in the 19th century reveals how strategic fortification efforts on Elba and Palmaria islands were advanced through innovative planimetric, panoramic, and three-dimensional representations. The study highlights the pivotal role of French Corps of Engineers-Geographers and Military Genius engineers in developing geodetic projections, detailed maps, and relief models to optimize defensive structures. Notably, Elba's complete triangulation linked it to Corsica, Sardinia, and the Tuscan archipelago, while Palmaria became a key 'fortress island' defending the Gulf of La Spezia, later influencing battery designs in collaboration with Italian engineers. The research underscores the enduring impact of these cartographic advancements on post-Napoleonic military infrastructure.
A buoyancy glider equipped with a tri-dimensional acoustic vector sensor for real-time underwater passive acoustic monitoring at low frequency
Researchers successfully integrated a tri-dimensional acoustic vector sensor into a buoyancy glider, enabling real-time underwater passive acoustic monitoring at low frequencies. The 3D GeoSpectrum M20-040 sensor, despite its compact size, provides directionality from a few Hz to 3 kHz, a significant advancement for marine research. The study also introduced an acoustic modem for underwater communication with a USBL system, allowing real-time glider position tracking and data transmission without surfacing. Preliminary tests during the REP18-Med trials off Palmaria Island, Italy (October 2018), demonstrated the system's potential for smooth navigation and reliable data collection. The paper details the system's design and discusses results from water-tank and at-sea experiments, highlighting its suitability for sensitive passive surveys in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands.
Dilemma: landscape requalification or low-growing vineyards conservation? The case study of Tramonti (Liguria, Italy)
A pilot project in Tramonti, Italy, demonstrates that transitioning from traditional low-growing vineyards to higher cultivation methods can effectively revive abandoned terraced landscapes while preserving their cultural heritage. The study, conducted within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Porto Venere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands, found that adopting 'high' viticulture techniques—allowing for controlled mowing around root systems—can balance landscape requalification with the conservation of historical practices. This approach addresses the challenges posed by difficult environmental conditions while offering a sustainable solution to the abandonment of terraced vineyards. The project, led by La Spezia municipality and involving a 20-year concession to an association for maintenance and cultivation, presents a pragmatic alternative to the near-impossible preservation of traditional 'low' viticulture methods.
Terraced Landscapes and Hydrogeological Risk. Effects of Land Abandonment in Cinque Terre (Italy) during Severe Rainfall Events
Abandoned terraced landscapes significantly increase hydrogeological risks, such as landslides and mud flows, during severe rainfall events. This was demonstrated by the extreme damage observed in Monterosso and Vernazza basins of Cinque Terre, Italy, following a 2011 storm. The study highlights that the cessation of maintenance of dry stone terraces—due to the decline of traditional agriculture—was the primary factor contributing to landscape failure. While literature suggests varying effects of vegetation on abandoned terraces, this research compares these findings to propose effective management strategies for preserving cultural heritage and mitigating risks in fragile territories like UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
A hybrid routing protocol for underwater acoustic networks
A hybrid routing protocol, MPR-Light, significantly improves the efficiency and energy consumption of underwater acoustic networks without compromising performance. By integrating the robustness of flooding solutions with the relay selection strategies of Multi-Point Relay (MPR), this approach reduces network overhead while maintaining or enhancing packet delivery ratios and end-to-end latency. Field trials conducted off the coast of Palmaria Island, Italy, demonstrated that MPR-Light outperforms traditional protocols like MPR and Enhanced Flooding (EFlood) in real-world conditions, offering a scalable solution for reliable underwater communication.
Strategies and Actions to Recover the Landscape after Flooding: The Case of Vernazza in the Cinque Terre National Park (Italy)
A multi-scale, interdisciplinary approach to landscape recovery after flooding has been successfully implemented in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cinque Terre National Park, Italy. The research demonstrates that effective conservation and management of cultural landscapes require a dual focus on micro- and macro-level knowledge, enabling targeted planning solutions that balance protection, transformation, and sustainability. The study provides guidelines, masterplans, and intervention profiles to mitigate the impacts of landslides and flooding while preserving the integrity of this prestigious site. This methodology offers a model for post-disaster landscape recovery in fragile European territories.
