scholarly journals The decline of the charismatic Parnassius mnemosyne (L.) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in a Central Italy national park: a call for urgent actions

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
ALESSANDRO CINI ◽  
FRANCESCA BARBERO ◽  
SIMONA BONELLI ◽  
CLAUDIA BRUSCHINI ◽  
LUCA PIETRO CASACCI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Loss ◽  
National Park ◽  
Habitat Management ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Presence Data ◽  
Parnassius Mnemosyne ◽  
Historical Presence

Here we report the strong decline of a population of the endangered species Parnassius mnemosyne (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in the National Park of Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna (Italy). We compared historical presence data (before 1969) with current data from two years of monitoring (2018–2019) and provided evidence of a drastic reduction in the number of sites inhabited by the species. A preliminary assessment suggested that the population of P. mmemosyne occurring in the Park is limited to a few individuals. We argue that the population of this iconic and charismatic butterfly is at the verge of extinction in this National Park, probably because of a combination of habitat loss (i.e. decrease in size and number of areas of open grassland on the mountain belt) and climatic changes. Being one of the few populations of P. mnemosyne in the Northern Apennines, the implementation of protection measures is a high conservation priority. Several other butterfly species on the Italian mountains that are facing the same survival challenges would also benefit from the establishment of conservation actions aimed at improving habitat quality for P. mnemosyne. Present article is meant to call for action researchers, stakeholders, and especially decision-makers in order to increase the efforts to upturn the evident decline in abundance of this population. Key words: biodiversity conservation, butterflies, habitat loss, habitat management, Lepidoptera, Parnassinae

Der Wolf im Nationalpark der Abruzzen – Erfahrungen sammeln und Vergleiche mit der Schweiz ziehen | The Wolf in the Abruzzi National Park – Gaining experience and comparing with Switzerland

2002 ◽  
Vol 153 (4) ◽  
pp. 140-145
Author(s):  
Dani Rüegg ◽  
Paolo Camin ◽  
Luzius Fischer ◽  
Philippe Heimann
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
National Park ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Adaptive Behaviour ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Cattle Breeding ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Forestry Society ◽  
The Media

Slowly but surely the wolf is moving north and has reached the southern frontiers of Switzerland. Individual animals have already crossed the border and surfaced in the media as the«problem animals». The pressure arising from the wolf's impulse to settle will continue, and probably even increase. The working group Forest and Wild Animals of the Swiss Forestry Society spent 5 days in Italy on a field trip with the aim of collecting information and gaining knowledge of the wolf in Italy, in order to carry out a comparative study with Switzerland. In central Italy, where the wolf has always lived, hunting is not made impossible nor has cattle breeding ever been in doubt. In addition, local tourist industries have cleverly managed to market the wolf. The most striking feature is that the population in Italy understands how to go about their work without – or with a minimum of – conflict with the wolf. This is also the determining difference when it comes to coping with the diffusion of the wolf with as little conflict as possible. People in Switzerland still have to learn to cope with the wolf. Consistent and thorough herding and protection measures for sheep must be introduced and supported. The game populations in Switzerland are high but – as with sheep holding – not adapted to the presence of the wolf. Initially, therefore,attacks are to be expected in some regions until the game has acquired a more adaptive behaviour. The immigration of the wolf into Switzerland will hardly pass without conflict. Perhaps, however, it can be facilitated if the population of Switzerland can (re-)learn to live with the wolf. One great difference between Italy and Switzerland springs immediately to mind: while the population density is low in those areas of Italy where the wolf has its habitat, in Switzerland there are very few regions with a comparably low population density. This does not pose a problem for the wolf– it is adaptable – but it does add to the potential for conflict that can be expected to arise from the ongoing immigration. Within the present, ever-changing framework, humankind's relation with the wolf will continue to give rise to new questions. Successful answers and results will only follow from consistently solid work based on accurate information. This is all the more true because it concerns long-term development to meet a goal which calls for the integration of demands, claims,opinions and realpolitik, and the pressure from the wolf. We believe that our report contributes towards this goal.

