Environmental Earth Sciences (2018) 77:455 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7642-9

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Environmental rehabilitation linking natural and industrial heritage: a Master Plan for dismissed quarry areas in the Emilia Apennines (Italy) Paola Coratza1   · Vittoria Vandelli1 · Mauro Soldati1 Received: 13 December 2017 / Accepted: 18 June 2018 © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018

Abstract Over the past decades, quarrying activities have produced a vast array of physical and environmental impacts worldwide. In the past 20 years, there has been a growing need to address the issue of rehabilitation and requalification of quarry areas that, to be effective, should be strictly linked to local territorial resources and context, as shown by different types of rehabilitation schemes implemented in different parts of the world. This paper focuses on the rehabilitation of a recently dismissed quarry area in the Rio della Rocca valley (Emilia Apennines, northern Italy), near the ceramic tile district of Sassuolo, which is considered the largest in the world. During the past 50 years, quarrying activity has deeply modified the pristine landscape of this valley, which, however, still holds biotic and abiotic features of great natural interest and scientific value. The methodological approach and actions that led to an environmental rehabilitation scheme, based on the combined appraisal of geological, biological and industrial heritage within a Master Plan, are presented. Territorial resources, restrictions on development, geological hazards, as well as inputs from the local community at different stages were taken into account in defining the Master Plan. Keywords  Environmental rehabilitation · Quarrying activities · Geoheritage · Emilia Apennines · Northern Italy

Introduction Aggregates are a significant natural resource and their exploitation makes an important contribution to economic development. However, quarrying activities generate a number of long-term on-site and off-site significant impacts on the environment (Ziev 1985; Willis and Garrod 1999; Vartzburger 2004; Lin et al. 2005; Sullivan et al. 2006), often resulting in deep changes in topography and landscape aesthetics as well as biological disorders (Goudie 2000), soil depletion, complete removal of vegetation and propagules, noise and air pollution. Quarries left untreated without any effective rehabilitation remain in the landscape as deep scars producing, on the one hand, geomorphological and environmental changes * Paola Coratza [email protected] 1



Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy

and witnessing, on the other hand, a deep human imprint (Osterkamp and Morton 1996; Hooke 1999). It is a widely shared opinion that restoration and requalification of these areas, otherwise forgotten and unused, could represent an advantage for the entire community, as they meet the general public demand for improving the quality of life in urban/ suburban areas and biodiversity by creating new habitats for the flora and fauna. Abandoned quarries should, therefore, be considered as an ecological resource. After their exploitation, quarry areas can constitute an opportunity for territorial development as they can be appreciated for several reuses. Recycling of spaces and giving new life to spaces degraded by the exploitation of aggregates is not new. Back to the Renaissance, worthy of note is the case of the beautiful Boboli Gardens in Florence (Italy), a former sandstone quarry which provided material for the first paving of the streets of Florence (FBSR 2006 and references therein). There are many examples in the world of former dismissed quarries that once reclaimed or restored acquired scenic, ecological, recreational, educational and scientific value, since they are usually located in areas of outstanding natural beauty.

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National regulations on quarry rehabilitation differ greatly from a country to another: from severe and precise legal provisions to less strict and general ones. Worthy of note is the establishment in Israel of the Quarries’ Rehabilitation Fund resulting from fees imposed on active quarries for the rehabilitation of areas abandoned after exploitation (Milgrom 2008). In Italy, the current legislation on quarrying activities dates back to 1927. Since the end of the 1970s—as a consequence of government decentralization process (D.P.R. 14 January 1972)—regulation and control of quarrying and mining have been managed at a regional and local level. This led to the spreading in the country of a varied restrictive framework of policies concerning these activities. In the 1970s, the Emilia-Romagna Region established that any quarrying authorization must be subject to the submission of both an exploitation and rehabilitation plan. Nevertheless, only since the 1990s was the restoration of areas affected by quarrying and mining defined as a completing part of exploitation, thanks to a worldwide change in common sensitivity on environmental problems. Quarries’ owners are now obliged to give a bank surety to guarantee rehabilitation works, which are now under the owner’s responsibility. Furthermore, many Italian regions lack a plan for the restoration of quarries that were abandoned before the regional regulations became effective. According to the estimate of an environmentalist association, in Italy there are more than 16,000 dismissed or abandoned quarry areas, only a small part of which is going to be restored (Legambiente 2014). In the present times of an increasing social interest in environmental problems, it is of paramount importance to investigate how to turn dismissed quarries into valuable

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areas, improving the quality of the present environment and reinforcing a sense of place in a context of sustainable development. Starting from these premises, the objective of the present paper is to present methodological approaches and actions for an integrated environmental rehabilitation scheme for the Rio della Rocca valley (Emilia Apennines). Despite the low population density, this area is characterized by environmental degradation mainly due to the presence of several dismissed quarries, most of which are still untreated and show clear morphological evidence of the past productive scenario. However, this valley combines interesting geological and geomorphological features, rich and diverse wildlife and habitats, as well as cultural elements related to the quarry industry (Soldati et al. 2009; Coratza et al. 2017). The rehabilitation scheme has been mainly based on the combined improvement of natural and industrial heritage within a community Master Plan, and has taken advantage of inputs from the local community. In addition, this paper aims at showing the first action for geoheritage enhancement including a tourist route, as a first step of an environmental rehabilitation plan.

