Events and News

Between the beach and the seas: stories of birds from the Mare Nostrum

The Science Museum of Trento is organizing the meeting "Between the beach and the seas: stories of birds of the Mare Nostrum" on April 10th.

The first protagonist of the evening is the Fratino, a small bird that nests on the beach.
For years, ISPRA has been carrying out a study project on the species: thanks to the individual marking activity with rings that can be read from a distance, it has been possible to study the dynamics of the pairs that form every spring-summer; while with the use of miniaturized GPS instruments it was possible to study their movements during nesting and winter, with quite a few surprises.

Biodiversity change in the Anthropocene: research priorities

An open and dynamic scientific discussion on one of the main problems of our era

The symposium, organized by the CNR, will be an active discussion, fueled by short presentations presented in a dynamic mode, which will favor interaction between participants and the exchange of experiences and visions on the topic in question.

INVISIBILIA – THE HIDDEN PLANET

A project of participatory science and immersion in nature

INVISIBILIA is a proposal for immersion in nature to promote knowledge of the Park's habitats. Thanks to the contribution of experts and the collaboration of some scientific research projects, the invisible worlds that make up the Sasso Simone and Simoncello Park will be explored with the aim of collecting useful data for the study and conservation of species of flora, fauna and fungi. The data will be collected through specific instrumentation and the use of the iNaturalist App will be encouraged through which participants will be able to send their reports in the "Biodiversity Project" of the National Biodiversity Network (NNB) of ISPRA.

Roma the city garden

As part of the Festival of the Green and Landscape Festival which will take place from 5 to 7 April at the Auditorium Parco della Musica "Ennio Morricone", the conference "Rome the garden city" will be held on Friday 5 April.

Rome has a usable ecological heritage of great importance, characterized by a complex system of habitats that includes a vast system of protected natural areas, parks and gardens and historic villas, river floodplains, agricultural areas and urban vegetable gardens.
Its territory is in fact characterized by 22 protected natural areas and 40 historic villas (around 5,000 hectares in total) located both in the central areas and in the more peripheral areas.

The use of dog units in the conservation of biodiversity

The use of dogs for wildlife conservation and management is taking on an increasingly important role, thanks to the abilities of these animals, for example the ability to recognize odors even very diluted in the environment and to investigate large surfaces in a short time. For these reasons, the LIFE Perdix project used dogs to ascertain the reproduction and distribution of Italian partridges released into the Mezzano Valley. The workshop intends to provide an overview of the different topics in which dogs can be efficiently used for the conservation of biodiversity and to propose specific guidelines for their use.

The Birds of the Countryside

Birds, especially the common nesting species, represent excellent ecological indicators, thanks to some of their peculiar characteristics: they are animals sensitive to environmental changes, they are easily contactable especially during the reproductive period (when they show evident territorial behaviours, including singing), they allow the monitoring of habitats on a large scale and, occupying high levels of the food chain, reflect the changes also undergone by other taxa that occupy lower trophic levels.

FAI spring days "ISPRA: protection of biodiversity at the garden estate of Ozzano dell'Emilia"

ISPRA of Ozzano dell'Emilia takes part in the FAI Spring Days which confirm, in their thirty-second edition, one of the most important events for learning about the Italian cultural and landscape heritage.

This year ISPRA opens the doors of an important headquarters, not only in terms of landscape heritage, but also from a scientific one. For visitors to the ISPRA estate in Ozzano nell'Emilia, an exclusive opportunity opens up to discover the organisation's research activities and projects.

International Day of Forests 2024

International Day of Forests is celebrated every 21 March and represents a fundamental moment to reflect on the importance of forests for our planet. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, the day aims to highlight the fundamental role that forests play not only in the supply of timber and non-timber products (berries, mushrooms, resins, etc.), but including in providing ecosystem services such as erosion control, biodiversity conservation, climate regulation and in providing livelihoods to hundreds of millions of people.
The theme of the 2024 Day is "Forests and Innovation" and places emphasis on the essential combination of forest conservation and technological progress.

How did mammals respond to changes in human activity during the pandemic?

The results of a study conducted on a global scale which analyzed the impact on the habits of wild mammals of changes in human activities induced by the COVID-19 pandemic between 2019 and 2021 have been published in the international scientific journal Nature Ecology and Evolution. 

Protected areas: virtuous experiences to combat the decline of pollinators

The Life 4 Pollinators project is organizing a meeting that brings together the world of conservation, research and institutions, united to protect the decline of pollinators.