scholarly journals Pixel- vs. Object-Based Landsat 8 Data Classification in Google Earth Engine Using Random Forest: The Case Study of Maiella National Park

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2299
Author(s):  
Andrea Tassi ◽  
Daniela Gigante ◽  
Giuseppe Modica ◽  
Luciano Di Martino ◽  
Marco Vizzari
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
National Park ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Data Cube ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Change Analysis ◽  
Object Based ◽  
Google Earth Engine

With the general objective of producing a 2018–2020 Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) map of the Maiella National Park (central Italy), useful for a future long-term LULC change analysis, this research aimed to develop a Landsat 8 (L8) data composition and classification process using Google Earth Engine (GEE). In this process, we compared two pixel-based (PB) and two object-based (OB) approaches, assessing the advantages of integrating the textural information in the PB approach. Moreover, we tested the possibility of using the L8 panchromatic band to improve the segmentation step and the object’s textural analysis of the OB approach and produce a 15-m resolution LULC map. After selecting the best time window of the year to compose the base data cube, we applied a cloud-filtering and a topography-correction process on the 32 available L8 surface reflectance images. On this basis, we calculated five spectral indices, some of them on an interannual basis, to account for vegetation seasonality. We added an elevation, an aspect, a slope layer, and the 2018 CORINE Land Cover classification layer to improve the available information. We applied the Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM) algorithm to calculate the image’s textural information and, in the OB approaches, the Simple Non-Iterative Clustering (SNIC) algorithm for the image segmentation step. We performed an initial RF optimization process finding the optimal number of decision trees through out-of-bag error analysis. We randomly distributed 1200 ground truth points and used 70% to train the RF classifier and 30% for the validation phase. This subdivision was randomly and recursively redefined to evaluate the performance of the tested approaches more robustly. The OB approaches performed better than the PB ones when using the 15 m L8 panchromatic band, while the addition of textural information did not improve the PB approach. Using the panchromatic band within an OB approach, we produced a detailed, 15-m resolution LULC map of the study area.

Predicting the Distribution of Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822) in Way Canguk Research Station, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Lampung

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 58612
Author(s):  
Silvi Dwi Anasari ◽  
Wulan Pusparini ◽  
Noviar Andayani
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
National Park ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Environment Variables ◽  
Presence Data ◽  
Manis Javanica ◽  
In The Wild

The distribution of a species can help guide the protection activities in their natural habitat. Conversely, the lack of information on this distribution makes the protection strategy of this species difficult. The research was conducted in Way Canguk Research Station, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park from January until March 2018. The purposes of this research were to create a distribution prediction map of Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) and estimating the environment variables that most influenced the probability of the distribution. Fourteen points of camera trap coordinates were used for presence data with nine types of environment variables such as elevation, slope, understorey, canopy cover, distance from roads, distance from rivers, distance from villages, food source, and distance from the threat. The result of maxent showed an Area Under the Curve (AUC) value of 0.909 categorized as very good. The highest probability of Sunda pangolin distributions was in the Pemerihan Resort and Way Haru Resort area, while the dominant environmental variables included the distance from the village, the canopy cover, and the distance from threat with the value 47.7; 25.85; and 15.8%, respectively. Prediction maps and environment variables can help to identify the population of Sunda pangolin in the wild and can provide input for the national parks to prioritize protection areas for Sunda pangolin from the increased poaching.

Density and activity patterns of ocelot populations in Yasuní National Park, Ecuador

Mammalia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Salvador ◽  
Santiago Espinosa
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
National Park ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Oil Extraction ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Yasuni National Park ◽  
Ecuadorian Amazon

AbstractOcelots were historically hunted for their skins but habitat loss is now their most serious threat, causing rapid declines in populations throughout their range. Ocelot abundance has been estimated for various locations across the Neotropics, but we still lack this information from some countries, including Ecuador. Knowing whether ocelot abundance is increasing or decreasing is important to assess the conservation status of this species and the conditions of its habitats in the Ecuadorian Amazon and in the region. To determine whether ocelot abundance and its behavior are affected by human-related activities, camera-trap surveys were carried out in two localities of Yasuní National Park (YNP), one that has experienced hunting, oil extraction, and roads (Maxus Road) and one that is largely unaffected by these activities (Lorocachi). During the survey, 35 and 36 individual ocelots were photographed in Maxus Road and Lorocachi, respectively. Population density estimates were similar for both localities, ranging from 0.31 (SE±6) to 0.85 (SE±17) ocelots/km

scholarly journals Alyssum desertorum Stapf (Brassicaceae), new for the Italian flora

