L'evoluzione del paesaggio antropico: gli insediamenti e l'uso del suolo

The unique history of the Montello leads us to focus our attention on the last 100-120 years. Starting from the beginning of its colonization up to the 1950s we can make a partial reconstruction of its settlement development based on IGM cartography. In its 1890 edition this series of maps underlines the absence of settlements on the Montello and the agricultural colonization which followed. The woodland areas quickly come back into the maps, broken up at first, then, in the later decades of the period under consideration, with increasing density visible on the south face. By contrast the analysis of the last 50 years is supported by a greater assortment of information sources. In particular from successive series of aerial photographs (about one every 15 years) it is possible to fairly accurately reconstruct the evolution of the different uses of the land and of settlement growth. The data is collected and examined in a geographical computer program which enables us to quantify the relationships in comparison with other kinds of information, for example with other characteristics of the landscape. Above all the increase in woodland is evident, passing from an initial covering of about 40% to 60% at the present time, with a greater increase in the period from 1968 to 1983. The total number of buildings also increases, especially between 1954 and 1983. The amount of land dedicated to agricultural use is reduced but there remains a fairly high percentage (about 37% in 2004). However some changes can be seen in the kinds of agriculture and the techniques used, which bring about a noticeable transformation of the landscape as a whole. The 1954 aerial photographs show a fragmentation of agricultural plots and a variety of uses in what was more of a subsistence farming. In 1968 larger plots can be seen with a greater amount of open field cultivation, maybe as a result of an increase in animal rearing on the Montello itself or in the surrounding areas. Lastly the presence of vines has increased and changed from isolated lines in fields of other crops to larger, better organized plots. The distribution of these land use types is in strict relationship with the morphology of the Montello itself. The fragmentation of the woodland and of the agriculture, noticeable above all up to 1968, is without doubt, linked to the presence of numerous sinkholes and hillocks which discourage crop growth. Despite this there is no direct rapport between the reduction in agriculture and those areas which are morphologically disadvantaged: Indeed in the second half of the last century there was a reduction in agricultural land use of one third (274ha) of the areas which could be considered the best suited to it, those with gradients of less than 10%. The rugged shapes and the karst forms (sinkholes) have today been given new uses and have created new activities on the Montello, above all of a sporting and recreational nature. As well as the development of cycling there is a motocross track which was created precisely as a result of the many steep hillocks and sinkholes. There is also increased caving (speleology) as a result of the existence of a large network of caves. As for settlements on the Montello, some key points can be recognized: - The initial colonization saw the construction of buildings mainly for rural use up to the 1950s - In a second phase, these rural buildings were transformed into a range of uses (rural, residential, recreational, hospitality) or have been partially or completely abandoned - In the period from 1954 to 1983 there was an intensive growth in the number of residential buildings, mainly second homes and larger constructions for the hospitality industry - Some settlements on the Montello or close to it continue their expansion at the present time