Events and News

Storm Petrels and the Challenge of Crosswinds

An international study coordinated by ISPRA researchers has uncovered a remarkable flight strategy adopted by the Mediterranean storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis), the smallest seabird in the Mediterranean. During the breeding season, these tiny birds undertake long foraging trips over the open sea while their partners remain at the nest incubating the egg. As timing is crucial for reproductive success, finding food efficiently is essential.

Alien Species in Our Seas

The Mediterranean Sea is becoming increasingly populated by alien species introduced through human activities such as maritime shipping, aquaculture, and the aquarium trade, as well as through artificial waterways like the Suez Canal. It is also receiving species that are expanding their natural range and entering through natural corridors such as the Strait of Gibraltar. Climate change and environmental alterations facilitate the establishment of these new species, some of which can become invasive and cause significant harm to the environment, the economy, and human health.

Observe and Report Biodiversity Around You – Even While on Holiday!

Take part in "Biodiversity in Focus", an initiative of ISPRA's National Biodiversity Network dedicated to collecting and sharing citizen observations of wildlife, plants, and natural environments.

Through its integration with the iNaturalist app, "Biodiversity in Focus" enables anyone, at any time, to share photographs of nature with the National Biodiversity Network. Whether taken by professional or amateur photographers, these images provide valuable biodiversity records and contribute to the Network's growing database of citizen-generated observations.

“Watch Out for the Four!”: Keep Your Eyes Open for Invasive Alien Fish in Italian Waters

Fishermen, divers, and anyone who has observed or caught a lionfish or any of the other three potentially dangerous tropical species—the silver-cheeked toadfish, the dusky rabbitfish, and the marbled spinefoot—in Italian waters are invited to support the “Watch Out for the Four!” awareness campaign. The campaign aims to inform the public about the presence of these invasive species in our seas and encourage the reporting of sightings.

ISPRA documentary "House in the sand"

Do you know the Kentish Plover? Did you know that you might see it on the beach in the summer? Unfortunately, it is currently one of the most threatened coastal nesting species. Most breeding populations in Europe are declining, sometimes dramatically as in Italy, due to disturbance from human activities, predation by invasive species and habitat loss and degradation. The documentary "House in the sand" describes the monitoring and scientific research activities carried out by ISPRA, in collaboration with local ringers, the local branches of the National Committee for the Conservation of the Kentish Plover and the General Command of the Carabinieri.

Nature Map of the Province of Trento Now Available

ISPRA has released the Nature Map (Carta della Natura) for the Province of Trento, expanding the national system used to assess and monitor Italy's ecosystems and habitats. The map provides detailed information on habitat distribution, ecological value and environmental vulnerability, supporting land-use planning, biodiversity conservation and environmental assessments. It is the result of a collaboration between ISPRA and the Autonomous Province of Trento and represents an important tool for public authorities, researchers and environmental managers to promote sustainable territorial planning and protect natural capita

Climate change and ocean acidification outweigh local stressors in Mediterranean mussels: A multi-method convergence analysis

Published in the prestigious journal Environmental Pollution and co-authored by ISPRA researchers, the study "Climate Change and Ocean Acidification Outweigh Local Stressors in Mediterranean Mussels: A Multi-Method Convergence Analysis" presents the results of a ten-year biomonitoring programme (2014–2023) carried out in the Ligurian Sea.

The research focused on the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) at Gorgona Island (used as the reference site) and near an offshore regasification terminal. By integrating biomarker data, tissue metal concentrations, and high-resolution oceanographic variables, the study quantified the relative contribution of different environmental stressors affecting mussel health using five complementary statistical approaches.

Will the Italian Grey Partridge Fly Again in the Mezzano Valley?

The Italian Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix italica) is a medium-sized, resident galliform bird that spends most of its time on the ground. Historically associated with open rural landscapes and the traditional agricultural ecosystems of the Italian Peninsula, this endemic subspecies suffered a dramatic decline throughout the twentieth century due to habitat fragmentation, agricultural intensification, and hunting pressure, eventually being officially declared extinct in the wild. The only remaining genetically pure individuals were preserved within a single historic breeding line maintained in northern Italy.

ISPRA's Contribution to the Third Edition of the United Nations "World Ocean Assessment"

The third edition of the World Ocean Assessment (WOA) has recently been released. Spanning more than 1,300 pages, the report is the result of five years of work by around 600 international scientists. It provides a comprehensive assessment of the growing impacts of climate change, pollution, and overfishing on the world's oceans, which cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface.

Presentation of the "Guidelines for Urban Nature Plans"

The Guidelines for Urban Nature Plans, developed within the framework of the National Biodiversity Future Center, aim to support public authorities, technical experts, and planners in integrating biodiversity into urban planning policies and tools.
The meeting will provide an overview of the Urban Nature Plan as a new strategic tool promoted by the European Union to strengthen the climate resilience of cities.

