Article
Food Science & Technology
Marco Heredia-R, Bolier Torres, Liette Vasseur, Laura Puhl, Deniz Barreto, Carlos G. H. Diaz-Ambrona
Summary: This study analyzed the sustainability of four traditional agricultural systems in the Amazon region and found different dynamics and trade-offs among the dimensions of sustainability. It also highlighted the narrowing gap in sustainability between traditional agricultural systems and those of migrant settlers.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2022)
Review
Environmental Studies
Jana Spulerova, Veronika Piscova, Noemi Matusicova
Summary: This review aims to summarize the current state of biosphere reserves (BRs) in Slovakia and assess the research activities undertaken there and their contribution to the goals of the World Network of BRs. The methodological approach was based on a literature review of studies found in the Web of Science database. The studies focused on biodiversity protection, BR management, land use changes, and scenario modeling. The strengths of BR in Slovakia include a long history of research, international collaborations, participatory studies, and a wide range of research topics. The review provides recommendations for further development through a SWOT analysis.
Article
Agronomy
Bolier Torres, David Eche, Yenny Torres, Carlos Bravo, Christian Velasco, Anton Garcia
Summary: Deforestation poses a serious threat to diversity in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region, and the study found that adopting best management practices in livestock can promote sustainable production and reduce emissions from deforestation. The majority of the Kichwa population resides in the medium zone, while the upper and lower areas focus on milk production and dual-purpose cattle respectively.
Article
Ecology
Alicia D. Barraclough, Jarrod Cusens, Inger Elisabeth Maren
Summary: The governance of ecosystem services requires an understanding of the complex dynamics of collaboration and contestation among multiple stakeholders and multiple services. This study maps the co-production of multiple services by multiple stakeholders through governance networks, revealing gaps and mismatches in the current governance system. The findings highlight weaknesses in the governance of cultural services and emphasize the need to incorporate cultural services more clearly into natural resource management agendas.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Thomas Beery, Ola Magntorn
Summary: There has been significant interest in the values and benefits of early childhood nature experiences on children's well-being and development. This study explores the use of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve as an outdoor classroom for early childhood environmental education pre-service professionals. The results show that pre-service educators had limited familiarity with environmental concepts before the intervention, but their understanding improved post-intervention, with a perception of the positive role biosphere reserve sites can play in early childhood education.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eugenia Rolon, Paola M. Ondarza, Karina S. B. Miglioranza, Juan Jose Rosso, Ezequiel Mabragana, Alejandra V. Volpedo, Esteban Avigliano
Summary: The study analyzed various organochlorine pesticides in different environmental matrices in the headwaters of Iron Creek and in non-anthropized areas within the buffer zone, finding both current and legacy pesticides present. DDTs and endosulfans concentrations exceeded international guidelines for aquatic life protection in some streams, highlighting the need for better regulation and action guidelines to reduce anthropogenic effects on natural reserves.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Valeria Paul, Roberto Vila-Lage, Juan-M Trillo-Santamaria
Summary: This paper investigates why Spain has the most biosphere reserves and finds a gap between UNESCO's framework and the practicalities in Spain. The study reveals that Spain's biosphere reserves have gained momentum due to geopolitical conflicts and the significant role of tourism in justifying them.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Janine Oettel, Martin Braun, Markus Sallmannshofer, Maarten de Groot, Silvio Schueler, Charlotte Virgillito, Marjana Westergren, Gregor Bozic, Laszlo Nagy, Srdjan Stojnic, Katharina Lapin
Summary: Riparian forests, which are among the most diverse terrestrial ecosystems, are facing increasing threats to their biodiversity. In this study, we investigated the deadwood in riparian forests of the Mura-Drava-Danube Transboundary Biosphere Reserve and found that river dynamics, stand basal area, and climatic conditions play important roles in deadwood accumulation and decay.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Unai Ortega, Ibone Ametzaga-Arregi, Unai Sertutxa, Lorena Pena
