Application of a Model for Evaluating the Environmental Sustainability of Cultures in Hill and Mountain Areas: The Case of Berries and Fruit Chestnuts in Northern Italy

Abstract

This study proposes to evaluate the environmental sustainability of certain productive processes, which may be of interest for the enhancement, and economic development of specific hill and mountain areas of northern Italy. In order to make a comprehensive appraisal of the impact of the various activities in each geographical context, we adopted a methodology based on AHP multicriteria analysis. In particular, this method was applied to the cultivation of berries and fruit chestnut, also with reference to alternative cultures already consolidated in the areas under investigation