Events and News

Project PROMETHEUS: ISPRA on board!

On 25 and 26 October, the kick off meeting of the Life natura PROMETHEUS project took place in Thessaloniki (Greece). Through a multilateral approach (use of systems to reduce accidental catches in professional fishing, deep involvement of the various stakeholders, valorisation of ecotourism, transition towards alien species as targets for fisheries with food value, etc.), the project proposes multiple objectives aimed at improving the conservation status of some emblematic species of Mediterranean cartilaginous fish. ISPRA, together with other national and international partners, is part of a large consortium, rich in experience and scientific excellence in the field of European research on cartilaginous fish, coordinated by Professor Emanuela Fanelli of the Polytechnic University of Marche.

First extraordinary data from the mapping of coastal habitats as part of the PNRR MER project

The first preliminary data of the PNRR MER "A16 – A18" project for the mapping of Italian coastal habitats have been acquired, available through the WebGIS Virgeo cartographic platform. The project is part of Mission 2 of the PNRR, dedicated to the "Green Revolution and ecological transition", and in particular in Investment 3.5, which aims to restore and protect the seabed and marine habitats.

The main objective is the detailed mapping of Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa meadows, marine habitats fundamental for biodiversity. The project uses advanced technologies such as very high resolution satellite images, topographic and bathymetric LiDAR sensors, as well as autonomous vehicles (AUVs), to create a high resolution database useful for the management and protection of marine-coastal ecosystems.

Currently, the preliminary data visible on Virgeo concerns the Liguria region, where a complete dataset of satellite images was acquired from the Maxar constellation, with multispectral resolutions of 1.85 meters for the WorldView-2 satellite and 1.24 meters for the WorldView- 3. These images were processed using advanced algorithms to determine the reflectivity and map the Posidonia oceanica meadows. Furthermore, thanks to the innovative Satellite Derived Bathymetry technique, the bathymetry of the Ligurian coast was obtained

The Cop16 on biodiversity

In Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 1 November, the first UN international conference on biodiversity after the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal global framework.

World leaders and scientists will come together to define the future of our planet's ecosystems.
COP16 aims to consolidate the commitments made in 2022 during COP15 (Kunming-Montreal), in which 196 governments from around the world approved the "Global Biodiversity Framework" (GBF): a path whose objective is to arrest and reverse the loss of biodiversity by 2050.
The conference will focus on assessing progress made by countries in implementing the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework, which include conserving 30% of the world's lands and oceans by 2030, reducing pollution and promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

One of the central themes of the COP will be the financial resources needed to achieve the ambitious goals set out in the Global Biodiversity Framework and where and from whom to obtain these resources.

Another important area of ​​negotiation will concern mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on progress towards biodiversity targets. Furthermore, the conference will address issues related to access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use, a principle known as Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS).

DigitAP Project: At the school of the "rebel" habitats of the Pantelleria Park

On 15 and 17 October the Pantelleria Park will be an open-air laboratory for students from the island's schools. Students will be able to participate in field activities organized as part of the Digitalization of National Parks and Marine Protected Areas project - DiIgitAP - of the specific measure of the PNRR "Ecological transition and green revolution" owned by the Ministry of Environment and Security Energy

Kick Off meeting of the AlpsLife Project Observe globally, act locally

The Kick Off meeting of the Interreg Alpine Space project AlpsLife: Protect Alpine Life by monitoring and managing Alpine biodiversity for the future was held on 7 and 8 October in Bolzano. “Observing globally, acting locally”. The project aims to develop a harmonized system for the monitoring and management of biodiversity on an Alpine scale with the aim of ensuring its effective protection in the long term.

Planet Earth Festival

Natural communities

For the third year Lucca is the theater of the Planet Earth Festival, directed by Stefano Mancuso, conceived, designed and organized by Editori Laterza.
With over 90 meetings and more than 100 guests - scientists, anthropologists, philosophers, economists, writers, artists and innovators - the event takes place from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 October 2024, in some of the most evocative places in the city.
For the second year ISPRA has granted its patronage and participates in the event with 2 interactive lessons held by our researchers.

