Analysis of Olive Grove Destruction by Xylella fastidiosa Bacterium on the Land Surface Temperature in Salento Detected Using Satellite Images

Agricultural activity replaces natural vegetation with cultivated land and it is a major cause of local global climate change. Highly specialized agricultural production leads to extensive monoculture farming low biodiversity that may landscape resilience. This the case on Salento peninsula, in Apulia Region Italy, where Xylella fastidiosa bacterium has caused mass destruction olive trees, many them monumental groves. The historical cover characterized currently transition phase can strongly affect conditions. study aims analyze how groves by X. affects Land surface temperature (LST) data detected Landsat 8 MODIS satellites are used as proxies for microclimate mitigation ecosystem services linked evolution cover. Moreover, recurrence quantification analysis was applied LST evolution. results showed least capable forest type mitigating LST, but they more than farmland, above all summer when air highest. differences average from 2014 2020 between farmland ranges 2.8 °C 0.8 °C. Furthermore, rapidly changing into values those difference reduced less third time identified six years ago. change generated started 2009 or constant behavior after 2010 without substantial variation; therefore, this serve index static situation, which indicate non-recovery non-transformation dying Failure restore initial environmental conditions be connected slow progress uprooting replacing infected plants, probably due attempts save historic aspect looking solutions avoid diseased plants. suggests social-ecological systems have responsive phytosanitary epidemics adapt ecological processes, cannot always easily controlled, produce resilient landscapes unwanted transformations.