Gravel pits support waterbird diversity in an urban landscape

We assessed the benefit of 11 gravel pits for the settlement of waterbird communities in an urbanized area lacking natural wetlands. Gravel pits captured 57% of the regional species pool of aquatic birds. We identified 39 species, among which five were regionally rare. We used the Self Organizing Map algorithm to calculate the probabilities of presence of species, and to bring out habitat conditions that predict assemblage patterns. The age of the pits did not correlate with assemblage composition and species richness. There was a positive influence of macrophyte cover on waterbird species richness. Larger pits did not support more species, but species richness increased with connectivity. As alternative wetland habitats, gravel pits are attractive to waterbirds, when they act as stepping stones that ensure connectivity between larger natural and/or artificial wetlands separated in space

Groundwater of Rome

This paper describes the contents of the new Hydrogeological Map of the City of Rome (1:50,000 scale). The map extends to the entire municipality (1285 km2) and is based on both the most recent scientific studies on the groundwater field and new survey activities carried out in order to fill the data gaps in several areas of the examined territory. The map is the result of a combination of different urban groundwater expertise and Geographic Information System (GIS)-based mapping performed using the most recent available data and has been produced with the intention of furnishing the City of Rome with the most recent and updated information regarding groundwater

Acquiferi carsici. Aspetti di idrogeologia del fratturato

Gli obiettivi raggiunti dall’attività speleologica hanno da sempre costituito un valido complemento della ricerca scientifica inerente le dinamiche evolutive dei processi carsici. Sono ormai noti da tempo i rapporti fra lo sviluppo del carsismo e le modalità di circolazione delle acque sia superficiali che sotterranee. Una frontiera non ancora del tutto esplorata è quella della conoscenza delle relazioni fra lo sviluppo delle geometrie carsiche e l’assetto idrostrutturale dei grandi acquiferi carbonatici. L’obiettivo del presente contributo è proprio quello di fornire un sintetico quadro dell’idrogeologia dell’Appennino centrale, funzionale all’attività speleologica, affinché i traguardi speleologici conseguiti possano andare oltre l’impresa e ambire ad una sempre maggiore rilevanza scientifica, anche in campo idrogeologico

Co-Occurrence of Earthquake and Climatic Events on Groundwater Budget Alteration in a Fractured Carbonate Aquifer (Sibillini Mts.—Central Italy)

The combination of several factors related both to human pressure as well as natural issues could lead to a marked alteration of the groundwater budget terms and a decrease in groundwater availability. The basal aquifer of the Sibillini Mts. is a strategic resource of drinking water in the central sector of Apennine (Italy). The seismic sequence that occurred in this area in 2016 induced transient and sustained modifications in the aquifer settings. Springs located on the western side of the Sibillini Mts. were characterized by an increased discharge, while in contrast, the eastern springs suffered an intense drop in their groundwater discharge. In 2017, a drought period started immediately after the exhaustion of the seismic sequence effect. The comparison between the recharge and discharge of the major springs in the 2000–2020 period allowed the definition of the different responses of the aquifer to the co-occurrence of earthquakes and climatic events. The hydrodynamic alteration triggered by the earthquake induced a huge depletion of the groundwater stored in the eastern sector of the basal aquifer (at least 50 × 106 m3). The scarce recharge occurring in the following drought period (more than 30% of the average annual value) was not enough to restore the groundwater resources, causing a serious drinking water supply crisis in the main tapped springs in the eastern sector of the aquifer

Hydrogeology of a high Alpine carbonate aquifer (Pale di San Martino, Dolomites, Northern Italy)

A 1:50,000 hydrogeological map of the Pale di San Martino Mountains (Northern Italy) was created. The map presents the merge of various pre-existing data with new field data collected between the years 2014 and 2016. Through the use of symbols and specific colours, the map shows various groundwater-related data such as the hydrogeological complexes, the location and size of the main springs, the extension of the recharge areas, the hydrogeological boundaries, as well as information on groundwater usage. Given the absence of hydrogeological maps in the entire mountain range of the Dolomites, the approach followed in this study could be used as a guide for future representations in this alpine region. At the local scale, the map could serve as a conceptual base for future research involving groundwater and for water management planning