Coastal rocky marine ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots threatened by anthropogenic pressure [1]. Benthic communities inhabiting shallow coasts can act as bioindicators of environmental disturbances. Their ability to structure themselves under a long-term anthropogenic disturbance, such as in the case of anthropized coasts, allows them to provide information not only about past conditions but also about the current state of the marine environment [2, 3].

In order to evaluate the relationships between the macrobenthic community biodiversity and the anthropogenic pressure, macroalgae and the associated macroinvertebrates (> 0.5 mm) from the upper infralittoral zone of the rocky Cilento coast (southern Italy), were collected. Samplings were carried out in July and December 2023, in 6 sites differing in the anthropogenic pressure (from harbors to protected areas), by sampling squares of 30x30 cm (5 replicates per site). Whole macroalgae biomass was determined as dry weight (75 °C until constant weight).

Among macroinvertebrates, a total of 6386 individuals in July and 4153 individuals in December were collected, belonging to Mollusca, Polychaeta, Crustacea, Echinodermata, Sipuncula and Nemertea. Positive correlations between macroalgae biomass and total number of macroinvertebrates (r=0.56; p<0.01), and in particular of Crustacea (r=0.66; p<0.001) and Sipuncula (r=0.63; p=0.001), were found. The values of the Shannon index were 1.64±0.24 in July and 1.60±0.29 in December with an Evenness of 0.72±0.06 in July and 0.71±0.08 in December. These values did not differ neither between the two seasons, nor among sites, highlighting that macrozoobenthic community in the studied area is only marginally affected by seasonality and anthropogenic pressure.

[1] Bianchi & Morri (2000). Marine Pollution Bulletin 40(5), 367-376

[2] Borowitzka (1972). Marine and Freshwater Research 23(2), 73-84

[3] Pinedo et al. (2007). Marine Pollution Bulletin 55(1-6), 126-135

Through an experimental approach aimed at evaluating the propagation of disturbance across a hierarchical progression of ecological systems, we demonstrated the coupling between low frequency electromagnetic fields (1^st mode of Schumann resonances) and system functioning at different levels of complexity. The alterations of ecological dynamics elicited by interfering anthropogenic electromagnetic fields were demonstrated to depend on system complexity, with increasingly clearer responses in moving from organisms to ecosystems.

Here, focusing at the ecosystem level, we aimed at evaluating how the complexity of functionally coupled processes may modulate the responses to electromagnetic disturbances. To this end, we studied the effects on litter decomposition of Schumann resonances variably interfered by 7.83 Hz – 15 ± 2 µT artificial fields. To highlight potentially small effects, the study was carried out under controlled conditions for up to 216 days, by exposing litter bags with holm oak leaves in mesocosms for different times (0, 15’, 30’), using a coil purposefully developed via finite element modelling. Decomposition was investigated in terms of rates of mass loss and of involved processes, i.e. microbial activity by means of CO₂ evolution and enzyme activities, estimating the effects through Bayesian multilevel modelling.

Results highlight that disturbance to Schumann resonances differentially affects enzyme activities and microbial respiration, with the type and amplitude of responses dependent upon process complexity. The interaction among these processes, each with specific dynamics, elicits non-linear, hormetic responses in litter decomposition that are buffered, in terms of amplitude, in respect to the underlying processes.

On the one hand, our research confirms the coupling between low frequency electromagnetic fields and the functioning of ecological systems. On the other hand, it sheds light on the role of complexity in modulating the propagation of disturbances among interacting processes and in buffering the effects they may elicit on ecosystem processes.

The intensification of extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall is among the most critical manifestations of climate change. Coastal lagoons, due to their shallow depths and the direct influence of freshwaters, can be considered as ecological sentinels of convective rainfall events. Indeed, convective rainfalls can cause sudden and extreme changes in lagoon waters and sediments which, in turn, can influence physiology and behavior of organisms. This could have cascading consequences on inter-specific interactions, possibly favoring allochthonous species invasion and stabilization. In the framework the project eINS - Ecosystem of Innovation for Next Generation Sardinia (CUP F53C22000430001- MUR Grant Assignment Decree No. 1056, we investigated whether salinity and turbidity anomalies caused by a major rainfall episodic event may influence allochthonous and native crabs in a coastal lagoon. To do this, we investigated the predation rates of the native Carcinus aestuarii and the allochthonous invasive Dyspanopeus sayi on the native bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis, after exposure to different salinity and turbidity conditions, including values typically observed after a heavy rainfall. We report here that the native crab C. aestuarii showed a wider range of salinity values (10-35), within which it can feed, generally preferring smaller prey (valve length 10.1 -15.0 mm) and that it was severely disturbed under medium-high values of turbidity (100 and 300 NTU). In contrast, the alien crab D. sayi was able to feed within a narrower salinity range (25-35) and exploited prey of all sizes (valve length 10.1 -25.0 mm), discarding the larger ones only when subjected to the highest turbidity values (100 and 300 NTU). Our results suggest that, during sudden salinity anomalies, like those considered in our experiment, the native species, being apparently more adapt to tolerate better freshwater inflows, could overcome the allochthonous one, that, in turn, appears more tolerant to high turbidity levels.