Site description The study area corresponds to the Rio della Rocca catchment located on the foothills of the Northern Apennines (Municipality of Castellarano, Reggio Emilia Province, Italy) (Fig. 1). The Rio della Rocca stream is a left tributary of the River Secchia and flows in a W–E direction. The

Fig. 1  Location of the Rio della Rocca catchment (white dashed line) and localities cited in this paper (©2017 Google)

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Rio della Rocca catchment is 8 km2 wide. Altitudes vary between 350 and 120 m. The eastern part of the catchment shows gentle slopes of fluvial terraces modelled by the River Secchia. Steep slopes and badlands are common in the central part of the catchment. On the other hand, the westernmost part of the study area is characterized by a regular and gradually sloping topography (Bruschi et al. 2012). The climate is temperate with annual rainfall of 800 mm and maximum mean temperatures ranging from 30 °C in the hottest month (August) to 6 °C in the coldest one (January).

Geological and geomorphological features From a geological viewpoint, the area is located at the foothill of the Apennines where the outcropping units reflect the latest (since the Upper Eocene) geological history of the rising Apennine chain. In particular, conglomerate-arenaceous and marly-clayey formations of the Epiligurian Succession extensively crop out (Remitti et al. 2012). The Epiligurian Units are made up of sediments deposited in marine environment on top of the Apennine accretionary wedge between the Upper Eocene and Lower Miocene. This area is also characterized by younger formations included in the succession of the Apennine margin, which is here composed by marine and transitional deposits ranging in age from the Upper Miocene (Messinian) to the Pleistocene. The geological features of the Rio della Rocca catchment (Table 1) reflect those of the Pede-Apennine belt. The two main outcropping formations are the Ranzano Formation and the Argille Azzurre Formation, respectively, attributed to the Epiligurian Succession and to the succession of the Apennine margin (Gasperi and Preti 2005; Gasperi et al. 2005). The Ranzano Formation (Upper Eocene–Lower Oligocene) consists of yellowish arenaceous-pelite turbidites and Table 1  Outcropping rock types and associated geomorphological processes and landforms

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is characterized by a remarkable lithological variability, from arenites and conglomerates to pelites and sand-clay alternations. Slightly cemented arenaceous-conglomerate rocks attributed to the Ranzano Formation extensively crop out in the central part of the catchment constituting also quarry slopes. On the right-hand side of the Rio della Rocca stream and in the lower part of the catchment, the Argille Azzurre Formation (Lower Pliocene–Lower Pleistocene) crops out. The Argille Azzurre Formation mainly consists of marine sediments composed of grey-bluish silt and clay and marly clay, rich in fossils such as Gastropods, Lamellibranchs and Corals. On the top of the formation, thick sandstone layers, witnessing continental sediment inputs, can be found. They are sandstone and pelite alternations with variable cementation/lithification degree. Above these deposits, continental Quaternary units crop out. They mainly are gravel, sand and pedogenized clayey-silty terraced fluvial deposits, whose origin is ascribable to the River Secchia dynamics. The geomorphological features of the study area are controlled by the presence of the two main outcropping rock types (clay and sandstone), which show different mechanical behaviour (Table 1). The main landforms are related to gravitational, running-water erosional processes and human intervention (Soldati et al. 2009; Bruschi et al. 2012). Landslides are mainly ascribable to shallow earth slides and earth flows, in most cases affecting cultivated fields. Rill erosion and surface runoff have shaped the central sector of the valley where the easily erodible and almost impermeable Argille Azzurre Formation crops out. Due to the mutual interaction between gravitational processes and running water action, a remarkable badland morphology characterizes this area. The water action, which affects also the sandstone of the Ranzano Formation, has shaped narrow meanders entrenched in bedrock along the Rio Campovecchio stream bed (Fig. 2). In addition, terraced alluvial deposits,

Bedrock lithology

Total extension Associated geomorphological (%) processes and landforms

 Argille Azzurre Formation massive grey-blue clays and 65 marly clays; a facies of this formation includes sands and arenaceous–pelitic alternations and outcrops in the SW sector of the Rio della Rocca catchment

 Ranzano Formation, characterized by a great facies variability; this formation is mainly constituted by turbiditic bodies, including coarse to pelitic sediments  Other geological formations marls and marly clays

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3

Landslides Areas affected by solifluction Areas affected by rill erosion Badlands Fluvial terraces Quarries Landslides Gullies Fluvial terraces Quarries Motocross track Landslides (earth flows) Areas affected by solifluction

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Fig. 2  Main geological and geomorphological features of the study area: a inactive terraced alluvial deposits emplaced by River Secchia starting from Pleistocene; b badland morphology characterizing the Argille Azzurre Formation; c mushroom-shaped structure modelled

by selective erosion processes affecting the sandstones of the Ranzano Formation; d meander entrenched in bedrock carved in the arenaceous-conglomerate facies of the Ranzano Formation

attributed to the River Secchia, characterize the eastern part of the catchment. As previously mentioned, the landscape of the Rio della Rocca valley was heavily modified by human interventions. In particular, intensive quarrying has locally re-shaped the morphology of the area resulting in a steepening of the hillslopes, which still show a step-like profile in correspondence with the quarry fronts.

