Academic literature on the topic 'Tuscania'

ARCHEOLOGIA DI UNA POLIS ETRUSCA: RAPPORTO PRELIMINARE SUL PROGETTO TUSCANIA (STAGIONI 1986 E 1987)La comunicazione riguarda i risultati preliminari delle prime due stagioni di intensa ricognizione di superficie nella campagna circostante la città di Tuscania. Questo progetto della British School at Rome in collaborazione con l'università di Manchester, è diacronico in quanto si raccolgono reperti di superficie di tutti i periodi principali dalla preistoria al medioevo, ma con particolare interesse per il periodo etrusco, e si cerca di documentare tramite la sola ricognizione di superficie, la gerarchia di insediamento di un tipico centro etrusco di media grandezza. Nella prima fase di questo progetto sono stati percorsi transetti immediatamente a nord, sud, ovest ed est della città. Risultati preliminari sono pubblicati alle figure 2–5: queste carte sono solo provvisorie—non includono i dati “off site”, e le suddivisioni cronologiche derivano esclusivamente dall'analisi della ceramica fine; il futuro studio della ceramica grezza e delle tegole apporterà certamente qualche correzione a tale cronologia. Ciò nonostante due degli elementi interessanti già emersi sono l'improvvisa proliferazione di insediamenti avvenuta nel periodo etrusco, e l'esistenza di un “territorio agricolo” che si estendeva per un raggio di 4 o 5 km attorno alia città, mentre in epoca romana ville e fattorie erano distribuite più o meno regolarmente in tutta la campagna.

Abstract The 6 February 1971 Tuscania (central Italy) earthquake belongs to a peculiar family of destructive seismic events that have occurred in an area classified as low-seismic hazard, causing heavy damage and tens of casualties. However, this earthquake took place at the dawn of modern seismology in Italy and is far from being fully characterized from an instrumental and macroseismological point of view. This article aims at bridging the gap of information that affects that earthquake, through a twofold research path: (1) with an archival investigation looking for new available sources and with the use of the European Macroseismic Scale-98 (EMS-98) intensity scale, and (2) with the calculation of a more constrained hypocentral location. The results of this investigation can be summarized as follows: the reappraisal of the earthquake in terms of EMS-98 provides a maximum intensity 8 in Tuscania (previously quoted 8–9 Mercalli–Cancani–Sieberg [MCS] in the catalog), and a general decrease of intensity in many damaged localities. The new epicenter location is shifted almost 10 km southeast of the old one, at about 3 km depth. This new location is more robust than the previous one and is consistent with the general distribution of the most damaged localities; however, we cannot exclude that effects of directivity might have played a role in the peculiar pattern of damage caused by the event. Finally, we provide new values of magnitude (MD 4.9 and ML 5.1) that point to an upward scaling of the earthquake. The ultimate lesson of this work is that a deepening of the research can always provide room for an improvement of our knowledge even for significant earthquakes that have occurred relatively recently.

Three ItalianLoliumweed populations, one susceptible and two resistant to diclofop, were characterized by the technique of inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR). The goal of this study was to taxonomically identify theseLoliumpopulations as well as to evaluate evidence for introgression of ISSR fragments fromFestucaand the potential role of this introgression in the diclofop response. ISSR analysis confirmed the genomic background of the weed populations to be consistent with that ofLolium. However, the great range of variation in ISSR banding patterns highlighted that the three ryegrass accessions are mixed populations made up of individuals resulting presumably from intrageneric and intergeneric hybridization in theLolium–Festucacomplex. TwoFestucagenus-discriminating and 20Festucaspecies-discriminating ISSR markers were screened among all the three ryegrass populations. The resistant Tuscania population carried the highest percentage ofFestucagenome (16.8%) followed by the resistant Roma (13.6%) and susceptible Vetralla (7.6%) populations. On the basis of these data some influence ofFestucagenome in diclofop resistance levels of studied ryegrass populations could be hypothesized.