Wind power is one of the fastest growing renewable energy technologies and there is a growing interest in the great potential of offshore wind energy, as offshore wind farms (OWFs) might overcome the main limitations of onshore wind parks (land availability, habitat modification and social acceptance). However, the expansion of OWFs has also boosted the interest on the related impacts on the marine environment and biodiversity. In this context, one of the objectives of the Wind In My Backyard project is to assess whether areas around the Island of Pantelleria, a small island with high potential for renewable energy production due to its location in one of the windiest areas in Italy, are also suitable for species of interest, which may experience negative impacts from the wind farm infrastructures. Ecological Niche Models, estimated using four different algorithms (generalized linear model, random forest, max entropy and supporting vector machine) were applied to predict and map habitat suitability to different species (six bony fish, one shark, three rays, one sea turtle and two dolphin). Combining outputs of habitat suitability, a sensitivity map to assess potential areas of higher sensitivity, due to the presence of multiple species, was created, highlighting a potential sensitive area extending along the northwest-southeast axis in the southern part of Pantelleria Island. Our study may be useful for the identification of potential sensitive areas, drive selection of suitable sites for wind farm installation and improving citizens' understanding of the complex processes involved in marine spatial planning.

Trawling on continental shelves disrupts benthic communities by altering sediments and increasing species mortality, favoring opportunistic over ecologically crucial long-lived species. An ecosystem-based approach, particularly trait-based analysis, is essential for understanding trawling's broader impacts on community functioning, especially in areas like the Mediterranean's Strait of Sicily, where extensive trawling necessitates multi-year management plans to prevent overexploitation. The study focused on an area between Malta and Sicily, known for significant trawling on sand and muddy sediments. Fishing intensity, assessed using satellite data, showed a gradient from coastline to offshore, peaking along the eastern continental shelf margin. Swept area ratio values ranged from 0.36 to 37.37, indicating substantial trawling pressure. Depth increased while fishing intensity decreased towards lower latitudes. During experimental trawl surveys, 8,191 individuals from 103 species were collected, with demersal species comprising 70%. Multivariate analysis assessed the impact of fishing intensity and environmental predictors on species and trait composition, revealing demersal species densities negatively affected by fishing intensity but positively correlated with bottom temperature. Benthic species densities showed weak negative impacts from fishing intensity but positive associations with temperature and chlorophyll concentration. Taxonomic diversity remained unaffected by fishing intensity, though chlorophyll concentration negatively affected demersal indices while enhancing benthic richness and diversity. Functional diversity indices showed no significant variation due to fishing intensity. Multivariate analysis indicated that spatial coordinates and studied variables explained only a small portion of taxonomic and functional composition variance. The study found minimal differences in bento-demersal assemblage composition along the observed fishing intensity gradient across the eastern Strait of Sicily's continental shelf. The assemblage composition appears influenced by chronic bottom trawling and bathymetric factors. These findings underscore the complexity of managing trawling impacts in ecologically sensitive marine environments.

Among the various stresses that affect aquatic ecosystems, plastic pollution is considered a serious, ubiquitous, and widespread environmental hazard. A growing body of works recognizes that plastics can act as a substrate for the development of the biofilm, hence promoting the colonization of various species. In this context, the term “plastisphere” has been created to define the diverse community growing on the surface of plastic debris. Microalgae are a significant part of this community, but not much research has been done on the photoautotrophic portion of the plastisphere. Here, we present the preliminary results of the 4^th Collaborative European Freshwater Sciences Project for Early Career Freshwater Researchers (“FreshProject”), the "PhytoPlastic" project. The project aims to investigate the temporal colonization of microalgae on different plastic polymers in lakes across a wide geographical scale. Two plastic polymers (low-density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate) and a glass substrate (as a control) were incubated for 30 days in 14 lakes across Europe. To assess the temporal and seasonal development of microalgae, samples were collected in each season after 3, 7, 15, and 30 days. Photoautotrophic biomass was quantified for each substrate by the estimation of chlorophyll a and ash-free dry mass. This project represents the first coordinated experiment conducted on a large spatial scale to investigate the interaction between microalgae and plastic. Beyond its scientific contributions, the project fosters collaboration among early-career researchers in freshwater sciences and lays the groundwork for future partnerships.

