Climate change, altering the precipitation patterns, is intensifying soil degradation due to the reduction of soil moisture, posing serious risks to global food production. In this framework, the present research aimed to evaluate if the addition of polymers, obtained by marine organisms, improved water retention in degraded soils and if it caused soil toxicity (PRIN […]

This study examines the landscape transformations in the Monti Prenestini area of Lazio, Italy, from 1990 to 2023. It analyses changes in land cover dynamics and spatial structure using a landscape ecology approach. The study area covers approximately 229 km² and is ecologically significant due to its diverse habitats, which include forests, shrublands, grasslands, and […]

Climate change, causing a systematic and directional alteration on key abiotic niche dimensions, is resulting in individual level responses with cascading impact on populations, species and communities threatening the current adaptation, coadaptation and coevolutive equilibrium status of Earth ecosystems. Among individual level responses, those related to the cost of life (expressed as the metabolic costs) […]

Forests account for a significant portion of the global net primary productivity and provide essential ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and regulation of the hydrological cycle. In recent decades, the increasing frequency and intensity of drought conditions has threatened forest health in many parts of the world, negatively affecting physiological processes and increasing […]

  In recent years, Sicily has experienced a reduction in forest areas due to fires, which have depleted the heritage accumulated through reforestation efforts over the past century. The new European Nature Restoration Law and the National Forestry Strategy (NFS) provide a fresh impetus by setting binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems and strengthen the […]

In Sicily, a Mediterranean island characterized by high biodiversity and increasing anthropogenic pressure, forest connectivity is a key indicator for assessing ecosystem health and guiding effective conservation and management strategies.  This study aims to identify degraded areas, areas in need of protection, and potential zones for reforestation efforts, by investigating changes in forest connectivity between […]

This study is part of the BIOSFeR3a project, that aims to explore the relationship between specific and functional biodiversity at various levels: from landscape to plants, to microorganisms, with a particular focus on the functions relevant to the biogeochemical cycles that most contribute to climate change, i.e. the carbon cycle and the nitrogen cycle. The […]

The Mediterranean fan mussel Pinna nobilis (L. 1758) has undergone since 2016 severe Mass Mortality Events (MMEs), leading to a drastic decline of the species throughout its entire range. The distribution and structure of Pinna nobilis remnant populations in the Venice Lagoon, one of the largest Mediterranean coastal transitional ecosystems, have been investigated through multiple […]

Since 2016, the protected species Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758) has been impacted by a widespread epidemic, causing Mass Mortality Events throughout the entire Mediterranean. The Northern Adriatic was affected in 2019, with mortality up to 100% in marine populations, in particular on bio-geogenic outcrops locally known as “tegnùe” and “trezze”. Within the Interreg IT-SI TRECap […]

Urban forests play a central role in supporting biodiversity and providing ecosystem services such as carbon storage, air purification and runoff mitigation. However, current models used in urban contexts are often static or oversimplified, limiting their ability to represent ecological dynamics and to inform long-term planning under changing environmental conditions. We present a dynamic, individual-based […]

The unprecedented climate warming is profoundly altering all aspects of life. Metabolic rate, a key physiological and ecological trait, mediates the effects of climate change, providing significant predictive power for forecasting its impact. Understanding and accurately predicting metabolic responses to changing temperatures is therefore essential for anticipating species’ vulnerabilities, adaptive capacity, and broader ecosystem consequences. […]

The assessment of the impact of bioaccumulable pollutants on the extracellular fraction of model organisms is crucial for understanding ecotoxicological risks. In this study, the hemolytic activity of acellular coelomic fluid from Eisenia fetida was analyzed on sheep erythrocytes as a model to monitor the functionality of extracellular proteins exposed to environmental contaminants. An integrated […]

Climate warming is affecting nutrient cycling in Arctic lake ecosystems, impacting global carbon emissions. Indeed, Arctic lakes are significant carbon sinks, where low temperatures and nutrient scarcity limit carbon release both from the soil and from waters. However, lakes are shrinking at approximately 1500-2000 Km2 annually due to warming, while nutrient levels are rising due to […]

In the last three decades, an increasing number of man-made marine hard defence structures have been built as a rapid and cost-effective means of coastal protection. The idea of integrating ecological principles into urban infrastructures is relatively new and challenging. Using coastal structures to host endangered species holds a significant promise for biodiversity conservation in […]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent a class of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) characterized by strong carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds, amphiphilic properties, and exceptional resistance to environmental degradation. These physicochemical attributes have led to extensive industrial and consumer applications, resulting in widespread environmental contamination. Consequently, PFAS compounds have been ubiquitously detected across various environmental compartments, raising […]

The coralligenous habitat is a key subtidal ecosystem in the Mediterranean Sea, considered as a biodiversity hotspot due to its structural complexity and ecological services it provides. This habitat is primarily built by crustose coralline algae (CCA), which form biogenic structures that support diverse marine communities. Despite its ecological importance, this habitat is under increasing […]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ultra‑persistent anthropogenic chemicals whose strength of the C–F bond facilitates long-range atmospheric transport and trophic transfer. Applying a One Health framework, we bridged field surveys, mesocosm food‑web simulations and structure–function analyses to characterize ecological and neurotoxic liabilities of both legacy and emerging PFAS congeners. Field sampling at a brackish […]

Nature 4.0 is a conceptual framework describing the integration of advanced digital technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics — into the monitoring, management, and restoration of natural ecosystems. It represents the next phase of conservation and environmental stewardship, enabled by cyber-physical systems. Nature 4.0 envisions a cybernetic ecology, where […]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of over 4,700 synthetic chemicals, known for their high thermal and chemical stability, as well as hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. These features have led to their widespread use in products such as non-stick coatings, firefighting foams, and waterproof textiles. However, their extensive use has caused continuous release […]

Agroecology offers a comprehensive framework for guiding sustainable agricultural transitions, integrating ecological science, local knowledge, and socio-political dimensions. By promoting diversified, ecologically grounded practices, agroecology aims to enhance ecosystem services (ES) while increasing system resilience and reducing environmental impacts. This study applies agroecology both as a theoretical lens and as an analytical basis to evaluate […]

As an effect of climate change, several regions of the world are likely to suffer increasingly severe droughts. This will cause increasing stress to urban plants, which are often already affected by pollution, inadequate management and heat island effects. Droughts also pose a threat to food security. It is therefore fundamental to improve technologies and management practices to […]

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) comprise a large, heterogeneous group of chemicals that raises concerns for both human and environmental health. Recently, the attention has shifted toward emerging PFAS, expected to be less persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic than long-chain relatives, but more used and discharged in environment. However, up to date, the information on the […]

Seagrasses are habitat-forming organisms providing key ecosystem services in coastal marine environments, including carbon sequestration, habitat provision, and water clarification. Anthropic pressures on coastal areas are major drivers of global seagrass regression. In the Mediterranean Sea, Posidonia oceanica meadows have experienced a documented decline over the past century. Therefore, restoration and conservation initiatives are increasing, […]

Fire is a critical ecological disturbance with both ecological benefits and socio-economic implications. Across fire-prone ecosystems, different fire regimes can be found, reflecting a combination of climatic factors and of different plant species characteristics. While the role of plant characteristics such as fuel load and flammability has long been recognized, recent theoretical studies have emphasized […]

Wetlands are among the world's most productive ecosystems, providing crucial services including carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gases (GHG) mitigation. However, human pressures and warming increasingly threaten these ecosystems. Particularly, reduced water levels due to rising temperatures can lead to the emergence of organic matter stored in sediments, increasing decomposition and GHG emissions. Understanding wetland responses […]

Sensor-based monitoring is redefining field ecology, offering new perspectives for high-frequency, low-disturbance data collection. The MonOrniTech pilot project, launched in 2024 in the Lakes Lungo and Ripasottile Nature Reserve (Central Italy), aims to validate the use of Smart Nest Boxes (SNBs) as a scalable tool for long-term ornithological monitoring in protected wetland ecosystems. A total […]

Due to multiple anthropogenic and climatic stressors, macroalgal forests are undergoing a rapid decline. These valuable ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea support biodiversity and provide important ecosystem services. This highlights the importance of studies in this field regarding the adaptability of macroalgae to various environmental conditions. This research focuses on the macroalga, Gongolaria barbata, an element […]

Lake Trasimeno is a closed lake known for its shallow waters and serves a valuable sentinel site for assessing climate-driven impacts. It is also a long-term ecological research (LTER) site and has been the subject of naturalistic and ecological research since the last century. The LTER network plays a pivotal role in tracking and forecasting […]

