Anthropogenic landforms and geo-hydrological hazards of the Bisagno Stream catchment (Liguria, Italy)

ABSTRACT

This work presents the geomorphological features associated with the anthropic morphogenesis of the Bisagno Stream catchment, combined with the geo-hydrological hazards associated with landslides and floods. This catchment is internationally known for its recurring high-magnitude floods and its geo-hydrological hazards associated with the large and widespread presence of elements exposed at risks. It experienced severe morphological changes due to anthropogenic interventions related to urban sprawl and agriculture. Anthropogenic modifications to the former landscape have been particularly widespread and pervasive over the coastline, the floodplain, and the slopes. They include a general alteration of the pristine landforms, excavation and landfill forms, channelization and culvert of riverbeds, and terraced slopes. The 1:20,000 scale map allows to assess the relationships existing among structures and infrastructures, anthropogenic landforms, and landslides and flood-prone areas. Thus, this tool provides relevant information for land-use planning and land management, in particular under the perspective of geo-hydrological hazards mitigation.

KEYWORDS:

• Anthropogenic landforms
• anthropogenic landscape
• geo-hydrological hazards
• geomorphological mapping
• Bisagno Stream
• Genova

Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank the reviewers Leonidas Stamatopoulos, Francesca Vergari, and Heike Apps, and the editors Chiara Cappadonia and Alessandro Chelli, for their detailed and useful comments that helped to improve this manuscript and the related map.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was financed by the Programma Operativo Regione Liguria 2014–2020 - Fondo Sociale Europeo – Asse 3 “Istruzione e Formazione” – Fondo Sociale Europeo – Asse 3 ‘Istruzione e Formazione’. RLOF18ASSRIC/60/1 ‘Tecnologie per il monitoraggio integrato e la mitigazione del rischio geomorfologico da frana nella gestione delle reti di sottoservizi’.