A COMPARISON BETWEEN GROSS ENERGY REQUIREMENT AND EMERGY SYNTHESIS METHODS. THE CASE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

Two methods for energy analysis and environmental accounting (Gross Energy Requirement and Emergy Synthesis) are critically discussed in order to explore their ability to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the performance and environmental sustainability of human-dominated production processes. In order to allow a quantitative comparison, two cropping systems, namely 1 ha of corn production in Italy, and 1 ha of willow production in Sweden, are investigated by means of the parallel application of both methods. Results provided by the two methods and their respective theoretical features are compared and discussed in order to point out limits and potentialities of both approaches. The study shows that the two methods account for different - although complementary - categories of input flows, use different conversion factors, and answer to different questions and concerns

Emergy and a Policy for the Commons.

An emergy-based evaluation of the Astroni wildlife reserve (Southern Italy) was performed in order to investigate its energy metabolism and potential benefits in return on resource investments from society. The economic and environmental sustainability of the wildlife reserve were also explored, placing a special focus on the evaluation of natural capital and ecosystem services. Matter, energy and economic flows supporting the wildlife reserve in the year 2006 were quantified and compared in terms of their total emergy content. Finally, the sustainability of the wildlife reserve and its carrying capacity for environmental education and sustainable tourism were evaluated. The main products and services generated by the Astroni wildlife reserve were identified, then the environmental performance of the system was evaluated in terms of selected emergy-based indicators, among which the following values of emergy cost per unit of output: a) net primary production, 1.30·104 seJ/J; b) service of shelter for birds, 1.72·1015 seJ/bird; c) educated and recreated visitors, 2.85·1014 seJ/visitor; d) research products, 1.16·1017 seJ/publication. The Environmental Loading Ratio calculated for educated and recreated visitors (1.24) showed a well balanced human pressure in terms of visitors per year, while the same indicator for other services pointed out the opportunity to further develop the services of birds protection (0.28) and research products (0.35). The return on economic investment (0.12) and the emergy self-sufficiency ratio (0.14) were also calculated in order to assess the economic and emergy trade-off between the wildlife reserve and its surrounding environment. These figures showed a return on the economic investment performed by the Government to operate the wildlife reserve of about 1:10. The same applies to the emergy investment. The study points out the unsustainable management of the wildlife reserve in the long run, highlighting the need for more sustainable management schemes oriented to improving both biological conservation and economic self-sufficiency. The study also exemplifies the concrete contribution of science to improve the effectiveness of the management of protected areas that are recognized under relevant national and international networks and programmes

Natural Capital, Ecosystem Services, and Environmental Accounting

Natural capital stocks generate ecosystem services flows that are directly used or enjoyed by people, providing benefits to human well-being. Anthropogenic pressures on natural ecosystems cause biodiversity loss and, in turn, affect the capability of natural ecosystems to provide flows of good and services to humans. Environmental accounting represents a useful tool to assess the value of ecosystem goods and services, also providing useful information to local managers and policy makers in charge of implementing management and policy strategies oriented to the sustainable use of natural resources. Given this premise, this special issue includes theoretical, methodological, and applied papers focusing on natural capital, ecosystem services, and environmental accounting. (C) 2022 L&H Scientific Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved

La contabilità biofisica per la valutazione della sostenibilità ambientale dei Comuni italiani

La studio della sostenibilità ambientale dei Comuni italiani non può prescindere da una valutazione biofisica delle risorse ambientali che guidano l’evoluzione dei sistemi naturali ed economico-produttivi delle comunità locali. La contabilità biofisica su base emergetica consente lo studio dei sistemi territoriali mediante la valutazione dei principali flussi di materia, energia e denaro che supportano le dinamiche naturali ed antropiche. In questo articolo vengono discussi due casi di studio inerenti i Comuni della Penisola Sorrentina di Massa Lubrense e Vico Equense. I risultati dimostrano come lo sviluppo e l’applicazione della contabilità biofisica, complementare rispetto ai più tradizionali bilanci economici, possano offrire un utile supporto per la valutazione della performance e della sostenibilità ambientale dei Comuni italiani

Assessing the natural capital value of Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Italian seas by integrating Habitat Suitability and Environmental Accounting Models

