The influence of anthropogenic topographic changes on geomorphological processes in the city of Rome (Italy)

The urban landscape of the city of Rome exhibits a discernible urban-rural gradient, characterized by a diminishing anthropic impact from the central historic city to the outskirts and peri-urban zones, marked by increased open spaces and green areas. In the Aeterna Urbs, the Anthropocene epoch has seen significant urbanization and infrastructure development, frequently leading to profound alterations or complete obliteration of natural landscapes. The distinctive anthropogenic changes observed in Rome, characterized by their unique features, are not confined to the city; they are also evident in other contexts, underscoring commonalities and interconnections in how human activity shapes the landscape. In this regard, the city of Rome stands as an exemplar, offering a unique opportunity to delve into the human-induced changes and their impact on the natural geomorphological processes. However, despite their critical importance in understanding human-landscape interactions and the associated geomorphological risks, the role of human activity as a morphogenetic agent along the urban-rural gradient remains inadequately understood. This study addresses the tricky understanding of human-induced geomorphic changes, particularly on erosion, transport, and sedimentation processes, which pose threats to ecosystem functioning and impede efficient land use. The Malagrotta extraction area in Rome, Italy, characterized by a mining landscape of ridge removal, hillslope terracing and valley filling, offers a unique opportunity to assess the impact of topographical alterations on the geomorphic system. The investigation employs the widely accepted functional relationship between drainage area (A in m²) and slope (S in m/m) to delineate local process domains and facilitate the interpretation of process interactions. The slope-area function is applied to the same watershed across different periods using digital elevation models, offering insights into the evolving geomorphic dynamics influenced by human activities.