Land use change and cap impacts in the rural areas: a geographic multicriteria approach

Abstract

Agriculture is the most important component influencing rural areas. This sector not only identifies the «territorial space» of the productive systems but it is also one of the main production factors. The actual rural framework is a consequence of the implementation of the agricultural policies that have followed one another in the last forty years. In this context many agro-environmental indicators have been developed (OECD, EEA), with the aim of measuring the effects of these policies on the territory. In this research the Land Cover changes in the last 40 years, are analyzed in relation to changes in the CAP. A geographic multicriteria model is used for ranking the agricultural areas with particular environmental value, for which it would be necessary to identify specific interventions to be inserted in the Rural Development Plans.