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  1. Article ; Online: New approach for butterfly conservation through local field‐based vegetational and entomological data

    Irene Piccini / Marco Pittarello / Viviana Di Pietro / Michele Lonati / Simona Bonelli

    Ecosphere, Vol 13, Iss 4, Pp n/a-n/a (2022)

    2022  

    Abstract: Abstract In mountain ecosystems, it is crucial to identify conservation strategies to avoid local extinctions mainly due to agropastoral abandonment. For this purpose, identifying appropriate system indicators is required, for example, butterflies, which ...

    Abstract Abstract In mountain ecosystems, it is crucial to identify conservation strategies to avoid local extinctions mainly due to agropastoral abandonment. For this purpose, identifying appropriate system indicators is required, for example, butterflies, which respond precisely and quickly to environmental changes. Zerynthia polyxena is an ecotonal species of butterfly, and thus, through its conservation it could be possible to protect clearing and ecotonal species. To develop conservation measures, we set up a hierarchical investigation that characterizes the ecological preferences of the adult and larval Z. polyxena, and host plant—Aristolochia pallida—by collecting data on the butterfly abundance (adult and larvae), tree cover, and litter plant features and by phytosociological surveys. Adult preferences change along an altitudinal gradient; the highest butterfly presence is at sites with medium elevation (1100 m above sea level [asl]) with high presence of forest, but even sites at low elevation (975 m asl), a high presence of forest favors butterfly abundance. Larvae prefer partially shaded ecotone plots with abundant host plants and low management intensity (corresponding to abundant litter) and with heterogeneous tree cover. High tree cover (70%) at low altitude and low tree cover (<20%) at high altitude favor larval presence. Larvae prefer plants with large leaves. Host plants were more abundant at low elevation where tree cover was low (<20%). We found that the optimal ecological niches of host plant and larvae have a spatial mismatch. By analyzing vegetation dynamics and butterfly monitoring during one field season, we are able to describe current and past (about 10–50 years ago) management pressures, in order to identify butterfly ecological preferences in relation to local features and therefore to suggest local conservation actions that might support Z. polyxena, as well as other butterflies and insects. Specifically, management measures should prevent afforestation (e.g., through irregular mowing) ...
    Keywords ecotones ; elevation ; insects ; larvae ; litter ; management ; Ecology ; QH540-549.5
    Subject code 333
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Wiley
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  2. Article ; Online: Genotoxic effects of particulate matter on larvae of a common and widespread butterfly along an urbanization gradient

    Irene Piccini / Manuela Macrì / Marta Gea / Luca Dessì / Sara Bonetta / Tiziana Schilirò / Alfredo Santovito / Simona Bonelli

    Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Vol 252, Iss , Pp 114638- (2023)

    2023  

    Abstract: Biodiversity is currently declining worldwide. Several threats have been identified such as habitat loss and climate change. It is unknown if and how air pollution can work in addition or in synergy to these threats, contributing to the decline of ... ...

    Abstract Biodiversity is currently declining worldwide. Several threats have been identified such as habitat loss and climate change. It is unknown if and how air pollution can work in addition or in synergy to these threats, contributing to the decline of current species and/or local extinction. Few studies have investigated the effects of particulate matter (PM), the main component of air pollution, on insects, and no studies have investigated its genotoxic effects through Micronucleus assay. Butterflies play an important role in the environment, as herbivores during larval stages, and as pollinators as adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of PM10 from different sites along a gradient of population urbanization, on a common cabbage butterfly species (Pieris brassicae). PM10 was collected from April to September in an urban (Turin, Italy), a suburban (Druento, Italy) and a mountain site (Ceresole Reale, Italy) with different urbanization levels. P. brassicae larvae (n = 218) were reared in the laboratory under controlled conditions (26 °C, L:D 15:9) on cabbage plants (average 9.2 days), and they were exposed to PM10 organic extracts (20 and 40 m3/mL) or dimethyl sulfoxide (controls) through vaporization. After exposure, larvae were dissected and cells were used for the Micronucleus (MN) assay. Results showed that all PM extracts induced significant DNA damage in exposed larvae compared to controls, and that increasing the PM dose (from 20 to 40 m3/mL) increased genotoxic effects. However, we did not detect any significant differences between sites with different urbanization levels. In conclusion, PM at different concentrations induced genotoxic effects on larvae of a common butterfly species. More alarmingly, PM could work in addition to and/or in synergy with other compounds (e.g. pesticides) and, especially on species already threatened by other factors (e.g. fragmentation), thus affecting the vitality of populations, leading to local extinctions.
    Keywords Air pollution ; Atmospheric pollution ; Butterfly rearing ; Cabbage butterfly ; Caterpillars ; DNA damage ; Environmental pollution ; TD172-193.5 ; Environmental sciences ; GE1-350
    Subject code 333
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-03-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Elsevier
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  3. Article ; Online: A revision of distribution, ecology and conservation issues of the threatened comb-claw beetle Gerandryus aetnensis (Coleoptera

