DYNAMICS OF LAND USE IN THE INNER AREAS OF SICILY

The Sicilian territory is characterized by a high vulnerability due to the simultaneous presence of various factors, among which themorphological and structural features, depopulation, the abandonment of the agricultural activities, the use of highly landimpoverishing agricultural management techniques. These phenomena are particularly evident in the inner rural areas and cause areduction in the overall agricultural area and a population decline.The data on the landcover and transitions between the different kinds of use, represent important information for taking publicdecisions, particularly regarding the allocation of resources in the inner Areas, where the combined action of various funds, thoserelating to rural development and other SIE funds, must also be coherent with the National Strategy of the Inner Areas.From an operational viewpoint, the concrete planning activity requires specific indications obtained from the analysis andmeasurement of the dynamics of the phenomena ingrained in the territory, and this can represent a valid testing ground for verifyingthe usefulness of using measuring models, above all for supporting strategic decisions. This document proposes to provide acontribution in this direction, identifying some homogeneous change patterns between the municipalities of the inner areas of theSicilian region.