Summary: Habitat fragmentation leads to the loss of biodiversity and affects the functioning of ecosystems and the provision of ecosystem services. To protect biodiversity and improve ecological connectivity, the European Commission introduced the concept of Green Infrastructure (GI). Ecological restoration is a key element in achieving GI objectives.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Bolier Torres, Italo Espinoza, Alexandra Torres, Robinson Herrera-Feijoo, Marcelo Luna, Anton Garcia
Summary: Land sparing and land sharing should be considered as complementary strategies in promoting pasture restoration in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region. Factors such as livelihoods, natural resource valuation, and income from livestock activity should be taken into account for their implementation. A study conducted on 167 farms in the region analyzed various livelihood capitals and the opportunity cost of grazing areas, suggesting different restoration strategies based on altitudinal gradient and productive specialization.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Victor Gomez-Valenzuela, Francisco Alpizar, Katerin Ramirez, Solhanlle Bonilla-Duarte, Harro van Lente
Summary: This paper assesses the willingness to pay of the Dominican Republic for a conservation, restoration, and sustainable development program for the Bahoruco-Jaragua-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve. The study found that income level, educational level, and age are factors positively affecting the willingness to pay, while provisioning and supporting services are ecosystem services statistically related to willingness to pay. The estimated annual monetized welfare associated with the RBJBE for Dominican society is DOP 7.2 billion (USD 128.1 million).
Article
Ecology
Orna Raviv, Zemah-Shamir Shiri, Izhaki Ido, Lotan Alon
Summary: The contribution of ecosystem services to human wellbeing relies on an ecosystem's ability to supply such services. Managing pressures affecting ecosystem services in protected areas can enhance their value over time. Food provisioning services and water quantity regulation are the highest contributors to ecosystem services value, and management of croplands and grasslands can maximize their potential.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Atsushi Ohwaki, Takahiro Ishikawa, Seiji Morita, Yutaro Okatsu, Yosuke Nakano, Hitoshi Sakio
Summary: Old-growth forests are important for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services. This study investigated the effects of natural disturbances and heterogeneity on ground beetle diversity in an old-growth beech forest, and found that these factors enhance biodiversity in old-growth forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Louis Deharveng, Martin Ellis, Anne Bedos, Sopark Jantarit
Summary: Located at the foot of Doi Chiang Dao, the highest karst mountain in Thailand, Tham Chiang Dao cave is a well-known cave and sacred place for local people. With 110 years of biological exploration and investigation, a total of 149 taxa, including 61 species, have been recognized in the cave. The cave also serves as the type locality for 14 species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. Rodriguez-Rodriguez, R. Larrubia, J. D. Sinoga
Summary: The study used a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) research design to compare the effects of protected rural municipalities (cases; N = 52) versus unprotected rural municipalities (controls; N = 55) in Spain. The results showed that depopulation was generally worse in protected areas compared to unprotected areas, with some exceptions that require further exploration. Municipalities in Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) performed better in terms of rural depopulation, while those in Biosphere Reserves and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) showed mostly worse figures.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pietro Mattivi, Salvatore Eugenio Pappalardo, Nebojsa Nikolic, Luca Mandolesi, Antonio Persichetti, Massimo De Marchi, Roberta Masin
Summary: This study successfully demonstrated the use of low-cost UASs and open-source software packages to map weed distribution in crop fields, reducing herbicide treatment. It highlights the feasibility of implementing cost-effective technologies for weed management in small-medium size farms.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Francesco Facchinelli, Salvatore Eugenio Pappalardo, Giuseppe Della Fera, Edoardo Crescini, Daniele Codato, Alberto Diantini, Donald Rafael Moncayo Jimenez, Pablo Estenio Fajardo Mendoza, Elisa Bignante, Massimo De Marchi
