News

The data ecosystem in rural tourism

Sources, methods, and tools for understanding the territory

ISPRA is taking part in the webinar series on rural tourism promoted by CREA Policies and Bioeconomy, within the framework of the CAP Network activities. The initiative, focused on the “data ecosystem in rural tourism,” aims to strengthen the use of statistical sources, big data, and indicators to improve knowledge of territories and to support sustainability-oriented policies.

Second-level Master’s degree in “Environmental Impact Assessment in marine, coastal, and terrestrial areas

In response to strong regional demand for the proper management of projects and infrastructure, the University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara (Department of Science), in exclusive collaboration with ISPRA, launches a program of excellence aimed at training professionals capable of designing and assessing environmental impact studies, with a strongly interdisciplinary and hands-on approach.

PNNR MER: Seamounts and deep species

In the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, at over 2,000 meters below the surface, seamounts reveal a world that until recently we were unable to see. Thanks to a Work Class ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle)—used as part of the PNRR MER project—a true “robotic vehicle,” research by ISPRA is able to enter these environments and closely observe the species that inhabit them: fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, and cartilaginous fish.

In extreme conditions, life finds surprising solutions, such as large eyes, wide mouths, large body sizes, or long fins used like a tripod, creating shapes and behaviors that tell the story of the strength of these mysterious ecosystems.

Hydrogeological Map of Italy at the 1:500,000 Scale (CII500K)

On the occasion of World Water Day, ISPRA highlights the strategic role of hydrogeological knowledge in the protection and sustainable management of water resources.

In Italy, more than 80% of the water intended for human consumption comes from groundwater. This figure underscores the importance of having reliable knowledge tools to understand, manage, and protect a resource that is fundamental for the country.

The Hydrogeological Map of Italy at the 1:500,000 scale (CII500K) represents a national-scale synthesis product aimed at describing the main hydrogeological complexes and the dynamics of groundwater. The map provides an organic and homogeneous overview of the territory, useful for analyzing available resources at the national level.

In 2025, water resources declined compared to 2024. ISPRA monitors and updates their evolution

Precipitation and water availability data

In 2025, total precipitation in Italy amounted to 963.4 mm (approximately 291 billion m³), a decrease of about 9% compared to 2024, which was a particularly rainy year. However, 2025 shows a slight increase of 2% compared to the average annual precipitation for the 1991–2020 period, the most recent climatological 30-year period, which amounts to about 285 billion m³.

In 2025, renewable water resources—defined as precipitation minus losses due to evapotranspiration—were estimated at around 128 billion m³. This represents a decrease compared to historical averages: more than 7% lower than the long-term annual average (about 138 billion m³), 4% lower than the average of the most recent climatological 30-year period, and approximately 19% lower than in 2024.

The current update of the hydrological balance therefore continues to confirm the negative trend observed from 1951 to the present, particularly with regard to the availability of renewable water resources at the national level.

This, in summary, is the overall picture emerging from the assessments produced by ISPRA through the BIGBANG model, which provides estimates of the components of the national hydrological balance, the quantitative framework of water resources, and, more generally, the hydrological situation in 2025, by analyzing trends and deviations from the long-term average values for the period 1951–2025 and the climatological 30-year period 1991–2020.

The detailed assessment will be presented on March 24 during the workshop “Hydrological balance and water resource availability: 2025 update, seasonal forecasts and climate projections” organized by ISPRA on the occasion of World Water Day

Acting at the Local Level for Climate Change Adaptation

The meeting represents an opportunity for discussion among institutions, local authorities, and experts on actions and strategies for climate change adaptation at the local level.

Francesca Giordano, an ISPRA researcher, will take part in the conference with a presentation titled “Adaptation projects of cities participating in the pilot programme funded by MASE

Beyond drought crises: building proactive risk management in the northern Mediterranean

On March 23, the Global Water Partnership and the UNCCD Community of Learning and Practice (CLP) for Northern Mediterranean countries organized a webinar titled “Beyond drought crises: building proactive risk management in the northern Mediterranean.”

Changing precipitation patterns and rising temperatures are accelerating the transition from meteorological drought to agricultural and hydrological drought, placing significant pressure on water resources, agriculture, ecosystems, and energy systems. Because drought develops slowly and its impacts are often difficult to detect early, responses are frequently delayed and reactive in nature

The City Nature Challenge 2026 is back

ISPRA’s participation

From April 24 to 27, 2026, the City Nature Challenge (CNC) returns—an international event that invites citizens to observe and document plants and animals in urban areas, contributing to the collection of data useful for scientific research and the management of urban biodiversity.

