Vincenzo Siervo

Land units map of Italy

In this paper we present the land units map of Italy, covering an area of ca. 300,000 km2 between 47°05′ N–35°29′ N and 6°37′ E–18°31′ E. The map was created by means of a Geographic Information System (GIS) and is based on the overlay of various thematic maps according to a hierarchical classification. The map scale is 1:250,000, with a minimum mapping unit of 50 ha. The GIS integration of different layers, covering the main environmental components (climate, lithology and geomorphology), resulted in a number of hierarchically arranged land units, homogeneous in terms of biotic potential and ecological processes. These units highlight the role of physical determinism in characterizing the Italian territory with a high degree of environmental heterogeneity. The proposed land classification scheme could be taken into consideration when planning initiatives aimed at surveying, monitoring, managing and sustainably developing the territory.