Conference "A change in the water: the fate of seas and oceans under climate and pollution"

ISPRA is participating at the conference "A change in the water: the fate of seas and oceans under climate and pollution" that will be held in Paris. In this occasion ISPRA will present the project PNRR MER and two exhibitions “20,000 nets under the sea” and “Carrie, a brave turtle in a changing world” will be set up. The topics addressed are the impact of plastics and microplastics on the marine environment.

Citizen science and riparian vegetation of the Aniene Valley Nature Reserve

As part of the 2024 edition of Urban Nature, the initiative promoted by the WWF to spread the value and care of nature in the city, the National Biodiversity Network is organizing a day of meeting between ISPRA experts and citizens at the Reserve on 28 September Nature of the Aniene Valley. This year the NNB initiative is also part of the Scienzainsieme events, a project which aims to unite the main research bodies and some universities to promote scientific dissemination

Bees, pollinators, pollen and biodiversity

The well-being of many species besides ours is connected to bees, but also to other pollinating insects: they fly from flower to flower, mix pollen, fertilize flowers, ensuring fruit, vegetables, legumes, trees and meadows for the planet. A journey on the wings of the wind and bees to understand what pollen is, what the pollnet network is, what are the complex relationships that link a hive to pollen and the environment, the causes and dangers linked to the decline of apoidea. An in-depth journey for adults and children guided by ISPRA researchers to observe the morphology of bees and pollen and understand the pollination process of plants.

Citizen Science and National Biodiversity Network: Life BIOREPEM project

Less pollution, more sustainable cities

What can municipal administrators and each of us do individually to reduce the use of biocides? We will talk about it with the researchers of the BIOREPEM Project which has the main objective of raising awareness among public administrations and citizens about reducing the use of biocides for mosquitoes and rodents in urban environments. The advanced technologies used in two project areas - Municipality of Fiumicino and Municipality of Francavilla al Mare - will be illustrated for the monitoring and targeted control of infestations, including high-tech electro-mechanical traps for the massive capture of rats and mosquitoes.

Citizen Science and National Biodiversity Network: RIVE project - field and laboratory activities

Together with the participants, we will go to the bank of the Tevere where the importance of riparian vegetation will be addressed. We will illustrate how this transition zone between land and water plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems, filtering nutrients and providing a vital habitat for many species. After this brief theoretical introduction, we will take a water sample from the river. This sample will then be taken to the event stand, where we will carry out a test to measure the levels of nitrates and phosphates, using specific kits with dyes.

Citizen Science and National Biodiversity Network: how to actively participate

Through the video link, participants will be able to explore data and information on biodiversity contained in the platform of the National Biodiversity Network (NNB), the technical infrastructure managed by ISPRA on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security which brings together the banks data on biodiversity relating to the national territory. Information will be provided about the possibility of participation in Citizen Science activities which consist of the active involvement of citizens in research activities, on the activation of Paths for Transversal Skills and Orientation (PCTO) and on the activation of Internships for university students.

Green and health are the future of our cities

On 27 September in Livorno, at the Maremma and Tirreno Chamber of Commerce, the management of urban green will be analyzed with particular attention to the changes introduced by the new public procurement code. There will be a dialogue between the institutions and those who work for the maintenance and creation of urban and extra-urban greenery, historic gardens, parks and landscape. The event is part of a series of events entitled "Green and health are the future of our cities" which started from Napoli, passing through Milan, Rome and Turin, and will continue in the coming months in Puglia and Sicily.

The European Night of Researchers returns on 27 and 28 September: the edition 2024 of NET - scieNcE Together

The edition 2024 of the European Night of Researchers is dedicated to Maria Skłodowska Curie, a pioneer in the field of radioactivity.