Freshwater ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors, with increasing concern over emerging contaminants that may affect aquatic organisms and compromise overall ecosystem health. Among these, substances with teratogenic potential represent an ecotoxicological concern that remains largely unregulated under the current Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), despite growing evidence of their biological impact. This […]

Plastic litter accumulating in riverine riparian habitats is a threat of global concern. Macrolitter items, being highly visible (items > 0.5 cm) and impactful pollutants, pose significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Although research recently started to address plastic entrapment, large-scale studies and predictive models aiming at reducing biases and uncertainties in understanding plastic […]

Increasing conservation targets to protect biodiversity and safeguard sustainability is seen as one-way for humankind. The Half earth concept proposed by E.O. Wilson led to a debate over whether and how this can be achieved given increasing societal needs and pressure for land. The new European Biodiversity Strategy (EBS) for 2030 calls among other things […]

Body size is a fundamental functional trait that integrates various morphological and physiological characteristics, which respond differently to environmental pressures. When expressed as body mass, body size provides insights into energy flows, scaling up from individual to ecosystem levels using the integrative theoretical approach of the Metabolic Theory of Ecology (MTE; Brown et al., 2004). […]

The semi-enclosed nature of the Mediterranean Sea makes it particularly susceptible to rising temperatures, making it a recognised hotspot of climate change. A direct consequence is the increased frequency of prolonged periods of elevated temperatures, called ‘heatwaves’, which have been associated with an increase in mass mortality events among vulnerable marine species, as well as […]

Understanding patterns shaping marine species connectivity is essential for effective management of marine resources and the development of conservation strategies. Yet, incorporating connectivity into marine spatial planning remains challenging due to the complex dynamics linking species’ dispersal and environmental variability. For instance, detailed information on spawning grounds is often lacking, complicating the identification of connectivity […]

In the context of the NBFC (National Biodiversity Future Center), the MARES (Marine Ecosystem Restoration) project, financed through European Union funds, has developed standardized protocols for the restoration of a suite of degraded marine ecosystems under different socio-ecological settings. Ecosystem restoration is a key activity necessary to maintain natural capital and ensure the provisioning of […]

Alpine lakes are ecologically sensitive and relatively pristine ecosystems where fish introductions or changes in predator populations can have significant cascading effects on native biota. In this study, we investigate the diet composition of salmonids in three glacial lakes of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in northeastern Italy: Fusine Inferiore (928 m a.s.l.), Fusine Superiore […]

Climate change is intensifying the spread and severity of biotic stressors, altering the interactions between trees and pathogens, and increasing the vulnerability of many species across both urban and forest environments. In this scenario, it becomes crucial to assess how trees already affected by biotic agents respond physiologically not only to environmental conditions but also […]

The increasing anthropogenic release of gadolinium (Gd), a rare earth element, primarily from medical contrast agents, raises concern about its environmental fate and ecotoxicological effects in freshwater ecosystems. Gd can reach remote alpine lakes through long-range atmospherictransport and deposition, leading to its accumulation in cold, oligotrophic environments. These ecosystems are particularly vulnerable due to their […]

The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is one of the most iconic, yet vulnerable, species of marine megafauna. A well-established concept in marine turtle ecology is that C. caretta migrates between oceanic and neritic habitats, changing its foraging strategies throughout its life history. This study aims to shed light on the diet of C. caretta in […]

Coastal lagoons can be considered "sentinel systems" for detecting climate change impacts. Indeed, extreme events like marine heat waves (MHWs) can severely impact coastal lagoons at all levels of the ecological organization. In coastal lagoons the benthic compartment plays a crucial role in ecosystem functioning and is a good indicator of ongoing changes. Despite this, […]

Coastal dunes represent ecologically rich yet fragile environments, demanding improved indicators for effective biodiversity assessment. While moths are increasingly acknowledged as bioindicators, their distribution and diversity within dune ecosystems are still insufficiently explored. This study investigates the taxonomic and functional diversity of moths belonging to the superfamily Noctuoidea on changing abiotic factors such as dune […]

To assess the effectiveness of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), a cornerstone of biodiversity conservation in Europe, EU Member States are required to submit a national report every six years. This contributes to a comprehensive European evaluation of the conservation status of habitats and species of community interest. In Italy, the fifth national report (covering the […]

Sustainable agriculture strongly depends on plant - soil - microorganisms interactions to regulate nutrient cycling, enhance stress resilience and maintain biodiversity. Recent researches underscore the strategic role of microbe-rich soil zones, as rhizosphere and rhizosheath, which act as dynamic interfaces supporting nutrient turn-over and plant growth. In parallel, the adoption of pollinator‑friendly plant mixes (PM) […]

Arctic marine ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots essential for commercial exploitation and ecosystem management. These typically nutrient-limited environments, experience seasonal fluctuations in resource availability driven by variation in light, sea-ice cover, and terrestrial runoff. Climate change alters temperature and precipitation patterns, resulting in increased terrestrial inputs and reduced sea-ice extent, which effect on timing and quantity […]

Environmental impacts due to urbanisation are increasingly affecting human well-being. Urban metabolism consistently contributes to environmental pollution and degradation, while existing green infrastructures are often insufficient to counterbalance these pressures through the supply of ecosystem services. In this context, this study proposes a novel framework that integrates ecosystem service accounting and Life Cycle Assessment to […]

Healthy ecosystems and biodiversity underpin human well-being. However, increasing anthropogenic pressures are driving environmental degradation, depleting natural capital stocks and undermining the capacity of ecosystems to provide essential ecosystem services. As ecosystem degradation is now recognised as a multidimensional crisis (environmental, economic, and social), the demand for integrated frameworks has grown, aiming to reflect both […]

Ecosystem condition refers to the quality of an ecosystem, both natural and anthropogenic, such as urban ecosystems. It is typically measured through abiotic and biotic variables, some serving as proxies for ecosystem processes or functions on which the supply of ecosystem services depends. While the linkage between ecosystem condition and ecosystem services is widely recognized, […]

Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) poses a significant threat to Mediterranean coralligenous habitats. Such threat stems from the gear's presence on the seafloor and the mechanical harm it causes during its persistence and removal. This is particularly concerning given the slow growth rate of coralligenous species, which limits the habitat's capacity to […]

The Lagoon of Venice is a complex mosaic of benthic habitats, which are strongly controlled by benthic fluxes (exchanges of nutrients, oxygen, sediment, organic matter, contaminants, etc.) between the bed and the overlying water column. Turbulent energy production and dissipation, bed shear stress and velocity gradients control these fluxes and vertical gradients of such parameters […]

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are increasingly applied to enhance crop productivity and support sustainable agriculture. Among them, Pseudomonas spp. have demonstrated multiple beneficial traits, including nutrient mobilization, phytohormone production, and suppression of soilborne pathogens. However, there is growing evidence that the introduction of PGPR may also impact native soil microbial communities by altering their composition, […]

In the context of global climate change, the increasing frequency of droughts in Alpine streams represents a recent and underexplored phenomenon. This study adopts a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the response of three Alpine rivers in Northwestern Italy to severe hydrological stress during an exceptionally dry year (2022). While climate change is often framed in […]

Marine ecosystems are undergoing profound transformations due to climate change, challenging both biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources. To ensure long-term effectiveness, marine spatial planning (MSP) must become ‘climate-smart’: it should preserve ecological functions and biodiversity under future conditions while ensuring the continued viability of the blue economy. Here, we identify climate […]

Coastal lagoons provide many ecosystem goods and societal benefits to humanity, but their ability to pursue the provision of ecosystem services (ESs) under changing climate is under threat. Among these services, food provisioning from small-scale fisheries and aquaculture is essential for the subsistence and economy of local communities. While several frameworks have guided research for […]

Anthropogenic global change is reshaping spatial patterns in biodiversity and the ecosystem services it underpins. In this context, ecological modelling techniques are being widely implemented to investigate the distribution of species and the composition of biotic communities across multiple surface ecosystems, anticipating biodiversity shifts and contributing to design effective conservation measures. On the other hand, […]

The recent expansion of the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus along Mediterranean coasts has posed serious ecological and economic challenges, particularly for small-scale fisheries. One of the major issues reported by local fishing communities is the significant economic loss resulting from the destruction of fishing gear and the target catch eaten by the crabs. To […]

Long-term ecological research and monitoring reveal how ecosystems change across decades by tracking spatial and temporal patterns. They offer snapshots on shifting communities and biodiversity loss driven by anthropogenic and climate-related stressors, thereby supporting biodiversity conservation and resource management. In the case of zooplankton, several historical collections around the world span multiple decades. Researchers often […]

Ecosystems worldwide are rapidly changing.  In the Mediterranean Sea, one of the world’s fastest-warming marine regions, two major drivers are the spread of invasive alien species (IAS) and changing environmental conditions. Concurrently, warming conditions can facilitate IAS establishment. The focus of this study is to understand the dynamics between the description of invasions and research […]