Following the increase in protected territories over recent years, emphasis has been laid on improving nature conservation and management effectiveness. In particular, special attention has been given to areas where the interaction between people and the environment has produced a distinct character, rich in both ecological and cultural values. Such areas are known as Protected Landscapes and require a special planning and management focus, in which relevant weight is given to local people. The aim of this research is to present a planning process case study in central Italy (Tuscania, north of Rome), where the protected area plan tackles nature conservation and environmental concerns (i.e. water quality, soil conservation, landscape restoration etc.). The results are of general interest because they are the fruit of an experience in debating and improving both the plan’s contents and planning methods. In particular, they show: i) the primary role of local people in the various phases of planning, including delicate decisions such as the park’s limits and its buffer area; ii) that a protected area plan should not be strictly prescriptive, but should have the role of a strategic master plan; iii) that the protected area policy should be emphasised in the park regulations document, rather than in rigid territorial zoning.

The Basilica of San Pietro is a Romanic architecture located in the municipality of Tuscania in the Lazio Region about 100 km far from Rome. In 1971 the apse dome collapsed during the earthquake and the important fresco of a Christ Pantocrator was destroyed. In 1975 the dome was reconstructed using reinforced concrete.In 2010 an integrated survey of the Church has been performed using LiDAR techniques integrated with photogrammetric and topographic methodologies in order to realize a complete 2D documentation of the Basilica of San Pietro. Thanks to the acquired data a complete multi-scale 3D model of the Church and of the surroundings was realized.The aim of this work is to present different strategies in order to realize correct documentations for Cultural Heritage knowledge, using typical 3D survey methodologies (i. e. LiDAR survey and photogrammetry).After data acquisition and processing, several 2D representations were realized in order to carry out traditional supports for the different actors involved in the conservation plans; moreover, starting from the 2D drawing a simplified 3D modeling methodology has been followed in order to define the fundamental geometry of the Basilica and the surroundings: the achieved model could be useful for a small architectural scale description of the structure and for the documentation of the surroundings. For the aforementioned small architectural scale model, the 3D modeling was realized using the information derived from the 2D drawings with an approach based on the Constructive Solid Geometry. Using this approach the real shape of the object is simplified. This methodology is employed in particular when the shape of the structures is simple or to communicate new project ideas of when, as in our case, the aim is to give an idea of the complexity of an architectural Cultural Heritage. In order to follow this objective, a small architectural scale model was realized: the area of the Civita hill was modeled using the information derived from the 1:5000 scale map contours; afterwards the Basilica was modeled in a CAD software using the information derived from the 2D drawings of the Basilica. Finally, a more detailed 3D model was realized to describe the real shape of the transept. All this products were realized thanks to the data acquired during the performed survey. This research underlines that a complete 3D documentation of a Cultural Heritage during the survey phase allows the final user to derive all the products that could be necessary for a correct knowledge of the artifact.

ABSTRACTTreatment with proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) might be associated with neuropsychological side effects. We examined the association between use of PPIs and depressive symptoms in an elderly population. Mood was assessed by the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) in all 344 inhabitants of Tuscania (Italy) aged 75 years and over, without exclusion criteria; depression was defined by a GDS score ≥11. Use of PPIs was associated with a higher GDS score in linear regression analysis (B = 2.43; 95% CI = 0.49–4.38; p = 0.014) after adjusting; also, use of PPIs was associated with increased adjusted probability of depression in logistic regression (OR = 2.38; 95% CI = 1.02–5.58; p = 0.045). Higher PPIs dosages were associated with increased probability of depression (p for trend = 0.014). This association was independent of the diagnosis of peptic disease, as well as the use of antidepressant medications. No association was found between use of H2-blockers or antacids and the GDS score. Calculation of the population attributable risk indicated that 14% of depression cases could be avoided by withdrawal of PPIs. Use of PPIs might represent a frequent cause of depression in older populations; thus, mood should be routinely assessed in elderly patients on PPIs.