    Irene Piccini / Luca Cristiano / Viviana Di Pietro / Simona Bonelli / Alessandro B. Biscaccianti

    Fragmenta entomologica, Vol 53, Iss

    Tenebrionidae, Alleculinae)

    2021  Volume 1

    Abstract: Gerandryus aetnensis (Rottenberg, 1871) is a rare and localized beetle, previously known only for Maritime Alps and Sicily. In this paper we provide a revision of geonemy, ecology and status of conservation, including a proposal for a new assessment of ... ...

    Abstract Gerandryus aetnensis (Rottenberg, 1871) is a rare and localized beetle, previously known only for Maritime Alps and Sicily. In this paper we provide a revision of geonemy, ecology and status of conservation, including a proposal for a new assessment of its extinction risk in the framework of the European saproxylic beetles, based upon several new records from western Alps, northern, central, southern Apen- nine, and Sicily. Thus, the species is a W-Alpino-Apenninic subendemic saproxylic species, associated to tree hollows in both coniferous and deciduous forests. We also propose to assess G. aetnensis as Vulnerable at global and Italian level.
    Keywords saproxylic beetles ; Alleculinae ; IUCN threatened species ; geonemy ; endemic/subendemic species ; Italy ; Zoology ; QL1-991
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-03-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher University La Sapienza of Rome
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  4. Article ; Online: Using Forest Compensation Funds to Reverse Biodiversity Loss

    Irene Piccini / Marco Pittarello / Fabrizio Gili / Alberto Dotta / Riccardo Lorizzo / Cristina Magnani / Pia Grieco / Michele Lonati / Sandro Bertolino / Simona Bonelli

    Sustainability, Vol 14, Iss 8, p

    A Case Study of Turin–Lyon High-Speed Railway Line

    2022  Volume 4411

    Abstract: Megaprojects radically change the landscape due to their large-scale and high investments. Forests are often one of the most affected habitats, as they are frequently included in megaproject construction sites. These habitats support rich animal ... ...

    Abstract Megaprojects radically change the landscape due to their large-scale and high investments. Forests are often one of the most affected habitats, as they are frequently included in megaproject construction sites. These habitats support rich animal communities that the new settlement may threaten. Among all species present in any construction site, those listed in the Habitats Directive (92/43/CEE) deserve particular attention as they are protected throughout Europe. Here, we present a case study related to the expansion of an industrial site, part of the megaproject Turin–Lyon high-speed railway, where forest compensations were used to reverse biodiversity loss. The site expansion scheduled for 2020 included mature forests and clearings that used to host a butterfly species and at least 15 bat species protected by the Habitats Directive and other taxa of conservation concern. Forest compensations are usually used to finance tree plantations and forest improvements. In this case study, for the first time, we used them to maintain local biodiversity, which otherwise would have been severely compromised by the site expansion. Indeed, our approach has made it possible to allocate forest compensation funding to restore or improve habitats to favor biodiversity. This approach may be exported to other megaprojects to support local biodiversity.
    Keywords bats ; butterflies ; Chiroptera ; Coleoptera ; Habitats Directive ; Lepidoptera ; Environmental effects of industries and plants ; TD194-195 ; Renewable energy sources ; TJ807-830 ; Environmental sciences ; GE1-350
    Subject code 333
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  5. Article ; Online: An Innovative Approach for Subnational Climate Adaptation of Biodiversity and Ecosystems