Habitat Tree: Home for Biodiversity is a research project aimed at studying the specific biodiversity associated with mature and old-growth trees. Trees were studied in various areas, from urban parks to protected areas of high natural value (the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park, Sasso Simone Natural Park). Beyond the scientific results (i.e., a tree […]

The introduction of non-native species can lead to biodiversity loss and disruption of ecological functions, with cascading impacts on ecosystem services, especially in intensively exploited socio-ecological systems. Among these species, the Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) has gained widespread attention due to its recent invasion of the Northern Adriatic coast since 2023. This study aims […]

The increasing frequency and intensity of droughts in the Mediterranean Basin poses the ecosystems of this biodiversity hotspot at risk, despite their adaptation to arid and semi-arid conditions. The concept of ecosystem resilience has been widely applied in framing the impacts of global changes on ecosystems, yet the transferability of the metrics used is rarely […]

Coralligenous habitat represents one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean Sea. Structured by calcareous encrusting algae and hosting a wide array of sessile and mobile marine species, it provides key ecosystem services such as coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and nursery areas. However, increasing anthropogenic pressures, particularly from fishing activities, pose serious threats […]

Transdisciplinary Place-Based Research, participatory co-management and active stakeholders’ involvement are often overlooked and oversimplified concepts when dealing with MPAs. Here, we analyze the results of mixed methodologies applied in the urban MPA of “Capo Gallo – Isola delle Femmine” (Palermo).  A focus group supported by a pile-sorting exercise allowed to select the priorities expressed by multiple […]

Mediterranean transitional waters are vital ecosystems that provide essential services such as water filtration, carbon sequestration, and habitat support, while also acting as buffers against climate change impacts like sea-level rise and temperature fluctuations. However, these ecosystems face increasing threats from non-indigenous species (NIS), pollution, and human activities, emphasizing the need for effective conservation strategies. […]

Climate change is significantly altering the structure and function of agroecosystems, including woody perennial crops such as Olea europaea (olive trees), which are increasingly recognized for their role in carbon sequestration and ecosystem resilience across Mediterranean landscapes. Following the recent inclusion of woody crops in the EU Carbon Removals Certification Framework (Regulation EU 2024/3012), this […]

Proforestation is increasingly recognized as an effective strategy for enhancing biodiversity, particularly through the promotion of structural complexity and habitat heterogeneity. In this study, we investigated the effects of forest management abandonment on bird communities in a Mediterranean forest in Croatia. We compared three forest stands representing stages of proforestation: one actively managed, one abandoned […]

Faced with today’s major environmental challenges, the food system remains one of the most critical sectors due to its deep impact on the environment and people’s lives. The European SWITCH project aims to promote healthy and sustainable diets across Europe by overcoming barriers related to accessibility and knowledge sharing. The project’s actions, implemented in six […]

Sandy and muddy seabed ecosystems are key components of marine carbon cycling, contributing to climate regulation through carbon storage and nutrient flux modulation. However, anthropogenic activities such as bottom trawling disturb sediments, potentially resuspending and oxidizing buried carbon, and compromising long-term carbon sequestration capacity. This project investigates the impact of bottom trawling on carbon stocks […]

In the framework of the PRIN PNRR 2022M7S2J SeaForSoil project, the exploitation of biopolymers from marine extremophiles, which play an important role in situ for survival in adverse environmental conditions including dehydration, could contribute to the development of new strategies to increase soil water retention in water scarcity conditions. To investigate the hydrating capabilities of […]

The fish communities of three Nigerian lakes (Ureje, Egbe, and Ero) were assessed tounderstand biodiversity status, community structure, and condition, with implications forconservation and sustainable management. Data were collected over a period of sevenmonths (April–October 2024) using a combination of biodiversity metrics (species richness,diversity indices, and relative abundance) and population health indicators (length–weightrelationships and condition […]

Species Distribution Modelling (SDM, also known as Habitat Distribution Modelling) is a framework that allows reconstructing the potential range of a species based on its occurrences and environmental factors of interest. It is often used to inform habitat restoration (for example, by taking into account future climatic scenarios) and ecological planning (e.g. for invasive species). […]

Soil microarthropods, through their feeding habit, are widely recognized as responsible for organic matter turnover and energy flow. A species-level approach is essential to reveal fine-scale ecological patterns and spatial organization within their communities. The present research, combining species-level identification with trait-based analysis, investigated the distribution of the main groups of microarthropods such as Oribatida […]

Mediterranean ecosystems experience frequent fires that significantly affect soil biodiversity and functioning. Soil Collembola plays fundamental roles in the decomposition process and in microbial regulation. Moreover, they are early colonizers of disturbed environments, such as burnt areas. The present research aimed: i) to analyse the recovery trajectories and the functional trait shifts inside the Collembola […]

Assessing the ecological condition and resilience of the Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile prairie require the use of phenological and structural traits as reliable indicators. This study investigates P. oceanica prairie inside and outside the Marine Protected Area (MPA) "Costa degli Infreschi e della Masseta" (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy), to evaluate the effectiveness of MPA protection measures through […]

This study investigates the response of soil microbial community to spontaneous afforestation - a natural rewilding process that has been ongoing for decades across both national and European levels following land abandonment. The main objectives are to: i) characterize changes in topsoil physico-chemical properties and the associated microbial community response along the successional gradient, ii) […]

Climate change is increasingly affecting marine ecosystems, and its impacts on coastal environments remain complex and difficult to disentangle. Natural CO₂ vents offer a valuable in situ model for investigating the ecological and physiological consequences of ocean acidification. The island of Vulcano, in the Aeolian archipelago, hosts submerged CO₂ emissions, particularly in Levante Bay, where […]

Photogrammetry has become an increasingly popular tool for the characterization and mapping of underwater habitats in the last decade. Compared to other methodologies, it is cost-effective, non-destructive and allows for repeatable high-resolution measurements. Ecological and morphological information regarding epibentic underwater communities can be extracted from high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), orthoimages and 3D models created […]

The increasing demand for rare earth elements (REEs), essential for modern technologies, is accompanied by significant environmental impacts caused by conventional mining activities, which compromise natural capital and the associated ecosystem services such as water quality and biodiversity. At the same time, the growing production of electronic waste (e-waste) represents a potential source of critical […]

Forests play a critical role in the global carbon cycle, acting as either carbon sinks or sources depending on natural and anthropogenic factors. Understanding these dynamics, particularly in remote, hard-to-reach forests, is essential for addressing climate change. The RemoTrees project aims to bridge the gap between satellite Earth Observations (EO) and in-situ data to improve the accuracy […]

The increasing use of biodegradable plastics, derived from both fossil and renewable resources, raises questions about their actual degradation and ecological interactions in aquatic environments. While these materials are designed to be more environmentally friendly, their persistence and the biological communities they host under natural conditions remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the […]

Ecological systems are complex: interactions between organisms and their environment combine in ways that are difficult to represent or predict. Emergent properties, which are not apparent from the analysis of individual components, may arise from the intricate interplay of those components across different spatial and temporal scales. In the context of the PRIN 2020 project […]

The functioning of plant-pollinator mutualistic networks is crucial for ecosystem service provisioning and biodiversity maintenance. These communities are, however, heavily affected by both global and local scale environmental and human-induced changes, as shown by the alarming rate at which wild pollinators' abundance and richness are declining worldwide. We propose an ecological, process-based mathematical model describing […]

This research aims to evaluate the role of three common wetlands macrophytes, Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia, and Glyceria maxima, in nitrogen removal processes, with a focus on the conditions affecting the emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O), a potent greenhouse gas. Nutrient and gas fluxes were measured using mesocosms containing the three plant species, along with […]

Freshwater environments are globally recognised as biodiversity hotspot, hosting 10% of all known species in just 1% of Earth’s surface. These ecosystems are not only important for aquatic species but also surrounding environments, providing vital ecosystem services. However, Alpine freshwater environments are both fragile and under pressure by climate change and human activities. For instance, […]

Microplastic (MP) pollution is increasingly recognized as a global environmental concern, both in marine and freshwater ecosystems, with the latter acting both as MP transport pathways and accumulation zones. Despite the growing interest and research, there is still a lack of information about MP pollution in freshwater systems, especially for lowland hydrological networks, where small […]

Gadolinium (Gd), a rare earth element extensively utilized in medical imaging and industrial applications, is increasingly present in aquatic ecosystems. This study investigates tissue-specific accumulation and antioxidant responses in Procambarus clarkii after 14-day exposure to environmentally relevant Gd concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 µg/L). Gd accumulation occurred in the gills and hepatopancreas at higher […]

