RURAL LANDSCAPE MULTIFUNCTIONALITY: A GIS BASED APPROACH FOR ASSESSING AREAS CHARACTERISED BY ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS

The concept of multifunctional agriculture refers to the idea that agriculture has many functions in addition to producing food and fiber, like environmental protection, landscape preservation, and rural employment. The UE Common agricultural policy substains multifunctionality in agriculture by rural development plans that provide relevant frameworks to integrate environmental aims into agriculture. Integration of environmental instances with socio economical development is an important element also in natural resources conservation strategies. Recently, a new view of the ecological network concept has been developed to produce a more multiobjective vision that defines the ecological network as a system of natural and/or semi-natural landscape elements, that is configured and managed with the objective of maintaining or restoring ecological functions, while also providing opportunities for the sustainable use of natural resources. The study refers to a method, based on the Geographical Information System (GIS), for assessing the ecological network model in a rural landscape, where human activities are involved. Two models were developed: the landscape model and the connectivity model. The application in the study area showed the capacity of models to identify strategic places for ecological functions. The results pointed out the natural values of the area (matching the protected areas) and the most favourable expected ways of connection, or interruptions, between suitable areas. Agricultural and woodland areas were the main land uses involved in the ecological network structure. The maps which have been obtained can be useful instruments in order to involve policy makers, and other stakeholders, in the decision process on land use planning. In this way, the ecological network model can be a useful instrument in order to give valuable knowledge about environmental functions of rural landscape and to show constraints and possibilities to change the landscape in the boundaries of sustainability

Decreased small mammals species diversity and increased population abundance along a gradient of agricultural intensification

Agricultural intensification has been widespread worldwide over the last decades and has lead to a loss of semi-natural habitats. These changes are likely to have affected both the composition and diversity of small mammal communities living in agricultural landscapes. In this context, we compared population abundance (expressed as an index of relative abundance), species richness (S), and species diversity (expressed as Shannon and Pielou indexes) of small mammal assemblages (i.e. sub-sets of the entire small mammal community) living in three areas in North-East Italy positioned along a gradient of agricultural land-use intensification (measured with the Landscape Conservation Index). We expected that assemblages would be less diverse and dominated by generalist species where the landscape was more intensely cultivated and where semi-natural habitats were less common. In the three areas, from a total of 4630 trap-nights, 668 individuals were captured with Sherman traps, belonging to four species (Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis, A. sylvaticus and Microtus arvalis). The results showed that population abundance, type of species present (but not species richness), and species diversity were affected by agricultural intensification and landscape naturalness. In particular, moving from less natural to more natural landscapes, we observed no effect on richness of species but increasing diversity due to a greater abundance of the more specialist species, such as A. agrarius and, partially, A. flavicollis, the latter only present in the most natural area. Generalist species, namely A. sylvaticus, and those associated with disturbed environments, such as M. arvalis, were instead more abundant in less natural landscapes. When considering population abundance, the highest overall abundance of small mammals was found in the most disturbed landscape. The results were consistent with those of research carried out in other agroecosystems of Europe and highlight the controversial effect of the anthropogenic impact on small mammal assemblages, since a decrease in species diversity may be associated with an increased overall population abundance, due to the success of few generalist species. \ua9 2014 Associazione Teriologica Italiana

Use of remote sensing techniques to estimate plant diversity within ecological networks: a worked example

As there is an urgent need to protect rapidly declining global diversity, it is important to identify methods to quickly estimate the diversity and heterogeneity of a region and effectively implement monitoring and conservation plans. The combination of remotely sensed and field-collected data, under the paradigm of the Spectral Variation Hypothesis (SVH), represents one of the most promising approaches to boost large scale and reliable biodiversity monitoring practices. Here, the potential of SVH to capture information on plant diversity at fine scale in an ecological network (EN) embedded in a complex landscape, has been tested using two new and promising methodological approaches, based on “biodivMapR” and “rasterdiv” R packages. The first estimates α and β spectral diversity and the latter ecosystem spectral heterogeneity expressed as Rao's Quadratic heterogeneity measure (Rao’s Q). Our aims were to investigate if spectral diversity and heterogeneity provide reliable information to assess and/or monitor over time floristic diversity maintained in an EN selected as an example and located in North-East Italy. We analyzed and compared spectral and taxonomic α and β diversities and spectral and landscape heterogeneity, based on field-based plant data collection and remotely sensed data from Sentinel-2A, using different statistical approaches. We observed a positive relationship between taxonomic and spectral diversity and also between spectral heterogeneity, landscape heterogeneity, and the amount of alien species in relation to the native ones. Our results confirmed the effectiveness of estimating and mapping α and β spectral diversity and ecosystem spectral heterogeneity using remotely sensed images. Moreover, we highlighted that spectral diversity values become more effective to identify biodiversity-rich areas, representing the most important diversity hotspots to be preserved. While the spectral heterogeneity index in anthropogenic landscapes could be a powerful method to identify those areas most at risk of biological invasion

