Hazard Assessment and Vulnerability Reduction in the Mediterranean Landscape: The Case of Crapolla Archeological Site in the Sorrento-Amalfi Peninsula

The Crapolla Fiord, near to the Amalfi Coast, thanks to its special landscape, can be classified as an example of a Mediterranean landscape, with exceptional cultural and natural scenic values, resulting from its outstanding nature and historical evolution. The area hosts the archaeological site of the San Pietro Abbey, built before the 12th century, and the so-called “monazeni”, vernacular constructions used by local fishermen for boat sheltering. At present, the site has been just interested by a deep research experience leaded by the Department of Architecture (DiARC) of the University Federico II. The study, committed by the local Municipality of Massa Lubrense involved a range of specialized knowhow represented by four different departments of the University of Naples Federico II, including an important archaeological survey campaign. As part of the study, the analysis of the surface-water hydrology has carried out at local scale, by the aim of assessing hazard potential for the site conservation. The current land cover is bare soil on a specific rocky substratum, although traces of terraces dating from the time of the Abbey activity are still recognizable. Taking into account the site exposure (South), its land use, as well as the scenario of further climate change - consistent with the A1B like scenario (IPCC, 2014) - the increase of site vulnerability is expected. Starting by these assumptions, the study evaluates the hydrology hazard potential in estimating the variations in flow rates at secondary auctions, comparing current Land Cover and the one at the time of Abbey activity,. Due to both the reduced infiltration capacity and the local climate specific, the increase of hazard potential is expected, as well as the rise of the site vulnerability, and the intensification of the values exposed in terms of losses potential (the immaterial value of the cultural asset) and hence the increase in overall site risk. The study quantifies the hazard potential and demonstrates that the introduction of small interventions aimed at regenerating vegetation and/ or at increasing infiltration capacity, would be justified and sustainable.