A journey into science that celebrates the first person in history to win two Nobel Prizes through workshops, events and shows organized in Italy and abroad by twelve national research bodies and universities with the NET - scieNcE Together project.
The researchers from the main public research bodies and universities in our country that make up the NET network will conduct workshops, in-person and virtual tours, games and experiments, interactive conferences to bring adults and children closer to science. During the appointments, in fact, participants will have the opportunity to interact directly with male and female scientists, participate in interactive experiments and attend live scientific demonstrations, making science a fun and engaging experience for everyone, from children to adults.

Further information; https://www.scienzainsieme.it/

Press release NET – scieNcE Together

Photo gallery

New Study Investigates Spatial Risk Exposure of Floating Marine Litter to Cetaceans and Sea Turtles

Marine debris has become a constant threat to marine species, with ingestion or entanglement being among the main threath for cetaceans and sea turtles. Understanding promptly where and when this threat is most severe is essential for identifying priorities and focusing conservation and mitigation efforts.

ISPRA participates in the NaturArte Festival

NaturArte is a green festival on wellbeing and sustainability, organized by the Sintonia and Initinere association with the patronage of the Lazio Region and the municipality of Trevignano Romano. On 21 and 22 September, workshops, laboratories, conferences, sports and initiatives will be held aimed at spreading natural well-being and a healthy and eco-sustainable lifestyle.

Lead and hunting ammunition. Two paths destined to separate

Nationally renowned speakers will present data, research and scientific evidence that explain all the problems of lead poisoning which, every year in Europe alone, causes the death of over 2,300,000 birds.
An extensive review will be dedicated to the use of non-toxic alternative lead ammunition which has been in use for decades in some European countries and regions. In the afternoon, the most significant stages of the multi-year ecotoxicological research, undertaken in 1995, on the muddy sediments of the Po Delta, in the places of lead contamination, will be illustrated.

MICO-weekend! The hidden world of fungi

The MICO-weekend event will be held on Saturday 31 August and Sunday 1 September 2024! The hidden world of mushrooms organized by the Science Museum of Trento.
The event will be held at the Viote Alpine Botanical Garden of Monte Bondone.

Marine alien species - CapSenHAR project

The biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea is constantly evolving, colonized by expanding species that arrive through natural corridors, such as the Strait of Gibraltar, and by non-indigenous or alien species that are introduced through anthropogenic activities such as maritime traffic, aquaculture and the aquarium hobby or which arrive through artificial corridors such as the Suez Canal. The success of new species may be favored by climate change and/or altered environmental conditions. Some of these may become invasive and pose a threat to the environment, cause damage to the economy or represent a danger to human health.

Ideal habitat for the plover

The plover Charadrius alexandrinus is a small cosmopolitan wader that prefers the shores of the sea and lakes, estuaries, salt marshes and brackish lagoons for reproduction. Its ideal habitat is the area at the foot of the dune, the use of beaches by man and coastal erosion have significantly reduced it.

The plover is currently among the most threatened coastal nesting species: most of the breeding populations in Europe have decreased, sometimes drastically as in Italy, due to the disturbance caused by human activities, predation by invasive species, the loss and of habitat degradation.

LIFE Conceptu Maris - LIFE project of the month on the MASE website

IFE Conceptu Maris: CONservation of CEtaceans and Pelagic sea TUrtles in Med: Managing Actions for their Recovery In Sustainability”

With their movements in the open sea in the Mediterranean, cetaceans and sea turtles find themselves dealing with a growing number of threats, including plastic pollution, maritime traffic and commercial fishing.

Marine alien species - CapSenHAR project

The biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea is constantly evolving, colonized by expanding species that arrive through natural corridors, such as the Strait of Gibraltar, and by non-indigenous or alien species that are introduced through anthropogenic activities such as maritime traffic, aquaculture and the aquarium hobby or which arrive through artificial corridors such as the Suez Canal. The success of new species may be favored by climate change and/or altered environmental conditions. Some of these may become invasive and pose a threat to the environment, cause damage to the economy or represent a danger to human health.