The energetic values of landscape components as a tool to describe the behavior of the brown bear (Ursus arctos L.) in relation to the ecological requirements

The aim of research was to study the brown bear presence in relation to the landscape pattern, expressed in terms of energy flows, through the quantification of the energetic values and meaning of the natural (biotic and a biotic) and human-related (road networks, settlements, etc.) landscape components. These values were correlated to the estimation of the energy requirements of the bears monitored with GPS techniques (n=4, males) and to the their presence and behavior. The spatial model of energetic values for landscape components have been developed by GIS technology and in the respect to the ecological requirements of brown bear in the central and north east alps (North of Italy, Slovenja and Austria). Data sources were public databases as Corine Land Cover project (UE), Carta della Natura Project (ISPRA) Digital Terrain Model. The spatial resolutions utilized was 1km2 and the UTM grid was used. For each quadrant was calculated: habitat cover, geomorphology, human presence, brightness (solar radiation corrected for the tree cover) feeding allowance (food allowance index, IDA), climate (Modis), and energy values expressed as estimation of the potential cost of locomotion, thermoregulation, feeding , resting (output) and as potential energy of food allowance (input). For each animals tracked by telemetry were estimated the energy requirements in relation to the cost of basal metabolism,. thermoregulation, locomotion, feeding for each utilized quadrants and compared to the utilized quadrants and in the respect to different level of utilization. The identification and development of landscape indexes, describing many environmental components with implications on animal energy requirements, has been coupled with a behavioral pattern analysis and the computation of animal energy outcomes and incomes. The obtained thematic maps showed the spatial distribution of these input and output: thought them it is possible make habitat characterizations showing potential satisfaction level in terms of ecological requirements for the Brown bear and obtain useful information for defining the habitat energetic suitability at the trans regional scale. This study has revealed several emergent diurnal-nocturnal and seasonal energetic patterns in the use of landscape resources, and has allowed the implementation of some spatially explicit models for the estimation of energy inputs and outputs; the cost of thermoregulation and locomotion (output) and the potential allowance of energy (input), seems to influence the use of landscape and bear behavior. The future development of this research through the use of other individual location datasets (also belonging to different geographical contexts) may allow to refine the approach and identify more precisely the key spatial variables to be measured in terms of energy, as well as to apply this approach to more sophisticated models like IBMs (Individual Based Models)

Influence of automatic feeding systems on design and management of dairy farms

During the last decades, many dairy farmers have actively advanced their farms toward automation. Automatic concentrate dispensers and automatic milking systems have been utilised for years, and several manufacturers have introduced automatic feeding systems (AFS). AFSs allow for the increase in frequency of feed distribution with significant advantages in terms of health and production. Furthermore, they provide a reduction of man labour related to preparation of feed, distribution, and propelling the ration closer to the feeding rack. The present research was focused on the monitoring of a dairy farm, located in the Veneto region of Italy, during the transition from a conventional feeding system (CFS), based on a tractor operated mixing wagon, to an automatic system equipped with stationary feeding hoppers, mixing unit, and distribution wagon operating on rail. The article reports a comparative analysis of the structural modifications required for the adoption of AFS, including an analysis of the AFS/CFS systems based on their functionality, energy, and man labour requirements. In the case study, AFS represented an affordable way to reduce covered area of the housings, as a result of the reduction in width of foraging lane and the reduction of manger front length. In addition, AFS demonstrated a reduction in labour requirements and improvement of quality and consistency of work when feeding total mixed ration. Finally, the research was addressed to study dairy cow behaviour. A method for monitoring the feeding, resting, and standing indexes was applied to the CFS farm. As a preliminary result of this activity, a positive correlation between cow resting activity and milk production was discovered