Freshwater ecosystems are increasingly impacted by chemical stressors, with microplastic (MP) pollution emerging as a significant threat to aquatic life. Bivalves, such as mussels, are widely used in biomonitoring programs to assess ecological pressure from MPs. This study investigates the impact of MP accumulation on oxidative stress biomarkers in freshwater mussels (Unio elongatulus) from Sacchetti […]

The European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) plays a crucial role in European forests, supporting high levels of biodiversity and delivering key ecosystem services. However, beech forests are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly at the southern edge of their distribution (i.e. the Mediterranean region), where climate change threatens their structure and functions. […]

Invasive alien species (IAS) are typically viewed as threats to biodiversity, but they may also serve a valuable role in environmental monitoring. Due to their high abundance, wide distribution, and resilience to environmental stressors, IAS offer practical advantages as bioindicators of pollution, particularly in ecosystems where native species are rare, protected, or declining. Their capacity […]

Alpine forest ecosystems have increasingly experienced extreme disturbances due to climate-related events. In October 2018, Storm Vaia struck the Italian Alps, followed by widespread outbreaks of the bark beetle Ips typographus. These events impacted forest structure, offering the opportunity to study post-disturbance bird community dynamics. We investigated species richness, diversity, and turnover in bird assemblages […]

Bees are responsible for the pollination of approximately 70% of the planet’s plant species and play a vital role in maintaining the structure and functioning of ecosystems. Due to their foraging behavior and constant exposure to environmental conditions, bees can reflect local environmental quality. Pollutants may bioaccumulate in their tissues and in hive products, potentially […]

Maintaining or restoring connectivity among protected areas is widely recognised as a strategy to improve ecosystems resilience and populations viability. The recent emphasis of international policies on increasing protected surface worldwide offers a unique opportunity to embed connectivity into the spatial planning of new sites, thereby maximising the effectiveness of conservation investments.In the context of […]

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants characterized by high hydrophobicity and specific surface area, which facilitate the adsorption of pollutants. Among MPs, glitter is commonly found in cosmetics, handicrafts, and special coatings. Glitters come in various shapes and sizes and are primarily composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They typically have a metal […]

Specific level of ecological sensitivity and human pressures can affect the fragility of an area, intended as the opposite of ecological resilience. Therefore, the aims of this research are: (1) the analysis, mapping and classification of the special area of conservation (SAC) in terms of ecological sensitivity and human pressures; and (2) the assessment and […]

Transitional aquatic ecosystems are characterized by much greater levels of environmental variability and ecological productivity than are typically found in marine ecosystems. Fish fauna present in transitional ecosystems must and are able to cope with the high variability and instability of the abiotic environment in order to utilize the abundant trophic resources available in these […]

Wildfires are among the main disturbances affecting forest ecosystems, with significant impacts on soil quality and microbial biodiversity. The intense heat generated during fires causes major physical, chemical, and biological changes in soils, altering nutrient availability, organic matter, and microbial community structure. These disruptions affect biogeochemical cycles, reduce soil fertility and water retention, and increase […]

In recent years, concepts such as the circular economy and the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) have reshaped our priorities. Traditional wastewater treatment plants often fall short in terms of sustainability standards; they require a significant amount of space, time, and energy to remove contaminants. Moreover, they often are inefficient against emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, […]

Soils provide important ecosystem services, including climate and nutrient cycling regulation, and food supply, which can be compromised by their degradation. According to the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), above 60 % of European soils are in an unhealthy state, which mainly consists of the loss of soil organic carbon (SOC) and biodiversity. Consequentially, […]

Microphytobenthic assemblages are fundamental components of shallow coastal marine environments, contributing significantly to primary production, nutrient cycling, and mediating biogeochemical interactions between sediments and water column. Although all microalgal classes are represented in these communities, diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) are the most dominant. Epiphytic diatoms, in particular, are able to colonize the leaf surfaces of marine seagrasses, […]

Marine acoustic monitoring is a non-invasive tool for studying marine biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics through the analysis of the underwater soundscape. This method enables the detection of cryptic species and behaviours not easily observed through traditional visual surveys. It also helps to assess anthropogenic disturbance, as noise pollution. Posidonia oceanica meadows, protected under the Habitat […]

The Mediterranean Sea is undergoing increasing acidification, with surface ocean acidity having risen by approximately 26% since pre-industrial times. Due to its semi-enclosed nature, the Mediterranean basin may experience intensified impacts, particularly on autotrophic organisms such as macroalgae in rocky shore habitats. Natural CO₂ vents of Ischia Island (Italy) provide a unique natural laboratory for […]

The microsporidian parasite Astathelohania contejeani is the causative agent of porcelain disease, achronic infection affecting populations of the endangered European crayfish Austropotamobiuspallipes complex and the vulnerable noble crayfish Astacus astacus across Europe. The disease ischaracterized by progressive tissue degeneration and whitening of the abdominal muscles,ultimately leading to the death of infected individuals. Porcelain disease has […]

The project BIOSFER3A aims at exploring the relationship between biodiversity and functionality in natural ecosystems, with a particular focus on the role of forest ecosystems in the carbon and nitrogen cycles and greenhouse gas balance in the atmosphere. It also explores the role of climate change and fire in shaping the response of forest C […]

Climate change is accelerating ocean acidification, making it essential to understand the adaptive strategies enabling marine species to cope with the changing environment. In this context, natural acidification sites provide a unique opportunity to explore both short- and long-term responses of marine organisms. In this study, we examined, for the first time, the survival strategies […]

Both growth estimation and otoliths analysis represent a valuable source of information that can be used to reconstruct life-history traits of species, to investigate its trophic interactions, and delineate its stock structure. In this study, we focused on analysing the growth pattern and otolith’s shape of the spotted flounder Citharus linguatula (Linnaeus, 1758) with the […]

Global warming is triggering increasingly frequent mass-mortality events (MMEs) in Mediterranean benthic habitats. Documented MMEs involve coralligenous communities, reef-building assemblages that have recurrently collapsed since the 1980s. Occupying a narrow thermal range, these habitat-formers are highly susceptible to extreme marine heatwaves and environmental anomalies. Although inclusion within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) reduces local pressures, their […]

Setting up sustainable life support systems for long-term Lunar missions requires the implementation of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) techniques and the identification of possible substrates, such as Lunar regolith, for different uses and applications. However, the environmental and health compatibility of this substrate needs to be investigated. Literature toxicological data on Lunar regolith simulants (LRS) […]

Posidonia oceanica meadows are vital components of the marine carbon sink, playing a key role in carbon sequestration and storage and, therefore, in climate change mitigation. The species forms unique structures known as mattes, characterized by the complex intertwining of the sediment matrix, seagrass shoots, and rhizomes, creating a low-oxygen environment. Beyond stabilizing the seafloor, […]

We are currently implementing a set of plant biodiversity modelling analyses to support habitat restoration, conservation, and ecological planning. To achieve this, a crucial challenge is to ensure that the resulting ecosystems are adequately functioning and able to provide the necessary ecological services. We integrate existing data and approaches in workflows and analyses that include:  • […]

The European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) aims to assess a “Good Environmental Status” (GES) based on the analysis of 11 Descriptors. Among them, investigating the food webs (Descriptor 4) helps to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic and climate change on the functioning of marine ecosystems. The present study analyzed, with specific ecological indicators, […]

Intensive agricultural practices have led to progressive soil degradation, in terms of organic matter exacerbated by the co-occurrence of heavy metals and pharmaceutical residues. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a green compost (GC), derived from vegetal waste, in improving the quality of an agricultural soil with low organic carbon and reduced microbial […]

Glaciers are increasingly recognised as ecosystems in their own right, yet the ecological processes underpinning life on ice remain poorly understood. In particular, we lack detailed knowledge of supraglacial biodiversity, population structures, trophic interactions, and the fluxes of energy and matter that sustain these extreme habitats. Here, we present the first insights into the ecological […]

Anthropogenic disturbances, such as urbanization and soil degradation, significantly alter the structure and function of ecological systems, particularly in Mediterranean regions. Technosols, urban soils derived from organic and mineral waste, are increasingly used for urban greening, yet their limited nutrient availability constrains plant productivity. This study examines how Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) can mitigate the […]

In the Gulf of Naples, Italy, a rare prolonged low tide event lasting approximately eleven days, caused by a natural inverted barometer effect, determined extreme environmental conditions providing a singular opportunity to directly observe the long-term adaptive and recovery mechanisms of an Ellisolandia elongata population. This species, inhabiting the low rocky shore intertidal zone, represents […]