More than 400 nests of Caretta Caretta marine turtle in Italy

To date more than 400 nests of Caretta Caretta marine turtles have been observed in Italy, mainly in Sicily, Calabria, Campania and Apulia Region. The activities of beach patrolling looking for traces and turtle nests are going on by hundreds of volunteers. Once identified, the nests are made safe to be protected against damages. These activities require significant time and efforts but are well rewarded by the great emotion aroused with the hatching of eggs. Life TURTLENEST Project of which ISPRA is a partner has signed more than 100 Memoranda of Understanding with administrations and protected areas interested in the adoption of indications provided by Legambiente, project coordinator, for a responsible management of beaches as potential nesting areas.

Observe and report the flora and fauna around you even on holiday!

let's participate in the "Biodiversity in pose" initiative of the ISPRA National Biodiversity Network dedicated to the collection and sharing of observations on fauna, flora and the natural environment made by citizens

“Biodiversity in pose” offers the possibility, thanks to the connection with the iNaturalist APP, to anyone interested and at any time, to share reports with the Network through images of nature created at both a professional and amateur level, thus constituting a channel of input for the data.

Urban Nature 2024: the celebration of Nature in the city

Let's explore the Aniene Valley Nature Reserve
The ISPRA National Biodiversity Network is a partner of the edition 2024 of Urban Nature, the initiative promoted by the WWF to spread the value and care of nature in the city. There are several events scheduled for 28 and 29 September organized in various Italian cities by the partners participating in the initiative.

The project PNRR MER in the Italian Tv channel TG1

The Director General of ISPRA, Maria Siclari, was a guest this morning on TG1 to talk about the activities of the MER - Marine Ecosystem Restoration Project.

MER is the largest project on the sea as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which sees ISPRA as the implementing body and the Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security as the administration in charge of the 400 million Euro financing for 2022- 2026. The MER provides for interventions for the restoration and protection of the seabed and marine habitats, the strengthening of the national observation system of marine and coastal ecosystems and the mapping of coastal and marine habitats of conservation interest in Italian waters with the acquisition of a new naval oceanographic unit, equipped with highly technological equipment capable of probing the seabed up to 4000 m and very high resolution acoustic instrumentation.

Video

A Review of the Available Tools for Identifying Key Areas for Cetaceans and Marine Turtles: A New Study by ISPRA and the University of Rome La Sapienza

Cetaceans and turtles travel great distances in the ocean and, since they often remain below the surface, gathering data about them is challenging. To address this, marine biologists frequently use species distribution models, essential mathematical tools that help predict the distribution of marine animals even in areas lacking data. To create these models, three fundamental components are necessary: species presence data, environmental data, an algorithm that describes the relationship between the species and its habitat.

Alien species in our seas

The biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea is constantly evolving, colonized by range-expanding species that arrive through natural corridors, such as the Strait of Gibraltar, and by non-indigenous species or alien species that are introduced by anthropic activities or arrive through artificial corridors such as the Suez passage; some of these species can also be dangerous to human health as they are toxic for consumption or poisonous on contact.

In order to provide support to sea users for the recognition of new species potentially observable and fishable in our seas, including those dangerous to human health, a new booklet has been created, an updated version of the 2021 edition.

Any reports that will be sent to researchers will also contribute to monitoring the distribution and spread of these species in our waters.

Nesting of the Kentish plover

The plover Charadrius alexandrinus is a small cosmopolitan wader that prefers the shores of the sea and lakes, estuaries, salt marshes and brackish lagoons for reproduction.
The Kentish plover's nest is a simple hole in the sand where the female generally lays three eggs which are incubated for almost a month. Male and female alternate in brooding with long shifts of about 12 hours.

Presentation of the ISPRA documentary "The sand house"

On 13 July in Senigallia there will be the presentation of the documentary made by ISPRA on the Kentish plover, one of the most threatened coastal nesting species.
The documentary "The Sand House" describes the monitoring and scientific research activities carried out by ISPRA in collaboration with the ringers, the local associations of the National Committee for the Conservation of the Kentish Plover and the General Command of the Carabinieri.