SYNFONY 2026 First Survey: An Outstanding Start Across the Mediterranean

The first survey of SYNFONY 2026 – Synoptic Ferry Observation Network, a new Mediterranean monitoring initiative built on the legacy of the LIFE CONCEPTU MARIS project and the long-standing experience of the FLT Med Net network – has provided a highly encouraging snapshot of marine biodiversity across the Mediterranean Sea. Research teams documented an extraordinary diversity of cetaceans, sea turtles, sharks, rays and seabirds along numerous ferry routes.

Biodiversamente: Discover Wildlife Through New Eyes

As part of the  Environmental Education and Sustainability Initiatives Program 2025/26, more than 100 students from two schools in the province of Bologna had the opportunity, between April and May, to experience firsthand what it means to study wildlife for management and conservation purposes. They took part in activities simulating the monitoring and field identification of terrestrial mammals and explored conservation genetics laboratories to discover how DNA analysis can contribute to understanding and protecting wild populations.

Over 100 Golani Sardines Caught off Lampedusa

More than 100 specimens of the Golani sardine (Etrumeus golanii), a species native to the Red Sea, were caught by fishermen from Lampedusa during an anchovy fishing trip.

The species was first reported in Italian waters by ISPRA in 2006, following the capture of a specimen off the Island of Lampedusa in September 2005, with only sporadic catches recorded in subsequent years.

This remarkable catch confirms the widespread presence of this alien species in the Strait of Sicily. The specimens were handed over to ISPRA researchers working on the island for scientific research and will be analyzed in the laboratory.

The role of fishermen continues to be of great importance in monitoring alien and rare species in our seas.

JoNeF Report 2025 at the IMPEL General Assembly

Food, Biodiversity and Desertification

On the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, the Order of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators of the Province of Messina and the Mediterranean Architects Foundation of Messina, under the patronage of the National Institute of Bioarchitecture and in collaboration with Assocea Messina, are organizing a training event entitled: “Food, Biodiversity and Desertification”.

The event will address issues related to the relationship between climate change, biodiversity conservation, sustainable food systems, and the risk of desertification, with contributions from experts in research, technical professions, and public institutions.

From the Nest on the Beach to the Open Sea: The Hidden Journey of Mediterranean Sea Turtles

Every summer, more and more people have the chance to see Caretta caretta sea turtles on Mediterranean beaches, thanks to nest monitoring and protection activities. But the big question is: where do they go when they disappear back into the sea?

For the first time at a Mediterranean-wide scale, researchers from the Life Conceptu Maris project have reconstructed the “hidden” marine life of these turtles across three stages of growth, showing that they do not all live in the same places or in the same way. On the contrary, their habitat changes with age, from young individuals to adults, almost as if they follow different pathways through the ocean.

Prenestini Bioblitz – Mapping the Biodiversity of the Monte Guadagnolo SAC

As part of the initiative “25 Years Together for Biodiversity” promoted by the Museo Civico Naturalistico dei Monti Prenestini on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its activities, the bioblitz “Discovering the Biodiversity of the Monti Prenestini” will begin on June 6, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. and will conclude at 6:00 p.m. on the following day.

National Parks Management Plan Status Repository Updated as of 31 March 2026

The National Park Management Plan (Piano per il Parco) is the planning instrument through which a Park Authority pursues the protection of “natural and environmental values, as well as historical, cultural, and traditional anthropological heritage.”

Through maps, diagrams, and official documents issued by the competent authorities (the State, Regions, and Park Authorities), as well as the contents of the Italian Court of Auditors’ Determination No. 13 of 13 February 2025, “Determination and Report on the Results of the Financial Management Audit of the 23 National Park Authorities” relating to the 2023 financial year, the Repository provides an overview of the current planning status of the 25 National Parks currently established in Italy.

For each National Park, users can identify the exact stage reached in the plan approval process and consult the most recent official document associated with that stage.

Green&Blue Festival 2026

The Green&Blue Festival 2026 will be held in Milan from June 4 to 6, 2026, at the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology. The event, focusing on sustainability and climate, will include three days of meetings, performances, and discussions with international experts.

The theme chosen for this edition is "We focusing on everyone's active role in building a sustainable world".

European Day of Parks 2026

Healthy ecosystems do not exist in isolation: they thrive only when ecological connections are active — biological corridors, connected habitats, and landscapes that allow species to move, adapt, and flourish.

These connections often extend beyond the boundaries of any single Protected Area. To nurture nature, we must think beyond borders, restore links, build ecological networks, and create partnerships that bring together people, communities, and nature.

For this reason, the slogan of the 2026 Parks Day is “United by Nature.”

The European Day of Parks, celebrated on May 24, is a commemorative day dedicated to protected areas throughout Europe, established in 1999 by the EUROPARC Federation

World Biodiversity Day 2026

May 22 is World Biodiversity Day, established by the United Nations to celebrate biodiversity—the richness of life at the level of ecosystems, species, and genes—on our planet.

The date of May 22 was chosen by the United Nations in 2000 to commemorate the official adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which took place in Nairobi on May 22, 1992.

The Convention on Biological Diversity pursues three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity; the sustainable use of its components; and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of these genetic resources, especially in cases of economic exploitation.

