More Climate-Resilient Agricultural Landscapes
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Prolonged periods of drought alternate with very intense rainfall, placing agricultural systems, drainage networks, and the communities living and working in rural areas under increasing pressure.
In Emilia-Romagna, and particularly in the lowland areas of Romagna, the effects of these events are influenced not only by climatic conditions but also by the transformations that agricultural landscapes have undergone over recent decades.
The enlargement of fields, the gradual reduction of ditches, drainage channels, hedgerows, and tree lines, the simplification of the landscape, and certain soil management practices may have altered the ability of the land to absorb, retain, and slow down water during the most intense rainfall events.
These considerations led to the development of DIVERSE – Modelling, assessments and proposals to enhance the resilience of agricultural land in Emilia-Romagna, an interdisciplinary research project developed within the Alma CaReS programme of Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna.
The Objective
DIVERSE aims to understand how the evolution of agricultural landscapes and farming practices has influenced the hydrological response of the territory and the risk of flooding in rural areas of Romagna.
The ultimate objective is to identify soil, water, and agricultural drainage management strategies capable of increasing the resilience of the territory to both extreme rainfall and periods of drought.
The project seeks to translate the scientific knowledge acquired into practical guidance for farms, technical advisers, local authorities, land reclamation consortia, and organisations responsible for territorial planning and management.
Research Activities
The project integrates agronomic, territorial, and hydrological analyses through a range of complementary activities.
Reconstruction of Landscape Transformations
Historical aerial photographs and maps are compared with current images to reconstruct the changes that have occurred in the agricultural landscape. The analysis focuses in particular on field size, the presence of ditches and drainage channels, tree cover, ecological infrastructure, and changes in land use.
Study of Agricultural Soils
The physical and chemical characteristics of soils are analysed to assess their condition, infiltration capacity, and water retention. Particular attention is given to factors such as texture, organic matter, structure, and compaction, which can influence the movement and storage of water in the soil.
Analysis of Drainage Networks
The project investigates the structure and functioning of land reclamation canals, ditches, and agricultural drainage systems. The data collected make it possible to estimate the water storage and drainage capacity of the territory and to assess how this capacity has changed over time.
Hydrological Modelling
Meteorological, territorial, soil, and hydraulic data are integrated into models capable of simulating the transformation of rainfall into runoff.
The comparison between current conditions and historical agricultural configurations makes it possible to assess how changes in the landscape and soil management may have affected the volume of water retained by the territory and the peak discharges reaching drainage canals.
Identification of Adaptation Strategies
Based on the results, possible solutions are evaluated to increase the capacity of agricultural land to absorb, retain, and slow down water.
These strategies may include the restoration or improved management of ditches and drainage channels, improvements in soil quality, the reintroduction of ecological infrastructure, and the adoption of more conservative agronomic practices.
The Study Area
The activities focus on agricultural areas of the Romagna plain that have been affected by flooding and are characterised by artificial drainage networks and land reclamation canals.
One of the main case studies is the catchment of the Canale di Via Cupa, in the Ravenna area. In this area, historical and recent data on the agricultural landscape, rainfall, soils, drainage networks, and flood events are integrated.
An Interdisciplinary Approach
DIVERSE brings together expertise in agronomy, agroecology, hydrology, and territorial modelling.
The project involves the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences – DISTAL and the Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering – DICAM of the University of Bologna.
The collaboration between these disciplines makes it possible to analyse agricultural land as an integrated system in which soils, crops, farming practices, drainage networks, and climatic events are closely interconnected.
Expected Impacts
DIVERSE aims to contribute to:
The project therefore considers agriculture not only as a sector exposed to the effects of climate change, but also as a key component of adaptation strategies and the sustainable management of the territory.