In the last decades, evaluation has become an essential tool for policymakers, because it provides unbiased estimates of a policy effect. The purpose of an evaluation is to explore the causal relationship between the implementation of a policy and its effects – the “impact”. In the programming period 2007-2013, the European Commission – and the member States of the EU – have focused their attention on the development of innovation policies within Regional Innovation Systems: for this reason, the innovation policies have been particularly involved in evaluation processes. Six Italian regions have created the Poli di innovazione (Innovation poles), networks of universities, services centres, incubators, public and private laboratories, and enterprises, whose goals are to foster the creation of networks and to stimulate firms’ economic performance through the support in R&D activities. Due to the novelty of the policy, this research is a first attempt to evaluate the Poles, using the Tuscan context as case study. Tuscany Region have supported the creation of twelve poles, facilitating the access to a call for tender for the purchase of R&D qualified services. Using matching and difference-in-differences methods, it has been estimated the Average Treatment on the Treated – in terms of Total Factor Productivity and Labor Productivity – for three possible cases: subsidized SME, SME members of the Poles, subsidized SME members of the Poles. In addition, it has been implemented a model that include network centrality measures to assess the effect of the Poles on the performance of the firms. It emerges that the subsidized firms which belong to the poles experience on average a productivity gain towards the end of the period of subsidization, and the centrality of their pole have a positive effect, which is particularly relevant for the top enterprises – in terms of productivity.

In the last decades, evaluation has become an essential tool for policymakers, because it provides unbiased estimates of a policy effect. The purpose of an evaluation is to explore the causal relationship between the implementation of a policy and its effects – the “impact”. In the programming period 2007-2013, the European Commission – and the member States of the EU – have focused their attention on the development of innovation policies within Regional Innovation Systems: for this reason, the innovation policies have been particularly involved in evaluation processes. Six Italian regions have created the Poli di innovazione (Innovation poles), networks of universities, services centres, incubators, public and private laboratories, and enterprises, whose goals are to foster the creation of networks and to stimulate firms’ economic performance through the support in R&D activities. Due to the novelty of the policy, this research is a first attempt to evaluate the Poles, using the Tuscan context as case study. Tuscany Region have supported the creation of twelve poles, facilitating the access to a call for tender for the purchase of R&D qualified services. Using matching and difference-in-differences methods, it has been estimated the Average Treatment on the Treated – in terms of Total Factor Productivity and Labor Productivity – for three possible cases: subsidized SME, SME members of the Poles, subsidized SME members of the Poles. In addition, it has been implemented a model that include network centrality measures to assess the effect of the Poles on the performance of the firms. It emerges that the subsidized firms which belong to the poles experience on average a productivity gain towards the end of the period of subsidization, and the centrality of their pole have a positive effect, which is particularly relevant for the top enterprises – in terms of productivity.

This thesis aims at explaining the intersecting dynamics of structural changes in agriculture and urbanisation, which involves changes in urban-rural relationships. The research questions are: how and why do landowners differ in their attitudes to land and farming? what are the main implications on rural landscapes and the policy implications? Relationships between urbanisation and agriculture are firstly analysed through a critical literature review; the analysis focuses on the 'landowner' as the key actor who actively takes decisions on the rural landscape From the empirical study – which is based on a Tuscan area (Valdera), and addressed through qualitative methods – a great diversity of landowners' attitudes to land and farming emerge, thus contributing to the agricultural restructuring, such as: 1) the emphasis on recreational function of the countryside for urban people 2) contracting out of land management, especially when landowners live or/and have 'urban' employment 3) the active role of hobby farmers in land management 4) agricultural operations simplification and lack of investments (especially in case of property rights expropriation). The thesis is framed in three papers, with the same methods and research questions. It seems evident that rural landscapes is subjected to functional changes (e.g. residential) and structural changes (landscape polarisation), which requires the need 1) to consider that rural landscape management is increasingly less connected to agricultural production as economic activity; 2) to give a coherence to the range of policy interventions (physical planning, landscape, sectoral).
