F. Terribile

Landslide processes and Andosols: the case study of the Campania region, Italy

Most catastrophic mudslides in Campania are related to soils developing upon pyroclastic materials covering carbonatic relieves of the Campanian Apennines. The soil observed in the detachment crowns of the investigated fast mudflow consisted of fertile Andosols (generally Hapludands and Udivitrands) that were very sensitive to anthropic or natural changes. This is due to the unique chemical, physical, morphological and hydrological behaviour of these soils, including (i) high water retention near saturation, (ii) high hydraulic conductivity, (iii) high smeariness of most horizons, and (iv) high vertical and lateral variability of the properties of the soil horizons. Aspect is important in determining soil susceptibility to landslide triggering and landslide susceptibility is related to hydrological properties that induce higher water storage especially in northern aspect soils. It is clear that stability of these soils requires conservation, implemented through appropriate forest planning and management. Improved risk management policies are necessary to preserve soil continuity and to decrease the risk both of surface soil erosion and to human lives and infrastructure.

A comparative analysis of the pore system in volcanic soils by means of water-retention measurements and image analysis

For the range of volcanic soils investigated, water retention analysis showed that near-saturation and field capacity water contents are more representative of the whole water retention behavior than the most commonly used “wilting point” water content. The Integral Retention Index, IRI, showed a strong relationship with the different environments; the index also showed a clear relationship with the andic properties (as estimated by Alo+1/2Feo; r=0.84), the soils with the lowest Alo+1/2Feo and also a high content in pumice departing from this linear relationship. This is especially relevant because IRI, has a very important physical meaning with respect to ecosystem fertility.

Future Soil Issues

This chapter aims to address future soil issues from a specific viewpoint, namely the need of our country. It starts by analysing both Italy’s physical landscape along with the social and economic structure and its population. From this basis, the chapter focuses on country limitations and potentialities and identifies the most important country-specific contributions by soil science aiming towards the well-being of Italy. We claim that future soil scientist must give major contributions in the followings: (1) spatial planning of the landscape (oriented to urban planning), (2) archaeology and natural heritage, (3) agriculture and forestry combining productivity and environmental protection, (4) hydrogeological risks, (5) integrated landscape management. In order to get these results, the authors anticipate that soil science requires a novel vision, novel approaches and most importantly a novel education combining in-depth specialized knowledge with a very good but broad and basic soil knowledge.