A5062170773- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Agriculture and Rural Development Research
- Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems
- Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology
- Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics
- Plant Ecology and Soil Science
- Remote Sensing in Agriculture
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Horticultural and Viticultural Research
- Pasture and Agricultural Systems
- Sustainable Agricultural Systems Analysis
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Climate change impacts on agriculture
- Tree Root and Stability Studies
- Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Forest Management and Policy
- Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics
- Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology
- Soil erosion and sediment transport
University of Florence
2015-2025
Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale
2016
Mountain grazing lands are key constituents of the natural, economical and cultural heritage, but at same time sensitive to climate land use change, hence requiring urgent adaptation management strategies. These must be based on a better understanding distribution mountain pastoral resources across space time. In this study we model productivity grassland surfaces in topographically complex protected area (Gran Paradiso National Park, 710 km2) north-western Italian Alps. The objective our...
A potential use of pasture-based systems requires an efficient grazing management strategy. Thanks to the Virtual Fencing (VF) physical fences are replaced by virtual ones and, when animals approach boundaries, they receive a paired stimulus: audio cue followed low electrical pulse if cross over fences. This study aims i) evaluate animal's ability learn, and then respond positively, VF ii) VFs' efficiency manage herd within areas virtually delimitated; iii) assess chronic stress related VF,...
Abstract The decline of semi‐natural open ecosystems after land abandonment is a conservation issue in many industrialized countries. Large herbivores, such as horses ( Equus ferus ), are excellent candidates for rewilding activities, they can contribute to reducing loss landscapes. However, their presence could affect the spatio‐temporal distribution sympatric species, especially if reintroduction unplanned and uncontrolled. La Calvana, central Italy, protected area with mammalian community...
Illegal charcoal production, by means of indiscriminate logging activities, poses significant threats to the stability drylands’ ecosystem in Somali territory. In addition, revenues from trade often serve further illegal exacerbating already complex socio-political context country. this work, we investigated application freely available multi-sensor remote sensing products (Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2) machine learning techniques detect presence production sites (i.e., kilns) over...
The use of very long spatial datasets from satellites has opened up numerous opportunities, including the monitoring vegetation phenology over course time. Considering importance grassland systems and influence climate change on their phenology, specific objectives this study are: (a) to identify a methodology for reliable estimation phenological dates satellite index (i.e., kernel normalized difference index, kNDVI) (b) quantify changes that have occurred period 2001–2021 in representative...
Over the last century, management of pastoral systems has undergone major changes to meet livelihood needs alpine communities. Faced with induced by recent global warming, ecological status many seriously deteriorated in western region. We assessed pasture dynamics integrating information from remote-sensing products and two process-based models, i.e. grassland-specific, biogeochemical growth model PaSim generic crop-growth DayCent. Meteorological observations satellite-derived Normalised...
Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of single voxel 1H‐MRS CNS structures contained in posterior cranial fossa and to determine distribution normal metabolite ratios, concentrations, T2 relaxation times midbrain, pons, medulla, dentate nucleus cerebellar vermis. Materials Methods: A total 147 1H‐MR spectra with a point‐resolved proton spectroscopy sequence (PRESS) echo time (TE) 136 or 272 msec were obtained dentate, vermis 31 healthy volunteers. In seven additional patients;...
As the basis of livestock feeding and related performances, pastures evolution dynamics need to be carefully monitored assessed, particularly in Alps where effects land abandonment are further amplified by climate change. such, increases temperature associated with changes precipitation patterns quantity leading modifications grassland extent composition consequences on pastoral systems. This study applied a machine learning approach (Random Forest) GIS techniques map suitability seven...
The study of pastoral resources can take different approaches with the main goal characterizing pasture vegetation and its potential carrying capacity. In recent times, pasture-type approach has been developed in several Alpine areas – on a regional district scale starting from sward surveys carried out taking formerly by French school. may play an important role defining management mountain marginal environments where grazing pressure reduction remarkably affects agro-ecosystems functions...
The abandonment of the traditional pastoral practices is acknowledged as main causes shrub-encroachment in alpine semi-natural grasslands. In this paper, we proposed a state-and-transition approach order to organize vegetation simple management-oriented framework integrating ecological data. study sites were chosen an inner territory where was more evident than other regions. Cluster and fuzzy analysis applied botanical data allowed classification six types assessment overlaps between them....
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and closed methods have been applied to analyse the quality of forage animal feed. However, grasslands are linked variability factors (e.g., site, year, occurring species, etc.) which restrict prediction capacity NIRS. The aim this study is test Fourier transform NIRS application in order determine chemical characteristics fresh, undried unground samples grassland located north-central Apennine. results indicated success FT-NIRS models for dry matter (DM),...
Virtual Fencing (VF) can be a helpful technology in managing herds pasture-based systems. In VF systems, animals wear collar using global positioning, and physical boundaries are replaced by virtual ones. The Nofence (Nofence AS, Batnfjordsøra, Norway) collars used this study emit an acoustic warning when animal approaches the boundaries, followed aversive electrical pulse if does not return to defined area. stimuli sequence is repeated up three times continues walk forward. Although it has...
The diminution of pastoral activities in marginal areas, and consequently livestock grazing, implies a strong encroachment invasive vegetation. conservation the open areas is however particularly important for wildlife management. With this aim, paper describes results obtained protected area on Apennine mountains (Italy), encroached by Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. Two restoration practices were carried out Administration Regional Park Laghi di Suviana e Brasimone (Bologna, Italy), order...
The aim of the present work is to evaluate differences in surplus nutrients at farm level and risk pollution related management between two areas Mugello (Tuscan Apennines, Italy): Basso (LM) Alto (HM).Data a survey on 36 farms dairy cows area (FI) are reported. In each apparent balance nitrogen phosphorus was estimated order equilibrium these elements within farms. operative procedure, already used Italy, based estimation fluxes entering leaving farm, difference them represents this...
Abstract Question Do leaf functional traits describe variation in the intensity of management semi‐natural grasslands? Location Mugello, N orth A pennines, I taly. Methods In an ecologically homogeneous area, we identified four grassland practices (three different stocking rates and abandonment for 10 or more years). We measured ( LFT ) three dominant grass species – dry matter content LDMC ), specific area SLA concentration LNC two permanent sampling plots per treatment consecutive years....