The community of Cystoseira sl. (Phaeophyceae) represent one most productive biocoenosis of Mediterranean intertidal coastal bedrocks, and among the best indicators of the health status of such ecosystems. They host an abundant and rich endophytic and epiphytic bacterial, that seem to contribute significantly in guaranteeing important physiological processes. However, it is still not clear their role in the survival of such macroalgae in case of anthropogenic stress and Climate Change. The aim of our work was to investigate the role of the epiphytic bacterial community associated to the most abundant Cystoseira species in determining its health status in different conditions of stress. The epiphytic bacterial community associated with Cystoseira sl. was characterized in three different zones of the Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area (Sardinia, Italy), with different level of protection (A, B, and C). The distribution and the abundance of the species was evaluated, and the CARtography LITtoral communities index’ (CARLIT index) was applied for understanding the health condition. Secondly, some blades samples were collected along each transect and the quantitative and qualitative characterization of their associated epiphytic bacteria was conducted in the lab. Analyzing the results, no differences in the abundance and distribution of Cystoseira sl. were observed between differently protected zones. However some significant differences in both the abundance and composition of epiphytic communities associated to the blades of Cystoseira sl. were recorded, in relation to the levels of protection. Specifically, in the C zones, where disturbances are expected to be higher, an increase in the abundance of the bacterial community was observed and some of such bacteria appeared to be involved in seaweeds adaptation to stress, suggesting that the bacterial coat of the macroalgae of the Cystoseira genus can effectively play a key role in defining their health status in stressed conditions.

The Biodiversa+ RIPARIANET project aims to optimize the spatial biodiversity conservation of natural stream-riparian networks in order to provide practitioners with evidence-based guidance and approaches to conservation by mainly exploiting the increasing resolution of remote sensing information. The main purpose of the project is to assess riparian integrity and connectivity along the watercourse. To reach this goal, we investigate riparian networks within six river basins in Europe, along a geographical and climatic gradient to assess multiple biodiversity and stressors at the local scale, and scale-up this information to the network scale using geostatistical tools and advanced modelling. The conservation status and threats on riparian habitats will be evaluated along the Sävar River basin (Sweden), Queich River basin (Germany), Noce Stream and Tiber River basins (Northern and Southern Italy), Saja River basin (Spain), and Cávado River basin (Portugal). Particularly, data on river functionality (i.e., hydrology, decomposition, biofilm biomass accrual, and metabolism), diversity (i.e., microbes and fungi, macroinvertebrates, bats, and riparian vegetation) and stressors (i.e., pesticides, microplastics, and macroplastics) will be evaluated in different abiotic and biotic matrices. We expect to (i) identify protection gaps and ecological hotspots along riparian networks, based on multiple biodiversity, functional and connectivity criteria, and (ii) provide decision-support tools for decision-makers at local and EU levels.

Biodiversity is widely acknowledged as a fundamental provider of ecosystem services, influencing productivity, nutrient cycling, resilience and resistance to disturbances. Conversely, climate change has emerged as a significant force shaping biodiversity by affecting individual life histories. The impacts of climate change, such as rising temperatures, acidification, and sea level rise, drive physiological, demographic, and community-scale processes by causing shifts in the distribution and functioning of key species. During the Mediterranean hot seasons, intertidal organisms living on the edge between high and low tidal marks, are often subjected to significant environmental fluctuations. These fluctuations affect individual body temperatures, leading to short term (acclimation, phenotypic plasticity) or long term (adaptation, selection, changes in distribution) responses. The Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819), represents a key and valuable species in marine ecosystems and an important bioindicator for environmental changes. These mussels have been extensively used as model organisms for physiological, genetic and ecological studies. They are included in the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, Descriptor 9, EU 2008), and are recognised as useful site-specific bio-indicators to meet the EU Good Environmental Status (GES). In this study, individual performances were investigated in terms of specific thermal tolerance to frame the effect of temperature on metabolic machinery functioning. Once sampled, M. galloprovincialis specimens were subjected to 14 different temperatures, ranging from 8°C to 34°C, with respiration rates measured as a proxy for metabolism. The results revealed a left-skewed curve, with a T_opt at 26.7 °C, classifying M. galloprovincialis as a thermo-tolerant species well-adapted to warmer waters. This may explain its global expanding range in response to rising temperatures. Understanding the thermal tolerance mechanisms of this species is essential for predicting the impact of climate change on marine biodiversity and for developing conservation strategies.

