Ethnomedicinal and Ethnobotanical Survey in the Aosta Valley Side of the Gran Paradiso National Park (Western Alps, Italy)

Most of traditional knowledge about plants and their uses is fast disappearing because of socio-economic and land use changes. This trend is also occurring in bio-cultural refugia, such as mountain areas. New data on Traditional Ethnobotanical Knowledge (TEK) of Italian alpine regions were collected relating to three valleys (Cogne, Valsavarenche, Rhêmes) of the Gran Paradiso National Park. Extensive dialogues and semi-structured interviews with 68 native informants (30 men, 38 women; mean age 70) were carried out between 2017 and 2019. A total of 3918 reports were collected, concerning 217 taxa (including 10 mushrooms, 1 lichen) mainly used for medicinal (42%) and food (33%) purposes. Minor uses were related to liquor making (7%), domestic (7%), veterinary (5%), forage (4%), cosmetic (1%) and other (2%). Medicinal plants were used to treat 14 ailment categories, of which the most important were respiratory (22%), digestive (19%), skin (13%), musculoskeletal (10%) and genitourinary (10%) diseases. Data were also evaluated by quantitative ethnobotanical indexes. The results show a rich and alive traditional knowledge concerning plants uses in the Gran Paradiso National Park. Plants resources may provide new opportunities from the scientific point of view, for the valorization of local products for health community and for sustainable land management.

The Medicinal Wood-Decay Species Laricifomes officinalis in the Alpe Veglia–Alpe Devero Natural Park (Italian Alps): Spatial Analysis and Growth Tests of Pure Cultures

Laricifomes officinalis is a wood-decay fungus that is closely associated with old individuals of Larix decidua . In the twentieth century, L. officinalis was over-harvested because of its medicinal properties; consequently, it has become very rare or almost extinct in the Alps. In this study, we investigated the population of L. officinalis in the Alpe Veglia–Alpe Devero Natural Park (Val d’Ossola, Italy) to assess a preliminary conservation strategy. Population consistency was estimated using field mapping, and spatial analysis was performed on host trees based on topographical and environmental variables. Mycelia were isolated from harvested basidiomata, and strain identity confirmed by molecular analysis of the ITS region. All isolated strains were tested for growth in Petri dishes containing different standard media to determine which strains had the highest growth rates; the fastest growing strains may be selected for future studies and applications. Compared to the control strains from Val Malenco and Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, all strains from Alpe Veglia–Alpe Devero Natural Park had lower growth rates. There was no significant difference between the growth rates of strains from Alpe Veglia and those from Alpe Devero. The results suggest that the population consistency of L. officinalis in the Alpe Veglia–Alpe Devero Natural Park is related to two main factors: habitat preservation and harvesting prohibition. These results confirm the need to protect L. officinalis both inside and outside natural reserves, despite the apparent increase in local populations.

A Revised Snow Cover Algorithm to Improve Discrimination between Snow and Clouds: A Case Study in Gran Paradiso National Park

Snow cover plays an important role in biotic and abiotic environmental processes, as well as human activities, on both regional and global scales. Due to the difficulty of in situ data collection in vast and inaccessible areas, the use of optical satellite imagery represents a useful support for snow cover mapping. At present, several operational snow cover algorithms and products are available. Even though most of them offer an up-to-daily time scale, they do not provide sufficient spatial resolution for studies requiring high spatial detail. By contrast, the Let-It-Snow (LIS) algorithm can produce high-resolution snow cover maps, based on the use of both the normalized-difference snow index (NDSI) and a digital elevation model. The latter is introduced to define a threshold value on the altitude, below which the presence of snow is excluded. In this study, we revised the LIS algorithm by introducing a new parameter, based on a threshold in the shortwave infrared (SWIR) band, and by modifying the overall algorithm workflow, such that the cloud mask selection can be used as an input. The revised algorithm has been applied to a case study in Gran Paradiso National Park. Unlike previous studies, we also compared the performance of both the original and the modified algorithms in the presence of cloud cover, in order to evaluate their effectiveness in discriminating between snow and clouds. Ground data collected by meteorological stations equipped with both snow gauges and solarimeters were used for validation purposes. The changes introduced in the revised algorithm can improve upon the overall classification accuracy obtained by the original LIS algorithm (i.e., up to 89.17 from 80.88%). The producer’s and user’s accuracy values obtained by the modified algorithm (89.12 and 95.03%, respectively) were larger than those obtained by the original algorithm (76.68 and 93.67%, respectively), thus providing a more accurate snow cover map.