The CNC combines the practicality of technology with the beauty of nature: thanks to the digital platform  iNaturalist,, which can be downloaded for free on computers or smartphones, users can record the GPS coordinates of their sightings and identify the observed animal or plant species by uploading a photograph.

Each year, participating cities compete to record the highest number of nature observations: citizens can contribute independently or by taking part in the various local initiatives organized in participating cities.

Estimate of the Marsican brown bear population: second phase of genetic monitoring completed

At the beginning of March, the second meeting on the genetic monitoring of the Marsican brown bear was held in Rome, with strong institutional participation. The meeting was part of the PNRR DigitAP Project, coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security with technical support from ISPRA.

Around one hundred participants—including representatives from Regions, National Parks, public bodies, the Carabinieri Forestali, associations, and universities involved in the project dedicated to estimating the Apennine population of the Marsican brown bear—took part in the second update meeting on the results of genetic analyses, which conclude “phase two” of the project.

Online the Report "The climate in the italian regional capital"

The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the recent climatic regime of regional capital cities over the latest reference climatological period (1991–2020). The analysis also includes long‑term trends and variability in air temperature and a set of climate‑extreme indices. These elements constitute fundamental baseline information for quantifying sectoral impacts and evaluating system-level vulnerabilities, so to support the development of robust, evidence‑based adaptation strategies aimed at enhancing urban climate resilience under ongoing and projected climate‑change conditions.

Public Consultation on the “Guidelines for the Preparation of the Environmental Monitoring Plan for Projects Subject to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Procedure”

Public Consultation on the “Guidelines for the Preparation of the Environmental Monitoring Plan for Projects Subject to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Procedure”

Start of consultation: 13 March 2026
Deadline for submission of contributions: 13 April 2026

Law No. 132/2016, which established the National System for Environmental Protection (SNPA), identifies among its institutional functions the monitoring of environmental effects associated with the implementation of infrastructure projects of national and local interest.

For the implementation of the projects listed in Part II of Legislative Decree 152/2006 and subsequent amendments, project proposals must undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure through the preparation of an Environmental Impact Study (EIS). This study includes the Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMP) for the potentially significant and negative environmental impacts deriving from the construction and operation of the project.

In accordance with Article 28 of Legislative D

Winter School "Green blue spaces for urban and planetary health"

ARPA Emilia-Romagna, in collaboration with Fondazione Flaminia and Alma Tu, is promoting the "Green & Blue Space for Urban and Planetary Health" course from March 16 to 30, 2026. Participation is free and online, for a total of 30 hours.
Topics covered include: Urban and Planetary Health, Pollution, Climate Change, and Vulnerability, Green and Blue Areas as Nature-Based Solutions, "Allying" Plants and Problematic Species, Co-benefits for Mental Health, Aging, and Chronic Diseases, and Participatory Design for Healthy and Resilient Cities.

Inauguration of the Newly Appointed President of the Ecolabel and Ecoaudit Committee

On 23 February, Prof. Armando Masucci was officially appointed President of the Ecolabel and Ecoaudit Committee by decree of the Minister for the Environment and Energy Security, Hon. Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, in agreement with the Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, Sen. Adolfo Urso.

The Communicating Brain: The Secret of Connections

The Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS is taking part in Brain Awareness Week, the international event promoted by the DANA Foundation. From 16 to 21 March, a series of free meetings open to the public will be held to help people learn how to take care of our most important organ.

Among the initiatives organized, on Saturday, 21 March, in Rome, at the European Brain Research Centre, the conference “The Communicating Brain: The Secret of Connections” will take place. The event is organized by the Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS in collaboration with ISPRA and SPERA

Fifth Appointment of “Voce all’Ambiente”

International Cooperation to Protect the Mare Nostrum: the Role of the INFO/RAC Centre — Interview with Lorenza Babbini, ISPRA Researcher

The Mediterranean Sea is relatively small when compared with the world’s oceans. Yet its shores are bordered by three continents: Europe, Africa and Asia. For millennia it has been a meeting point of cultures, peoples and economies—and above all a place of extraordinary biodiversity.

For this very reason, its protection requires complex environmental governance and strong cooperation among countries. We discuss these issues with Lorenza Babbini, Director of the Regional Activity Centre for Information and Communication – INFO/RAC, hosted by ISPRA

From Emergency to Prevention: Territorial Safety as a National Mission

The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry on Hydrogeological and Seismic Risk in the Italian Territory is organizing the conference “From Emergency to Prevention: Territorial Safety as a National Mission” on 12 March.