from the colonization of abandoned farmland, arid grasslands and extensive cultivations. The study area has been recognized as a Site of Community Importance for the presence of interesting habitats, mainly consisting of herbaceous and shrubby plants. The site hosts several endangered/rare or protected orchids and other floristic species. Wetlands of particular ecological importance are also present. In correspondence with dryer slopes, plant communities adapted to relatively arid environments prevail. In particular, the downy oak (Quercus pubescens) accompanied by shrubs of broom, juniper, wild rose and hawthorn can be found. Along less-exposed slopes, the downy oak is replaced by the Turkey oak (Quercus cerris), the European hop-hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia), the South European flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus), the field maple (Acer campestre), the elm (Ulmus) and the sessile oak (Quercus petraea). The occasional presence of the sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) bears witness to ancient cultivation practices at this low elevation, favoured by acid soils on which this species usually thrives. Near the main watercourses, gallery forests mainly consist of white willows (Salix alba) and poplars (Populus). Across the valley, the presence of invasive tree species such as the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and the tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is not very frequent;

Biodiversity in the study area Based on the analysis of the fact-finding report compiled by the Province of Reggio Emilia and by previous flora and fauna investigations (Soldati et al. 2009; Coratza et al. 2017), the main biodiversity features of the study area are presented. The Rio della Rocca catchment hosts more than 26% of the plant species identified in the Reggio Emilia Province. Among these, 28 are protected by the EmiliaRomagna law (Regional Law 2/77), 2 are included in the attachments of the Habitat Directive, 1 species is protected by the Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats and 9 species are considered endangered and included in the Emilia-Romagna Red List (Tables 2, 3; Fig. 3). The catchment includes deciduous woodlands and shrubs; the latter result from the degradation of former woods or

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Plant species Plant species of Community interest

Species of conservation interest

Table 2  Protected plant species of the Rio della Rocca catchment and respective protection lists (highlighted in grey)

Himantoglossum adriaticum Ruscus aculeatus Erucastrum nasturtifolium subsp. Nasturtifolium Erysimum pseudorhaeticum Helleborus bocconei subsp. bocconei Juncus subnodulosus Lythrum hyssopifolia Ononis masquillerii Ophrys bertolonii Ophrys fuciflora subsp. fuciflora Ophrys fusca subsp. fusca Quercus crenata Samolus valerandi Serapias lingua Serapias vomeracea subsp. vomeracea Typha angustifolia Typha minima

this indicates good chances for protecting the autochthonous biodiversity. The Mediterranean part of the flora is limited to a few but interesting species, mainly located on the southern slope of Mt. Bragolone (east of Pradivia). Here, where siliceous rocks crop out, Erica arborea, typical element of the Mediterranean evergreen, and Cistus salvifolius can be found. The location of Cistus salvifolius on the slopes of Mt. Bragolone is one of the northernmost positions of the Apennines for this species. A relict population of Pinus sylvestris, which is considered a rather rare species in the high plains and low hills of Emilia-Romagna, is also present. On the southeast sliding slope of Mt. Bragolone, a flourishing of Saponaria ocymoides station is located. This plant is typical of calcareous soils, often in correspondence of landslide deposits and distributed across the mountainous areas of southwestern Europe. The great biotic and abiotic variety of the Rio della Rocca catchment offers important ecological niches and hosts various animal species in the thermophilic, mesophilic and hygrophilous forests, the sandstone walls, humid ravines/ steep gorges, meadows, xerophilous slopes, and large and widespread badlands. Many wild animal species have been recorded in this valley and in its surroundings. In particular, among the mammals, there are several bat species, the porcupine and the wolf. Among the birds, the Eurasian eagleowl, the little egret, the peregrine falcon are present. There are also several species of reptiles and amphibians, some of which are subject to special protection because they are considered of Community importance.

History of quarrying activity in the study area Past quarrying activity, carried out since the 1950s, has caused extensive environmental degradation in the Rio della

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Protection measures Regional Law Berne Emilia-Romagna 92/43/CEE 2/77 Conv. Red List Annex II Annex V

Rocca valley. In particular, the lower and middle part of the catchment shows clear evidence of the intense exploitation of both the yellowish sandstones of the Ranzano Formation and the grey-blue clays of the Argille Azzurre Formation. The first piece of information acquired from the regional mine registry concerns a sandstone quarry that was active only in the 1955–1956 period. Between the end of the 1950s and the beginning of the 1960s, clay pits were widely exploited because of the increasing request of raw material from the nearby ceramic tile district of Sassuolo, to which 80% of the present Italian tile production is attributed. Around the 1970s, together with clay pits also sandstone quarries were exploited for the provision of raw material for the developing building industry in the surroundings. At that time, the inventory of quarries compiled by the Municipality of Castellarano included three clay pits and four sandstone quarries active in the Rio della Rocca catchment. In 1977, the administrative functions relevant to quarries and peat bogs, initially under the State responsibility, were transferred to the administrative regions. In 1978 (L.R. 2.5.1978 no. 13), the Emilia-Romagna Region approved the first law concerning the regulation of quarrying activities. As a consequence, around the 1970s, the Municipality of Castellarano approved the first activity plan. According to this plan, the Rio della Rocca valley was included among areas to be exploited for quarrying purposes. For the first time, in 1985 the Rio della Rocca catchment was stated under protection as an area of great public importance (D.M. 271 01/08/1985) for its peculiar geomorphological features, its palaeontological assets and its faunal and botanical value. Despite this provision, quarrying activities continued. Since the early 1980s, the Municipality of Castellarano pointed out that the exploitation of raw material had satisfied not only the needs of the Municipality but also of the towns

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13 31.229 (Po basin heaths) 31.881 (Juniper downs) 34.11 (Middle European rock debris swards) 34.3266 (Northern Apennine Mesobromion) 34.332I (Mosan Xerobromion) 34.51 (Calci-orophile pale fescue grasslands)

38.2 (Thermo-Atlantic xerophytic communities)