La tesi ha l'obiettivo di spiegare le relazioni tra cambiamenti strutturali dell'agricoltura e urbanizzazione, intesa come riconfigurazione dei rapporti città-campagna – consumo di suolo, urbanizzazione nascosta, contro-urbanizzazione, riconfigurazione socio-economica della classe dei proprietari terrieri. Quali sono gli effetti di queste relazioni sul land management? quali le principali implicazioni sul paesaggio, le implicazioni politiche? Le relazioni tra agricoltura e urbanizzazione sono inizialmente analizzate attraverso una rassegna della letteratura; l'analisi è inserita in un quadro concettuale relativo al land management ed è focalizzata sul 'landowner' come attore chiave nelle scelte di gestione dei terreni privati. Dallo studio empirico – basato sul caso Toscano della Valdera, affrontato mediante interviste qualitative, osservazione diretta, raccolta di dati secondari – emerge una grande varietà di risposte dei proprietari terrieri (land management decisions) alle pressioni dell'urbanizzazione e alla marginalizzazione dell'agricoltura, che contribuiscono alla ristrutturazione del settore primario: 1) esasperazione della funzione ricreativa della campagna, anche attraverso cambio di destinazioni d'uso di terreni e fabbricati; 2) affidamento del land management a contoterzisti soprattutto quando il proprietario lavori o viva in città; 3) ruolo attivo degli hobbisti, spesso provenienti dalla vicina città, nella manutenzione del territorio; 4) semplificazione nella gestione e riduzione degli investimenti sui terreni privati espropriati prima che siano utilizzati dai beneficiari dell'esproprio. La tesi è strutturata in tre articoli, accomunati da domande di ricerca, materiali-metodi, quadro concettuale. Dallo studio emergono cambiamenti nelle funzioni della campagna (da prevalentemente produttiva a residenziale, aumento attività hobbistica, ecc.), e nella sua struttura (frammentazione per urbanizzazioni, polarizzazione tra le sempre più grandi aziende professionali e le piccole hobbistiche, ecc.). In termini di implicazioni politiche emerge la necessità di 1) considerare la possibilità che la manutenzione del territorio sia affidata anche a profili sociali diversi dall'agricoltore tradizionale; 2) individuare strumenti coerenti di pianificazione territoriale, paesaggistica e di settore.

This thesis aims at explaining the intersecting dynamics of structural changes in agriculture and urbanisation, which involves changes in urban-rural relationships. The research questions are: how and why do landowners differ in their attitudes to land and farming? what are the main implications on rural landscapes and the policy implications? Relationships between urbanisation and agriculture are firstly analysed through a critical literature review; the analysis focuses on the 'landowner' as the key actor who actively takes decisions on the rural landscape From the empirical study – which is based on a Tuscan area (Valdera), and addressed through qualitative methods – a great diversity of landowners' attitudes to land and farming emerge, thus contributing to the agricultural restructuring, such as: 1) the emphasis on recreational function of the countryside for urban people 2) contracting out of land management, especially when landowners live or/and have 'urban' employment 3) the active role of hobby farmers in land management 4) agricultural operations simplification and lack of investments (especially in case of property rights expropriation). The thesis is framed in three papers, with the same methods and research questions. It seems evident that rural landscapes is subjected to functional changes (e.g. residential) and structural changes (landscape polarisation), which requires the need 1) to consider that rural landscape management is increasingly less connected to agricultural production as economic activity; 2) to give a coherence to the range of policy interventions (physical planning, landscape, sectoral).
