Viticulture and Cultural Landscapes: remote sensing and Earth surface processes modelling to promote sustainable agricultural practices

Viticulture, when practised in its traditional form, can contribute to creating unique cultural landscapes. Several examples exist worldwide, often included in specific protection lists that aim to protect and promote them (such as UNESCO and GIAHS). The complex morphological characteristics of these territories, resulting from centuries of human-nature interaction, make them fragile and susceptible to external disturbances. Among the responsible for serious impacts are the surface processes triggered by heavy rainfall. It causes direct effects on the landscape, from soil erosion to collapses of rural structures to vast areas of land degradation. This phenomenon is accelerated by two factors. The first is climate change, with an increase in the frequency of extreme rainfall events; the second is unsustainable human development, which is reflected in agricultural practices. Of considerable interest is the issue of soil compaction caused by the transit of agricultural machinery. In addition to purely agronomic problems, this is associated with increased surface runoff and resulting issues. Therefore, it is necessary to promote lighter machinery, at least for small agricultural duties. Although innovation is making great strides in the mechanical sector, there is still much to be done in understanding what the benefits in terms of surface processes of using light machinery in viticulture might be. This investigation encourages research in this direction, proposing a remote sensing and modelling approach based on data collected in the field and surveyed using U A V -SfM. The goal of the paper is to evaluate the advantages of using a lightweight prototype for vineyard cultivation compared to a traditional competitor. Firstly, the work attempts to assess the critical precipitation thresholds that activate surface runoff for two rows of an experimental vineyard, one operated with a light prototype and the other with a traditional tractor. In addition, the work simulates a recent critical rainfall event that occurred in the vineyard and diagnostically compares the two study rows. Research outcomes aim to stimulate technological innovation toward more sustainable light mechanisation, as well as to raise farmers' awareness of their primary role in preserving cultural agricultural landscapes.