Summary: Oil development in the Ecuadorian Amazon is threatening biodiversity and causing environmental conflicts. A successful campaign against gas flaring, led by affected Amazonian communities, revealed the extent of the problem through community-based participatory mapping, which goes beyond official data and satellite imagery. This study demonstrates the importance of community-generated data in promoting environmental justice.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Francesca Peroni, Salvatore Eugenio Pappalardo, Francesco Facchinelli, Edoardo Crescini, Michele Munafo, Michael E. Hodgson, Massimo De Marchi
Summary: Soil sealing is a major threat to soil degradation and ecosystem services. The use of satellite data and AI algorithms for geodata mining and mapping is essential to quantify soil sealing. However, there is a lack of review articles on mapping soil sealing. This study provides a systematic review of remote sensing platforms and methodologies, highlighting the definitions, relationships, and emerging trends. The majority of mapping analyses focus on urban areas using Landsat images. The study suggests the need for approaches that support international policies and sustainable urban planning.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nebojsa Nikolic, Pietro Mattivi, Salvatore Eugenio Pappalardo, Cristiano Miele, Massimo De Marchi, Roberta Masin
Summary: Weeds are a major issue in agricultural production, and understanding their spatial distribution is crucial for precision farming and sustainable crop management. This study assessed the opportunity to use UAVs and recognition algorithms to monitor spatial distribution differences between conventional and conservation agricultural fields, and important differences were found.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Salvatore Eugenio Pappalardo, Francesco Ferrarese, Patricia Mariot Pizarro, Donato Loddo, Massimo De Marchi
Summary: This article examines the impact of pesticide contamination from vineyards on freshwater ecosystems and proposes nature-based and technical improvements as mitigation measures. The results show that there is a risk of pesticide spray drift contamination on freshwater ecosystems due to the proximity of vineyards to rivers, particularly within 5-20 meters. However, mitigation scenarios indicate that the risk can be reduced by implementing measures to minimize spray drift, thus avoiding negative effects on riparian and aquatic ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Valeria Todeschi, Salvatore Eugenio Pappalardo, Carlo Zanetti, Francesca Peroni, Massimo De Marchi
Summary: Mitigating urban heat islands (UHIs) is crucial for sustainable urban development. In this study, a GIS-based methodology using satellite-driven data was used to investigate and map the impact of UHI on heat-related elderly risk (HERI). Results showed that the highest vulnerability levels were found in the urban area and three municipalities near Padua, highlighting the need for nature-based solutions to reduce UHI and promote sustainable development.
ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniele Codato, Salvatore E. Pappalardo, Francesco Facchinelli, Maria R. Murmis, Carlos Larrea, Massimo De Marchi
Summary: Despite climate change impacts, fossil fuels still dominate the global economy. Protecting biodiversity and human rights requires effective policies. A new framework identifies unburnable carbon areas to phase out fossil fuels. Using the Ecuadorian Amazon as a case study, our research explores implementing energy transition paths based on unburnable carbon areas through spatial analysis.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giacomo Sellan, Noreen Majalap, Jill Thompson, Nancy B. Dise, Chris D. Field, Salvatore E. Pappalardo, Daniele Codato, Rolando Robert, Francis Q. Brearley
Summary: This study measured the concentration of inorganic nitrogen and rainfall pH in Malaysian Borneo and found that the annual wet inorganic nitrogen deposition in the study site was the highest recorded for a Malaysian forest environment. The fire season and agricultural areas had no significant effect on nitrogen deposition, rainfall nitrogen concentration, or rainfall pH.
Article
Environmental Studies
Mara Ottoboni, Salvatore Eugenio Pappalardo, Massimo De Marchi, Fabrizio Ungaro
Summary: Urban green spaces have a positive impact on the sustainable development of the urban ecosystem, providing ecosystem services and social benefits. This study focuses on the contribution of urban public and private green spaces in a case study area in Northeast Italy, using NDVI extraction, property status classification, and analysis of land cover greenness. The results show that private green spaces occupy a larger area (72.1% or 4.11 km2) compared to public green spaces (28.9% or 1.59 km2). These findings have implications for planning new green areas in the post-epidemic National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