La tesi ha l'obiettivo di spiegare le relazioni tra cambiamenti strutturali dell'agricoltura e urbanizzazione, intesa come riconfigurazione dei rapporti città-campagna – consumo di suolo, urbanizzazione nascosta, contro-urbanizzazione, riconfigurazione socio-economica della classe dei proprietari terrieri. Quali sono gli effetti di queste relazioni sul land management? quali le principali implicazioni sul paesaggio, le implicazioni politiche? Le relazioni tra agricoltura e urbanizzazione sono inizialmente analizzate attraverso una rassegna della letteratura; l'analisi è inserita in un quadro concettuale relativo al land management ed è focalizzata sul 'landowner' come attore chiave nelle scelte di gestione dei terreni privati. Dallo studio empirico – basato sul caso Toscano della Valdera, affrontato mediante interviste qualitative, osservazione diretta, raccolta di dati secondari – emerge una grande varietà di risposte dei proprietari terrieri (land management decisions) alle pressioni dell'urbanizzazione e alla marginalizzazione dell'agricoltura, che contribuiscono alla ristrutturazione del settore primario: 1) esasperazione della funzione ricreativa della campagna, anche attraverso cambio di destinazioni d'uso di terreni e fabbricati; 2) affidamento del land management a contoterzisti soprattutto quando il proprietario lavori o viva in città; 3) ruolo attivo degli hobbisti, spesso provenienti dalla vicina città, nella manutenzione del territorio; 4) semplificazione nella gestione e riduzione degli investimenti sui terreni privati espropriati prima che siano utilizzati dai beneficiari dell'esproprio. La tesi è strutturata in tre articoli, accomunati da domande di ricerca, materiali-metodi, quadro concettuale. Dallo studio emergono cambiamenti nelle funzioni della campagna (da prevalentemente produttiva a residenziale, aumento attività hobbistica, ecc.), e nella sua struttura (frammentazione per urbanizzazioni, polarizzazione tra le sempre più grandi aziende professionali e le piccole hobbistiche, ecc.). In termini di implicazioni politiche emerge la necessità di 1) considerare la possibilità che la manutenzione del territorio sia affidata anche a profili sociali diversi dall'agricoltore tradizionale; 2) individuare strumenti coerenti di pianificazione territoriale, paesaggistica e di settore.

This research project aims to analyze riparian vascular flora of four Mediterranean rivers belonging to two different regions (Sardinia and Tuscany). It focuses on the analysis of floristic differences, on distributional trends of functional and ecological groups, alien and endemic species, and also on the application of landscape classifications to be used as surrogate in conservation planning. The main goal is to evaluate similarities and differences among these rivers in the frame of a regional scale approach of study, thus contributing to improve the knowledge about their internal dynamics and their linkages with the main environmental factors, useful information for conservation management of these threatened habitats. The first part of the work focuses on distributional patterns of species and examines floristic differences at regional (between regions) as well as at local level (between rivers belonging to the same region), in order to elucidate the main gradients of riverbed floras and to investigate the role played by biogeography in driving riparian plant species distribution. Despite many floristic similarities between the two areas, always emerges the high floristic heterogeneity and the regional differentiation as the main variable affecting the distribution of our riverbed floras, thus confirming the primary role of geography in driving riparian plant species distribution at regional scale. At local level, longitudinal gradient results to strongly affect riverbed flora patterns in our rivers, while lateral gradient has a weak effect at regional scale and a relevant effect only in Tuscany. On the basis of the previous results, the second part was devoted to analyze more consistently endemic and alien flora of Sardinian rivers. This was done using a method to rapidly assess conservation priorities by comparing distribution models of these species along the fluvial corridors. The distributional trend of endemic and alien species resulted in general to follow the decreasing naturalness/increasing human impact gradient going toward the sea, but the study evidenced the presence of different degree of naturalness between the two rivers in general, nevertheless the presence of protected areas in both of them. The most critical areas resulted to be the middle course of the rivers, where endemic species coexist with alien species and overall with high human impact in the surroundings. These resulted to be the areas where should concentrate further conservation efforts. In the third part is tested the variation of riparian plant species composition along a Sardinian river according to lithological features. The analyses were based on field data recorded along Santa Lucia river, where the morphology is influenced by the bedrock-alluvial transition. The results underline that lithological types are the primary drivers in the organization of the riparian plant communities, followed by geomorphology and altitude. Moreover, the change bedrock-alluvial marks the highest species turnover, linked also to a different degree of human disturbance. The results indicate that the degree of bedrock/alluvial influence is an integral component to the patch structure and strongly influences riparian plant distribution patterns in a Mediterranean environment. 