Bronchopulmonary Nematodes in Alpine Ibex: Shedding of First Stage Larvae Analyzed at the Individual Host Level

Pneumonia is the most frequent cause of death for Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) in Gran Paradiso National Park, (Italy). The etiology of this form of pneumonia is currently unknown and the identification of the primary etiological agent remains difficult due to biological and logistic constraints. Uncovering individual differences in Protostrongylid prevalence and intensity is important to further investigate the epidemiology of respiratory diseases and their relationship to heterozygosity and inbreeding in a once almost extinct population like C. ibex. In a group of 21 individually recognizable adult male we monitored monthly prevalence and intensity of Protostrongylid first-stage larvae using Baerman's technique from June to September 2019. First-stage larvae of 5 genera were detected. Muellerius (P = 100%, CI95% = 84–100) and Protostrongylus (P = 86%, CI95%:71–100) were two dominant genera according to Bush's importance index. Neostrongylus (P = 38%,CI95%: 17–59), Cystocaulus (P = 33%,CI95% = 13–53) were classified as co-dominant genera while Dictyocaulus filaria (P = 0.05%, CI95% = 0.04–0.13) was detected, for the first time in Alpine ibex, in one subject. Protostrongylidae larval excretion varied significantly over time, with minimum L1 excretion in July. Individual median larval intensity ranged from 4.4 lpg to 82.2 lpg with Poulin's discrepancy index showing highly aggregated distribution patterns for Muellerius spp. (D = 0.283, CI95% = 0.760–0.895) and Protostrongylus spp. (D = 0.635, CI95% = 0.580–0.705). Presented data provide the necessary base point to further investigate how lungworm infection account for the different rates of progression of pneumonia in C. ibex. Individual aggregation of larval intensity must be further evaluated to determine whether these differences mirror different levels of parasitic infection related to individual differences in immune response, hormonal-states or genetic fitness.

The Vesuvianite Gems of the Val d’Ala (Piedmont, Italy)

In Val d’Ala (Western Alps in Piedmont, Italy), the most interesting rocks for mineralogical research are represented by rodingite (rich in mineralized veins and fractures) associated with serpentinite in the eclogitized oceanic crust of Piedmont Zone, south of Gran Paradiso Massif. Among the vein-filling minerals, vesuvianite is well appreciated for its potential as gem-quality materials, even though it has never been characterized in detail. This study provides a gemological characterization of eleven vesuvianite crystals from different localities of the Val d’Ala. The refractive index (1.717–1.708) and density (1.705–1.709) values of our vesuvianite are in the range of those in the literature. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) established that the samples are pretty compositionally homogeneous in terms of major elements, while trace and rare earth elements (REE) contents are more variable. All REE patterns are characterized by pronounced positive Eu anomalies. The variations in color (from olive green to dark green with chocolate (reddish-brown color shades and polychrome bands) are due to the relevant presence of Fe and, to a lesser extent, Ti and Cr. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analyses and SEM/EDS quantitative study indicate that the other phases associated with vesuvianite are represented by diopside, garnet, clinochlore.

[Prima nidificazione con successo di Gipeto (Gypaetus barbatus) in Piemonte dall’inizio del progetto di reintroduzione della specie sulle Alpi]

[Nel 2019 sulle Alpi sono stati accertati 57 territori di Gipeto (Gypaetus barbatus), di cui 15 in Italia: 9 nel Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio ed in Valle Venosta, 5 in Valle d’Aosta e nel Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso e 1 in Provincia di Torino nelle Valli di Lanzo. In quest’ultimo territorio, la coppia locale si è riprodotta con successo, portando all’involo un giovane in data 18 agosto 2019. Quest’evento rappresenta la prima riproduzione con successo in Piemonte dall’inizio del progetto internazionale di reintroduzione, intrapreso nel 1976 e dai primi rilasci di animali nati in cattività a partire dal 1986]. [Article in Italian]

Post-LGM glacial history of Aosta Valley (western Italian Alps) and implications for Alpine paleo-atmospheric circulations