“Gran Bosco della Mesola” (1,058 ha) is one of the last and best-preserved remnants of the lowland forests that once covered the northern Adriatic coast. Since 1977, it has been a nature reserve managed by Carabinieri per la Biodiversità, Punta Marina section. The reserve eatures dunes, woodlands, and especially ponds and canals, which underwent severe […]

Ecopsychology allows the transition from an egocentric vision to an earthly citizenship, amplifying the awareness of a planetary belonging. Through an active practice in Nature, it helps to recover ancestral biophilia with a significant reduction of typical distress of our time. In the ASL Napoli 2 nord, for the workers well-being , individual and group mindfulness […]

Invasive alien species are among the main global drivers of biodiversity loss, posing major challenges to nature conservation and causing substantial ecological and economic impacts. This study, part of the PRIN PREVALIEN project funded by MUR & Next Generation EU, examines 130 alien vascular plants, including invasive species of European Union concern (EU Regulation No […]

Restoring degraded soils and improving soil quality in agroecosystems are key objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To improve soil quality, modern agriculture mostly relies on inorganic soil fertilizers, which undoubtedly improve crop yields and some soil characteristics, but adversely affect the environment. Consequently, there is a growing demand for eco-friendly […]

Coral reefs worldwide confront escalating threats, characterized by heightened sedimentation and diminished light penetration due to extensive land reclamation and coastal development. This critical issue is exemplified by the drastic reduction in underwater visibility, notably in Singapore, where levels have dwindled from over 10 meters in the 1960s to approximately 2 meters today. This study […]

Climate change, land cover changes, and fuel accumulation are altering the historical fire regimes in Mediterranean fire-prone ecosystems. Understanding the impacts of fire-regime modifications on post-fire recovery/regeneration is critical, but challenging across broad spatial scales. Within fire perimeters, “fire refugia” i.e. unburned or less severely burned areas, contain residual pre-fire vegetation and facilitate species persistence […]

In recent decades, both the number and severity of fires have significantly increased in Mediterranean forests thus affecting trees productivity, growth and vitality. Comparing tree growth before and after a fire event can be used as a proxy of tree resilience and resistance. Resilience can be defined as the capacity to return to pre-disturbance functioning and […]

Biodiversity loss and habitat degradation pose critical challenges in the Mediterranean Basin, a recognized hotspot hosting unique species and ecosystems. Small islands, due to their physical isolation and fragile ecosystems, are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures, and many remain still underexplored in terms of biodiversity and ecosystem function.  To fill the knowledge gap regarding the […]

Seagrass meadows are key ecosystems in the Mediterranean coastal areas supporting rich biodiversity and providing numerous ecosystem services. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by local anthropogenic pressures and climate change. Because their natural recovery after disturbance is slow, active restoration – increasingly incorporating innovative methodologies - has become an important tool for their conservation. […]

In recent years, Citizen Science (CS) has become increasingly important for monitoring biodiversity and its pressures and threats, such as invasive alien species. In the European, some of the invasive alien species with the greatest impact on biodiversity are listed under the      Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014, which requires all Member States to conduct management actions, […]

Water-soluble polymers (WSPs) are widely employed in industrial, medical, and everyday applications. Despite their widespread use, the lack of specific regulation contributes to their uncontrolled release, especially into aquatic ecosystems, raising concerns about potential risks to organisms and human health. Among WSP-containing consumer products, dishwasher pods are particularly common. These single-dose pods typically contain powder […]

Water-soluble polymers (WSPs) represent a significant category of synthetic polymers widely applied across several industrial, medical, and consumer products. Despite their extensive production and usage, WSPs escape current regulations as either plastics or chemical contaminants, resulting in a lack of production estimation, monitoring, and circular economy action plans. Consequently, WSPs are freely released into aquatic […]

Mediterranean coastal wetlands, including lagoons and saltmarshes, are critical biodiversity hotspots and provide essential ecosystem services such as nursery habitats, nutrient cycling, and water filtration. These fragile ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change, anthropogenic pressures, and biological invasions. The blue crab Callinectes sapidus, a decapod crustacean native to the western Atlantic, has recently established […]

The decline of biodiversity and the degradation of marine habitats are pressing challenges in the current context of climate change and growing anthropogenic pressures. Posidonia oceanica meadows are key ecosystems in the coastal waters of the Mediterranean, due to their ecological value and the multiple services they provide. However, these meadows face serious threats such […]

Understanding ecological niches is essential for evaluating how species react to environmental changes and shifts in trophic interactions driven by climate change. Yet, combining both abiotic and biotic components of these niche remains a complex and resource-intensive task. Citizen Science platforms offer a cost-effective solution by providing large-scale, openly accessible, and multi-taxa datasets. However, spiders […]

Coastal marine ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea, such as coralligenous habitats, play a crucial role in biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, they are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressures and climate change, highlighting the urgent need for innovative strategies to ensure their protection. This study supports the development of a Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO), […]

Ecosystem restoration in marine environments faces increasing challenges due to the intensification of climate-related stressors, particularly thermal anomalies. As part of the RENOVATE project (Ecosystem Approach to the Evaluation and Experimentation of Compensation and Mitigation Actions in the Marine Environment: the case of the Civitavecchia Port Hub), we implemented a pilot coral restoration intervention in […]

Rising temperatures and recent marine heat waves in the Mediterranean Sea have significantly altered the composition and structure of marine communities, affecting species performance, distribution, and interaction dynamics. In this study, we explored the spatial distribution and conservation status of Astroides calycularis, a threatened and endemic structuring coral species in the Mediterranean, by collating and […]

In the first chapter of the third SItE notebook,” Quaderno di Ecologia”, the topic of the harmfulness of cigarettes to the environment is introduced. Cigarette filters and smoking products are known to be a serious environmental problem because they are toxic and dangerous. The environmental hazard is generated by the presence of residues of toxic […]

Mediterranean agricultural systems are increasingly exposed to salinization and desertification driven by climate change. In these areas where the extreme conditions of the land, limit agronomic productivity leading to economic and social crise, it is very important to find alternative strategies for resilient and sustainable food production to support local communities. Neglected and underutilized plant […]

Mussel farming is a key economic activity in the northwestern Adriatic Sea yet challenged from harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by toxin-producing Dinophysis species. These mixotrophic dinoflagellates produce lipophilic toxins that accumulate in shellfish, leading to diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) and posing risks to human health. In this study, we analysed 26 years (1998–2023) of […]

Cystoseira sensu lato (s.l.) macroalgal forests are among the most complex and productive ecosystems along the rocky coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. They provide food and shelter to a wide range of organisms and provide essential ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration and protection from coastal erosion. However, in recent years, these habitats have declined significantly […]

Intertidal ecosystems are among the most dynamic and ecologically significant environments on the planet, providing essential services and serving as sentinel systems for detecting environmental change. Despite that, their resilience to the increasing biotic and abiotic stressors remains poorly explored. The cumulative and interactive effects of multiple pressures, such as pollution, resource exploitation, habitat modification, […]

In the context of growing global food demand and accelerating environmental degradation, farming systems are under increasing pressure to meet sustainability targets. Recent projections suggest that current improvements in agricultural productivity will be insufficient to feed the global population by 2050, potentially leading to unsustainable land expansion and use. Aquaponics represents a promising alternative: an […]

In recent decades, human activities have highly affected global biodiversity through intensive agriculture, pollution and urbanization, leading to a significant decline in species diversity. As a consequence, the services provided by biodiversity can be affected in these areas. In this context, it is crucial to implement strategies that support and preserve communities. We developed the “Urban […]

Seagrass meadows have been declining due to climate change and anthropogenic activities and, therefore, their restoration has been significantly increased worldwide. In Posidonia oceanica, endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, the use of seedlings in restoration actions have been lately encouraged, also due to the increase of sexual restoration of this plant associated to the increase […]

Coastal lagoons provide important ecosystem services like biodiversity enhancement, nutrient cycling, and climate change mitigation. Despite their natural variability, lagoons are sensitive to climatic and human pressures, including eutrophication. Excess nutrient loads cause algal blooms, oxygen depletion and mass mortalities, occasionally resulting in dystrophic crises. Sedimentary organic matter (OM) attributes and meiofaunal communities can either […]

In Mediterranean climates, soils are degraded by anthropogenic activities that deplete organic matter, reduce biodiversity and impair ecosystem functioning. Ecological restoration through organic amendments may counteract these trends and recover degraded soils, preventing the loss of ecosystem services. Indeed, organic amendments improve soil chemico-physical properties and microbial biodiversity, promote natural revegetation and accelerate community successions. […]

Recovering degraded soils is crucial to ensure food supply and security, preserve biodiversity, sequester carbon (C) to counter climate change, and regulate water and nutrient cycles. Mining is one of the worrying anthropogenic activities responsible for soil degradation because it is a major source of trace elements in the soil. An effective strategy to restore […]

