IMPACT OF TOURISM ON THE MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPE OF CENTRAL ITALY

The mountain landscape of the Apennines in central Italy has been seve rely affected by tourism for decades. Field research was carried out i n order to investigate if some general patterns of environmental chang es could be detected. The vegetation of several places under ski-lifts was analysed on the basis of a careful floral survey. In all cases a strong decline of the floristic diversity was observed. On the lines o f frequent transit, numbers of occurring species became reduced to abo ut one half and species resistant to trampling (eventually present out side of the ski-lift trucks) expanded and became dominant. The paralle l investigation of impacts on human artefacts dealt with architectural features of Leonessa town, a typical example of traditional architect ure built at the end of the Middle Ages. Number, size and shape of win dows and gates was studied. A comparison was made with the architectur e of a modern tourist resort. The recent constructions appear to be ch aracterized by dominance of few elements, general uniformity and norma lization. From both examples it can be concluded that the undisturbed condition is in a state of high diversity which declines under the eff ects of heavy human impact.