Ecological systems can be regarded as natural capital that yields ecosystem services vital for human well-being. The provision of these services strictly depends on the protection of natural capital stocks generating them, highlighting the need for conservation and monitoring actions led by proper assessment methodologies. Among the available methods, the Environmental Accounting Model based on the emergy approach is rapidly gaining popularity in ecological applications. We used such method to assess the natural capital value of Posidonia oceanica meadows, widely recognized the most important ecosystems in the Mediterranean basin, at Italian national spatial scale. The natural capital value of P. oceanica was further weighed by the estimates provided by a Habitat Suitability Model. We observed that the estimated level of habitat suitability played an important role as modifier of the average biophysical value of P. oceanica. Our approach allowed to identify the meadows having the highest stability and over space and time, which we defined as the most valuable in biophysical terms, thus with highest natural capital value. The spatially explicit estimates we provided could support managers and policy-makers to ensure the long-term provision of ecosystem services generated by P. oceanica, enhancing ecosystem management and maritime spatial planning

Reporting Marine Microplastics Data: the Need for a Standardized Protocol

Marine microplastics have become an issue of great concern at the global level. The attention towards the issue of marine microplastics, highly recognized by international policy and scientific research, has increased considerably over the last decades. At the European level, several initiatives have been promoted addressing the reduction of plastic pollution as a high priority target, among which the Marine Strategy Framework Objective (D10) and the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy. In addition, researchers have explored many strategies to optimize the detection and monitoring of microplastics in sediments, seawater, and organisms and to effectively demonstrate their potential ecological harm. However, since pollution dynamics, the functioning of natural ecosystems, and their relationships are very complex, there still lacks a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of microplastics on marine ecosystems. This lack of knowledge may impact the effectiveness of decision-making processes in terms of plastic reduction and waste management. In this study, we present the results of a literature review which focuses on particularly impactful marine microplastic methodological and analytical articles from 2004 to 2017 to identify possible gaps or inconsistencies in the reported data. Based on this review, a framework for a general reporting protocol (GRP) is outlined to encourage increased collaborative research efforts to harmonize the reporting of microplastics data in scientific studies. The proposed GRP outline could be useful in addressing data needs for effective ecological risk assessment. (C) 2022 L&H Scientific Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved

Modelling PM10 removal in three Italian coastal Metropolitan Cities along a latitudinal gradient

Air pollution is regarded as the largest environmental risk factor in Europe, and Particulate Matter (PM) is considered one of the most harmful pollutants. Among the Ecosystem Services (ESs) it provides, the Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) is capable of capturing and adsorbing pollutants through removal mechanisms. As envisaged in the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience (PNRR), Italy has planned on investing about EUR 300 million of the Next Generation EU funds in urban reforestation programs that will target Italian Metropolitan Cities (MCs). Successful implementation of such interventions is underpinned by a thorough knowledge of the presence and distribution of existing vegetation and its capacity to deliver ESs. In the present study, we selected three Italian coastal MCs along a latitudinal gradient, namely Genoa, Bari, and Reggio Calabria, and assessed the regulating ES of PM10 removal by urban and peri-urban forests in both biophysical and monetary terms. In 2019, the total PM10 removal in the MCs of Genoa, Bari and Reggio Calabria amounted to 5,331, 363, and 4,248 Mg respectively, for a corresponding monetary value of EUR 536, 39, and 435 million. Our analyses were conducted on a seasonal basis and further aimed at investigating the role of functional diversity in ES provision. According to our findings, in all MCs the highest annual average PM10 removal efficiencies were exhibited by the evergreen broadleaves; deciduous broadleaves also displayed high efficiency values, despite being characterized by a marked seasonality caused by leaf abscission. Conifers proved less efficient, although our findings may indicate a good response to a condition of multi-stress. Maintaining a functionally-mixed species composition in the UGIs is desirable for guaranteeing the continuous provision of ESs throughout the year. In conclusion, our results provide useful insights to support the sustainable planning and management of UGIs, as envisaged by the United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

A multi-criteria framework for assessing urban socio-ecological systems: The emergy nexus of the urban economy and environment

The social and ecological impacts of urbanization require integrated management of cities and their resource metabolism for long-term sustainability and economic prosperity. Traditionally, network models are used to study internal metabolic processes in cities, complementing the traditional “black box” urban models to account for the input of material and energy resources and the output of final products and wastes. This study introduces a multi-criteria assessment framework by integrating a unique hybrid-unit input-output model with the emergy accounting method to estimate the environmental support provided to urban socio-economic systems, applied here to the case of Vienna, Austria. By focusing on the internal organisation and functioning of urban socio-economic systems, the proposed framework strengthens the understanding of ecological and socio-economic flows exchanged among industries and the environment. The results suggest that resources can be saved by applying supply-side and demand-side interventions and improving share of renewables. The multi-criteria assessment framework developed in this study allows to investigate the urban metabolism of cities and regional contexts through the identification of sustainable pathways rooted in material circularity and resource efficiency, supporting the design of policies in line with the “integrated wealth assessment” and “circular economy” principles