2016 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Bartolucci ◽  
Fabio Conti
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Italian Flora ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
First Time

Abstract The occurrence of Alyssum desertorum, a species belonging to A. sect. Alyssum, is reported for the first time in Italy. It was found in Abruzzo (central Italy) in the territory of National Park of Gran Sasso and Laga mountains and surrounding areas. Morphological similarities with the other taxa recorded in Italy belonging to A. sect. Alyssum are briefly discussed. Information about the typification of the name, habitat, phenology and distribution in Italy are also provided.

scholarly journals Distribution of Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and its Conservation Threats in Bardia National Park, Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-60
Author(s):  
Pramila Koirala ◽  
Bijaya Neupane ◽  
Thakur Silwal ◽  
Bijaya Dhami ◽  
Siddhartha Regmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Habitat Management ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Flash Flood ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Zone Field ◽  
Conservation Threats ◽  
And Control

Blue bull is Asia’s largest antelope, a species of least concern in IUCN Red data list of 2020. In Nepal, it is vulnerable and is often considered as a problem animal for its crop raiding habit. Although, its population is restricted in India and Nepal, there are insufficient studies conducted on the distribution and threats of the species at local level. This study aimed to assess the distribution of blue bull and its conservation threats in Bardia National Park and its buffer zone. Field survey was carried out to identify the potential area with the information provided by park staff and buffer zone people and by the transect method in the selected habitat to determine the distribution of blue bull population. Additionally, six focus group discussions (1 in each of thefive sites and 1 with park staff) and a half-day workshop (involving 25 participants representing each site and park office) were organized to assess the existing threats to the species. Data were analyzed descriptively using MS Excel, while the distribution map was prepared using Arc GIS. Also, 8 major identified threats were ranked using relative threat ranking procedure and classified into four severity classes. We found that the population of blue bull was dispersed from core area of Bardia National Park towards the buffer zone area. Open grazing, invasive species, predation by tiger and flash flood were the major threats to the blue bull as perceived by the local people. Habitat management activities including control of grazing, removal of invasive plant species, plantation of palatable grass species, increase in other prey species of tiger and control of flood in blue bull’s habitats are recommended to protect the species and thus sustain their threatened population.

scholarly journals Identifying Rare Montane Meadow Parnassian Butterfly Populations Across Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 88-93
Author(s):  
Kimberly Szcondronski ◽  
Diane Debinski
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
National Forest ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Habitat Occupancy ◽  
Preferred Habitat ◽  
Flight Season ◽  
Parnassius Smintheus ◽  
Montane Meadow ◽  
The Ideal

The pristine, protected ecosystem of Grand Teton National Park (GRTE) is the ideal location to study the relationships between butterfly populations and the habitats on which these insects depend. Two montane meadow butterfly species, Parnassius clodius and Parnassius smintheus, were investigated in this study to identify patterns of habitat occupancy relating to variables across GRTE and into the surrounding territory of Bridger–Teton National Forest (BTNF). Population dynamics of P. clodius have been intensively studied by our research group over several consecutive years in one isolated population in Grand Teton National Park. However, little has been investigated regarding the Parnassian butterflies’ population range across the GRTE ecosystem. For this study, presence-absence butterfly surveys were conducted across 45 meadow sites in preferred habitat during the Parnassius flight season (June – July 2013). We found that P. clodius occupied 80% of the meadows surveyed, which was far greater than was originally predicted. P. smintheus, the more rare Parnassian butterfly in the GRTE ecosystem, was only found at 9% of the meadows surveyed. Understanding population ranges and habitat limits of these butterfly populations will be useful for managers and scientists within GRTE, and will assist conservation efforts for other related Parnassian species that are threatened or endangered worldwide due to habitat loss and climate change.

