Remote sensing-supported monitoring of natural and anthropogenic hazards to cultural heritage in Ventotene and S. Stefano islands, Italy

Abstract

Cultural heritage sites are increasingly at risk due to climate change and environmental hazards, which can include floods, erosion, and ground instabilities. Climate forcing may also favour the impact of more severe anthropogenic hazards, as in the case of wildfires. In this framework, remote sensing may provide hazard quantifications and risk assessment, supporting the definition of conservation planning and protective measures. This study explores the analysis of optical satellite images to monitor and assess natural and anthropogenic threats to Ventotene and Santo Stefano islands, Italy. Specifically, we quantify damage by wildfires nearby cultural heritage sites from 2017 to 2024, while multispectral images allow a first assessment of bathymetry around the islands and deriving water constituents parameters. This enables a more comprehensive hazard analysis with a lookout on the process understanding and
definition of the risks these sites face.