Biodiversity, ecosystems and human well-being are strictly joined under a One Health perspective, which represents a cost-effective, sustainable, transdisciplinary, and practical strategy for attaining optimal health for people, animals and the environment.

Worldwide, ecological perturbations caused by biotic invasions have been identified as a growing threat to all these sectors, with invasive alien plants causing important biodiversity loss, and altering environmental quality, ecosystem services and socio-economic conditions.

In Europe, a very high number of established alien species was recorded, with temperate and Mediterranean regions generally more invaded than those occurring in arid and warm ones. In this context, and with a special focus on urban areas (often considered “hotspots of plant invasion”), peninsular Italy represents a model-territory to investigate aliens and their effects on both the environment and human societies.

As part of ongoing studies on flora and vegetation of the Lazio region (central Italy), we had the opportunity to verify the incipient or current invasion of several taxa and their negative effects on the environment and human well-being. Some examples are presented, including alien plant taxa negatively affecting 1) floristic richness and composition of vegetation communities in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, 2) priority habitats, 3) trophic networks, 4) traditional agriculture, 5) human health, and 6) landscape identity.

In accordance with national and European regulations on the conservation of nature (e.g. EU Regulation 1143/2014, which sets out rules to prevent and mitigate the impact of alien species on biodiversity), and the One Health approach (recognizing the biodiversity role for mitigating heat, noise, and air pollution), a sound and detailed knowledge of floras, with a special focus on aliens, their distribution, ecological preferences, and threats caused to native taxa, represents a fundamental base to manage landscape, carrying out actions for control/reduction and, when possible, complete eradication of most damaging populations.

Wetlands are considered environments of pivotal importance due to the multiple ecosystem services provision. Notwithstanding covering only ∼3% of the Earth’s surface, peatlands are a precious component of natural capital by constituting the largest terrestrial carbon sink (∼30% of the global soil carbon) and an essential freshwater source. However, the effects of climate change coupled with direct human impacts have induced peat degradation further exposing this ecosystem to a high fire risk. Nowadays peatlands, including those in the boreal, tropical, and temperate biomes, are experiencing this ecological upheaval.

In the past five years in the UK, the number of fires has increased by ~60% compared to 2015-2019, largely affecting raised and blanket bogs. This research aimed to investigate the medium-term (~5 years) effects of the 2018 fire in a peatland within The Roaches Nature Reserve (southeastern sector of the Peak District National Park and Special Area of Conservation-UK0030280). Specifically, the study evaluated the soil recovery status by comparing several peat characteristics at increasing distances (80 m, 160 m; 240 and 320 m) from the control unburnt area and toward the fire ignition point.

Here, remote sensing analysis was employed to assess fire severity, revealing high-severity fire that predicted alterations in soil characteristics. Indeed, soil analysis results highlighted deacidification, reduced water content and decreased organic carbon content in the burned peat long-lasting five years post-fire. Consequently, microbial biomass was also affected as showed by the alterations found in microbial carbon and nitrogen, which have not yet recovered the values observed in the control.

Considering that peatland conservation is critical to addressing climate change, this research demonstrated the necessity of developing specific management strategies to effectively support postfire recovery such as preventive measures, rewetting and replanting.

