Chapter Towards new marine-coastal Natura 2000 sites in the central Adriatic Sea.

LIFE17 NAT/IT/000565 CALLIOPE aims to improve the coast-sea regional natural connectivity by improving the Natura 2000 Network. The main objectives are: improving the biodiversity knowledge of marine environments, testing integrated management strategies to increase the conservation of coastal-marine biodiversity and supporting the preparation of a Coastal Action Plan for the Abruzzo Region. We identified and mapped the HD-1110 here dominated by Cymodocea nodosa, the HD-1160 with the presence Zostera noltii and in correspondence of rocky environments the HD-1170

Strength in numbers:combining multi-source remotely sensed data to model plant invasions in coastal dune ecosystems

International audienceA common feature of most theories of invasion ecology is that the extent and intensity of invasions is driven by a combination of drivers, which can be grouped into three main factors propagule pressure (P), abiotic drivers (A) and biotic interactions (B). However, teasing apart the relative contribution of P, A and B on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) distributions is typically hampered by a lack of data. We focused on Mediterranean coastal dunes as a model system to test the ability of a combination of multi-source Remote Sensing (RS) data to characterize the distribution of five IAS. Using generalized linear models, we explored and ranked correlates of P, A and B derived from high-resolution optical imagery and three-dimensional (3D) topographic models obtained from LiDAR, along two coastal systems in Central Italy (Lazio and Molise Regions). Predictors from all three factors contributed significantly to explaining the presence of IAS, but their relative importance varied among the two Regions, supporting previous studies suggesting that invasion is a context-dependent process. The use of RS data allowed us to characterize the distribution of IAS across broad, regional scales and to identify coastal sectors that are most likely to be invaded in the future. © 2019 by the authors

The role of Italian coastal dunes as carbon sinks and diversity sources. A multi-service perspective

Coastal dunes support biodiverse habitats of conservation interest and provide other essential but often overlooked benefits to society, such as carbon sequestration, thanks to their high soil carbon accumulation rates. The recently established coastal dune Natura 2000 network in the Italian Adriatic coast aims at protecting dune habitats diversity, yet its capacity to provide other ecosystem services, and the potential trade-offs with biodiversity provision have so far not been evaluated. In this paper we conduct this analysis for a key ecosystem service: carbon storage and sequestration. We i) quantify soil carbon stocks and sequestration within four coastal dune EU habitat types along the Adriatic Natura 2000 network; ii) upscale these data to create an inventory of carbon stocks for all dune Natura 2000 sites in the study area; iii) collate biodiversity data of the selected EU habitat types using plant diversity measures as surrogates of coastal dune biodiversity and iv) explore the trade-offs between carbon storage and biodiversity value for the selected habitats. Italian Adriatic coastal dune Natura 2000 sites sequester 4998 t of CO2e per year, with the majority in wooded dunes. Wooded dunes showed significantly higher soil carbon density than the other dune habitats, and had a much greater area, but they were characterized by lower species richness. By contrast, the endangered fixed dunes, which survive in few residual patches along the study area, showed the highest plant diversity for both total species richness and dune focal species, but had a much lower carbon density and extent. Although further analyses of additional services would be desirable for a more comprehensive assessment, these findings suggest that conservation actions should favor restoration of the natural dune zonation, since it guarantees both dune species diversity and carbon storage. The carbon stocks and EU habitat type extents produced in this study constitute the first systematic inventory for dune systems in the Mediterranean

Not just a sandy beach. The multi-service value of Mediterranean coastal dunes

Coastal sand dunes are complex transitional systems hosting high levels of biodiversity and providing important benefits to society. In this paper we aimed to evaluate the multi-service nature of ecosystem services (ES) supply in the dunes of the Italian Adriatic coast within Natura 2000 (N2K) sites. We i) identified ES indicators and assessed the supply capacity (Climate regulation, Protection from wind and aerosol, Erosion regulation, Recreation and Tourism and Existence value of biodiversity) of natural dune ecosystems of European conservation concern; ii) upscaled this data to create an inventory of ES supply for all dune N2K sites in the study area; iii) explored the trade-offs among ES; and iv) summarized and spatially compared the overall multi-service value of the N2K sites. The study provides a method for quantifying the role of N2K sites in supplying benefits for our society. We found that the multi-service capacity of coastal dunes is uneven within sites and within administrative regions. This variability is related to both ecological (e.g. distribution, ecological integrity, extent and conservation status of dune habitats) and administrative (e.g. local implementation of the Habitats Directive) characteristics of the analysed area. ES are not coupled as several sites with high values for one ES show very low values for others. The results suggest that conservation actions should favour restoration of the natural dune zonation, since this underpins multi-service ES supply. The approach can distinguish regions with high ES values and regions where the paucity of protected areas represents a gap in ES supply, fact that offers an incentive to enhance the protection strategy but also suggests an urgent need to improve the N2K network by enlarging existent sites and including new ones