4030—European dry heaths

5130—Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands

6110*—Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi

6210*—Semi-natural dry grasslands (Festuco brometalia) (*important orchid sites)

6220*—Pseudo-steppes with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea

6510—Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis)

44.614 (Italian poplar galleries) 53.111 (Flooded Phragmite beds) 53.112 (Dry Phragmite beds)

92A0—Salix alba and Populus alba galleries

Pa—Phragmition

Threats

Vegetation succession (evolution towards scrubFew sites in north western sector of the Rio lands) della Rocca catchment on sandstones of the Ranzano Formation Afforestation and human intrusions/disturWidespread in correspondence of clay outbances (e.g. presence of hikers and/or offcrops and it is always in association with the roaders) habitat 6210 Mainly located in the central portion of the Vegetation succession (evolution towards scrubRio della Rocca catchment to the north lands) and human intrusions/disturbances (e.g. presence of hikers and/or off-roaders) Widespread in the whole catchment in assoVegetation succession (evolution towards scrubciation with the habitats 6220, 5130, 4030 lands), afforestation and human intrusions/ disturbances (e.g. presence of hikers and/or off-roaders) Located in correspondence of erosive surfaces Irregular waste dumping and human intrusions/ of clay outcrops where mineral salts are con- disturbances (e.g. presence of hikers and/or off-roaders) centrated, in association with habitats 6210, 5130, 4030, 8230 3 small plots west of the locality of La Bettola Modification of cultivation practices (e.g. abandonment or conversion of permanent meadows in arable lands) and vegetation succession (evolution towards scrublands) Located in correspondence of sandstone outcrops of the Ranzano formation with lack of organic soil Located on a north exposed slope nearby the Diseases and biocenotic evolution (e.g. replacelocality of Castagneto ment of Castanea sativa with other plant species) Located along Rio della Rocca and Rio Vegetation cutting, irregular waste dumping, Degani water courses water pollution and competition with invasive alien species Located in correspondence of the “Il Pescale” quarry

Location in the Rio Rocca catchment

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8230—Siliceous rock with pioneer vegetation 62.42 (Siliceous bare inland cliffs) of the Sedo-Scleranthion or of the Sedo albiVeronicion dillenii 9260—Forest vegetation with Castanea sativa 41.9 (Chestnut woods)

CORINE

Habitat

Table 3  Habitats of Community importance recorded in the Rio della Rocca catchment and their respective threats

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Fig. 3  Quantitative representation of threatened habitats within the study area

in the surroundings and that intense quarrying activities had caused environmental impact and slope instability processes which required specific countermeasures. In the 1990s, the productive scenario radically changed, thanks also to a widespread awareness on environmental issues. Under the action of ever more restrictive environmental policies, most of the quarries in the valley were progressively abandoned, although without any reclamation attempt. The information concerning the quarrying activity carried out during the 1990s was derived from the registries of the Municipality of Castellarano: in the Rio della Rocca valley, three different quarries were active. In 1991, the activity of one quarry ceased because of the occurrence of a landslide affecting the southeastern side of Mt. Pradella and more than 200 m of the quarry front. Ensuing investigations showed that the landslide deposit is now stable. As a result of this event, geological surveys were carried out and several rehabilitation proposals were forwarded. Nevertheless, up to now no intervention has been authorized. Notwithstanding the significant anthropic pressure affecting the area, in 1995 the Rio Rocca catchment was included in the Natura 2000 network as a Site of Community Importance (IT4030016). According to national provisions concerning Natura 2000 sites, new quarrying activities are today drastically forbidden. Nevertheless, in 1999 a clay pit and a sandstone quarry were still active in this valley. At present, three inactive quarries are found: “Il Pescale”, “La Rocca” and “Ex-Anselmi” (Fig. 4). The activity of the last clay pit (“La Rocca” clay pit) ceased in 2015 and its reclamation has to be completed. The other two dismissed quarries, “Il Pescale” and “Ex-Anselmi” sandstone quarries were not properly rehabilitated and are still well visible as eyesores in the landscape of the Rio della Rocca valley.

Overview of rehabilitation practices Quarry rehabilitation aims to minimize and mitigate the environmental effects of excavating raw materials, recovering or improving the environmental quality of a site through a series of measures such as landform reshaping and revegetation. Rehabilitation can be achieved in two different ways, by either restoration or reclamation. Quarry restoration is understood as an intentional process of returning the site to the pre-existing land use before extraction took place (see also Bradshaw 1996; Calow 1998). In most cases, it is practically and economically impossible to reproduce the situation preceding quarrying activities. On the other hand, quarry reclamation can be defined as a process of returning the derelict exploited site to a productive state (Down and Stocks 1977), to both its original use (primary functions) and other types of use suitable for the existing socioeconomic, cultural and physical conditions. Based on the final reuse of a dismissed quarry site, different types of rehabilitation can be distinguished as follows. • Rehabilitation for naturalistic purposes Type of eco-

logical reuse providing the amelioration of the degraded environment, which was altered by quarrying activity, by means of the creation of natural areas. An example is the Broadcroft Quarry in Portland, England (de Whalley et al. 2006), a disused limestone quarry that was turned into a stunning nature reserve thanks to careful management of the naturally developing vegetation. Innovative surface scraping was successfully employed to recreate the special conditions needed by the silver-studded blue butterfly (Plebejus argus) and the black ant with which it is associated. • Rehabilitation for productive purposes A dismissed quarry site can be reused for farming, agricultural and forestry purposes. Usually this type of reuse requires filling the dug-out areas with fertile soil. This is the case