Biological interactions are one of the main factors influencing the distribution and abundance of species worldwide. Seagrasses represent important shallow-water habitats all around the world and provide crucial ecosystem goods and services to humans. Thanks to their structural complexity, they support heterogeneous populations and interact with associated benthic invertebrates (e.g., sea anemones, isopods, gastropods) and fish populations, with which they establish complex relationships that influence the performance and fitness of the involved organisms. Here, a systematic review was performed to investigate the existing potential biotic interactions between seagrasses and epibionts-epiphytes on a global scale. A complex search string was created and ran in the online databases Scopus and WoS, yielding a total of 43 final outcomes in a temporal range between 1987 and 2024. Results showed pro and cons of different types of biotic interactions (mainly symbiosis, including mutualism and commensalism) among these habitat formers and the associated epibionts and epiphytes. The review revealed that the most studied interactions referred to Posidonia oceanica (Delile) L. and Zostera marina L. providing refuge and habitat to different epiphytes and epibionts. Reviewed studies also highlighted the importance of epiphytes, their potential role in the growth, nutrient dynamics and their implications in the light absorption for seagrasses. Also, epibionts such as sea anemones may chemically defended seagrasses from predation, therefore their mucous can coat seagrass leaves and obstruct sunlight absorption. Understanding the various types of biotic interactions and studying how they can influence the performance of the species involved is of vital importance in the current and future context of climate change.

Mediterranean wildfires have increased significantly in recent decades due to climate change. Recently, fires also have negatively impacted historically scarcely affected forests dominated by species that lack specific fire-adaptive traits, such as Mediterranean mountain beech forests. In this case, the resilience of the whole ecosystem to fire could be low with consequent long-term effects also on soil microbial community. This plays a key role in providing essential ecosystem services, such as the regulation of nutrient cycling, and is particularly sensitive to changes in soil physical and chemical properties induced by wildfire. This study aims to evaluate the effects of 2017 wildfire on soil microbial community in a burned beech forest included in Site of Community Importance “Dorsale dei Monti Lattari” IT8030008 (HD 92/43/EEC). Changes between burned and unburned plots, two, four, and six years after fire, were analyzed for total microbial biomass and fungal mycelium, fungal percentage of microbial biomass, microbial activities (soil respiration, N mineralization, nitrification), and some chemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, total N, total organic C, extractable and mineralizable C). Neither microbial properties nor total organic C appeared affected by fire during the study period. The decrease in cation exchange capacity, N and extractable C found two years after wildfire was not recorded again four and six years later. Over the years, only an increase in pH and decrease in electrical conductivity were observed in burned than in unburned soil. Our findings indicate that fire did not affect main soil functions on the medium-term probably because of the fast regrowth of plants (at first, mainly annual herbaceous plants, then partially replaced by perennials and Fagus sylvatica seedling) that protected soil immediately after fire. Therefore, in absence of further disturbances, a recovery of beech forest, across a long time of ecological succession, may be expected.

In this study we considered five Pleuronectiformes flatfishes as bioindicators against the presence of microplastics in the marine environment. Given their ecology and behaviour, these species are strictly related to the seafloor, the last sink for anthropogenic litter. Flatfishes were caught during an experimental fishing survey in the Gulf of Patti, a partially protected area (no-take zone for trawl fishery since 1990) off the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea. Overall, we examined 13 Arnoglossus laterna (mean TL 11.8 ± 0.9 cm), 5 Arnoglossus rueppelii (mean TL 9.6 ± 1.2 cm), 10 Lepidorhombus boscii (mean TL 20.3 ± 5.7 cm), 13 Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis (mean TL 24.2 ± 7.6 cm), and 24 Citharus linguatula (mean TL 17.6 ± 4.1 cm). Stomachs were subjected to chemical digestion to isolate plastic particles. Once isolated, particles were counted and categorized by shape, colour, size, and their polymeric nature was identified through FT-IR spectroscopy technique. Overall, 37 plastics particles were found in 28 flatfishes (%O = 43.1%). More than 97% belonged to microplastic category (<5 mm) and only one mesoplastic was found in the stomach of L. whiffiagonis. In details, microplastics were recorded in 5 A. laterna (%O = 38.5), 1 A. rueppelii (%O = 20), 1 L. boscii (%O = 10), 9 L. whiffiagonis (%O = 69.2), and 12 C. linguatula (%O = 50). Grey (21.6%) and transparent (16.2%) particles had the highest frequency of ingestion. Fibers were the most common microplastics in all the investigated species (70%), followed by fragments (22%). The main identified polymer was polyethylene (17.6%), followed by rubber and polyester (all having 5.9%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence of microplastic ingestion in four of our selected target species in Mediterranean waters. Our insights call for further investigations to better understand the threat of plastics on demersal habitats.

Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) represent the most important species for the Italian shellfish production. Production comes mainly from sea-farms and from wild populations in the northern western Adriatic Sea. In the recent years, both farmed and wild mussels showed problems with meat loss and increased shell fragility, which negatively affect their quality and market value. Since farming techniques have remained unchanged and wild populations are similarly affected, environmental factors may be the cause of these effects. The main goals of this study, under the PRIN-PNRR Project ENDRIMUS, are to identify the main environmental and biological factors affecting the quality of farmed and wild mussels along a latitudinal gradient on the Adriatic coast, and to provide farmers with information for the future development of mussel farms. Among the environmental factors, salinity, total alkalinity and DIC (dissolved inorganic carbon) varied among sites, with lower values towards South. The nutrient concentrations also highlighted a decreasing gradient from North to South (nitrates from 12.4±5.1 to 4.4±0.01 µM) in winter when the influence of northern river flows was more significant. In spring, the concentrations appeared more homogeneous across all investigated areas. A decreasing trend of chlorophyll a (from 6.4±1.1 to 0.9±0.1 mg/L) towards South was found. Target phytoplankton group, as Skeletonema spp., Pseudo-nitzschia spp. and Scrippsiella spp., abundances in mussel tissues estimate by molecular qPCR showed values of 820±138, 180±54 and 47±7 cells/g of tissue, respectively, reflecting taxa retrieved in phytoplankton assemblages. All the mussel samples showed seed presence, likely settled in winter with the settlement season extending until spring when specimens of 2-4 mm TL were found without differences due to the latitudinal gradient or between farmed and wild mussels. These are preliminary results obtained by the two seasonal campaigns in the NW Adriatic Sea helping the interpretation of this complex phenomenon affecting Adriatic mussels.

Forest management practices focused mainly on increasing forest productivity and growing biomass stock but not preserving soil. These practices can influence both soil chemical-physical properties and microbial communities, which play an important role in ecosystem functioning through the decomposition of organic matter, and carbon and nutrient cycling. Consequently, disturbance affecting soil microbial community may impact forest ecosystem and provided services.
The study aimed to assess if forest management preserves soil microbial community, both in terms of functions and metabolic potential. At this aim, two forest systems (beech and turkey oak) under different managements (coppice and high forest) were selected in the protected natural area of Matese Mountain (Southern Italy), and the soil microbial community was monitored along one year (summer, autumn, winter and spring). The soil microbial community was investigated for six enzymatic activities (arylsulfatase, phosphatase, laccase, glucosidase, glucosaminidase, FDA activities) and for metabolic fingerprint by Biolog EcoPlates™ method (average well color development, AWCD) based on the ability of microbial community to degrade a wide range of carbon substrates.
In soil under turkey oak, the results showed significant differences between forest managements only in arylsulfatase activity in summer, with values higher in high forest respect to coppice. In soil under beech, significant differences between forest managements, with higher value in coppice, were found for: FDA and glucosidase activities in summer and spring; laccase and phosphatase activities in summer; glucosaminidase and arylsulfatase activities in spring and autumn, respectively.
AWCD showed higher values under coppice with respect to the high forest, in both forest systems in summer. Higher AWCD values under high forest were found in soil under turkey oak, in winter and spring.
The results will suggest what forms of forest management to use whose impacts on soils are low enough to be considered sustainable.

Bottom trawling is among the most severe and concerning anthropic activities altering benthic marine ecosystems worldwide. Nonetheless, the most often absence of control (untrawled) conditions has led to conflicting outcomes of trawling impacts studies.

To provide insights on trawling impacts, we tested the null hypothesis by which quantity, biochemical composition, nutritional quality, extracellular enzymatic activities, degradation rates and turnover time of organic matter (OM) in coastal marine sediments do not vary across a bottom trawling intensity (BTI) gradient, as determined by Swept Area Ratio (SAR) data. Sediments were collected in October 2023 from seven sites characterized by low (SAR <2 y^-1), intermediate (2 ≤ SAR ≤4 y^-1), high (SAR >6) BTI. At each site 3 independent corers were collected by means of a multiple corer and the top 1^st cm analyzed for protein, carbohydrate, lipid and phytopigment contents as well as for aminopeptidase and b-glucosidase activities.

Contents of all organic compounds, but proteins, varied among the three BTI conditions, with values in sites with intermediate and high BTI unexpectedly higher than those in low BTI conditions. The algal fraction of biopolymeric C (a proxy of OM nutritional quality) and the protein turnover time did not vary across the BTI gradient, while both enzymatic activities and the cumulative C degradation rates were higher in the most disturbed sites.

