Assessing built-up surface dynamics in the Ticino River Basin using multi-source LU/LC datasets: A preliminary comparative study within the INTERREG WINCA4TI project

This study developed within the INTERREG VI-A Italy–Switzerland project WINCA4TI (Water Interactions with Nature, Climate, and Agriculture for the Ticino Hydrographic Basin), investigates land use and land cover (LU/LC) changes focusing on builtup surface evolution in the Swiss portion of...

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Main Authors: L. D’Ambrosio, M. Cannata, D. Strigaro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2025-07-01
Series:The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Online Access:https://isprs-archives.copernicus.org/articles/XLVIII-4-W13-2025/95/2025/isprs-archives-XLVIII-4-W13-2025-95-2025.pdf
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author L. D’Ambrosio
M. Cannata
D. Strigaro
author_facet L. D’Ambrosio
M. Cannata
D. Strigaro
author_sort L. D’Ambrosio
collection DOAJ
description This study developed within the INTERREG VI-A Italy–Switzerland project WINCA4TI (Water Interactions with Nature, Climate, and Agriculture for the Ticino Hydrographic Basin), investigates land use and land cover (LU/LC) changes focusing on builtup surface evolution in the Swiss portion of the Ticino watershed. LU/LC data are essential for tracking environmental change, modeling nutrient flows, and guiding sustainable land management. We analyzed and compared three key LU/LC datasets available for Switzerland: the national Arealstatistik, the European CORINE Land Cover (CLC), and the Ticino Cantonal Land Cover Cadastre. These datasets differ in spatial resolution, classification systems, and acquisition methodologies. Data were harmonized regarding the coordinate system, spatial extent, and thematic classification to ensure consistency. The study focused on the ”built-up surfaces” category defined in the MODIFFUS 3.1 nutrient model. The analysis used open-source tools, such as QGIS and open data, ensuring a reproducible and transferable workflow. Results reveal significant discrepancies in the absolute values and temporal trends of built-up surfaces, depending on the dataset used. While Cadastre and Arealstatistik yield similar estimates when filtered for building-related categories, CORINE reports higher values, reflecting its suitability for national-scale analysis but limited precision in smaller, alpine regions. The findings emphasize the importance of dataset selection and class harmonization in LU/LC-based analyses, especially for integration into environmental models like MODIFFUS. This preliminary work lays the foundation for a broader comparison involving all land use categories. It supports future modeling of diffuse nutrient loads and climate adaptation strategies across the transboundary Ticino basin.
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spelling doaj-art-ececd5056fe649e7aee8eae401c66e942025-08-20T02:35:47ZengCopernicus PublicationsThe International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences1682-17502194-90342025-07-01XLVIII-4-W13-20259510110.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-4-W13-2025-95-2025Assessing built-up surface dynamics in the Ticino River Basin using multi-source LU/LC datasets: A preliminary comparative study within the INTERREG WINCA4TI projectL. D’Ambrosio0M. Cannata1D. Strigaro2Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, ItalyInstitute of Earth Sciences, Department of Architecture, Construction and Design, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Mendrisio, SwitzerlandInstitute of Earth Sciences, Department of Architecture, Construction and Design, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Mendrisio, SwitzerlandThis study developed within the INTERREG VI-A Italy–Switzerland project WINCA4TI (Water Interactions with Nature, Climate, and Agriculture for the Ticino Hydrographic Basin), investigates land use and land cover (LU/LC) changes focusing on builtup surface evolution in the Swiss portion of the Ticino watershed. LU/LC data are essential for tracking environmental change, modeling nutrient flows, and guiding sustainable land management. We analyzed and compared three key LU/LC datasets available for Switzerland: the national Arealstatistik, the European CORINE Land Cover (CLC), and the Ticino Cantonal Land Cover Cadastre. These datasets differ in spatial resolution, classification systems, and acquisition methodologies. Data were harmonized regarding the coordinate system, spatial extent, and thematic classification to ensure consistency. The study focused on the ”built-up surfaces” category defined in the MODIFFUS 3.1 nutrient model. The analysis used open-source tools, such as QGIS and open data, ensuring a reproducible and transferable workflow. Results reveal significant discrepancies in the absolute values and temporal trends of built-up surfaces, depending on the dataset used. While Cadastre and Arealstatistik yield similar estimates when filtered for building-related categories, CORINE reports higher values, reflecting its suitability for national-scale analysis but limited precision in smaller, alpine regions. The findings emphasize the importance of dataset selection and class harmonization in LU/LC-based analyses, especially for integration into environmental models like MODIFFUS. This preliminary work lays the foundation for a broader comparison involving all land use categories. It supports future modeling of diffuse nutrient loads and climate adaptation strategies across the transboundary Ticino basin.https://isprs-archives.copernicus.org/articles/XLVIII-4-W13-2025/95/2025/isprs-archives-XLVIII-4-W13-2025-95-2025.pdf
spellingShingle L. D’Ambrosio
M. Cannata
D. Strigaro
Assessing built-up surface dynamics in the Ticino River Basin using multi-source LU/LC datasets: A preliminary comparative study within the INTERREG WINCA4TI project
The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
title Assessing built-up surface dynamics in the Ticino River Basin using multi-source LU/LC datasets: A preliminary comparative study within the INTERREG WINCA4TI project
title_full Assessing built-up surface dynamics in the Ticino River Basin using multi-source LU/LC datasets: A preliminary comparative study within the INTERREG WINCA4TI project
title_fullStr Assessing built-up surface dynamics in the Ticino River Basin using multi-source LU/LC datasets: A preliminary comparative study within the INTERREG WINCA4TI project
title_full_unstemmed Assessing built-up surface dynamics in the Ticino River Basin using multi-source LU/LC datasets: A preliminary comparative study within the INTERREG WINCA4TI project
title_short Assessing built-up surface dynamics in the Ticino River Basin using multi-source LU/LC datasets: A preliminary comparative study within the INTERREG WINCA4TI project
title_sort assessing built up surface dynamics in the ticino river basin using multi source lu lc datasets a preliminary comparative study within the interreg winca4ti project
url https://isprs-archives.copernicus.org/articles/XLVIII-4-W13-2025/95/2025/isprs-archives-XLVIII-4-W13-2025-95-2025.pdf
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