Events and News

The Birds of the Countryside

Birds, especially the common nesting species, represent excellent ecological indicators, thanks to some of their peculiar characteristics: they are animals sensitive to environmental changes, they are easily contactable especially during the reproductive period (when they show evident territorial behaviours, including singing), they allow the monitoring of habitats on a large scale and, occupying high levels of the food chain, reflect the changes also undergone by other taxa that occupy lower trophic levels.

FAI spring days "ISPRA: protection of biodiversity at the garden estate of Ozzano dell'Emilia"

ISPRA of Ozzano dell'Emilia takes part in the FAI Spring Days which confirm, in their thirty-second edition, one of the most important events for learning about the Italian cultural and landscape heritage.

This year ISPRA opens the doors of an important headquarters, not only in terms of landscape heritage, but also from a scientific one. For visitors to the ISPRA estate in Ozzano nell'Emilia, an exclusive opportunity opens up to discover the organisation's research activities and projects.

International Day of Forests 2024

International Day of Forests is celebrated every 21 March and represents a fundamental moment to reflect on the importance of forests for our planet. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, the day aims to highlight the fundamental role that forests play not only in the supply of timber and non-timber products (berries, mushrooms, resins, etc.), but including in providing ecosystem services such as erosion control, biodiversity conservation, climate regulation and in providing livelihoods to hundreds of millions of people.
The theme of the 2024 Day is "Forests and Innovation" and places emphasis on the essential combination of forest conservation and technological progress.

How did mammals respond to changes in human activity during the pandemic?

The results of a study conducted on a global scale which analyzed the impact on the habits of wild mammals of changes in human activities induced by the COVID-19 pandemic between 2019 and 2021 have been published in the international scientific journal Nature Ecology and Evolution. 

Protected areas: virtuous experiences to combat the decline of pollinators

The Life 4 Pollinators project is organizing a meeting that brings together the world of conservation, research and institutions, united to protect the decline of pollinators.

"Virtuous experiences to combat the decline of pollinators" is an event organized in collaboration with Federparchi, LIFE PollinAction, Life BEEadapt which aims to give those who manage protected areas the opportunity to discuss and find shared strategies for the conservation of pollinating insects .

National project on the biology and conservation of skunks and weasels in Italy

MustelaWatch.it is the Italian portal dedicated to skunks and weasels designed and created by the Italian Mesocarnivore Research Group (GrIMeC) of the Italian Theriological Association (ATIt). It contains news on the species, insights, publications, as well as distribution maps updated in real time, with recent data and new acquisitions.

PNRR WED. The restoration of one of the most threatened marine environments in Europe: flat oyster habitats

In the "breeding parks" 300,000 larvae have already been obtained, the objective is to reach 1 million to be allocated to breeding

ISPRA's activities have begun for the restoration of one of the most threatened marine environments in Europe: the habitats of the flat oyster (Ostrea edulis), a native Adriatic species, in five Italian regions: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Marche and Abruzzo. An activity in line with the requests of the European Strategy for Biodiversity and the objectives of the recently approved "Nature Restoration Law". The operations involve the introduction of adult reproductive individuals - both collected with sustainable fishing techniques and bred - and the placing on the seabed of substrates favorable to the taking root of new generations of oysters and the formation of the reef. To support the interventions, instruments for measuring environmental parameters will be installed which will complement the data collected through specific monitoring programs.

Plastic and circular economy

The seminar, addressed to the local administrators of Villasimius, is dedicated to the topics of plastics, circular economy and the impacts that they can produce on the territory and sea.

It will be also presented the project LIFE CONCEPTU MARIS, which AMP Capo Carbonare is partner and aims to conservation of cetaceans and sea turtles in the Mediterranean.

From balconies to urban green: good practices for the management of invasive alien species

The aim of the conference is to illustrate the delicate topic of invasive alien species and suggest the most correct gardening and green design practices to limit their spread in the environment, encouraging the use of native species for the creation of more sustainable gardens.

The PNRR for National Parks and Marine Protected Areas

Activities to strengthen technological instrumentation to improve knowledge on biodiversity are underway

National Parks and Marine Protected Areas have consistently carried out important monitoring work for years which today allows the entire scientific community to have a significant knowledge base on biodiversity. However, monitoring activities, in particular those on species and habitats, present heterogeneous characteristics and do not allow the availability of uniform and integrated information in the medium-long term for the entire system of protected areas.