"Virtuous experiences to combat the decline of pollinators" is an event organized in collaboration with Federparchi, LIFE PollinAction, Life BEEadapt which aims to give those who manage protected areas the opportunity to discuss and find shared strategies for the conservation of pollinating insects .

National project on the biology and conservation of skunks and weasels in Italy

MustelaWatch.it is the Italian portal dedicated to skunks and weasels designed and created by the Italian Mesocarnivore Research Group (GrIMeC) of the Italian Theriological Association (ATIt). It contains news on the species, insights, publications, as well as distribution maps updated in real time, with recent data and new acquisitions.

PNRR WED. The restoration of one of the most threatened marine environments in Europe: flat oyster habitats

In the "breeding parks" 300,000 larvae have already been obtained, the objective is to reach 1 million to be allocated to breeding

ISPRA's activities have begun for the restoration of one of the most threatened marine environments in Europe: the habitats of the flat oyster (Ostrea edulis), a native Adriatic species, in five Italian regions: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Marche and Abruzzo. An activity in line with the requests of the European Strategy for Biodiversity and the objectives of the recently approved "Nature Restoration Law". The operations involve the introduction of adult reproductive individuals - both collected with sustainable fishing techniques and bred - and the placing on the seabed of substrates favorable to the taking root of new generations of oysters and the formation of the reef. To support the interventions, instruments for measuring environmental parameters will be installed which will complement the data collected through specific monitoring programs.

Plastic and circular economy

The seminar, addressed to the local administrators of Villasimius, is dedicated to the topics of plastics, circular economy and the impacts that they can produce on the territory and sea.

It will be also presented the project LIFE CONCEPTU MARIS, which AMP Capo Carbonare is partner and aims to conservation of cetaceans and sea turtles in the Mediterranean.

From balconies to urban green: good practices for the management of invasive alien species

The aim of the conference is to illustrate the delicate topic of invasive alien species and suggest the most correct gardening and green design practices to limit their spread in the environment, encouraging the use of native species for the creation of more sustainable gardens.

The PNRR for National Parks and Marine Protected Areas

Activities to strengthen technological instrumentation to improve knowledge on biodiversity are underway

National Parks and Marine Protected Areas have consistently carried out important monitoring work for years which today allows the entire scientific community to have a significant knowledge base on biodiversity. However, monitoring activities, in particular those on species and habitats, present heterogeneous characteristics and do not allow the availability of uniform and integrated information in the medium-long term for the entire system of protected areas.

Migrations, colonizations and evolutionary adaptations in bird populations facing the environmental challenges of the Anthropocene

As part of the Darwin Day Ferrara 2024 initiatives, organized by the Natural History Museum of Ferrara, by the Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology of the University of Ferrara, in collaboration with the Didò Educational Association and with the patronage of the National Association Scientific Museums (ANMS) and the Italian Society of Evolutionary Biology (SIBE), the meeting "Migrations, colonizations and evolutionary adaptations in bird populations facing the environmental challenges of the Anthropocene" will be held in Ferrara on 7 March.
An ISPRA researcher will participate at the event.

Refining tools for cetacean conservation

Species Distribution Modeling (SDM) is a powerful tool employed by researchers to pinpoint critical areas essential for species survival. This tool holds particular significance when studying and conserving species like cetaceans, whose large-scale movements in the vaste marine environment pose challenges for continuous monitoring across its entire extention.

On-line the new environmental indicators data base ISPRA

An effective tool to understand the state of the environment in Italy
Developed with a view to improvement, to face increasingly pressing environmental challenges and to satisfy new knowledge needs, including future scenarios, the ISPRA environmental indicators database disseminates detailed statistical information in a dynamic and timely manner characterized by a high scientific solidity.

The microforest, an year later

Celebration after one year from the inauguration of the first Eco-Pedagogical Microforest of the Capital.

An ISPRA researcher will participate in the meeting with a speech on microfauna and soil.

Which beaches Caretta Caretta choose for nesting? ISPRA sampling campaigns are in progress

In the frame of EU LIFETURTLENEST Project ISPRA beach sediment sampling campaigns on some breeding sites of the past seasons are in progress. The composition of the beach has an impact on the breeding success of Caretta Caretta marine turtles. Since last November two monitoring campaigns have been completed, namely in Tuscany Region and Lazio Region while in Campania Region are still ongoing, the campaign occurs on a monthly basis.

World Seagrass Day

World Seagrass Day is celebrated on March 1st, vital for the maintenance of marine ecosystems.
ISPRA celebrates this anniversary with 3 videos aimed at students, dedicated to Posidonia oceanica, its enormous ecological value, the importance of sustainable management and conscious use of coastal areas.

