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Agricultural terraces represent one of the best ways to prevent land degradation in hilly and mountainous landscapes. However, it is widely recognized that terraced slopes are threatened by agricultural land abandonment. In the literature, very few studies have quantitatively examined the influence of agricultural abandonment on the stability of terraced slopes. The goal of this research is to investigate the relationships between landslide magnitude and land use conditions of agricultural terraced slopes. In particular, Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) elevation data, coupled with aerial photo interpretation, were used for the computation of shallow landslide mobilized volumes on terraced slopes affected by an intense rainfall event. We performed the analysis within the Vernazza basin, a small Mediterranean coastal catchment located in the “Cinque Terre” area (Liguria, northwestern Italy), comparing pre‐event and post‐event LiDAR datasets. The results revealed that abandoned terraced slopes have been affected by a higher amount of mobilized debris volumes than still‐cultivated terraces. Furthermore, terraces abandoned for a short time (less than 25–30 years) resulted in the most hazardous land use class, showing erosion rates that were approximately 2 and 3 times higher than terraced slopes abandoned a long time ago (more than 25–30 years) and still‐cultivated terraces, respectively. These findings highlight that land abandonment and agricultural mismanagement can intensify the magnitude of rainfall‐induced shallow landslides. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The results of a long-lasting geomorphological survey carried out in Rome are summarized. A method aimed at integrating survey data, historical maps, aerial photographs and archaeological and geomorphological literature produced a geomorphological map of the present-day historical centre. The geomorphology of Rome is related to the paleogeographical conditions prior to the founding of the City; they allow us to recognize the stages of landscape evolution of the ancient Caput Mundi (Capital of the World). The study area has been affected by continuous man-made changes to the drainage network and to the topographic surface over the last 3000 years. It has forced the authors to develop innovative solutions to undertake effective analysis of the urban environment and the legend of the geomorphological map in this peculiar context. The resulting map is useful for urban planning and archaeological research. ARTICLE HISTORY

Dynamic + hepatobiliary phase MRI improved detection and characterisation of HCC in cirrhotic patients. The greatest benefit is for diagnosing lesions between 1 and 2 cm.

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