Our results, confirming previous findings in shallow coastal ecosystems, suggest that intermediate and high BTI could cause a local increase in sedimentary organic loads, though with limited variations in OM biochemical composition and nutritional quality for benthic consumers. Apparently, the mechanical disturbance in sediments exposed to most intense trawling activities stimulates OM degradation, which is, however counterbalanced by the increased OM contents, likely due to re-depositional patterns of resuspended material.

The Calabrian coasts are internationally renowned as a place with a high degree of biodiversity, hosting a diverse range of marine and terrestrial ecosystems that need to be preserved and maintained as much as possible. Despite the absence of large industrial activities or large metropolies the anthropogenic impact represents a threat for this fragile oasis of life. Among several forms of pollution, also the biological one, even under the strong pressure induced by the pandemic period, began to be perceived as a very serious threat to man and the environment, together with the chemical contamination. To date, researchers are interested in deepen their occurrence, the biodegradation routes, bioaccumulation processes, and the short-term and long-term effects in the marine environment. Unfortunately, coastal zone monitoring programs are not always well implemented and this leads to poor environmental quality control. For these reasons, biological and chemical contamination represent a theme of overwhelming concern, as it is a potential threat to all marine species and a serious danger for human health. The present massive monitoring study was aimed at investigating the presence of biological and chemical contaminants in the marine environment of the Calabrian coasts. To pursue this objective, a sampling plane of water and sediments from different sites of the Calabrian area was employed to detect critical issues of the wastewater purifying system on the territory regional. In parallel, next generation sequencing approach was applied on selected samples of water and sediment to characterize the taxonomic compositions of microbial communities. The results detected several criticities among the sampling sites, due to obvious contamination of biological and industrial origin. The presence of Vibrio spp. and E. coli was evidenced in several samples, suggesting the need for more attention to monitoring to protect the environment.

Alien plant species invasions are among the top five causes of biodiversity loss, significantly reducing the abundance, diversity, and fitness of native ones. Alien plants alter native community composition through competition and allelopathy and through changes in soil properties by releasing root exudates and organic matter, impacting soil biota. While the effects on soil microbial communities are well-documented, impacts on soil microarthropods remain controversial and context-dependent. This research aimed to fill this gap by evaluating the impact of two alien species, Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Ailanthus altissima Mill., on soil microarthropod communities. Additionally, microarthropod communities under these alien species were compared to those under two native plant covers belonging to mature (Quercus ilex) and early (shrubs) stages. In autumn 2023, twelve sites within Vesuvius National Park (three for each plant cover) were selected to sample and extract microarthropods. Microarthropods were assessed for density, richness, diversity, and the soil biological quality (QBS-ar) index. Collembola were identified at the species level, assessed for density, richness, and diversity, and categorized into ecological forms (euedaphic, hemiedaphic, and epiedaphic). The preliminary results reveal that the two alien species exert contrasting impacts on soil microarthropod communities. Specifically, A. altissima enhanced the density, richness, and diversity of both microarthropods and Collembola, as well as the QBS-ar index, showing a community to those found under Q. ilex. In contrast, under R. pseudoacacia, microarthropod biodiversity was significantly lower compared to A. altissima, showing a community similar to that found under shrubs. Furthermore, under A. altissima and Q. ilex, Collembola were evenly distributed across the investigated eco-morphological categories. Conversely, under R. pseudoacacia, euedaphic Collembola dominated (60%) the community. In conclusion, A. altissima showed a microarthropod community similar to a native mature stage, whereas R. pseudoacacia showed a community similar to early native stage, exhibiting contrasting results.