    Alessandra Pollo / Irene Piccini / Jacopo Chiara / Elena Porro / Daniela Chiantore / Fabrizio Gili / Riccardo Alba / Andrea Barbi / Giuseppe Bogliani / Marco Bagliani / Alberto Doretto / Carlo Ruffino / Elisa Malenotti / Agostina Garazzino / Renata Pelosini / Consolata Siniscalco / Simona Bonelli

    Sustainability, Vol 14, Iss 6115, p

    The Case Study of a Regional Strategy in Italy

    2022  Volume 6115

    Abstract: Since climate change impacts are already occurring, urgent adaptive actions are necessary to avoid the worst damages. Regional authorities play an important role in adaptation, but they have few binding guidelines to carry out strategies and plans. ... ...

    Abstract Since climate change impacts are already occurring, urgent adaptive actions are necessary to avoid the worst damages. Regional authorities play an important role in adaptation, but they have few binding guidelines to carry out strategies and plans. Sectoral impacts and adaptive measures strongly differ between regions; therefore, specific results for each territory are needed. Impacts are often not exhaustively reported by literature, dataset and models, thus making it impossible to objectively identify specific adaptive measures. Usual expert elicitation helps to fill this gap but shows some issues. For the Piedmont Strategy, an innovative approach has been proposed, involving experts of private and public bodies (regional authorities, academia, research institutes, parks, associations, NGOs, etc.). They collaborated in two work group, first to identify current and future impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, and secondly to elaborate and prioritize measures. Involving 143 experts of 46 affiliations, it was possible to quickly edit a cross-validated list of impacts (110) and measures (92) with limited costs. Lastly, a public return of results took place. This approach proved to be effective, efficient and influenced the policymakers, overcoming the tendency to enact long-term actions to face climate change. It could be used internationally by subnational authorities also in other sectors.
    Keywords adaptation strategies ; adaptation plans ; adaptive measures ; biodiversity conservation ; climate change ; climate impacts ; Environmental effects of industries and plants ; TD194-195 ; Renewable energy sources ; TJ807-830 ; Environmental sciences ; GE1-350
    Subject code 710
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-05-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  6. Article ; Online: Greenhouse gas emissions from dung pats vary with dung beetle species and with assemblage composition.

    Irene Piccini / Fabrizio Arnieri / Enrico Caprio / Beatrice Nervo / Simone Pelissetti / Claudia Palestrini / Tomas Roslin / Antonio Rolando

    PLoS ONE, Vol 12, Iss 7, p e

    2017  Volume 0178077

    Abstract: Cattle farming is a major source of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Recent research suggests that GHG fluxes from dung pats could be affected by biotic interactions involving dung beetles. Whether and how these effects vary among beetle species and with ... ...

    Abstract Cattle farming is a major source of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Recent research suggests that GHG fluxes from dung pats could be affected by biotic interactions involving dung beetles. Whether and how these effects vary among beetle species and with assemblage composition is yet to be established. To examine the link between GHGs and different dung beetle species assemblages, we used a closed chamber system to measure fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from cattle dung pats. Targeting a total of four dung beetle species (a pat-dwelling species, a roller of dung balls, a large and a small tunnelling species), we ran six experimental treatments (four monospecific and two mixed) and two controls (one with dung but without beetles, and one with neither dung nor beetles). In this setting, the overall presence of beetles significantly affected the gas fluxes, but different species contributed unequally to GHG emissions. When compared to the control with dung, we detected an overall reduction in the total cumulative CO2 flux from all treatments with beetles and a reduction in N2O flux from the treatments with the three most abundant dung beetle species. These reductions can be seen as beneficial ecosystem services. Nonetheless, we also observed a disservice provided by the large tunneler, Copris lunaris, which significantly increased the CH4 flux-an effect potentially traceable to the species' nesting strategy involving the construction of large brood balls. When fluxes were summed into CO2-equivalents across individual GHG compounds, dung with beetles proved to emit less GHGs than did beetle-free dung, with the mix of the three most abundant species providing the highest reduction (-32%). As the mix of multiple species proved the most effective in reducing CO2-equivalents, the conservation of diverse assemblages of dung beetles emerges as a priority in agro-pastoral ecosystems.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 590
    Language English
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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