World Bee Day 2026

Pollinating insects play vital ecological roles that support global biodiversity, food security, and ecosystem balance. About 90% of the world’s wild flowering plants depend on insects for pollination in order to reproduce. It is also estimated that 75% of major global crops—including vegetables, fruits, nuts, and forage—benefit from insect pollination. Beyond agriculture, pollinators indirectly contribute to climate change mitigation by supporting the health of forests and natural ecosystems, which are essential for CO₂ absorption.

The status of pollinator populations in Italy is considered critical, reflecting the broader negative trend across Europe.

• Species at risk: around 22% of the 151 assessed native bee species are threatened with extinction.
• Main causes: habitat fragmentation, intensive agriculture, widespread pesticide use, and increasing pressure from climate change.

We all depend on pollinators. Monitoring their decline and taking action to halt biodiversity loss is essential—not only for protecting ecosystems, but also for safeguarding food systems and environmental stability.

The new issue of RETICULA, ISPRA’s technical-scientific journal, is now online

The issue 41 of RETICULA, the technical-scientific journal published by ISPRA and dedicated to ecological connectivity and green infrastructure in land-use and landscape planning, is now available online.

The editorial of the new issue focuses on Mediterranean wetlands, essential ecosystems for biodiversity and climate regulation, highlighting their strategic role as Nature-based Solutions.

The contamination of the seabed of the Orbetello Lagoon and its relationships with biota

The RELOAD Project (ISPRA – Regione Toscana) and prospects for the environmental protection of the lagoon

On May 15, in Orbetello, ISPRA is organizing a study day entitled: “The contamination of the seabed of the Orbetello Lagoon and its relationships with biota – The RELOAD Project (ISPRA – Regione Toscana) and prospects for the environmental protection of the lagoon.”

The initiative aims to present the results of the RELOAD project, funded by Regione Toscana, and focused on defining reference values (pursuant to Director’s Decree 08.06.2016). These parameters are essential for a possible redefinition of the boundaries of the SIN (Site of National Interest) of the Orbetello Lagoon and for identifying the seabed areas considered most critical.

ISPRA and cetacean monitoring: the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative 2026 gets underway

In the summer of 2026, the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative will resume, the synoptic survey aimed at estimating the distribution and abundance of cetacean populations across the entire Mediterranean basin. The initiative, promoted by the countries participating in the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area (ACCOBAMS), relies on the coordinated use of naval and aerial assets to provide updated scientific data, following up on the first edition carried out in 2018.

Four Years of Monitoring Wild Pollinators in the Vesuvius National Park

On the occasion of World Bee Day and the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Vesuvius National Park is promoting the conference–excursion “Four Years of Monitoring Wild Pollinators in the Vesuvius National Park,” scheduled for May 14–15, 2026, between Ottaviano and Ercolano.

The conference will represent an important opportunity to present the results of four years of monitoring pollinator biodiversity within the territory of the Vesuvius National Park through the BeeVesuvius project.

World Migratory Bird Day 2026

Saturday, May 9th, is World Migratory Bird Day. The theme for 2026, "Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!", emphasizes the importance of citizen science for migratory bird conservation.

Focusing on individual contributions, citizen science, and public bird monitoring initiatives, the 2026 campaign will celebrate the millions of bird enthusiasts worldwide who, through every recorded observation, contribute to the collection of data and knowledge critical to policy decisions and bird conservation.

Short Film “Wild Diary”

The short film “Wild Diary” produced at the Presidential Estate of Castelporziano during the residential workshop organized by the Pianeta Mare Film Festival, with the scientific support of ISPRA, received two special jury awards: the Institut Français Award and the Lago Film Festival Award. The video, created by the two young filmmakers Angelica Brachetti and Paola Cainiello, aimed to portray the behind-the-scenes activities of wildlife monitoring carried out by ISPRA on behalf of the Estate, providing the scientific data necessary for wildlife management, with particular reference to ungulates.

Protection of pollinators, tools and practices: what actions are possible?

The initiative, through the involvement of representatives from institutional, production, environmental, and research sectors, aims—starting from the results of LIFE BEEadapt and the instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) currently in place to support pollinators—to foster debate on the dissemination of good practices and on the synergies that can be developed to implement actions of interest for the protection of pollinators.

Wolf, ISPRA and SNPA President Gallone: “An alliance is urgently needed to stop illegality and conflicts”

ISPRA and SNPA President Maria Alessandra Gallone:
“As already reiterated in recent days, the reckless act of indiscriminately killing animals such as the wolf — a symbolic species of Italian biodiversity — risks undermining the results achieved over the past decades in terms of its protection and conservation.

It is necessary to establish as soon as possible a discussion forum that represents a concrete alliance with all stakeholders who live and work in these areas, responsibly and fairly supporting primary production while ensuring the safety of areas of extraordinary ecological value. This path will be essential to reduce existing conflicts and decisively combat illegality, which threatens not only a protected species but the entire wildlife heritage of these territories, including grazing livestock activities.”