Modelling Acacia saligna invasion on the Adriatic coastal landscape: An integrative approach using LTER data

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) pose a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services worldwide. Even if preventing biological invasions should be the most cost-effective way to minimise the impact of IAS on biodiversity, new efforts are necessary to identify early signs of invasion and to assess invasion risk. In this context, the implementation of invasive Species Distribution Models (iSDMs) could represent a sound instrument that merits further research. Acacia saligna is an Australian vascular plant introduced into Europe during the last half century and is one of the most aggressive IAS in the Mediterranean basin. In this work, we model the occurrence of A. saligna in the coastal landscapes of central Italy (Adriatic coast) while accounting for the simultaneous effect of multiple factors (propagule pressure, abiotic, biotic factors). The iSDM for A. saligna was implemented on a representative tract of the Adriatic coast in central Italy (Molise region), largely included in two Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites which actively contribute to the description of the considered ecosystem status and possible future trends. By using a Generalised Linear Model (GLM) with a binomial distribution of errors based on field and cartographic geo-referenced data, we examined the statistical relationship between the occurrence of A. saligna and a comprehensive set of environmental factors. The iSDM effectively captured the role of the different variables in determining the occurrence of A. saligna in the coastal dunes. Its occurrence is primarily related to Wooded dunes with Pinus pinea and/or P. pinaster (EU Habitat 2270) and distance from the sea and, to a lesser extent, with distance from roads and rivers. This research provides a first exploratory analysis of the environmental characteristics that promote the rapid growth and development of A. saligna in Italian dune ecosystems, identifying the habitats that are mainly affected by the invasive process in coastal areas and, by doing so, contributing to filling the gap between theory and practice in conservation decision-making. Finally, the LTER network benefitted from this research, confirming its relevance in providing useful information for modelling and monitoring invasion processes

Modelling Acacia saligna invasion in a large Mediterranean island using PAB factors: A tool for implementing the European legislation on invasive species

The present study aimed to investigate the role of propagule pressure (P), abiotic (A), and biotic (B) factors (collectively indicated as PAB) on the suitability of the Mediterranean island of Sardinia (Italy) to be invaded by the tree Acacia saligna, recently included in the list of invasive alien species of European Union concern. To this aim, a binomial Generalized Linear Model was applied for disentangling the relationship between 432 A. saligna occurrence records and 10 thematic layers, at high-resolution (10 x10 m), used as proxies for the 3 categories of PAB variables. The 432 occurrence records of A. saligna were periodically monitored (period 2000–2018) to check the persistence of the populations and their invasive status. The predictive power of the model was evaluated by computing the mean of the AUC scores, through cross-fold validation. The model adequately described how the PAB factors influence the presence of A. saligna which is mainly shaped by abiotic factors such as topography, and biotic factors such as the presence of woody dune vegetation, and to a lesser extent by other predictors. The projection of the model to the whole island clearly shows that suitability varies at the landscape level due to the variation of the PAB across the territory. The probability of A. saligna occurrence near the coast is higher in sand dunes. In the internal areas of the island it occurs close to the roads and urban areas. This study and the tested methodology could represent a suitable tool to prioritize areas for the monitoring of A. saligna to meet the requirements of the Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species (the IAS Regulation)