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Fig. 4  Location of the Rio della Rocca quarries: (1) “Ex-Anselmi” sandstone quarry; (2) “La Rocca” clay pit; (3) “Il Pescale” sandstone quarry (©2017 Google)

of the former Ca’ di Trebbia gravel quarry, located in Piacenza Province (Italy) which was turned into a fertile cultivated field as reported by Muzzi and Rossi (2003). Another example is the Special Nature Reserve of Alfonsine (Ravenna), established in 1990 by the EmiliaRomagna Region (Italy). Originally, this area was an abandoned clay pit used as an uncontrolled landfill. At the end of the 1980s, a new life was given to this area by means of several environmental improvements such as removal of discharged inert materials, morphological arrangement and enrichment in plant species variety (Muzzi and Rossi 2003 and references therein). • Rehabilitation for residential and industrial settlement This type of reuse implies that the dismissed quarry areas become sites of urban expansion to satisfy the request for new houses or factories and industrial plants. This type of rehabilitation is particularly applicable to quarries located in urban and suburban areas. • Rehabilitation for social and recreational purposes This type of rehabilitation provides leisure and recreational facilities (e.g. sport facilities, campgrounds, amusement parks). The sites most prone to this type of reuse are the ones adjacent to urban areas. Hedeland (Denmark) has been a gravel and clay quarrying area since 1897. Gravel excavation continues at Hedeland in parallel with extensive recreational activities. In fact, the area hosts a regional park with woodlands and nature areas, and

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sport facilities (e.g. a golf course and a motocross centre) (Holden 2003). Gardaland (Verona, Italy), a former abandoned gravel and sand quarry converted into an amusement park in 1975, gives another example. Today, it attracts nearly 3 million visitors every year. Typically, dismissed quarries can be recycled as waste disposal facilities. The conversion of old quarries into controlled landfills can be an attractive solution for urban solid waste disposals (El-Fadel et al. 2001). An example of this type of reuse is given by the landfill of Rio Riazzone, a former quarry site close to the Rio Rocca catchment. In 1991, the Rio Riazzone quarry was converted into a landfill, properly shaded by vegetation, hosting a solar panel field and a biogas plant to produce electricity. Likewise, once rehabilitated, dismissed quarries located near river banks can be converted into retention basins to prevent floods. This is the case of the Secchia flood retention basin park (Muzzi and Rossi 2003) a former quarry site where since the 1960s gravel and sand were dug out. Even if the main purpose of the area is water regulation, it became also a site of high natural value. As well as the rehabilitation project implemented by LafargeHolcim France, the owner company of the gravel and sandstone Quarry Bellegarde (Southern France) has provided four stormwater catchments with 2.5 million cubic metres of water storage capacity to diminish flood risk endangering the city of Bellegarde due

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to the River Rieu overflows. The project has provided also a system of wetlands, thus increasing biodiversity. Many authors have proposed the rehabilitation of dismissed mining areas by promoting them as sites representative of the industrial history of a certain area (e.g. Conlin and Jolliffe 2011; Hvizdák et al. 2012). Other authors proposed territorial upgrading of dismissed mining areas by means of an integrated approach, joining the requalification of industrial/mining heritage together with the enhancement of geoheritage (e.g. Nita and Myga-Piątek 2014; Gawor and Marciz 2014). This approach has been adopted in many dismissed mining areas around the world, e.g. the Geological, Mining Park of Sardinia (Italy), the Copper Coast Geopark (Ireland), the Arouca Geopark (Portugal), the Maestrazgo Geopark and Cabo de Gata-Nijar Geopark (Spain) (Matos et al. 2012). However, more attention is paid in mining rehabilitation rather than in quarry rehabilitation, since in the first case more economic interest is involved. Only a limited number of scientific studies deals with the use of dismissed quarries to promote geotourism (e.g. Dávid and Karancsi 2010; Mateos et al. 2011; Štrba and Kurtova 2013; Gawor and Marciz 2014). Despite this, quarries can be considered as geosites and included into geoparks. In addition, they can be sites of important palaeontological and mineralogical interest (Hroncek 2015).

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To be fully effective, rehabilitation planning should begin as early as possible in the quarry life cycle and be reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis. However, it should be noted that this does not often happen. This is the case of the Rio della Rocca valley, widely affected by quarrying activities since the 1950s, but only recently subject to a rehabilitation plan. The rehabilitation of exhausted quarries through the exploitation of multiple heritage has generated research interest over the last two decades in many parts of the world, but only a few were based on combined exploitation of different types of heritage, as it finally happened for the Rio della Rocca valley. The integrated territorial upgrading of this area has been planned through environmental rehabilitation and enhancement of its remarkable geological, biological and industrial heritage. The conceptual framework and methodological approach adopted for the rehabilitation of this valley (Fig. 5) comprise the following technical and operational phases: 1. Extensive consultation with the local population; 2. Analysis and evaluation of the restrictions on development; 3. Identification and evaluation of the diverse territorial resources; 4. Identification and analysis of geological hazards; 5. Definition of a Master Plan.

Rehabilitation of the Rio della Rocca valley: methodological approach and actions

Consultation with the local population

It is a widely shared opinion that quarry planning, both in terms of sequencing of excavation activities and progressive rehabilitation, should be carefully considered beforehand.