Pollinators are facing dramatic declines worldwide, largely due to land-use change and urban expansion. However, urban areas can increasingly act as important refuges where targeted habitat restoration and enhancement counteract habitat loss, providing essential foraging and nesting resources. In this context, urban green spaces represent a practical opportunity to sustain pollinator populations and the vital […]

Chemical pollution poses a growing threat to wildlife and ecosystems globally. However, wild organisms are also exposed to other challenges that might shape the way that they respond to environmental pollution. Parasites, for instance, are widespread across ecosystems and are known to affect their hosts differently depending on environmental conditions, such as resource abundance. Yet […]

The crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster plancii) is one of the most effective coral predators in Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Its biological traits, such as high fecundity, pelagic larval dispersal, and opportunistic feeding, enhance its capacity to form dense and ecologically disruptive aggregations. Furthermore, by preying on reef-building corals, particularly fast-growing species, it can trigger widespread coral mortality […]

The pervasive presence of plastics in the environment and their increasing release into natural ecosystems represent a significant concern for both human and environmental health. Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) are identified as a primary source for plastics to enter water courses. Although various studies have demonstrated the efficiency of certain coagulants/flocculants in removing plastics from […]

Lakes play a significant role in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, acting as either sources or sinks for climate-relevant gases and serving as important regulators of global carbon cycling. However, the combined pressures of global climate change and local anthropogenic stressors are driving rapid changes in these ecosystems, creating complex challenges that cascade through food webs […]

Marine forests formed by Cystoseira sensu lato are key components of coastal ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity and delivering ecosystem services. However, these structurally complex habitats have undergone extensive decline, prompting a growing number of restoration initiatives. While restoration success is mainly attributed to site selection and local stressor mitigation, our study highlights the equally crucial - […]

This study explores the decadal changes in soft-bottom macrobenthic assemblages in two southern Adriatic areas, Lesina and Varano, respectively characterized by high and occasional impact of fishing dredging, targeting Chamelea gallina. The biological data analysed were obtained from monitoring surveys conducted in the winters of 2013 and 2022 in 45 sampling stations to assess the […]

Climate change (CC), affecting the survivorship and behavior of bivalves, is progressively posing serious threats to aquaculture. The European clam Ruditapes decussatus (L., 1758) is among the most commercially important bivalve species in the aquaculture market. Rising temperatures caused by CC can induce physiological responses and, above certain thresholds, mass mortality events. In this study, […]

The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting - Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) is a globally recognised framework that integrates ecological and economic data to support informed decision-making and policy development for sustainable ecosystem management. By measuring and tracking changes in natural capital assets (ecosystems and species) and ecosystem services flows, SEEA EA provides essential information to balance […]

Through an integrated approach between tangible and intangible heritage, UNESCO landscapes should be managed to guarantee the maintenance of its socio-ecological values for future generations. The research aims at (1) analyzing the landscape dynamics from 1954 to 2023 of a study area including the Cerveteri UNESCO site, by comparing the UNESCO core and UNESCO buffer […]

European protected areas (PAs) host thousands of species and habitats of high conservation value due to their restricted distribution, rarity, and centrality in maintaining functionality and resilience of natural ecosystems. In 2024, the European Commission launched the “EU biodiversity strategy for 2030”, foreseeing the expansion of the current network of Natura 2000 PAs and the […]

Soil is an important component of natural capital that provides many ecosystem services, such as habitat supply for a myriad of species, nutrient cycling regulation, and climate regulation through organic carbon sequestration. The soil organic carbon pool can be affected by anthropogenic disturbances, such as wildfires, which occur annually in large areas of Southern European […]

Glaciers and ice sheets are particularly threatened by the loss of biodiversity due to the widespread melting induced by climate warming. Assessment of the biodiversity in these endangered ecosystems is timely and critical. However, few studies have characterized the algal communities in alpine supraglacial environments, despite their importance for surface albedo, carbon cycle, and global […]

Progetto di ricerca finanziato dal premio “Luigi e Francesca Brusarosco” 2024 As a result of the anthropogenic emissions, ocean acidification (OA) has been consistently evidenced to have profound impacts on marine biota. The effects of high pCO2 levels on seagrasses have been a subject of global concern, although the evidence is not uniformly consistent. Furthermore, the […]

The harvesting of commercial bivalves through hydraulic dredges represents a critical disturbance for macrobenthic communities inhabiting shallow soft bottoms. However, the ecological responses of these communities are shaped by cumulative impacts, including fishing and environmental stressors. This contribution presents preliminary results on temporal variations in the functional diversity and traits occurrences in benthic assemblages impacted […]

Projecting scenarios for the spread of emerging infectious diseases well ahead of a possible next “Disease X” pandemic is a critical global priority. To assess the spillover and diffusion risk of pathogens in source regions, a One-Health approach calls for the simultaneous monitoring of (i) key reservoir species to detect zoonotic emergence, and (ii) local human presence […]

Grazing and mowing are among the most common grassland management practices, and they can significantly influence the belowground food webs, along with microbial biomass and activity and nutrient balance. The aim of this study was to investigate how different land uses, and therefore the associated management practices occurring along the year, affect soil functions and […]

The ongoing decline of the native crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) populations, coupled with its endangered status, has prompted the implementation of conservation programmes. Although reintroduction and long-term population monitoring were suggested as a crucial part of management strategies, only a few studies were conducted. The purpose of this study was to identify suitable sites for the […]

The increasing frequency of drought events under climate change poses significant challenges for the selection of plant communities in ecological restoration. This study introduces a trait-based, multi-objective optimisation framework that identifies plant community compositions balancing physiological adaptation to drought with functional trait diversity. This approach integrates climate-derived ecological targets and trait-based community assembly principles. Climatic […]

The rise in the global population leads to increased demand for food, especially animal proteins. The current food system, primarily built on intensive cattle, pig, and poultry farming, is unsustainable over the long term because of its significant environmental effects: excessive water and soil use, high greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and deforestation. Some production systems […]

The accumulation of macro litter along coastal beaches and dune systems poses a growing ecological threat. It harms biodiversity, endangers human health, and causes significant economic losses. In the Mediterranean basin, the increasing amount of waste washing ashore has become a major challenge, with waste management emerging as a critical environmental issue. This study analyses […]

Seagrasses represent highly productive coastal ecosystems, sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem services. In the Mediterranean, the physiology, abundance and distribution of the endemic Posidonia oceanica have been severely impacted by global warming. In this context, most research efforts have been devoted to the above-ground compartment, while little attention has been paid to the role of the […]

Global warming is changing aquatic ecosystem structure and functioning. Climate models predict a marked rise in the frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves, globally and particularly in the Mediterranean region. The question of what the impact of extreme rises in water temperature for an extended period on phytoplankton community will be is still open. Phytoplankton […]

Global warming is profoundly altering aquatic ecosystems, with climate models predicting a significant increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves. These prolonged periods of unusually high temperatures are becoming more common globally, and especially in the Mediterranean, recognized as one of the most vulnerable areas. Artificial lakes, crucial for essential ecosystem services, are […]

Anthropogenic noise is increasingly recognized as an environmental disturbance with significant implications for biodiversity and ecosystem processes. While its effects on individual organisms—such as altered behavior and physiology—have been well documented, how these impacts scale to broader ecological levels remains less understood. This systematic review compiles findings from 154 publications encompassing 1,321 case studies to […]

Sea warming caused by climate change poses severe threats to Mediterranean marine ecosystems. Here, meadows of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica are among most threatened habitats. While the effects of sea warming on P. oceanica leaves chemistry are increasingly made clear, the warming effects on the below-ground sedimentary compartment of seagrass meadows remain poorly assessed, also […]

In the worst future scenario, the uptake of anthropogenic CO₂ by seawater will reduce the ocean pH for up to 0.4 units by 2100. Nonetheless, the effects of ocean acidification (OA) on sediment biogeochemistry remain poorly understood. We investigated the effects of OA on sedimentary organic matter (OM) characteristics along a natural pH gradient at […]

Coastal wetlands are hotspots for biological invasions, yet comprehensive assessments of non-indigenous species (NIS) across Mediterranean islands remain scarce. Here, we present the first systematic list and analysis of aquatic NIS in 31 coastal wetlands across Sardinia, Italy. We identified 34 aquatic NIS spanning multiple taxonomic groups, with Mollusca, Chordata, and Annelida accounting for 82% […]

Plastic pollution is a topical environmental threat, yet many aspects of its impact on ecosystem functioning remain poorly explored. In particular, the effects of microplastics (MP) on sedimentary organic matter (OM) degradation are still largely unknown. To provide insights on this, we investigated in mesocosm the short-term (after 10 and 20 days of exposure) effects […]