2 Starting from the previous findings, and going towards the definition of a morphological classification of rivers, in the fourth part is proposed (and applied in one river as a preliminary test) a method to assess the distribution of plant assemblages along rivers delimiting homogeneous fluvial types using morphological features, quantified with aerial photos and geographic information system software. This method identifies four fluvial types, characterized by well-defined indicator species, functional and ecological groups. Based on the ordination results, dividing fluvial types according to morphological features is justified by environmental and floristic differences, although plant species variability is only partially described. This results illustrate that the fluvial type classification created using this methodology is consistent with natural plant species distribution patterns, and can thus consider as a potential surrogate for riparian plant assemblages in a Mediterranean river with low human impact. Incorporating many landscape classifications in biodiversity surrogate schemes should increase concordance with biotic groups. Following this idea, in the last part is examined the strength of a morphology-based and a land-use based classification in accounting for riparian plant species and functional groups distribution in the four rivers, by applying a measure of classification strength. Moreover, is tested the hypothesis that a cross classification between morphology and land use would be more successful at explaining plant species variation than either of the separate approaches. Despite none of the classifications accounted for a large degree of variation in riparian plant assemblages, some of them performed better than others, suggesting that some factors at landscape scale could contribute to predict differences in biological characteristics at local scales, and that classifications created putting together many environmental variables would result in better performaces. These findings will be useful for better understand distributional trends of riparian flora and above all for prioritizing conservation actions in these areas, considering the threats to which rivers have currently subjected to. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Il presente lavoro di ricerca analizza la flora vascolare ripariale di 4 fiumi mediterranei di 2 regioni diverse (Sardegna e Toscana), al fine di approfondirne le conoscenze riguardo le differenze floristiche, i trend di distribuzione di gruppi funzionali ed ecologici, di specie endemiche e aliene; infine, vengono applicate diverse classificazioni di paesaggio e ne viene testato l’utilizzo come potenziali surrogati per la pianificazione della conservazione. L’obiettivo principale è valutare similarità e differenze tra questi fiumi nell’ottica di un approccio di analisi a scala regionale, per contribuire al miglioramento della conoscenza sulle loro dinamiche interne e i loro legami con i principali fattori ambientali, fornendo utili informazioni per la gestione della conservazione di questi habitat fortemente minacciati. La prima parte del lavoro è incentrata sullo studio dei pattern di distribuzione delle specie ed è volta ad esaminare differenze floristiche a scala regionale (tra regioni) e a scala locale (differenze tra fiumi della stessa regione), per chiarificare quali siano i principali gradienti della flora ripariale e quanto e come la biogeografia influenzi la distribuzione di specie vegetali lungo questi fiumi. Nonostante le molte similarità floristiche tra le due aree, in tutte le analisi condotte è sempre emersa un’elevata eterogeneità floristica. Inoltre, l’appartenenza a differenti regioni si configura come la principale variabile che influenza la flora di questi fiumi, confermando il ruolo prominente della geografia nel guidare la distribuzione delle specie vegetali a scala regionale. A scala locale, è invece il gradiente longitudinale che risulta avere il maggior peso in tutti i fiumi indagati. Il gradiente laterale risulta avere un effetto rilevante solo in Toscana. Sulla base dei precedenti risultati, nella seconda parte del lavoro vengono analizzati in maniera più approfondita il contingente di specie endemiche ed esotiche dei fumi sardi. Il metodo qui utilizzato permette di stabilire in maniera rapida priorità di conservazione comparando modelli di distribuzione di queste specie lungo il corridoio fluviale. I trend di distribuzione di queste specie risultano seguire in generale il gradiente di decrescente naturalità/ crescente impatto antropico verso il mare, ma lo studio evidenzia la presenza di differenti gradi di naturalità tra i due fiumi in generale, nonostante la presenza di aree protette in entrambi. Le aree più critiche sono state individuate nel medio corso dei fiumi, dove le endemiche coesistono con le aliene e soprattutto con un elevato impatto