Migrations, colonizations and evolutionary adaptations in bird populations facing the environmental challenges of the Anthropocene

As part of the Darwin Day Ferrara 2024 initiatives, organized by the Natural History Museum of Ferrara, by the Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology of the University of Ferrara, in collaboration with the Didò Educational Association and with the patronage of the National Association Scientific Museums (ANMS) and the Italian Society of Evolutionary Biology (SIBE), the meeting "Migrations, colonizations and evolutionary adaptations in bird populations facing the environmental challenges of the Anthropocene" will be held in Ferrara on 7 March.
An ISPRA researcher will participate at the event.

Refining tools for cetacean conservation

Species Distribution Modeling (SDM) is a powerful tool employed by researchers to pinpoint critical areas essential for species survival. This tool holds particular significance when studying and conserving species like cetaceans, whose large-scale movements in the vaste marine environment pose challenges for continuous monitoring across its entire extention.

On-line the new environmental indicators data base ISPRA

An effective tool to understand the state of the environment in Italy
Developed with a view to improvement, to face increasingly pressing environmental challenges and to satisfy new knowledge needs, including future scenarios, the ISPRA environmental indicators database disseminates detailed statistical information in a dynamic and timely manner characterized by a high scientific solidity.

The microforest, an year later

Celebration after one year from the inauguration of the first Eco-Pedagogical Microforest of the Capital.

An ISPRA researcher will participate in the meeting with a speech on microfauna and soil.

Which beaches Caretta Caretta choose for nesting? ISPRA sampling campaigns are in progress

In the frame of EU LIFETURTLENEST Project ISPRA beach sediment sampling campaigns on some breeding sites of the past seasons are in progress. The composition of the beach has an impact on the breeding success of Caretta Caretta marine turtles. Since last November two monitoring campaigns have been completed, namely in Tuscany Region and Lazio Region while in Campania Region are still ongoing, the campaign occurs on a monthly basis.

World Seagrass Day

World Seagrass Day is celebrated on March 1st, vital for the maintenance of marine ecosystems.
ISPRA celebrates this anniversary with 3 videos aimed at students, dedicated to Posidonia oceanica, its enormous ecological value, the importance of sustainable management and conscious use of coastal areas.

LIFETURTLENEST launches a survey on socio-economic benefits

At the beginning of its second year of activities, the EU Project LIFE Turtlenest has launched a survey on socio-economic benefits produced in order to assess the impact of the project. This survey is useful to evaluate the level of Knowledge and awareness on topics linked to the conservation of marine turtles and the interest of key actors to carry on concrete actions for the protection of nature together with the project.

Stop invasive alien species to protect biodiversity, economy and health

The role of the horticultural sector

As part of the Myplant&Garden event, the international green and landscape fair, the conference "Stopping invasive alien species to protect biodiversity, economy and health" will be held on 22 February.

Invasive alien species are organisms introduced by humans, accidentally or voluntarily, outside their area of ​​origin, which establish themselves in nature and cause environmental, social and economic impacts.
During the conference, rules and good practices will be shared to avoid and manage their spread

Green and health are the future of our cities

As part of the Myplant & Garden event (International Green Expo) at the Milan - Rho fair, the conference "Green and health are the future of our cities" will be held on 21 February which sees the participation of operators and experts from the sector at national and international level who will discuss with the local administrators of the cities of Avellino, Milan, Turin and Rome. ISPRA will illustrate the PNRR-PNC project "The good use of green and blue spaces for the promotion of well-being and health (VeBS)", started in 2013.

Presentation of the "Environment Report SNPA" - edition 2023

The Report, now in its fourth edition, offers a detailed overview of the state of our environment based on objective, reliable and comparable information, with 21 environmental indicators that allow us to evaluate the achievement of the numerous set objectives and to effectively address future environmental challenges . The second part of the document highlights the commitment and work of ISPRA and the ARPA/APPA, through a focus on best practices for the fight against climate change, to support the circular economy, to contribute to the process of sustainable finance, to protect our health and our planet and to raise awareness and inform the community.

Program

Spot Environment Report  SNPA

Environment Report SNPA - Edition 2023

Technical table established to deal with the rapid spread of the alga Rugulopteryx okamurae

The alga Rugulopteryx okamurae is the first and only macroalgae species to be included in the list of invasive alien species of notable importance of the European Union, whose negative effects on the environment and biodiversity in Europe are so serious as to require intervention concerted effort of the Member States of the Union. It represents one of the main threats to biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystems in coastal habitats, with possible repercussions on seaside activities and fishing with financial losses estimated at several million euros.

