WGEUROBUS – Working Group “Towards a EURopean OBservatory of the non-indigenous calanoid copepod Pseudodiaptomus marinUS”

Since 2007, the non-indigenous calanoid copepod Pseudodiaptomus marinus Sato, 1913 has been increasingly recorded in numerous European sites, spreading at an unexpectedly fast pace over a short time-span. This species presents specific biological and behavioural traits which make it of particular interest for ecological and applied research topics. On 29–30 January 2018, 29 scientists from nine European Countries established the EUROBUS (Towards a EURopean OBservatory of the nonindigenous calanoid copepod Pseudodiaptomus marinUS) Working Group (WG). This WG aimed at creating a European network of institutions and researchers working on the various aspects of the biology and ecology of P. marinus, with an open forum where sharing experience and know-how among WG participants. This brought to an updated distribution map of P. marinus in European waters, as well as to the identification of priority research lines and potential joint initiatives under the WGEUROBUS umbrella. This contribution, stemming from the experts participating at the WG, represents the manifesto of the current and future initiatives developed within WGEUROBUS

Epicoccum nigrum P16, a Sugarcane Endophyte, Produces Antifungal Compounds and Induces Root Growth

Background: Sugarcane is one of the most important crops in Brazil, mainly because of its use in biofuel production. Recent studies have sought to determine the role of sugarcane endophytic microbial diversity in microorganism-plant interactions, and their biotechnological potential. Epicoccum nigrum is an important sugarcane endophytic fungus that has been associated with the biological control of phytopathogens, and the production of secondary metabolites. In spite of several studies carried out to define the better conditions to use E. nigrum in different crops, little is known about the establishment of an endophytic interaction, and its potential effects on plant physiology. Methodology/Principal Findings: We report an approach based on inoculation followed by re-isolation, molecular monitoring, microscopic analysis, plant growth responses to fungal colonization, and antimicrobial activity tests to study the basic aspects of the E. nigrum endophytic interaction with sugarcane, and the effects of colonization on plant physiology. The results indicate that E. nigrum was capable of increasing the root system biomass and producing compounds that inhibit the in vitro growth of sugarcane pathogens Fusarium verticillioides, Colletotrichum falcatum, Ceratocystis paradoxa, and Xanthomomas albilineans. In addition, E. nigrum preferentially colonizes the sugarcane surface and, occasionally, the endophytic environment. Conclusions/Significance: Our work demonstrates that E. nigrum has great potential for sugarcane crop application because it is capable of increasing the root system biomass and controlling pathogens. The study of the basic aspects of the interaction of E. nigrum with sugarcane demonstrated the facultative endophytism of E. nigrum and its preference for the phylloplane environment, which should be considered in future studies of biocontrol using this species. In addition, this work contributes to the knowledge of the interaction of this ubiquitous endophyte with the host plant, and also to a better use of microbial endophytes in agriculture.State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)FAPESP (State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation) [02/14143-3, 10/08286-2]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq

La coesione territoriale nella UE a 27: una rassegna multidisciplinare

Nel Trattato di Lisbona si stabilisce che l’Unione europea persegua l’obiettivo della coesione economica, sociale e territoriale. In tal modo si è introdotto nel dibattito sia politico-istituzionale sia scientifico un nuovo concetto – quello appunto della coesione territoriale – sul cui effettivo significato e sulle cui implicazioni sul piano operativo non sembra che sia stata tuttora raggiunta una piena concordanza di opinioni sia tra i policy maker che tra gli studiosi a livello internazionale. Nel presente volume si provvede – seguendo un approccio prevalentemente interdisciplinare – ad una rassegna sia della documentazione ufficiale sia della letteratura scientifica comparsa nello scorso decennio, nel tentativo non solo di fornire un quadro tendenzialmente esaustivo di questa complessa materia, ma anche di delinearne uno sbocco operativo efficiente ed efficace, così da favorire una concreta implementazione della coesione territoriale, soprattutto in ambito regionale e locale, all’interno degli Stati membri. Nel contributo in questione viene svolto un riepilogo dei principali risultati emersi dal volume complessivo

Il Pnnr e le economie del turismo in Italia: le disparità regionali e le politiche

