Search results for "Protected area"
showing 10 items of 180 documents
Potential impact of genetically modified Lepidoptera-resistant Brassica napus in biodiversity hotspots: Sicily as a theoretical model
2016
The general increase of the cultivation and trade of Bt transgenic plants resistant to Lepidoptera pests raises concerns regarding the conservation of animal and plant biodiversity. Demand for biofuels has increased the cultivation and importation of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), including transgenic lines. In environmental risk assessments (ERAs) for its potential future cultivation as well as for food and feed uses, the impact on wild Brassicaeae relatives and on non-target Lepidoptera should be assessed. Here we consider the potential exposure of butterflies as results of possible cultivation or naturalization of spilled seed in Sicily (Italy). Diurnal Lepidoptera, which are pollinat…
Movement patterns of temperate wrasses (Labridae) within a small marine protected area
2021
The movement patterns of three commercially important wrasse (Labridae) species inside a small marine protected area (~ 0.15 km2 ) on the west coast of Norway were analysed over a period of 21 months. The mean distance between capture and recapture locations varied between 10 and 187 m, and was species and season specific. The extent of movement was not related to body size or sex. These results imply that a network of small strategically located marine protected areas can be used as management tools to protect wrasses from size- and sex-selective fishing mortality.
Forest accessibility, Madonie mountains (northern Sicily, Italy): implementing a GIS decision support system
2021
Valorisation and sustainable exploitation of woody biomass from cultivation interventions might be an important opportunity to track alternative development trails for rural communities in natural protected areas. The governance of Mediterranean protected areas is characterized by overlapping, sometimes conflicting institutions, stakeholders and regulations, causing negative impacts on decision-making processes. We present an open source GIS-based decision support system tool for mapping forest accessibility and optimizing woody biomass extraction. Two models were implemented to support forest managers during the decision-making process in designing and managing wood-energy supply chains. T…
The role of Marine Protected Areas in influencing the invasion success of the alien crab Percnon gibbesi
2018
The biotic resistance hypothesis states that pristine communities, with high species richness and functional diversity, are less prone to biological invasions than species-poor areas either this is natural or it is a result of human activities. Complex communities with high levels of biodiversity, such as those hosted by Marine Protected Areas, should offer fewer niche opportunities (e.g. resources and space) to invasive species thereby reducing both their establishment possibilities and success (i.e. settlement and/or expansion). The present study aimed to evaluate the capacity of marine protected communities to provide a buffer against the establishment of one of the most invasive species…
Offsetting harmful ecological impacts by restoring conservation areas
2019
Ihmistoiminnasta aiheutuvat ekologisesti haitalliset vaikutukset voidaan kompensoida tuottamalla luonnon kannalta hyötyjä, esimerkiksi ennallistamalla elinympäristöjä tai perustamalla uusia luonnonsuojelualueita. Elinympäristön ennallistaminen mahdollistaa elinympäristön palautumisen kohti luonnontilaa. Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli selvittää, voitaisiinko jo aiemmin suojelluilla alueilla tehtävällä ennallistamisella saavuttaa ekologisessa kompensaatiossa tarvittava luontohyöty. Voi ehkä vaikuttaa siltä, että tällä tavoin tuotetut hyödyt eivät ole luonnon kannalta lisäisiä, koska toimenpiteet kohdistuvat alueisiin, jotka ovat jo suojeltu. Suomessa on kuitenkin tällä hetkellä monia suo…
Impact of human disturbance and beliefs on the tree agama Acanthocercus atricollis atricollis in a South African communal settlement
2009
We investigated the effects of human disturbance and attitudes on the density of the tree agama Acanthocercus atricollis atricollis in a densely populated rural settlement in South Africa. In this environment agamas live on trees that are harvested for firewood or maintained for fruit production. We conducted visual encounter surveys of A. a. atricollis and interviewed local households to establish whether human attitudes and actions could affect tree agama populations. Although local residents viewed tree agamas negatively (50% of interviewees claimed to have killed an agama) and acted to exclude them from their environment, tree agama density in villages was higher than that of adjacent c…
Diversity and Community Structure of Opiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the Forest Estate of Artikutza (Spain)
2011
ABSTRACT The present work analyses the diversity of Opiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the forest of the Artikutza Estate, within the Natural Park, Penas de Aya, in the western Pyrenees. Specimens belonging to this subfamily were collected throughout two cycles and in two different habitats: mixed forest and beech forest. A total of 105 specimens, including 20 different species, were collected. Diversity and structure analysis indicated higher diversity for the beech forest habitat, although the community is composed of a few abundant species and many rare species. A relationship between the presence of Opiinae and an increase in temperature was also ascertained.
Created substrates do not fully mimic natural substrates in restoration: the occurrence of polypores on spruce logs
2014
Many protected areas have been under intensive forest management prior to protection and thus lack natural ecosystem structures and dynamics. Dead wood is a key structure in forests harboring hundreds of threatened species. We investigated the ecological success of dead wood creation as a boreal forest restoration measure. We analysed whether the polypore communities of chain-saw felled and girdled (subsequently fallen) Norway spruce ( (L.) H. Karst.) logs differ from naturally formed spruce logs of similar decay stage and size. The study was conducted in Leivonmäki National Park in central Finland 8 years after the restoration measures. The average number of polypore species was highest o…
The operational sex ratio of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus populations: the case of the Mediterranean marine protected area of Ustica Island (…
2009
We investigated, with a series of field and laboratory observations, the possible effect of the starfish Marthasteria glacialis predation on the operational sex ratio (OSR), i.e. the number of sexually mature males divided by the total number of sexually mature adults of both sexes at any one time, of the edible sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. The OSR was estimated three times during the sea urchin summer spawning period (July 2004, June 2005 and July 2006) on barren substrates of Ustica Island Marine Protected Area (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). Four sites were selected: two characterized by high M. glacialis density (take zone C) and two controls with low starfish density (no-take zo…
ANALYSIS OF HOWECOTOURISMIN PROTECTED AREAS INFLUENCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES
2013
Tourism, which, by its specific, uses natural resources, is an important contribution to environmental damage. In this context, efforts to find and promote holiday forms that have a low environmentalimpact, forms known as ecotourism, ecological tourism, tourism in protected areas, green tourism. Tourism industry stakeholders have become increasingly sensitive to environmental issues and few are those who now believe commercial activities have nothing to do with the development of ecological actions. Also many tour operators believe that the natural resources have economic value only if they are reasonably valued.