LIFETURTLENEST launches a survey on socio-economic benefits

At the beginning of its second year of activities, the EU Project LIFE Turtlenest has launched a survey on socio-economic benefits produced in order to assess the impact of the project. This survey is useful to evaluate the level of Knowledge and awareness on topics linked to the conservation of marine turtles and the interest of key actors to carry on concrete actions for the protection of nature together with the project.

Stop invasive alien species to protect biodiversity, economy and health

The role of the horticultural sector

As part of the Myplant&Garden event, the international green and landscape fair, the conference "Stopping invasive alien species to protect biodiversity, economy and health" will be held on 22 February.

Invasive alien species are organisms introduced by humans, accidentally or voluntarily, outside their area of ​​origin, which establish themselves in nature and cause environmental, social and economic impacts.
During the conference, rules and good practices will be shared to avoid and manage their spread

Green and health are the future of our cities

As part of the Myplant & Garden event (International Green Expo) at the Milan - Rho fair, the conference "Green and health are the future of our cities" will be held on 21 February which sees the participation of operators and experts from the sector at national and international level who will discuss with the local administrators of the cities of Avellino, Milan, Turin and Rome. ISPRA will illustrate the PNRR-PNC project "The good use of green and blue spaces for the promotion of well-being and health (VeBS)", started in 2013.

Presentation of the "Environment Report SNPA" - edition 2023

The Report, now in its fourth edition, offers a detailed overview of the state of our environment based on objective, reliable and comparable information, with 21 environmental indicators that allow us to evaluate the achievement of the numerous set objectives and to effectively address future environmental challenges . The second part of the document highlights the commitment and work of ISPRA and the ARPA/APPA, through a focus on best practices for the fight against climate change, to support the circular economy, to contribute to the process of sustainable finance, to protect our health and our planet and to raise awareness and inform the community.

Program

Spot Environment Report  SNPA

Environment Report SNPA - Edition 2023

Technical table established to deal with the rapid spread of the alga Rugulopteryx okamurae

The alga Rugulopteryx okamurae is the first and only macroalgae species to be included in the list of invasive alien species of notable importance of the European Union, whose negative effects on the environment and biodiversity in Europe are so serious as to require intervention concerted effort of the Member States of the Union. It represents one of the main threats to biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystems in coastal habitats, with possible repercussions on seaside activities and fishing with financial losses estimated at several million euros.

ISPRA participates in the WOLFNESS Project

Preserving the natural heritage of wolves: a multidisciplinary approach towards effective and socially acceptable management of wolf-dog hybridization across Europe.
WOLFNESS aims to improve the conservation status of the wolf (Canis lupus) in Europe consequently to its re-expansion, not only in natural contexts but also in anthropized areas, where the risk of anthropogenic hybridization between wolves and domestic dogs (WDH) could be high. The project will aim also to shed light on the dynamics of anthropogenic hybridization, to standardize investigation methodologies and improve the management and social acceptance of the phenomeno

Alien invasions: between nutria and fire ants, what is happening, what awaits us in the future and how we must respond to this threat

As part of the Darwin Day Ferrara 2024 initiatives, organized by the Natural History Museum of Ferrara, by the Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology of the University of Ferrara, in collaboration with the Didò Educational Association and with the patronage of the National Association Scientific Museums (ANMS) and the Italian Society of Evolutionary Biology (SIBE), the meeting "Alien invasions: between nutria and fire ants, what is happening, what awaits us in the future and how we must respond" will be held in Ferrara on 15 February to this threat." The Responsibile of the Service for the coordination of ISPRA wildlife activities will participate at the event.

Management of wild boar in PSA emergency: Strategies and good practices

The Lucano Val D'Agri Lagonegrese Apennines National Park is organizing the conference "Management of wild boar in the African swine fever emergency: Strategies and good practices" on 12 February. The meeting acts as a connecting element between emergency management and the adoption of good practices that can transform a risk into an opportunity for the territory.

LIFE Conceptu Maris: the campaign CItizen Science 2004 is starting

The Citizen Science 2024 campaign by LIFE Conceptu Maris officially begins again, thanks to which the citizens most sensitive to the issues addressed by the project, after having attended an online training course, can board the ferries together with the researchers along one of the 17 available routes and thus contribute to the monitoring of cetaceans and turtles.
The main news this year is the opening of the route between the Spanish port of Barcelona and the Moroccan port of Tangier.