The Italian regions show marked differences in the pattern of tourism development. These disparities can be offset by implementing a shared plan that supports the post-pandemic restart and strengthens its resilience to external shocks. The multiannual programming initiative launched by the EU with the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) aims to address the consequences of the exogenous shocks triggered by the crisis from Covid-19 on the European production system. According to a top-down strategy articulated in a national plan and regional and sub-regional action plans, the large number of economic resources foreseen in the Plan will produce significant effects. The Pnrr's general plant is divided into six distinctive missions: innovation, ecological transition, infrastructure, education and research, inclusion, and health. They are defined concerning the critical and upcoming themes throughout 2021/2026 (Ministry of Tourism 2021). Starting from this overall vision, it is interesting to analyze the Plan in a regional key, highlighting how it can affect territorial and sectoral disparities, reducing them or, vice versa, amplifying them. The article focuses on the Italian travel and tourism industry, observing its characteristic structure and referring to its articulations within the production system. As is well known, the crisis triggered by Covid-19 has led to a drastic reduction in international and domestic tourist demand, with effects on tourism production, employment and production chains linked to this. The PNRR offers tourism and culture a plan of investment and opportunities to restart the economies connected and stimulated by Italy's travel and tourism industry. The article starts with the differences in the structure of the tourist supply in each Italian region in the pre-A pandemic years. It also analyzes how and under what conditions economic policies on tourism and culture can contribute to reducing differences and restoring the country's competitiveness. To this end, the distribution of domestic tourism, in its component's domestic and international tourism, and the regional articulation of the offer will be analyzed. Some synthetic indices will be used to evaluate the proposed lines of intervention and define some indications to increase the effectiveness of the Policies and reduce their criticalities

Military barracks as cultural heritage in Italy: A comparison between before‐1900‐ and 1900‐to‐1950‐built barracks

This paper addresses the fundamental role that cultural heritage can play in local development processes to guarantee community wellbeing, quality of life, and quality of society. The enhancement of cultural heritage’s tangible and intangible values may result in sustainable and resilient territory, but a number of issues emerge when dealing with the reuse of specific inherited assets, such as former military barracks. This paper conducts an in‐depth analysis of these assets, especially those released from the military after the end of the Cold War. We thus explore the Italian case through the comparison of before‐1900 and 1900‐to‐1950 former military barracks. The objectives are the following. First, to discover how these two types of military sites are approached (or no) as proper heritage. Second, to understand how the reuse management is carrying out and how it deals with conservative and profit‐driven approaches towards the achievement of cultural, economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Third, to compare the Italian case with similar international good practices to discover common/different trends and innovative solutions to be applied in Italy

The Relevance of the Territorial Dimension in EU Policies and the Role of Tourism

The disparities, inequalities as well as the different trajectories of social and economic development that still characterize the regions of the EU today demonstrate the importance of a debate on the spatial dimension of European policies. This paper analyses the implications of strengthening the spatial dimension in the different EU programs, highlighting the importance of the concept of territorial cohesion and the role that a strategic sector such as tourism can play in implementing this concept. Therefore, the added value of tourism and the potential of territorial cohesion should play an important role in future European policies and fundin

Italian seaside destinations in comparison. The brand image assessment for destination branding co-creation.

The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology for the assessment of a destination's image on the web. The study builds up a picture of 26 Italian coastal destinations through indexes and highlighting the reputation of the tourism services (attractions, restaurants, and accommodation). This can be a useful tool for destination managers to help monitor their destination's online reputation and support the brand building and management through a co-creation

Tourism Peaks on the Three Peaks. Using big data to monitor where, when and how many visitors impact the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site

Overtourism studies are increasingly focused on the relationship between tourists and residents. This includes the livability of the destination and the well-being of its residents; the growth of the tourism sector (particularly unchecked or unlimited growth), as well as the threat to natural heritage, such as beaches and mountains. A number of researchers have also highlighted the popularity of the term, as well as the lack of a theoretical understanding of the implications of it, and practical solutions to the problems posed by overtourism. This research aims to monitor the impact of, and understand the problems posed by, overtourism through approaching the phenomenon through the lens of big data analytics. The location of this research is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Italy, namely the Dolomites. By using telco data, we were able to apply a big data analysis of a destination in order to monitor the movement of tourists and day visitors. By analyzing their behaviour at the destination, it has been possible to quantify daily visitors and analyse how they impact this natural site. In addition, it has been possible to compare statistical data with big data, which offers new insights into tourism at the destination. This research, by exploiting the value of big data in tourism, creates a heritage usage rate as well as new indicators for the measurement of overtourism. Ultimately, this can help to control tourism flows and mitigate negative externalities.status: publishe