ISPRA participates in the WOLFNESS Project

Preserving the natural heritage of wolves: a multidisciplinary approach towards effective and socially acceptable management of wolf-dog hybridization across Europe.
WOLFNESS aims to improve the conservation status of the wolf (Canis lupus) in Europe consequently to its re-expansion, not only in natural contexts but also in anthropized areas, where the risk of anthropogenic hybridization between wolves and domestic dogs (WDH) could be high. The project will aim also to shed light on the dynamics of anthropogenic hybridization, to standardize investigation methodologies and improve the management and social acceptance of the phenomeno

Alien invasions: between nutria and fire ants, what is happening, what awaits us in the future and how we must respond to this threat

As part of the Darwin Day Ferrara 2024 initiatives, organized by the Natural History Museum of Ferrara, by the Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology of the University of Ferrara, in collaboration with the Didò Educational Association and with the patronage of the National Association Scientific Museums (ANMS) and the Italian Society of Evolutionary Biology (SIBE), the meeting "Alien invasions: between nutria and fire ants, what is happening, what awaits us in the future and how we must respond" will be held in Ferrara on 15 February to this threat." The Responsibile of the Service for the coordination of ISPRA wildlife activities will participate at the event.

Management of wild boar in PSA emergency: Strategies and good practices

The Lucano Val D'Agri Lagonegrese Apennines National Park is organizing the conference "Management of wild boar in the African swine fever emergency: Strategies and good practices" on 12 February. The meeting acts as a connecting element between emergency management and the adoption of good practices that can transform a risk into an opportunity for the territory.

LIFE Conceptu Maris: the campaign CItizen Science 2004 is starting

The Citizen Science 2024 campaign by LIFE Conceptu Maris officially begins again, thanks to which the citizens most sensitive to the issues addressed by the project, after having attended an online training course, can board the ferries together with the researchers along one of the 17 available routes and thus contribute to the monitoring of cetaceans and turtles.
The main news this year is the opening of the route between the Spanish port of Barcelona and the Moroccan port of Tangier.

Ecce Microforeste, ISPRA participates at the Sapienza University project

The "Ecce Microforeste" workshop on eco-pedagogical microforests will be held on Monday 5 February.
ISPRA participates in the Ecce Microforeste Project on the eco-pedagogical microforests of La Sapienza University with monitoring and support activities in citizen science and citizen engagement actions. ISPRA researchers will be present at the event with scientific contributions and practical experiences. Entrance is free.

The large Italian mammals between reintroductions and spontaneous returns: rereading history, scrutinizing the future

In Italy, most large mammal species are expanding or have recolonized much of the range from which they disappeared in the first half of the twentieth century. On this technical day, the GLAMM - Group for Large Mammals Conservation and Management - aims to reconstruct the history of these returns, through an analysis of the introduction interventions carried out in Italy and the factors that favored the recolonisations or spontaneous expansions. An opportunity to make a critical analysis of what has been done, recompose often fragmented pieces of information, critically identify knowledge gaps and address the challenges for the future with a multidisciplinary approach.

World Wetlands Day 2024

The World Wetland Day next 2 February 

celebrates the signing in 1971 of the International Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

The Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as “marshes, marshes, peat bogs or reservoirs, natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with stagnant or flowing water, fresh, brackish or salt, including expanses of marine water whose depth, during low tide, does not exceed six metres". The Convention is the only international treaty on the environment that deals with these particular ecosystems which, in addition to hosting and conserving a rich biological diversity of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates, guarantee huge resources of water and food and play a fundamental role in mitigating climate change.

The integrity of these environments is threatened by human activities.

The topic chosen for the 2024 Day is "Wetlands and human well-being".

On Radio3 Scienza an interview with the Responsible of the ISPRA wildlife coordination service

On  Radio3 Scienza of 30 January the Responsible of the ISPRA wildlife coordination service provides data on the situation of wolves in Europe and Italy, what damage  they cause and how we can intervene to mitigate their impacts. It also clarifies what would change if the proposal to change the protection status of the wolf put forward by the European Commission were passed.

The Strong Sea project in Civitavecchia

The aim of the project is to protect and improve the conservation status of protected habitats of Posidonia oceanica meadows and Coralligenous reefs damaged by the presence of Abandoned, Lost or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG). The event will be an opportunity to present to the local population and stakeholders the actions already undertaken in the Gulf of Asinara to face this important challenge. The morning program proposes a series of interventions aimed at deepening not only the objectives of the project but also the replicability actions planned in Corsica and Tuscany; a round table will also be held in the afternoon which will involve researchers and experts from the local maritime and fishing sectors

Will ISPRA researchers be able to replicate the project along the seabed of Civitavecchia affected by the same threat?

Program

Photo gallery