Arqueo-escuela: reflexiones tras cinco años de divulgación en Arqueología

Arqueo-escuela es un equipo independiente y autogestivo constituido por arqueólogos y arqueólogas (la mayoría becarios y becarias del CONICET) con formación docente, enfocado en la divulgación de los métodos empleados por la arqueología para la interpretación de nuestro pasado. En 2021 cumplimos cinco años de actividad. En este tiempo hemos desarrollado distintas propuestas didácticas, y participado en múltiples y diversos espacios del ámbito público y privado relativos a la educación y la comunicación de la ciencia, en Jujuy y Buenos Aires. En este trabajo, a modo de primera objetivación colectiva, presentamos nuestros lineamientos pedagógicos y las diferentes propuestas de taller que diseñamos. A su vez, a partir de cuatro experiencias transformadoras, planteamos una serie de reflexiones y balances respecto de la divulgación de nuestra disciplina.Arqueo-escuela is an independent and self-managed team made up of archaeologists (mostly CONICET scholarship holders) with teaching training and focused on the dissemination of the methods used by archaeology for the interpretation of our past. In 2021 we celebrated our 5th anniversary. During this time we have developed different didactic proposals, and participated in multiple and diverse public and private spaces related to education and science communication, in Jujuy and Buenos Aires. In this work, as a first collective objectification, we present our pedagogical guidelines and the different workshop proposals we designed. At the same time, based on four transforming experiences, we propose a series of reflections and balances regarding the dissemination of our discipline.Fil: Pey, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Arqueología; ArgentinaFil: Carreras, Jesica Tamara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto Interdisciplinario Tilcara; ArgentinaFil: Eguia, Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Arqueología; ArgentinaFil: Petit de Murat, Facundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto Interdisciplinario Tilcara; ArgentinaFil: Bocelli, Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Catamarca. Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Catamarca; ArgentinaFil: Carranza, Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Historia y Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Gentile, María Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; ArgentinaFil: Orsi, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Arqueología; ArgentinaFil: Tulissi, Leticia. Universidad de Belgrano. Facultad de Derecho y Ciencias Sociales.; Argentin

Causas que afectan la adopción de tecnología en la cría bovina en el Departamento Patiño, Formosa: enfoque cualitativo

El presente trabajo de investigación- realizado con criterio multienfoque, interdisciplinario y con fuerte participación de los productores brinda un diagnóstico de la percepción de la ganadería bovina de cría en el Departamento Patiño de la Provincia de Formosa, y de las razones que subyacen a la toma de decisión en adopción de tecnologías, sean éstas de proceso o de insumo. El trabajo va más allá de la mirada técnica, dado que se construyó a partir de la visión de los productores ganaderos, valorando sus palabras, experiencias, saberes y problemas. En virtud de ello, se provee información para el diseño de lineamientos de estrategias específicas en materia de extensión, apoyo institucional y sustentabilidad de la producción de ganadería de cría en la región.Instituto de EconomíaFil: Giancola, Silvana Inés. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Economía y Sociología; ArgentinaFil: Calvo, Sonia Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Roggero, Pablo Roggero. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria El Colorado, Agencia de Extensión Rural Ibarreta; ArgentinaFil: Andreu, Mario. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Carranza, Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Kuszta, Jorge. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria El Colorado, Agencia de Extensión Rural General Güemes; ArgentinaFil: Salvador, María Laura. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Di Giano, Silvina. Investigadora independiente; ArgentinaFil: Da Riva, Mariano. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentin

Mapping species richness of plant families in European vegetation

Aims: Biodiversity is traditionally studied mostly at the species level, but biogeographical and macroecological studies at higher taxonomic levels can provide valuable insights into the evolutionary processes at large spatial scales. Our aim was to assess the representation of vascular plant families within different vegetation formations across Europe. Location: Europe. Methods: We used a data set of 816,005 vegetation plots from the European Vegetation Archive (EVA). For each plot, we calculated the relative species richness of each plant family as the number of species belonging to that family divided by the total number of species. We mapped the relative species richness, averaged across all plots in 50 km × 50 km grid cells, for each family and broad habitat groups: forests, grasslands, scrub and wetlands. We also calculated the absolute species richness and the Shannon diversity index for each family. Results: We produced 522 maps of mean relative species richness for a total of 152 vascular plant families occurring in forests, grasslands, scrub and wetlands. We found distinct spatial patterns for many combinations of families and habitat groups. The resulting series of 522 maps is freely available, both as images and GIS layers. Conclusions: The distinct spatial patterns revealed in the maps suggest that the relative species richness of plant families at the community level reflects the evolutionary history of individual families. We believe that the maps and associated data can inspire further biogeographical and macroecological studies and strengthen the ongoing integration of phylogenetic, functional and taxonomic diversity concepts.MV, IA, JPC, ZL, IK, AJ and MC were funded by the Czech Science Foundation, programme EXPRO (project no. 19-28491X); JDi by the Czech Science Foundation (18-02773S); IB and JAC by the Basque Government (IT936-16); AČ by the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS, P1-0236); AK by the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (project no. 2020.01/0140); JŠ by the Slovak Research and Development Agency (APVV 16-0431); KV by the National Science Fund (Contract DCOST 01/7/19.10.2018)