In the last few years, the involvement of stakeholders in decision-making procedures has become a common practice. In this context, relevant stakeholders and local population have

Fig. 5  Conceptual framework of the environmental rehabilitation scheme aimed at the definition of a Master Plan for the territorial upgrading of the Rio della Rocca valley

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been involved at all stages of the rehabilitation process of the Rio della Rocca valley. Through deliberative processes such as focus groups and consensus conferences, this phase has led to the active participation of society in discussions on dismissed quarries and related problems. In particular, feedback by the local community resulted as necessary first in the definition of Master Plan proposals and finally in the Master Plan implementation taking into account the community needs and inputs. This bottom-up approach, which has taken into account options, experience, culture and customs of local population, has constituted an added value towards the implementation of an effective environmental rehabilitation plan and strategies for future land use (cf. Neri and Sanchez 2010).

Analysis and evaluation of the restrictions on development To determine the best future land use of the abandoned quarries of Rio della Rocca catchment, a detailed analysis of regulations and policy of management, protection and conservation of the area have been implemented. For its peculiar geomorphological features, its palaeontological asset and its faunal and botanical value, for the first time, the Rio della Rocca catchment was stated under protection as an area of great public importance (D.M. 271 01/08/1985) imposing several restrictions in design, construction and renovation of buildings. In addition, local and regional plans for quarrying activities recognized geomorphological and natural values, and stated that the Rio della Rocca catchment must undergo necessary territorial upgrading interventions. Natura 2000 provisions have been adopted by Italian law through the D.P.R. 12.3.2003 n. 120. According to the latter, management and conservation measures have to be implemented for every SIC. In every Natura 2000 site of the Emilia-Romagna Region, compulsory provisions forbid interventions and activities which may threaten the safety of protected natural environments and in particular of flora, fauna and habitat of Community importance. In detail, the following actions are forbidden: (1) every sort of recreational activity which may disturb wild animals and habitat of Community importance; (2) the circulation of off-road motor vehicles (some exception are covered); (3) removal of semi-natural and natural elements with ecological value; (4) morphological modifications which have not been authorized by competent authorities; (5) introduction of allochthonous species; (6) water withdrawal which does not respect the natural flow of water courses and water withdrawal which could cause the drying up of wetlands during the summer. In addition, new digging-out activities are drastically forbidden and the quarry rehabilitation measures should have environmental purposes.

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As regards the specific provisions for the Natura 2000 network relevant to the Rio della Rocca area, it is forbidden to walk out of trails; the off-road passage of horses and mountain-bikes on loose ground is also forbidden to avoid damage and preserve habitats located along the trails. The pruning and cutting of trees and bushes from the 1st of May to the 31st of July is finally forbidden, to safeguard the reproduction of rare birds, such as the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio).

Identification and evaluation of the territorial resources This phase was aimed at identifying and assessing the territorial resources of the valley. To this end, multidisciplinary investigations concerning the main geological, botanical, faunal and industrial aspects were carried out (Soldati et al. 2009; Bruschi et al. 2012; Coratza et al. 2017). Field surveys resulted in the identification and classification of the most significant geological l.s. and natural features of the valley (Bruschi et al. 2012). As for industrial elements, witnessed by the intense quarrying activity that affected the valley since the 1950s, a retrospective study based on historical-bibliographical sources and on interpretation of aerial photographs from different dates was carried out. Numerous industrial elements (tailings ponds, mechanical instruments, drying facilities and ore dryers, washing plants, rails, crushers) are no longer in service. Owing to their evocative value of the past, they have been considered as important heritage assets. The significance of territorial resources—i.e. geological l.s., botanical and industrial elements—were listed and evaluated by taking into account the following criteria: • • • • • •

Intrinsic value; Accessibility and public enjoyment; State of conservation; Visual impact; Originality, rarity and specific identity; Chronological and territorial distribution.

All the data gathered were implemented in a spatial GIS database (ArcGIS) that was essential in addressing the Master Plan.

Identification and analysis of geological hazards Once the potential for use of the Rio della Rocca catchment was enhanced, possible natural hazards threatening visitors and users in general were assessed. This was aimed to promote a safe and lasting territorial upgrading and make the area safely accessible to a wider public (Soldati et al. 2008). For this purpose, topographic and geomechanical surveys as well

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doned quarry floor;

natural (abiotic and biotic) and industrial heritage; the latter mainly linked to former quarrying (Table 4). The route will integrate three spheres—geosphere, biosphere and anthroposphere—to illustrate the integration of the rich natural and cultural landscapes of the valley (Figs. 6, 7). The geological features of the valley provide the substrates, landform mosaics and dynamic physical processes for the habitat richness development and conservation (Hjort et al. 2015; Coratza et al. 2016). There is also a clear link between geology and human activities since the rock types cropping out in this valley were used for the ceramic tile district or for building purposes. In addition, the geological features of the study area can play a fundamental role in understanding Earth history and its evolution, making sites of geological interest crucial for the development of geotourism. The tourist route is meant to provide the visitors with an opportunity of coupling the valuable natural and industrial heritage features of the valley. It is also an example of how geology l.s. and more specifically geoheritage can be a starting point and provide continuity for a trip offering close encounters with the valley’s science and history. For this purpose, the most valuable geological features have been selected (Coratza et al. 2017) by means of a quantitative assessment methodology mainly based on Coratza et al. (2012). The quality of the geological features has been numerically evaluated considering their scientific value, additional value and use value. According to Coratza et al. (2012), the three values have been quantified by means of several criteria to which different scores have been associated. In particular, the scientific value has been determined considering four criteria: palaeo-geomorphological model for understanding the Earth history and past climate changes; rareness with respect to a reference space; representativeness relevant to the exemplarity of the geological feature within the reference space; integrity. The additional value takes into account: ecological value and its implications; aesthetic value relevant to the perception of landscape beauty; cultural value understood as the amount of historical, artistic, and religious importance of the geological features. The use value refers to accessibility, visibility, services and importance for education. The main geological features suitable for inclusion in a tourist route around the Rio della Rocca valley are as follows:

doned quarry floor.