During the panel “Fragile Italy: Data, Knowledge and New Monitoring Tools. Vulnerability, Interventions and Prevention,” ISPRA President Maria Alessandra Gallone will speak.

Geopolitics and Rare Earths. Politics, Economics and Finance Reflect on the Future: Between Risks and Opportuniti

On Tuesday, 17 March 2026, the conference “Geopolitics and Rare Earths. Politics, Economics and Finance Reflect on the Future: Between Risks and Opportunities” will take place in Milan, at the Auditorium Giorgio Squinzi of Assolombarda. The event will examine the topic from multiple perspectives: political and international relations, economic and diplomatic dynamics, industrial production, investments and financial markets, with the aim of formulating appeals and proposals addressed to the government and institutions.

Water Resources and Resilience: Towards the Fourth Water Management Cycle

The conference "Water Resources and Resilience. Towards the Fourth Cycle of Water Management," sponsored by the Ministry and ISPRA, will be held at MASE on Friday, March 13. In a rapidly evolving climate, the conference focuses on water resource governance as a strategic priority for environmental protection and sustainable development, looking ahead to the fourth planning cycle in the sector.

The New Structural Map of the Italian Seas Is Now Online

A fundamental tool for deepening knowledge of our country’s seabed, the result of years of joint work between public research institutions and Italian universities

Providing an integrated representation of the main tectonic units and geological structures present in the Italian seas—from abyssal depths to submerged ridges—offering an updated and comprehensive picture of the geological framework of submerged areas: this is the objective of the new Structural Map of the Italian Seas, now available online, a key tool for understanding the geological structures that characterize the seabed of our country. The map was produced by the Department for the Geological Survey of Italy of the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), in collaboration with the Institute of Marine Sciences of the National Research Council (CNR-ISMAR), the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS), and the Universities of Genoa, Palermo, Roma Tre, and Trieste. The map is the result of years of joint research carried out by public research institutions and Italian universities.

Reading the Territory, Interpreting the Landscape, Designing the Future

The landscape is not merely the sum of a territory’s geophysical and climatic characteristics; rather, it is the result of the interaction between human beings and the environment. A dynamic synthesis of nature and culture, and of the ways in which communities have inhabited and transformed the land, the landscape is the outcome of a stratification of relationships that defines the identity of a place. It is the visible form of the environment in its historical evolution: a space that is not only physical, but also a reflection of our aesthetic perception and a guardian of our emotional connections.

Hackathon “Environmental Intelligence for Cultural Heritage and Health”: ISPRA at the forefront of innovation for Cultural Heritage and Health using Copernicus data

ISPRA is promoting a new edition of the international Hackathon “Environmental Intelligence for Cultural Heritage and Health”. The event is organized in close collaboration with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the Copernicus National User Forum, and will take place from 8 to 10 May 2026 at the ECMWF Data Centre, located at the Bologna Technopole.

European Ocean Days 2026 - The Role of Data in Ocean Health

On 3 March in Brussels, as part of the European Ocean Days 2026, the session “Marine Knowledge for Ocean Health” took place, focusing on the role of ocean observations and marine data in supporting the protection of marine ecosystems.

For ISPRA, researcher Francesca Catini took part in the “Ocean Observation” panel, which was dedicated to the governance and coordination of ocean observation systems in Europe. 

Pollen Monitoring in Italy: Insights from the CAMS NCP Survey

Every spring, millions of people in Italy have to deal with allergies and respiratory disorders related to the presence of pollen in the air. But how well known and adequate are the tools currently available? And which information is truly useful for those conducting research, those involved in public health prevention, or those who manage allergenic risk on a daily basis?

To answer these questions, a national survey targeting the community of pollen data users was carried out within the framework of the CAMS National Collaboration Programme Italy—an initiative launched by ISPRA in collaboration with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)

EcoAtl@ante: the StoryMap “The Washington Convention (CITES) and Forensic Genetics” is now online

The Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known by the acronym CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), is an international agreement established in 1973 in Washington, D.C.

Its main objective is to ensure that the international trade of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species involved.

The new EcoAtl@anteStoryMap presents data and information on the distribution of samples analyzed for CITES, covering the period from 1995 to the present.