antropico nelle aree circostanti, e dove dovrebbero essere concentrati i futuri piani di conservazione. Nella terza parte viene testata la variazione della flora ripariale in funzione delle caratteristiche litologiche del fiume. Le analisi hanno riguardato il Rio Santa Lucia (Sardegna), dove la morfologia è influenzata una netta transizione tra roccia affiorante e piana alluvionale. I risultati sottolineano come i tipi litologici siano i principali responsabili dell’organizzazione floristica delle comunità ripariali, seguiti da geomorfologia e altitudine. Inoltre in corrispondenza della transizione tra i due tipi litologici è stato riscontrato il più alto turnover di specie, in funzione anche del differente grado di disturbo antropico tra le due parti. I risultati sottolineano come che l’influenza della transizione roccia affiorante/depositi 4 alluviali sia una parte integrante della struttura di un’area e influenzi fortemente la distribuzione di specie ripariali in ambiente mediterraneo. Partendo dai precedenti risultati, e andando verso la definizione di una classificazione morfologica dei fiumi, nella quarta parte del lavoro viene proposta (e applicata in uno dei fiumi come test preliminare) un metodo per stabilire la distribuzione di gruppi di specie ripariali lungo i fiumi delimitando tipi fluviali omogenei dal punto di vista delle caratteristiche morfologiche, quantificate con foto aeree e software di analisi GIS. Questo metodo ha permesso di identificare 4 tipi fluviali, tutti caratterizzati da ben definite specie indicatrici, gruppi funzionali ed ecologici. Sulla base dei risultati degli ordinamenti, la divisione in tipi fluviali secondo parametri morfologici riflette reali differenze ambientali e floristiche, anche se le variabilità specifica è solo parzialmente descritta. Questo lavoro dimostra che la classificazione creata secondo questa metodologia è consistente con reali pattern di distribuzione di specie ripariali e può essere considerata un potenziale surrogato per la distribuzione della vegetazione ripariale nei fiumi mediterranei a basso impatto antropico. Unire più classificazioni del paesaggio negli schemi di classificazione da usare come surrogati di biodiversità dovrebbe incrementare la concordanza con questi e i gruppi biotici. Seguendo questa idea, nell’ultima parte del lavoro viene esaminata la forza di una classificazione morfologica e di una classificazione basata sull’uso del suolo nel determinare la distribuzione di gruppi funzionali e specie ripariali nei 4 fiumi oggetto di studio. Viene inoltre testata l’ipotesi che una classificazione incrociata tra morfologia e uso del suolo possa essere più idonea per spiegare la variazione floristica piuttosto che i due approcci separati. Nonostante nessuna delle classificazioni applicate abbia dimostrato di spiegare un’ampia frazione di variazione nella distribuzione della flora ripariale, alcune di queste hanno dimostrato di funzionare meglio di altre, suggerendo così che fattori misurabili a scala di paesaggio possono contribuire a predire differenze nelle caratteristiche delle comunità biologiche a scala locale. Inoltre, le classificazioni create unendo più fattori ambientali hanno avuto, come da previsione, le migliori performances. I risultati ottenuti da questa ricerca potranno fornire utili informazioni per migliorare la comprensione dei trend di distribuzione della flora ripariale nei fiumi indagati e soprattutto per stabilire priorità di conservazione, considerando le minacce alle quali i fiumi sono attualmente soggetti.

The use of toponymy as an indicator of settlements and fortified structures: the Tuscan caseThe purpose of this contribution is to analyze the spatial distribution of the place names referred to the Tuscan territory, to fortified structures and settlements, through the study of the place names recorded geodatabase RE.TO.RE. (Regional Toponymic Repertory) created by the Tuscany Region with the scientific contribution of the Universities of Pisa, Florence and Siena. The Tuscan toponyms has been the object of both a synchronic study within each of the cartographic sources that make up the geographical database, and a diachronic analysis between the temporal thresholds in which the archive is articulated. The database, extrapolated from cartographic supports, in fact covers a time span between the first decades of the nineteenth century (nineteenth century land registries) and the most recent information series produced in the regional context (Carta Tecnica Regionale). In the contribution, the place names related in various ways to different types of structures and fortified settlements, such as castle, fort, tower, fortress, has been analyzed both in relation to the distribution and spatial aspects, and in reference to their evolutionary dynamics (persistence, disappearance, transformation), with the aim of identifying possible relationships between the territory and the distribution in time and space of the different types of fortifications. From a methodological point of view, the study has been carried out, in addition to the traditional tools of the topomastic survey, especially taking advantage of the potential of spatial analysis functions typical of geographical information systems.