Terraced Landscapes. The “Penisola Sorrentino – Amalfitana” Case
Terraced landscapes, found globally in steep mountain and coastal areas, represent significant multi-disciplinary values that have gained increasing recognition for their importance. A study on the 'Penisola Sorrentino – Amalfitana' case highlights that mere preservation efforts are insufficient; instead, complex strategies integrating these terraces with other touristic attractions are necessary for effective safeguarding. This insight is drawn from a broader understanding of terraced landscapes, which includes notable UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Italian Cinque Terre and Costiera Amalfitana.
Paesaggi d’eccezione, paesaggi del quotidiano. I casi di Cinque Terre, Saint- Émilion, Tokaj
A comparative analysis of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Cinque Terre, Saint-Émilion, and Tokaj—reveals how local communities integrate the concept of 'exceptional universal value' with daily life while balancing conservation with sustainable development. The study, conducted between 2006 and 2008 as part of France's 'Landscape and Durable Development' program, examined how these wine-producing regions navigate the tension between preserving their unique cultural landscapes and adapting them for long-term viability. Unlike traditional preservation models that risk 'mummification,' or static conservation, this research highlights dynamic approaches where local appropriation ensures both heritage protection and sustainable evolution.
Italian Wild Grapevine: a State of the Art on Germplasm and Conservation in 2010; the Year of Biodiversity
A significant collection of wild grapevine germplasm, totaling 748 plants, was established through a research project funded by the Italian Ministry of Environment. This initiative aimed to pool existing populations of Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris, the wild progenitor of cultivated grapevines, many of which are on the brink of extinction. Notably, 246 accessions from this collection are housed in the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its landscape agriculture and cultural significance. The samples underwent genotyping at 20 SSR loci to ensure accurate fingerprinting and verify sampling integrity. This ex situ collection serves as a valuable resource for researchers studying the genetic structure of wild grapevines, offering insights into population genetics and gene diversity.
Innovation and sustainability in a cultural landscape
A study on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto) identifies critical vulnerabilities to both natural (floods, landslips) and human-induced threats (abandonment of agricultural landscapes, uncontrolled modifications to built heritage). The research proposes criteria for Guidelines aimed at enhancing the eco-efficiency of traditional rural heritage while integrating small-scale renewable energy solutions. This approach seeks to balance sustainability with innovation, addressing the site's fragility through methodical planning and technical interventions.
Sépultures et rites funéraires médiévaux en Ligurie orientale
Medieval and post-medieval funerary practices in Eastern Liguria, including sites like Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto, underwent significant transformations during the transition from medieval to later periods. This study cataloged and analyzed burial data across multiple locations—Luni, Migliarina, Sarzana, Vezzano Ligure, Brugnato, Soviore, and San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte—to identify shifts in social and cultural norms. By distinguishing phases of necropolis use, the research revealed how funerary traditions evolved, reflecting broader societal changes in the region. The findings provide a rare, interdisciplinary framework for understanding lesser-studied medieval burial customs.
Genoa and Lucca Against Pisa
A significant historical conflict between Genoa, Lucca, and Pisa unfolded on May 17, 1165, marked by a pivotal sea battle in the Bay of Porto Venere. This event followed Pisa's annulment of Barisone of Arborea's investiture and granting Sardinia to Pisa just one month prior. The dispute escalated after a Genoese merchant ship was captured by Pisans, leading to diplomatic tensions. Ambassadors from both communes sought imperial intervention, with negotiations held on the island of Palmaria. However, the presence of a notorious corsair, Trapilicini, a former Pisan now serving Genoa, exacerbated hostilities. His provocative statements further inflamed the situation, highlighting the fragility of the truce and the deep-seated rivalries between the communes. This historical account sheds light on the complex power dynamics and maritime conflicts of the period.
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