Recent and subfossil diatom assemblages as indicators of environmental change (including fish introduction) in a high-mountain lake

We investigated modern-littoral and subfossil sediment-core diatoms in the shallow (max depth 6.4 m) high-mountain Lake Balma in the Orsiera Rocciavrè Nature Park (Italian Western Alps). Our study provided evidence that might be related to the response of diatom assemblages to fish introduction, in particular the decreasing of the nutrient-enrichment sensitive low-profile life-form/ecological guild and the increase in species known to react positively to the augmented nutrient availability due to fish excretions (e.g., Fragilaria nanana, Pseudostaurosira brevistriata, Staurosirella neopinnata). We are, however, aware that some of these effects could as well have been caused by pastures and cattle watering, and by increased temperatures due to global warming, and we acknowledge the typical complex-interaction pattern among different stressors. High-mountain lakes are ‘‘early warning systems’’ for the whole alpine system and can contribute valuable information also on the interactions between environmental global changes and anthropogenic impacts. Benthic diatoms, in particular, can provide useful indications on the deleterious effects of non-native fish introduction, cattle grazing, and global warming, and thus support an adaptive and sustainable management of high-mountain lakes for the sake of nature conservation

Experiences With and Attitudes Toward Death and Dying Among Homeless Persons

BACKGROUND: Homeless persons face many barriers to health care, have few resources, and experience high death rates. They live lives of disenfranchisement and neglect. Few studies have explored their experiences and attitudes toward death and dying. Unfortunately, studies done in other populations may not apply to homeless persons. Exploring these experiences and attitudes may provide insight into life, health care, and end-of-life (EOL) concerns of this population. OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences and attitudes toward death and dying among homeless persons. DESIGN: Qualitative study utilizing focus groups. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-three homeless persons recruited from homeless service agencies. MEASUREMENTS: In-depth interviews, which were audiotaped and transcribed. RESULTS: We present seven themes, some of which are previously unreported. Homeless persons described many significant experiences with death and dying, and many participants suffered losses while very young. These encounters influenced participants’ attitudes toward risks and risky behavior: e.g., for some, these experiences provided justification for high-risk behaviors and influenced their behaviors while living on the streets. For others, they may be associated with their homelessness. Finally, these experiences informed their attitudes toward death and dying as well as EOL care; homeless persons believe that care will be poor at the EOL. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study have implications for addressing social services, health promotion, prevention, and EOL care for homeless persons, as well as for others who are poor and disenfranchised

Fabbricati rurali e componenti ambientali per la lettura del paesaggio montano

Since the landscape is given by the co-evolution between nature and human activities, the anthropogenic and environmental components must be integrated. For all practical purposes, this imply to consider the farm buildings together with the agro-ecosystems elements associated from a structural or a functional standpoint. In mountain areas the rural building dedicated for drying of products and the permanent meadow is a couple very important for rural heritage. The study is aimed at take a reading of the couple formed by permanent meadows and the rural building Kozolec. The results showed this two landscape elements as key elements for the cultural landscape identity, for the biodiversity conservation and for the multi-functionality of landscape

I prati da sfalcio come elementi del paesaggio culturale: il caso di studio dell’area montana delle valli del Natisone (Udine)

Molto particolari sono i paesaggi culturali, risultato del forte adattamento dei processi antropici a specifiche condizioni ambientali che, poiché frutto di un equilibrio, è associato ad una condizione di sostenibilità nel lungo periodo. Con questo lavoro si vuole presentare i primi risultati di una ricerca che mira alla definizione di un approccio operativo utile alla caratterizzazione dei sistemi prativi ed alla conoscenza del loro livello di conservazione in un ambito di paesaggio culturale montano. I risultati evidenziano per alcune realtà un elevato stato di conservazione, manifestato dalla presenza di emergenze floristiche di notevole pregio. I prati di maggior interesse di solito ricadono nelle vicinanze dei nuclei abitativi, a testimonianza della stretta relazione tra le attività di gestione e la conservazione della qualità ambientale di queste cenosi. In particolare, emerge una forte correlazione tra il mantenimento degli sfalci, che interessano oramai poche realtà, e la ricchezza floristica rilevata nei prati studiati.In particolare la copertura delle specie indicatrici di cui sopra, aumenta in prati dislocati in aree lontane dai centri abitati, di piccola estensione e circondati dai boschi. In queste condizioni, le specie, si sviluppano maggiormente al margine boschivo e ricoprono una posizione ecotonale, fino a riversarsi nei prati. La mancanza dell’azione selettiva dello sfalcio ne favorisce la diffusione ed espansione, provocando un rapido deterioramento delle cotica