Search results for "reserve"
showing 10 items of 285 documents
Phytophthora Diversity in a Sentinel Arboretum and in a Nature Reserve Area
2020
Most soilborne Phytophthora species are invasive plant pathogens and nursery plants for transplanting are considered a primary pathway for the introduction of exotic Phytophthora species into plant diversity conservation areas and sites. As a preliminary step toward investigating this subject, we compared the diversity of Phytophthora in the protected natural area Complesso Speleologico Villasmundo S. Alfio Nature Reserve (NR) (Melilli, Siracusa) and the botanical garden (BG) of the University of Catania (Catania), in eastern Sicily (southern Italy). Sampling was carried out during the spring of 2019. Overall 29 rhizosphere soil samples were collected, 17 from different types of vegetation …
Rockfall hazard assessment of the Monte Gallo Oriented Nature Reserve area (Southern Italy)
2021
Abstract The Monte Gallo area is a carbonate relief that develops a significant nature reserve and highly attracts tourism to the urbanized area of the City of Palermo (Southern Italy). The slopes are affected by several rockfall events, which have also caused death, injuries, material damage, and a strong social and economic impact. Here, a detailed geological and geotechnical study to assess the rockfall hazard relating to two sectors of the mount has been carried out. The hazard assessment at the slope scale was performed based on geological, geomorphological, geomechanical, and seismic analysis. Using both analytical and empirical methods and by means of different software, the reconstr…
A Foliar Disease of European Hackberry Endemic in Sicily
2019
European hackberry (Celtis australis L.; Ulmaceae), a semideciduous tree or shrub that produces small edible berries was originally grown in Italy to produce charcoal and timber and was particularly suitable for making whipstocks, carriage wheel spokes, and hoe handles. European hackberry is currently used for reforestation and as shade trees in parks and roadside plantings. Recently, a foliar disease caused by the dematiaceous hyphomycetous fungus Sirosporium celtidis (Biv.-Bern. ex Sprengel) M.B. Ellis on hackberry saplings in a nursery was observed in the Piedmont Region (northern Italy) by Giannetti et al. (2), who referred to it as a rare disease. However, during a survey in the natur…
Land molluscs from the Isola delle Femmine Nature Reserve (north-western Sicily, Italy) (Gastropoda Architaenioglossa Pulmonata)
2021
The results of a study on the fauna of land molluscs from Isola delle Femmine Nature Reserve (NW Sicily, Italy) (Gastropoda Architaenioglossa Pulmonata) are here described. In this small island 23 species have been found, 6 of which are Sicilian endemic taxa. Siciliaria leucophryna microinsularis n. ssp. endemic to the Isola delle Femmine (or Isola di Fuori) is described. For each species ecological, distributional data and information on their presence on this island are provided.
Application of a model for the evaluation of the “Visitor Satisfaction” in a nature reserve of South Italy
2017
The protected natural area represents an important resource because from it sustainable and long-lasting social and economic development processes can start. In fact, the conservation of biodiversity can help create economic values by using natural capital which, if properly valorised, can help the momentum of local sustainable development and create diffuse welfare in terms of employment and income. To such a purpose, the evaluation both of the demand by those who enjoy the services of a protected area and of the level of satisfaction that visitors draw from their experience becomes a priority. The present study aims at investigating the behaviour and the preferences of the visitors to a p…
Density-dependent body growth reduces the potential of marine reserves to enhance yields
2005
1. Some models of marine no-take reserves predict that reserves can enhance fishery yield. However, empirical evidence of this remains inconclusive. One reason for this may be the disregard for density-dependent body growth in most models. Density-dependent body growth links the number and size of individuals, and thus could influence the biomass of fishery yield. 2. We developed an age- and size-structured model of an exploited population and analysed the effect of implementing a no-take reserve of varying size. 3. Protecting part of a population from exploitation in a no-take reserve results in a rapid build-up of biomass inside the reserve because of increased survival. However, when bod…
Low effective population sizes and limited connectivity inxerothermic beetles: implications for the conservation ofan endangered habita
2014
Fragmentation and isolation may have detrimental effects on the viability of populations. Xerothermic grasslands, which are extra-zonal analogues of steppes, are among Europe's most endangered natural environments. Information about connectivity between the remaining habitat patches is critical for effective conservation planning. However, very little is known about the actual levels of isolation of individual xerothermic patches at the inter-regional and local scale. In this study, 16 microsatellite loci were used to investigate genetic diversity, structuring, effective sizes (Ne), and connectivity among populations of the weevil Centricnemus leucogrammus at various geographic scales. Anal…
Dynamics of natural hemiboreal woodland in the Moricsala Reserve, Latvia: the studies of K. R. Kupffer revisited
2010
Abstract Karl Reinhold Kupffer (1872–1935), an outstanding botanist and plant ecologist, took the initiative that led to the establishment of the first nature reserve in Latvia, on Moricsala Island in 1912. The reserve provided an excellent reference area for natural hemiboreal woodland for future generations. There have been very few studies on the dynamics of natural broadleaved forest in Europe, probably owing to lack of primeval forests of this type. However, Kupffer produced a map of forest types in the reserve with accurate descriptions of the vegetation by layers, and his descriptions include interpretations of forest dynamics processes. This information, together with the present ag…
Torilis pseudonodosa Bianca (Apiaceae) – new species for the flora of Ukraine
2022
We report the first record of Torilis pseudonodosa Bianca (Apiaceae) from Ukraine. It was found on 28th of May 2021 in the “Potiivska” section of the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve near the village of Zaliznyi Port (Southern Ukraine). Torilis pseudonodosa previously was known from various countries in the Mediterranean Basin and Western Asia, but not from Ukraine nor elsewhere in Eastern Europe. We discovered a hitherto unknown population of Torilis pseudonodosa during the 15th EDGG Field Workshop, an international expedition of the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) taking place in Southern Ukraine, from 23 May to 2 June 2021. We present the taxon, its morphology and general distribution, de…
Stem cell-secreted factor therapy regenerates the ovarian niche and rescues follicles.
2021
Background Ovarian senescence is a normal age-associated phenomenon, but increasingly younger women are affected by diminished ovarian reserves or premature ovarian insufficiency. There is an urgent need for developing therapies to improve ovarian function in these patients. In this context, previous studies suggest that stem cell–secreted factors could have regenerative properties in the ovaries. Objective This study aimed to test the ability of various human plasma sources, enriched in stem cell–secreted factors, and the mechanisms behind their regenerative properties, to repair ovarian damage and to promote follicular development. Study Design In the first phase, the effects of human pla…