Coastal lagoons as transitional aquatic ecosystems are hotspots of biodiversity and highly productive, thus providing numerous ecosystem services. They are subjected to increasing anthropogenic pressures and the effects of climate change, notably in the Mediterranean region. Specifically, extreme events, such as heatwaves are predicted to be more intense and frequent in the Mediterranean, and to […]

Cold terrestrial habitats, defined by average temperatures below 5 °C, include over 80% of the Earth’s terrestrial surface. These environments encompass polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica), high-altitude mountains across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, cold deserts, and deep-sea ecosystems. Despite the extreme abiotic stressors (e.g., low temperatures, limited water availability, high solar irradiations, etc.), these ecosystems […]

Promoting climatic resilience in production systems is key to ensuring their sustainability in the face of ongoing climate change. Forest plantations have proven vulnerable to compound events of drought and heatwaves, although vulnerability varies depending on the ecohydrological characteristics of the landscape. We present case studies in which satellite imagery and Earth observation products were […]

Climate-driven phenological shifts significantly influence ecosystem functioning and agricultural productivity, particularly in temperate regions. Grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) represent economically and ecologically crucial species whose phenological timing impacts biodiversity and vineyard management. This study investigates how late-winter warming and increased frequency of extreme weather events jointly influence grapevine phenology in Piedmont, Italy. Using a 20-year dataset […]

Cuckoo bumblebees (Bombus, subgenus Psithyrus) are obligate social parasites of other bumblebee species. Although they share habitats with their hosts, their parasitic lifestyle imposes additional ecological and phenological constraints, such as a dependence of the temporal window to host development and activity patterns. A delayed emergence is thought to be adaptive, yet phenological mismatches between […]

In recent years, the growth of tourism has intensified the recreational use of Sicilian beaches, leading to more frequent cleaning operations aimed at removing waste. However, these cleaning activities often involve P. oceanica banquettes, which are often removed for aesthetic reasons, despite their important ecological role. Consequently, hundreds of cubic meters of P. oceanica banquettes […]

Coastal marine ecosystems and the services they provide are increasingly threatened by climate change. The Mediterranean basin, recognized as a climate change hotspot, is experiencing a rise in the frequency and intensity of heat extremes. Among coastal ecosystems, intertidal communities are particularly exposed to temperature fluctuations. Although they are adapted to such variability through physiological […]

Plants are open, irreversible, non-equilibrium systems interacting continuously with their environment through mass and energy exchanges. As such, they are suitable for thermodynamic analyses and can be considered energy converters, transforming solar energy into chemical energy to sustain cellular metabolism and promote growth. This study presents a novel thermodynamic model based on mass conservation and […]

In recent decades, insectivorous birds associated with agricultural ecosystems have declined globally by up to 60%. This alarming trend is driven by pesticide use, climate and land-use changes, and shifts in farming practices. Additionally, human-animal conflicts reduce suitable nesting sites, further worsening their decline. Yet, these birds offer essential ecosystem services—most notably, natural pest control—helping […]

Cultural heritage assets embedded in historical and archaeological landscapes play a fundamental role in shaping both the identity of a place (genius loci) and the social cohesion of the communities that inhabit it. Despite this, heritage sites are rarely interpreted as historical imprints of long-term human–environment interactions. Representing these past dynamics in a quantitative way […]

The bamboo coral Isidella elongata is a Mediterranean near-endemic octocoral able to form unique marine animal forests on muddy bottoms between ca. 120 and 1600 m depth. This deep-sea coral ecosystem plays a fundamental ecological role, providing shelter and representing nursery, feeding and spawning area for several species. Until fifty years ago, I. elongata was […]

Organic amendments, rich in stable organic matter, can foster the recovery of degraded soils by enhancing their chemical and physical properties, sustaining microbial communities, and promoting natural revegetation. This is especially relevant in Mediterranean climates, where soil organic matter depletion is a widespread and serious issue. In a circular economy framework, the EMBRACE project (PRIN […]

The widespread use of synthetic phytosanitary products poses serious threats to wild pollinator communities even outside of the agroecosystems where they are primarily used, especially when potential sources spatially coexist with areas whose primary goal is the protection of biodiversity and of ecological integrity. Funded by the “Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni” National Park […]

The extent to which green areas can preserve biodiversity and ecological functioning in urban ecosystems can depend upon factors acting at multiple scales, including their management. The complexity of terrestrial ecosystems, where above- and below-ground communities participate in joint dynamics, further limits our prediction of the effects of these factors, as well as our capability […]

The management of green areas in urban ecosystems can affect their capability to support ecosystem functions and services in ways and extents still unsatisfactorily elucidated. The present research, funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Project code CN_00000033, CUP, H43C22000530001 Project title “National Biodiversity Future Center—NBFC”, aims to shed light on the effects […]

The study of the spatiotemporal evolution of ecological systems is steadily gaining prominence in conservation biology, especially for meta-populations and meta-communities, where entangled spatial and temporal dynamics jointly determine their persistence and evolution. In this context, topological approaches and the theory of homology group persistence can be effectively adopted to track temporal changes, at local […]

Within the Horizon Europe project ‘GuardIAS’ (Guarding European waters from Ivasive Alien Species), a citizen science project was designed to achieve a deep level of citizens engagement (stimulating behavioural changes and desire to take action), with activities related to IAS management. Target species of the activity, structured as an ‘OpenLab’ in the field, is the […]

Mangrove ecosystems are among the most biologically, ecologically, and economically important coastal environments, offering critical services such as shoreline protection, biodiversity support, carbon sequestration, and fisheries enhancement. Their complex root structures and dense vegetation make them natural traps for marine debris, particularly plastics, with studies showing that plastic accumulation in mangrove forests can be up […]

Extreme climatic events, such as heatwaves and prolonged droughts, significantly contribute to forest degradation by increasing tree mortality and dieback. This phenomenon results in the loss of tree organs, thereby reducing ecosystem resilience. Although climate-driven dieback has been extensively studied in deciduous trees, relatively few studies have monitored this phenomenon in evergreen forests. This study […]

Air pollution continues to represent a significant environmental and public health challenge throughout Europe, with the situation being particularly critical in Italy, where persistent exceedances of regulatory limits and widespread exposure to harmful pollutants raise serious concerns for both human well-being and the health of ecosystems. Particulate Matter (PM) and ground-level Ozone (O₃) are among […]

A zooplankton survey was carried out in the waters around Sardinia in September 2019 during oceanographic cruise IDMAR 2019. The samples here analyzed were caught in 57 stations, both near-shore in shallow water and in the continental slope above higher bottom depth. The sampling tool used was a 200 µm mesh size Bongo 40 Net. […]

Trees are essential to urban biodiversity, providing key ecosystem services and enhancing the resilience of urban environments. However, urban trees often have short life spans, and urban forests frequently lack age diversity—particularly mature and senescent habitat trees, which are scarce or entirely absent. These older trees support the highest levels of biodiversity, yet they are […]

Soil health is a key priority for assessing environmental safety and achieving the European Union’s climate and biodiversity targets. Changes in edaphic diversity are the first indicators of soil health, but require long-term monitoring. Therefore, integrated approaches with minimal ecological and economic impact are essential. This study explores the potential of behavioural bioassays, specifically avoidance […]

The history of Life on Earth offers a captivating narrative, particularly well-suited for middle school students as they begin to develop formal operational thinking, according to Jean Piaget's theory of genetic epistemology. Reproduction, in particular, presents an opportunity for integrated learning with sexual education within the school curriculum. Here, I propose a learning pathway titled […]

The Mediterranean Sea is warming rapidly due to climate change, exposing marine ecosystems to increasing thermal stress. While Marine Heat Waves (MHWs) - prolonged and intense sea temperature anomalies - have been extensively studied, Marine Cold Spells (MCSs) - extreme cooling events that can also disrupt species distributions - have received far less scientific attention […]

Mediterranean high-mountain grasslands represent critical biodiversity hotspots, delivering essential ecosystem services. However, these valuable ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to climate-induced stressors, particularly rising temperatures, and intensified drought conditions. Investigating how plant communities adapt across moisture gradients is essential to unravel ecological responses to escalating water stress and to effectively guide targeted conservation actions. Within the […]

Biofilms play a vital role in aquatic environments as a key form of microbial life and as fundamental chemical modulators. Beyond naturally occurring biofilms, increasing attention is being directed toward a novel form of “artificial” biofilm that develops on plastic surfaces, known as the plastisphere. The widespread presence of plastic debris in aquatic ecosystems provides […]