Over the last decade, the Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetric approach widely increased its applications. Currently it represents a valuable, cost-effective and innovative tool also for the investigation of underwater environments. Underwater photogrammetry allows non-destructive sampling and repeatable measurements, digitally recreating the geometry of marine sceneries from sets of overlapping photographs taken from different points of view. Main outcomes of this method are digital products such as 3D models, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and orthomosaics, bearing both morphometric as well as ecological information and allowing to obtain high-resolution and lasting records of habitat and communities’ characteristics over ecologically relevant spatial scales. The SfM approach has been tested over the bio-geogenic outcrops scattered throughout the Northern Adriatic Sea seabed, locally known as “tegnùe” or “trezze”. In this coastal region, very high turbidity is generally found; hence, this work highlights the potential of underwater SfM even in limited visibility conditions. Photogrammetric surveys were performed since 2022, in part within the framework of Interreg IT-SI TRETAMARA and TRECap projects, over test areas located in Tegnùe di Porto Falconera SAC, near Caorle (Venice). Surveyed areas span between 100-1000 m², with depth ranging from 6 to 10 m. Specific protocols for low visibility had to be developed. Very high-resolution (below cm) DEMs and orthomosaics were produced. Preliminary analyses were performed on these datasets to characterize landforms as well as epibenthic communities, allowing an explorative assessment of distribution, abundance and diversity of epibenthic organisms in relationship to main habitat features. Moreover, initial tests were conducted to assess changes between subsequent surveys over time on selected sub-areas. In perspective, the approach is effective in assessing the fine effects of anthropogenic and natural disturbance on species and habitats throughout time at very high spatial resolution, even in high-turbidity coastal waters.

“Plastics” are a multifaceted group of emergent contaminants in aquatic systems whose effects can be detrimental at cellular, individual and ecosystem levels. Their ubiquity and persistence in the environment need research to further our understanding on their path and to establish risk thresholds. This work overviews our scientific contributions investigating macroplastics (plastics > 5 mm; MAPs), microplastics (between 5 mm and 0.001 mm; MPs), and nanoplastics (< 0.001 mm; NPs) in aquatic ecosystems (freshwater, transitional and marine) over the past 5 years. In detail, plastic occurrence, spatial-temporal distribution patterns and effects on micro and macro-organisms (plants and animals) were evaluated using field or laboratory studies. We found that hydrometeorological conditions regulated the input and mobilization of MAPs in rivers, modulating their discharge into the sea. While drifting downstream, some MAPs stayed entrapped in aquatic and riparian vegetation; depending on plant species, habits, life-forms, community diversity and structure. We observed that drifting MAPs were vectoring macroinvertebrates, vegetal organisms and MPs, facilitating their dispersal. In this sense, MAPs can also host diatom community: a one-year experiment on virgin MAPs placed in a wetland highlighted the effects on productivity and diversity. Regarding MPs in wetlands, we detected MPs in native invertebrates and invasive species, initiating investigations using stable isotopes. We investigated MPs ingestion by fish (occurring especially during feeding) and filtration by bivalves in both fresh and marine ecosystems; the latter were evaluated as good biomonitoring sentinels. Finally, our laboratory experiments showed that under exposure conditions, MPs and NPs cause sub-individual detrimental effects that vary according to the sensitivity of the organism considered (bivalves, hydroid polyps, planarians and diatoms). Similarities and dissimilarities detected between freshwater, transitional, marine ecosystems on responses to plastic exposure and spatial-temporal patterns will be discussed to contribute sparkling debate on sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems.

This study aims to investigate how brown (Dictyota dichotoma var. intricata (C. Agardh)), green (Cladophora rupestris (Linnaeus) Kützing), and red (Jania rubens (Linnaeus) JV Lamouroux) macroalgae species living in a coastal zone of Campi Flegrei caldera (Pozzuoli Gulf, Italy) coordinate structural and functional traits for taking advantage of the habitat’s environmental resources in spring and summer. This research may be of potential interest in providing baseline data for these algae and understanding the capability of different species to cope with the sudden environmental changes observed in the last decades. Using a field and laboratory approach, we monitored physico-chemical variables at the investigated site (water quality, temperature, pH, salinity, and irradiance), functional (photosynthetic efficiency, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant properties) and structural features (carbohydrate, area and dry matter content) of thalli. The results evidenced that during spring and summer, Cladophora and Dictyota exhibited better photosynthetic efficiency and higher values of pigments, carbohydrates, polyphenols and flavonoids than Jania, indicating a better light harvesting and utilization in carbon assimilation, as well as greater investment in antioxidant defenses. Cladophora and Jania showed a higher thallus dry matter content, which indicates a higher partitioning of carbon into structural biomass, favouring the resistance to mechanical and biotic stresses in these species. Conversely, Dictyota presented the highest specific thallus area and tannin concentration, suggesting a greater carbon allocation to photosynthetically active tissues and chemical defences than structural components. The overall data indicate that the different macroalgae species adopt distinct strategies to optimize the "trade-off" between the physiological cost of photosynthesis and the allocation of resources to protection/defence mechanisms. The ongoing investigations during the next seasons will provide further insight into adaptations and ecological dynamics of macroalgae in this coastal habitat.