GLI INDICATORI PER IL TERRITORIO RURALE REGIONALE

Il territorio rurale \ue8 stato considerato nel passato da un lato come lo spazio della produzione agricola, dall\u2019altro come il luogo delle \u201cpossibili trasformazioni\u201d urbane e infrastrutturali. Oggi i nuovi approcci alla pianificazione territoriale mostrano aperture verso modelli di governo del territorio che si fanno carico dell\u2019ampia gamma di valori che la ruralit\ue0 esprime.Il punto di partenza del presente lavoro \ue8 un\u2019idea di rurale che non corrisponde semplicemente all\u2019\u201cagricolo\u201d e che va al di l\ue0 del proprio essere \u201cnon urbano\u201d, coinvolgendo le tre dimensioni dello sviluppo: quella economica, quella sociale e quella ambientale. Le manifestazioni di tale complessit\ue0 sono i tanti modi del territorio di essere rurale, con differenti caratteristiche, funzioni e valori

Conservation tillage mitigates the negative effect of landscape simplification on biological control

Biological pest control is a key ecosystem service, and it depends on multiple factors acting from the local to the landscape scale. However, the effects of soil management on biological control and its potential interaction with landscape are still poorly understood. In a field exclusion experiment, we explored the relative effect of tillage system (conservation vs. conventional tillage) on aphid biological control in 15 pairs of winter cereal fields (barley and wheat) selected along a gradient of landscape complexity. We sampled the abundance of the main natural enemy guilds, and we evaluated their relative contribution to aphid predation and parasitism. Conservation tillage was found to support more abundant predator communities and higher aphid predation (16% higher than in the fields managed under conventional tillage). In particular, both the abundance and the aphid predation of vegetation- and ground-dwelling arthropods were increased under conservation tillage conditions. Conservation tillage also increased the parasitism rate of aphids. A high proportion of semi-natural habitats in the landscape enhanced both aphid parasitism and predation by vegetation-dwelling organisms but only in the fields managed under conventional tillage. The better local habitat quality provided by conservation tillage may compensate for a low-quality landscape. Synthesis and applications. Our study stresses the importance of considering both soil management and landscape composition when planning strategies to maximize biological control services in agro-ecosystems, highlighting the role played by conservation tillage in supporting natural enemy communities. In simple landscapes, the adoption of conservation tillage will locally improve biological control provided by both predators and parasitoids mitigating the negative effects of landscape simplification. Moreover, considering the small scale at which both predation and parasitism responded to landscape composition, a successful strategy to improve biological control would be to establish a fine mosaic of crop and non-crop areas such as hedgerows, tree lines and small semi-natural habitat patches. \ua9 2016 British Ecological Society

New personal protective equipment for cutting and shearing: Finger-safe

The personal protective equipment used in agriculture does not include specific devices and due to this fact they are not able to provide a suitable degree of protection of the operator. In particular, the hand is the part of the body that is more prone to serious injury (e.g. amputation). The aim of this study was to test new safety principals for reducing the risk of cutting. We performed 10 types of different tests that led us to the identification of gloves resistant to mechanical action as well as to cutting. The prototype has demonstrated a high protective efficiency against tools such as pneumatic or manual scissors. In conclusion, the study recommends the use of gloves with elements which absorb and dissipate energy and not just simple cut resistant gloves. \ua9 2015 Sirio R. S. Cividino et al

First report of naturalization of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. 1783 (Saururaceae) in Italy

The Chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata Thunb.-Saururaceae) was introduced across all continents from Asia for ornamental and medicinal purposes at least two centuries ago. H. cordata is deemed a strong invader thanks to its great ability for rapid vegetative propagation by means of rhizomes and stolons (and their fragments) coupled with a high resistance to herbicides. Moreover, it has been suggested that H. cordata has the potential to displace native plants in wet forests and, in general, in wetland ecosystems. In New Zealand and North America, this species has been included in the black list of invasive alien species and it is included in a special control program for monitoring and eradication. In this study we record the first established naturalized population of Houttuynia cordata in Italy. It was found in July 2019 in a riverine Salix woodland. After revisiting the location, a significant expansion of the initial population was observed in June 2020, suggesting its naturalization with great invasive potential. Criteria and procedures defined by the regional intervention priorities on alien species were applied in order to further monitor and eradicate the species, as an example of good practice for the management of alien species