Benthic macroinvertebrates are widely used as bioindicators to assess the ecological status of freshwater ecosystems. Current biomonitoring programmes based on macroinvertebrates rely on morphological identification at genus or family level. However, this approach can be time-consuming and requires a high level of expertise, especially if identification is performed directly in the field. Moreover, the taxonomy […]

Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) play a key role in several ecological processes and services, including dung removal, maintaining soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The gut microbiota of dung beetles is involved in many of these ecological services. In the present study, we analysed the gut microbiota of 12 species belonging to […]

Atmospheric deposition, including airborne microplastics (MPs), poses a growing threat to both natural and urban ecosystems, potentially disrupting ecological balance. Among the organisms affected, lichens are particularly vulnerable, yet their capacity to serve as bioindicators of environmental pollution remains underexplored. This study investigates the bioaccumulation of airborne microplastics in epiphytic lichens across a gradient of […]

Temporary ponds (TPs) are ephemeral freshwater habitats which ecological importance was historically neglected. In an era of rapid and unpredictable climate change, understanding how these vulnerable ephemeral ecosystems respond to shifts in local and regional spatial factors can be crucial for anticipating global impacts. The aim of this research is to investigate whether the differences […]

It is now widely recognized that the study of ichthyoplankton ecology in the marine ecosystem can provide important data on the life cycle of adult individuals and, consequently, for a rational use of fishing resources. Despite a good knowledge of the adult stages of these fish species, scarce information is available on the ichthyoplankton community […]

Habitat is a fundamental concept for understanding and conserving nature, yet it remains one of the most confusing terms in ecology. Traditionally, it refers to discrete, uniform environmental units–a notion familiar to both scientists and the general public. Since the early 1990s, interest in the habitat concept has grown, particularly with the emergence of the […]

Forest ecosystems are increasingly exposed to anthropogenic pressures, with forest management practices, such as coppicing, acting as controlled disturbances that can affect soil microbial communities and alter soil processes. Soil microorganisms are sensitive indicators of ecosystem health, and understanding how they respond to management practices helps to ensure the stability of forest ecosystems. This study […]

Forest fires are a major ecological disturbance, increasingly influenced by anthropogenic activities, including land-use change and abandonment, and the effects induced by rising temperatures. These factors are altering global fire regimes, particularly threatening natural areas of conservation interest. According to the 2025 Report by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), about 35 % of […]

Mountain regions are being affected by climate warming at a rate up to twice the global average, making them among the most rapidly changing ecosystems. These climatic shifts, along with altered precipitation regimes and increased nitrogen deposition, have rendered mountain ecosystems particularly vulnerable and important as early indicators of global change impacts. To improve mechanistic […]

This study investigates how abiotic stresses—specifically heat and water stress—affect dwarf sunflower (Helianthus annuus) physiology, growth, and productivity. Key physiological parameters assessed include photosynthetic activity, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll fluorescence. The study also evaluates whether two Nature-based Solutions  (NbS), pollination services and enhanced soil fertility via clover intercropping, can mitigate the effects of these stresses. […]

Recent scientific evidence has highlighted the key role of urban green infrastructures (UGIs) – strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas [...] designed and managed to deliver multiple ecosystem services and enhance biodiversity within urban environments (European Commission 2014) – in improving citizens’ quality of life and well-being. UGIs provide several ecosystem services (ESs), […]

Urban expansion and the increase of impervious surfaces (Parvar and Salmanmahinyal, 2024; Zhou et al., 2025) have affected contiguous forest landscapes (Guo et al., 2025). Cities are the most compromised, and urban temperatures have been characterized by a strong increase (Hwang et al., 2025; Fetene, 2025). Afforestation and reforestation in urban green areas are crucial […]

Seagrass meadows play a critical role in climate regulation through carbon sequestration, yet global patterns and drivers remain poorly quantified. Here we present a comprehensive global assessment of seagrass carbon accumulation rates (CARs) and their economic value. Using published field CAR measurements, we trained state-of-the-art machine learning models to map and project CARs across global […]

Climate change is causing widespread shifts in species phenology, morphology, and distribution, with organisms moving to higher latitudes or altitudes as previously suitable areas become inhospitable. Bats are particularly vulnerable to warming due to their strong thermoregulatory constraints and temperature-dependent reproductive biology. Here, we present the results of a long-term study of Myotis daubentonii—a riparian […]

Marine autotrophic communities play a fundamental role in marine ecosystems, acting as primary producers and supporting entire food web. Understanding their structure, diversity, and distribution across different size fractions is essential for evaluating ecosystem functioning. In this study, we applied eDNA metabarcoding to investigate the taxonomic composition of plankton assemblages in coastal seawater samples, filtered […]

This study investigated the ecological succession of prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities colonizing pristine polystyrene panels, used as model substrate, deployed for 25 weeks in an anthropogenically impacted environment, such a harbor. Using the eDNA metabarcoding targeting the 16S and 18S rRNA genes, we tracked the temporal dynamics of communities, highlighting shifts in biodiversity and community […]

Earthworms play a crucial role in soil ecosystems, contributing significantly to belowground biomass and mediating key soil biogeochemical processes. Due to their limited dispersal capacity and strong dependence on soil microclimatic conditions, they are particularly sensitive to changes in habitat suitability. In this study, we assessed the combined effects of soil temperature, pH, nutrient availability, […]

Human activity (e.g. harvesting) represents one of the most frequent disturbances in forest ecosystems. Recent documents from the European Commission (2023) states that future forest management in the Union should focus on practices that ensure the various contributions forests provide to humanity, with particular emphasis on biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Furthermore, there is […]

Urbanization strongly impacts biodiversity and related ecosystem services, making its proper evaluation essential, with a specific focus on taxonomic groups providing fundamental ecosystem services. Among these, spiders are renowned regulators of trophic chains and sensitive bioindicators. We assessed the response of foliage-dwelling spiders to urbanization in Turin (Italy), by sampling their communities in urban green […]

Bioaggressors cause significant losses in crop production and the efficacy of control methods, primarily based on chemical compounds, comes with considerable environmental and health costs. Plant protection practices implemented locally overlook the mobility of bioaggressors, which can spread between fields, connecting different crop populations. As a consequence, the yield in a given field depends also […]

Tire abrasion on the asphalt surface produces the so-called Tire Road Wear Particles (TRWPs), whose potential adverse effects on ecosystems are under consideration by the scientific community. Since the aquatic environment represents a reservoir of these contaminants, the aim of this project was to investigate the toxicity of TRWPs on Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos. TRWPs […]

This project, funded by the Italian Ministry of Research under NextGeneration EU and PON-AIM 2014-2020 DM1062, aims to design an integrated framework for assessing the invasive alien plant risks in Italian protected areas (PAs). The framework supports conservation efforts and prioritizes vulnerable habitats by evaluating species’ likelihood of introduction, establishment potential, and impacts on biodiversity […]

Over the past decade, forest bathing (or Shinrin-yoku), a practice originating in Japan in 1982 to improve people’s psycho-physical well-being, has gained increasing popularity across various regions of Italy; alongside this diffusion, national scientific interest in its physical and psychological benefits has grown. However, a knowledge gap persists in the literature regarding the ecological characteristics […]

Since the end of the 20th century, nature-based health interventions (NBIs)–activities that engage people in nature-based experiences to improve health and well-being–have assumed increasing importance worldwide with special regard to countries with advanced economies and stressful lifestyles of people. NBIs refers to spending time in a natural environment to walk, run practice tai chi or […]

In recent years, social acceptance of biodiversity conservation in forests has become increasingly important at the international level, both within the scientific community and among policy makers. In the literature, some studies have investigated citizens' preferences towards biodiversity conservation in protected areas, while there is a knowledge gap regarding the social acceptance of biodiversity conservation […]

Understanding stability is crucial for predicting ecological responses to environmental fluctuations. While the diversity-stability relationship is well studied, the role of species’ fundamental responses remains underexplored. We investigate how the distribution of species’ fundamental responses, captured by a novel metric—imbalance—drives community stability through asynchrony and population stability. Using a protist microcosm experiment, we manipulated species […]

Wrack made of marine macrophytes accumulated along many Mediterranean beaches plays relevant ecological roles in coastal environments such as providing habitats and nutrients to a variety of organisms and protecting coastline from erosion. Wrack deposits are also considered as reference habitats subjected to mandatory conservation and protection within the Barcelona Convention. Nevertheless, they are deemed […]

Given the current global biodiversity crisis, understanding the dynamics and trends of ecosystem services (ESs) is crucial for the sustainable management of social-ecological systems. This is particularly relevant in highly fragile and anthropized systems such as the Venice Lagoon, especially considering the sensitivity of this area to the impacts of climate change. This work developed […]