Time series analysis of olive orchard coverage in the rural landscape: a case study of the Cartoceto Municipality

The temporal transformation of the rural landscape of Cartoceto municipality over a period of 42 years has been analyzed in this study by using the QGIS software, Land use maps, aerial photos, photo interpretation, and standardization of land use classes nomenclature and topographic data were utilised. The study area is the municipality of Cartoceto (PU), lacated in the Marche region of Central Italy, and, it is recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) called Cartoceto DOP, which is famous for producing extra virgin olive oil. The multidisciplinary analysis allowed for the identification of factors that have influenced the temporal evolution of the study area, with particular attention to olive cultivation. These insights contribute to the understanding of land use dynamics and olive landscapes, offering the opportunity to make informed decisions to ensure the sustainability and resilience of rural landscapes.