scholarly journals The Orthoptera fauna of the Stelvio National Park

2018 ◽  
pp. 3-20
Author(s):  
Daniele Baroni ◽  
Marco Bonifacino ◽  
Luca Cristiano ◽  
Roberta Rossi ◽  
Luca Pedrotti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
National Park ◽  
Conservation Value ◽  
Geographic Differentiation ◽  
Biodiversity Monitoring ◽  
Check List ◽  
Alpine Environment ◽  
High Conservation

Within the Project “Animal Biodiversity Monitoring in the Alpine Environment” the Orthoptera fauna has been studied in a three-year period (2013-2015). The first check-list of the protected area, with ecological and biogeographical notes, is presented. We found 40 species (16 Ensifera, 24 Caelifera), corresponding to 11% of the Italian Orthoptera fauna. A geographic differentiation in species distribution among the three areas (Alto Adige - BZ, Trentino - TN and Lombardy - BS and SO) has been detected. The genus Barbitistes is represented by B. serricauda in Alto Adige and B. alpinus in Trentino and Lombardy. Kisella irena is restricted to Peio and Rabbi Valleys only, in connection with this species distribution in Trentino. Within the Park, Euthystira brachyptera is distributed only in Lombardy, despite its habitat is apparently extensively available also in Trentino and Alto Adige. We found Omocestus haemorrhoidalis and Chorthippus vagans only in Val Venosta (BZ). Only two species, previously reported for the study area, has not been detected during our surveys: Celes variabilis and Ruspolia nitidula. The first site of presence of Tettigonia caudata, rare in Italy, within the Park boundaries has been discovered near Martello (BZ). Two endangered taxa of high conservation value, Epacromius tergestinus ponticus and Crysochraon dispar, reported in the last Century just outside the Park boundaries, are probably extinct today due to habitat loss.

scholarly journals Brief communication: Remotely piloted aircraft systems for rapid emergency response: road exposure to rockfall in Villanova di Accumoli (central Italy)

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Santangelo ◽  
Massimiliano Alvioli ◽  
Marco Baldo ◽  
Mauro Cardinali ◽  
Daniele Giordan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Response ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Slope Angle ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Source Areas ◽  
The Road ◽  
Aircraft Systems ◽  
Remotely Piloted Aircraft

Abstract. The use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) in geosciences is often aimed at the acquisition of an image sequence to produce digital models and orthophotographs of the topographic surface. The technology can be applied for rockfall hazard and risk assessment. To study rockfalls, an approach consists in the application of numerical models for the computation of rockfall trajectories. Data required for such simulations include digital terrain models, location of the instability source areas, and the mechanical properties of the terrain. In this article, we present an analysis of the earthquake-triggered rockfall that occurred along the SP18 in Villanova di Accumoli (Lazio, central Italy) during the seismic sequence that started on 24 August 2016. A survey with a multicopter was carried out to obtain a surface model of the terrain and identify and characterize the source areas and other instable blocks in areas not accessible in the field. The investigated area extends for 6500 m2 and was covered by 161 photographs that were used to obtain an orthophoto with a ground resolution of 2.5 cm and a digital surface model with a ground resolution of 20 cm × 20 cm, which was processed and fused with GNSS real-time kinematic data. To obtain a map of potential rockfall trajectories, we run the numerical model STONE, using as origin of the boulders both source areas mapped in the field and pixels with a slope angle above a selected threshold. Results showed that only the part of the road SP18 already affected by the rockfall was exposed to further rockfall impacts. In particular, it was observed that 29.2 % (i.e. 12 123) of the 41 500 simulated trajectories may potentially reach or cross this tract of the road. Based on these data, limited protection measures were suggested. The combined use of RPAS data, fused with ground GPS points, an accurate geomorphological survey, and terrain static and dynamic parameters from the literature allows fast, low-cost, and replicable rockfall numerical modelling useful for emergency response and adoption of proper protection measures.

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