• Badlands Spectacular active badlands with their sharp

as kinematic analyses were carried out. Topographic surveys were performed by means of laser scanning in correspondence with the dismissed sandstone quarries. Detailed 3D models reproducing the morphology of the former quarry fronts are the main output of these surveys. The 3D models have constituted the basis for stability analyses. Moreover, geomechanical surveys carried out “in situ” have confirmed the distribution of the main groups of discontinuities identified by previous topographic surveys and have defined their main features. Kinematic analyses were carried out by means of a dedicated software for identifying portions of the quarry slopes potentially unstable and possible mechanisms of rupture (toppling, sliding, etc.). The investigations have revealed the possible occurrence of sliding movements in the front of the “Il Pescale” quarry (Fig. 4). In this context, slope reprofiling by means of micro-benches, aimed at reducing the slope gradient, has been suggested. This should be followed by slope revegetation with autochthonous species (e.g. Pinus sylvestris).

Definition of a Master Plan and rehabilitation measures On the basis of the analyses previously carried out and by taking into account public opinion, rehabilitation and territorial upgrading options have been proposed and organised in a Master Plan. A large team of experts indicated by universities, associations and local authorities has developed studies focused on regeneration, promotion, recreational and tourism purposes of this area. Past industrial activities should be harmonized with aspects concerning tourism, science, culture and education. Territorial upgrading should be accomplished in different phases, since its development depends on local and regional financing. The Master Plan, understood as a modular project, envisages the following steps of interventions: • Development of tourist routes around the rich abiotic,

biotic and industrial heritage of the valley;

• Information panels and leaflets; • Creation of new wetlands protected by fences in dis-

missed quarry floors.

• Visitor centre and ecological guard office in an aban• Open-air industrial archaeology museum in an aban-

Geoheritage enhancement as first step for the Master Plan implementation The first action currently underway for the territorial upgrading of the Rio della Rocca valley is the development of a tourist route including the main features relevant to the

ridges and close-range V-shaped gullies are widespread in the study area on clay outcrops. Gullies are the preferential water flow pathways and the material produced by water runoff accumulates at the foot of the badlands. Owing to their outstanding scenic value, the badlands located between Ca’ d’Alfieri and Rio Degani are worthy of note. The higher vegetation density on the accumulation area is due to a lower slope gradient and water

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Table 4  Main valuable industrial, biotic and abiotic (geological) features identified in the Rio della Rocca quarries and surroundings Quarries

Industrial features

Valuable biotic features

Valuable abiotic (geological) features in the surroundings

Ex-Anselmi

Step-like quarry fronts Washing plant Conveyor belts Tailing ponds

Badlands Fossiliferous outcrops Rio Campovecchio Gorge Mushroom-shaped structures

Il Pescale

Step-like quarry fronts Crushing and sieving equipment

La Rocca

Tailing ponds Quarry dumps

Species of conservation interest  Gymnadenia conopsea, Quercus crenata, Phyteuma betonicifolium, Listera ovata, Orchis coriophora, Orchis morio, Orchis purpurea Other remarkable species  Pinus sylvestris, Castanea sativa Habitat of Community interest  6110—Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi  6210*—Semi-natural dry grasslands (Festuco brometalia) (*important orchid sites)  92A0—Salix alba and Populus alba galleries Species of conservation interest  Gymnadenia conopsea, Orchis coriophora, Orchis morio, Orchis purpurea, Platanthera bifolia Other remarkable species  Salix alba, Populus alba, Castanea sativa, Potamogeton natans Habitat of Community interest  6210*—Semi-natural dry grasslands (Festuco brometalia) (*important orchid sites)  6220—Pseudo-steppes with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea  92A0—Salix alba and Populus alba galleries Habitat of regional interest  Phragmition Habitat of Community interest (in the surroundings)  6210*—Semi-natural dry grasslands (Festuco brometalia) (*important orchid sites)  6220—Pseudo-steppes with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea

conveyance. They make up appropriate conditions for vegetation growth and consequently for stopping erosion processes. • Mushroom-shaped structures Nearby the locality of Pradivia, peculiar features related to selective erosion processes affecting the sandstone of the Ranzano Formation can be found. The site is characterized by good visibility and accessibility. • Rio Campovecchio Gorge In correspondence with the western slope of Mt. Pradella, there is a narrow valley deeply carved by water action in the arenaceousconglomerate member (the Val Pessola Member) of the Ranzano Formation. This gorge has been shaped by the action of the Rio Campovecchio stream, probably along a pre-existent discontinuity. • Terraced deposits Inactive terrace alluvial deposits emplaced by the action of the main water course in the surroundings (River Secchia) in the Middle Pleistocene can be found in the eastern part of the catchment, near Cadiroggio and on the right side of the Rio Degani

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Badlands Terraced deposits

Badlands Outcropping lithological boundary between Ranzano Formation and Argille Azzurre Formation

stream. These terraced alluvial deposits bear witness of the cyclic alternation of River Secchia aggradation and dissection processes relevant to glacio-eustatic changes. In correspondence with these fluvial terraces, there are residential settlements and arable fields. • Fossiliferous outcrops The fossil record of the Rio della Rocca valley is of great importance because of the exceptional nature of the findings and above all because the abundant invertebrate fossil fauna provides palaeo-environmental information. Argille Azzurre has a high fossiliferous content. Between the 1980s and 1990s, in the badlands of Ca’ d’Alfieri, two whale skeletons, belonging, respectively, to the Balenula and Balaena genus and dating back to the Middle Pliocene (about 3.6 Ma ago), were found. Among vertebrate remnants, noteworthy is rare shark teeth. Besides the outstanding discoveries of marine vertebrates, a rich fossil invertebrate fauna (especially Middle Pliocene molluscs and in particular gastropods) can be found also by non-specialists and occasional visitors.