The Conservation Genetics Unit of ISPRA carries out genetic analyses to verify legal captive breeding through biomolecular testing. Over the years, highly efficient analytical protocols have been developed and specifically tailored for each CITES species subjected to biomolecular analyses. ISPRA manages a biobank containing over 20,000 biological samples belonging to approximately 200 different species of birds, reptiles, and mammals.

KEY - The Energy Transition Expo 2026

KEY – The Energy Transition Expo is the leading European trade fair dedicated to the energy transition, technologies, services, and integrated solutions for renewable energy and energy efficiency. It takes place from 4 to 6 March at the Rimini Expo Centre.

The energy transition is a key element in the path toward a sustainable future, and KEY has developed seven interconnected thematic areas: photovoltaics, wind energy, storage, energy efficiency, electric mobility, sustainable cities, and the Innovation District.

On 5 March, ISPRA President Maria Alessandra Gallone will speak at the event “Good news, bad news, fake news: renewables between narrative and reality”.

ISPRA is present at the exhibition with a stand where, on 6 March, two events dedicated to the PNRR Marine Ecosystem Restoration Project and one on New Energy for Tomorrow’s Jobs will take place.

The issue of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear and its impact on marine ecosystems was the focus of a meeting held on 4 March, featuring the Strong Sea Life project, coordinated by ISPRA. The event highlighted the close link between marine conservation, the circular economy, and the ecological transition.

Fourth Episode of Voce all’Ambiente

Alien Species in the Tiber: The “Zebra Mussel” – Interview with Roberto Crosti, ISPRA Researcher

In the fourth episode, we will travel along the course of the Tiber River to discover a story that is both curious and scientific. We will talk about freshwater molluscs, alien species, and citizen science. We will do so by following the traces of an alien and invasive protagonist: the zebra mussel.

The episode will feature Roberto Crosti, scientific coordinator of a citizen science project aimed at engaging the public in freshwater conservation issues through the collection of information on the presence and distribution of molluscs along the river, with the title: #Tevere molluschi fantastici….e dove trovarli".

The Guardian of the Coastal Dunes: The Conservation of the Kentish Plover Tells the Story of the Health of Mediterranean Coasts

In order to stop the rapid decline of the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), the Life ALEXANDRO project has just been launched. It is co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme and aims to protect the species while promoting a sustainable model for coastal management. Classified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Italian vertebrates, the Kentish plover has declined from more than 1,300 estimated breeding pairs in 2004 to about 500 in 2023, mainly due to tourism pressure and the loss of dune habitats.

The project involves 10 Italian regions and the Croatian region of Zadar, covering a total of about 400 km of coastline. Planned actions include nest protection, monitoring, habitat restoration, and dialogue with public authorities and beach tourism operators. ISPRA will play a central role: it will coordinate concrete conservation actions, develop research activities to identify the most suitable nesting areas at the national scale, and prepare Guidelines for the protection of the species.

Who protects pollinators in Italy? First meeting of the LIFE PolliNetwork National Stakeholder Platform

The first map of institutional, scientific, economic, and social actors engaged in pollinator protection in Italy is now ready: 258 stakeholders have been identified as part of the PolliNetwork project.

In recent days, the first meeting of the Stakeholder Platform promoted within the LIFE PolliNetwork project and coordinated by WWF Italy took place. The technical meeting marked the first official opportunity for discussion with a broad and diverse audience composed of 116 representatives from around 70 organizations, including public bodies, institutions, universities, infrastructure managers, agricultural organizations, associations, and other entities interested in the protection of pollinating insects in Italy and involved in the restoration and management of the natural habitats where bees, butterflies, and hoverflies live.

Good news, bad news, fake news: renewables between narrative and reality

In a context marked by strong geopolitical pressures and an increasingly polarized debate, the event aims to explore the gap between the narrative and the reality of the energy transition, bringing together representatives from the media and industry operators.

The meeting will be structured into two panels: the first featuring specialized journalists, to analyze the media portrayal of renewables and the tools to counter misinformation; the second with industry operators, to take stock of the current state of renewables and the progress of the green transition.

International Day of Forests 2026

The International Day of Forests is celebrated every year on March 21 and represents an important opportunity to reflect on the vital role forests play for our planet. Established in 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly, the Day aims to highlight the essential contribution forests make—not only in providing timber and non-wood forest products (such as berries, mushrooms, resins, and more), but also in delivering key ecosystem services, including erosion control, biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and supporting the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people.

The theme for the 2026 International Day of Forests is “Forests and Economies.” Forests support livelihoods, create jobs, reduce poverty, and strengthen food systems for billions of people around the world.