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Fig. 6  Significant biotic (a), abiotic (b) and man-made (c) features identified in the Rio della Rocca valley

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Fig. 7  Synoptic sketch of territorial resources of the Rio della Rocca valley (cf. Fig. 6)

• Outcropping boundary between the Ranzano and Argille

Azzurre formation The boundary between the Ranzano and Argille Azzurre formations is located along the road from Cadiroggio to the locality of Pradivia. It is the only place in the surrounding areas where the boundary between these two rock types and their geometric relation can be clearly observed.

In addition to geological heritage, the dismissed quarry sites of the Rio della Rocca valley have contributed to increase the biological and habitat diversity of this area. Indeed, new botanical entities are now present due to the following factors: (1) quarry fronts facing various orientations, (2) presence of different soils (calcareous, arenaceous, marly), (3) past earth movements by mechanical means, (4) a 20-year long abandonment of the area. In particular, quarry floors with depressions and ephemeral ponds show a great variety of grass vegetation. In these areas, the presence of alien species but also of rare species is abundant. Thus, the abandoned quarry sites constitute a genetic reserve thanks to the contribution of some rare species from the surroundings, although there are also alien species brought about by motor vehicles. Previous investigations on the vegetation have revealed that the “Ex-Anselmi” quarry is the most interesting from a biodiversity standpoint followed by the

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“Il Pescale” quarry. The activity of the “La Rocca” clay pit ceased only in 2015. This area does not comprise sites of botanical importance within its perimeter. Ex-Anselmi quarry The Ex-Anselmi quarry is located on the left bank of the Rio della Rocca stream in the central part of the catchment. As mentioned above, quarrying activities ceased in 1991, because of the occurrence of a landslide affecting the western portion of the quarry front. The quarry consists of two main sides one facing east (eastern front) with an inclination of about 40° and the other facing south (southern front) with an inclination of 50°. The erosion rate is high and the vegetation covering is discontinuous; this is due not only to the high slope angles that characterized the quarry fronts but also to the off-road illegal transit of motorcycles. Il Pescale quarry Il Pescale quarry is located on the right side of the Rio della Rocca bank and has been inactive since 2001. The quarry floor is partially covered by concrete and, where the latter is absent, by spontaneous vegetation. In the quarry, old machineries remain abandoned. The quarry front has a step-like morphology and it is partially revegetated. La Rocca clay pit La Rocca clay pit is located on the left bank of the Rio della Rocca stream. Since the recent end of excavation activities (in 2015), the quarry has not yet been rehabilitated. Thus, it still remains well visible as a grey scar

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in the verdant landscape of the area. The La Rocca quarry does not host valuable plant species because of the lack of superficial organic soil. However, it is surrounded by areas characterized by rare or protected flora.

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this research. The authors are grateful to an anonymous reviewer for the useful suggestions, as well as to Prof. Giovanni Tosatti for the critical reading of the manuscript and Dr. Andrea Mary Lord for reviewing the English text.

References Conclusions In recent times, the request for green areas close to urban centres is ever-growing due to recreational needs and increasing environmental awareness (Damigos and Kaliampakos 2003). Green areas represent an opportunity to preserve the natural environment and rediscover the symbiotic relationship between Nature and Man. In this context, rehabilitated quarry areas could constitute a territorial resource, an opportunity to preserve and enhance valuable elements of the natural heritage linking Man, and its cultural heritage, to Nature (Coratza et al. 2016). The methods and procedures here presented have led to the implementation of an environmental rehabilitation scheme aimed at the territorial upgrading of dismissed quarry areas in the Emilia Apennines. This scheme comprises the following technical and operational phases: (1) consultation with the local population, to understand the needs of the local inhabitants and consequently choose strategies for future land use; (2) analysis and evaluation of the restrictions on development to determine the feasibility of rehabilitation interventions; (3) identification and evaluation of the diverse territorial resources as a fundamental phase to define rehabilitation strategies; (4) identification and analysis of geological hazards for a safe fruition of the valley and, finally, (5) definition of a Master Plan and rehabilitation measures framed within the social, legislative and natural context. It should be noticed that, owing to its wide potential applicability, the operational scheme could be extended to other quarry areas. The research carried out has led to the provision of an innovative approach for the requalification of dismissed quarry areas based on the combined enhancement of geological, biological and industrial assets. Therefore, rehabilitated quarry areas may become appealing sites for environmental tourism as well as scientific and cultural laboratories; as such, they can constitute a natural and economic resource for the territory. Acknowledgements  This paper outlines the results of investigations carried out within the framework of agreements between the Municipality of Castellarano and the Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia for the implementation of institutional research on the development of a Master Plan for the territorial upgrading of the Rio della Rocca valley. The Emilia-Romagna Region, with the technical support of the Reggio Emilia Province and the Municipality of Castellarano, funded

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