<p>Mountain glaciers are useful quantitative paleoclimate proxies because of their mass-balance being sensitive to both temperature and precipitation. Paleoglacial reconstructions in the Alps, together with other paleoclimate proxies<sup>[1]</sup>, suggest a shift in Alpine atmospheric circulation during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), with a change from northerly (Atlantic) to south-westerly (Mediterranean) moisture advection<sup>[2]</sup>. However, the post-LGM reorganization of the atmospheric circulation system in terms of both amplitude and timing remains elusive, as well as the resulting glacier response in the Alps<sup>[3,4]</sup>.</p><p>This study focuses on Aosta Valley and its tributaries (SW Alps, Italy). Few chronological constraints are available for the post-LGM glacial history of the region, mainly related to the Ivrea Amphitheatre (terminal extent of Pleistocene glaciations)<sup>[5]</sup> and the Mont-Blanc massif<sup>[6]</sup>. We aim to quantify the potential variability in glacier responses for the different massif catchments of Aosta Valley, our working hypothesis being that they have distinct geomorphic (e.g. hypsometry) and climatic conditions (e.g. aspect, moisture sources). Following a detailed geomorphological mapping of glacial landforms and deposits, we sampled moraine boulders and glacially-polished bedrock for <em>in-situ</em> <sup>10</sup>Be surface exposure dating in 3 main massifs: Mont-Blanc (Courmayeur), Matterhorn (Valpelline) and Gran Paradiso (Val di Cogne and Valsavarenche). In addition, we also investigated the confluence between Aosta Valley and Gran Paradiso valleys (Saint Pierre area). Morphometric analyses were conducted to investigate the possible influence of local factors (e.g. hypsometry and aspect) on glacier fluctuations, before isolating a climatic signal from our paleoglacial reconstructions.</p><p>Our <sup>10</sup>Be chronology and boulder provenance results testify that glaciers from Mont-Blanc were lastly occupying the Aosta Valley in Saint Pierre at ca. 15 ka, while Gran Paradiso glaciers had already retreated within tributary valleys. In the upper Aosta Valley, Mont-Blanc glaciers retreat is marked by at least<sup>[7]</sup> two Late-glacial stages nearby Courmayeur at ca. 14 and 11 ka. Bedrock deglaciation profiles in Valpelline (SW of Matterhorn) record an onset of ice-thinning at ca. 14 ka, well after glacier retreat from the Ivrea Amphitheatre (20-24 ka)<sup>[5]</sup>. This result agrees with other studies from high Alpine passes<sup>[9]</sup>, supporting the idea that glaciers thinning within the high Alps clearly postdated the rapid post-LGM deglaciation in the foreland. Final deglaciation of Valpelline occurred at ca. 10-11 ka (Younger Dryas), roughly synchronous with the final glacier retreat in Courmayeur. Additional <sup>10</sup>Be samples from the Gran Paradiso valleys are under process to further assess potential spatial variability in post-LGM glacier fluctuations between the main northern and southern massifs. Finally, paleoglacial reconstructions and geochronology constraints will be included in ice numerical simulations to test the potential influence of precipitation changes on glacier retreat within the Aosta Valley.</p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p><sup>[1]</sup>Heiri, O. et al., 2014, Quaternary Science Reviews.</p><p><sup>[2]</sup>Florineth, D. & Schlüchter, C., 2000, Quaternary Research.</p><p><sup>[3]</sup>Luetscher, M. et al., 2015, Nature Communications.</p><p><sup>[4]</sup>Monegato, G. et al., 2017, Scientific reports.</p><p><sup>[5]</sup>Gianotti, F. et al., 2015, Alpine and Mediterranean Quaternary.</p><p><sup>[6]</sup>Wirsig, C. et al., 2016, Quaternary Science Reviews.</p><p><sup>[7]</sup>Porter, S. & Orombelli, G., 1982, Boreas.</p><p><sup>[8]</sup>Ivy-ochs, S., 2015, Cuadernos de Investigación Geográfica.</p><p><sup>[9]</sup>Hippe, K. et al., 2014, Quaternary Geochronology.</p>

Glacial reduction in the Gran Paradiso Massif (Western Italian Alps): multitemporal dynamic inventory since the Little Ice Age

<p>Alpine glaciers are sensitive key markers of climate variations, as their geometry and shape are the results of adjustments in response to changes of their mass balance. Since the Little Ice Age the European Alps, as well as other mountain ranges, experienced a phase of generalized retreat, accentuated during the last decades. The availability of quantitative data on glaciers variations from major mountain regions represent relevant tools for better understanding the glacier behaviour in response to ongoing climatic changes. Here we present new data on Holocenic variations of glaciers hosted in the Gran Paradiso Massif, the first Italian National Park (Western Italian Alps).</p><p>We built the multi-temporal digital inventory of the Gran Paradiso Massif glaciers covering a time period of over 150 years, considering distinct time steps spanning from the Little Ice Age (LIA) to 2015. The multi-temporal dataset was built including glaciers outlines (derived from high resolution orthophotos and historical maps) and the data related to frontal variations (coming from annual glaciological surveys conducted by the Italian Glaciological Committee). Database was managed in GIS environment and populated following the guidelines suggested by the WGMS. Multi-temporal analysis supplied new quantitative data on the strong glacial decline occurred since the LIA and dramatically accelerated since the 90s.</p><p>During the LIA the Gran Paradiso Massif hosted more than 120 glaciers extended for about 112 km<sup>2</sup> reduced to 73 units in 2015 covering only about 32 km<sup>2</sup>.</p><p>Our data underline a loss of about 50 ± 4 m w.e. and ELA variations of about 166/130 ± 5/4 m (considering AAR/AABR methods, respectively) from the maximum LIA position and 2006. The strong contraction and fragmentation of the studied glaciers is underlined by area loss of over 71% (with a reduction rate of -0.36% y<sup>-1</sup>) from the LIA to 2015, as well as by the increase in the number of glacial bodies smaller than 0.1 km<sup>2</sup>, and by the increase in the number of extinct glaciers (33 in 2015 respect to 1957). Furthermore, during the last decades, new data obtained show a dramatic acceleration in the contraction rates of the glacial bodies, which can lead to impressive landscape changes and to a relevant increase of geomorphological hazard.</p><p>The multitemporal data show a very detailed evolution of Gran Paradiso glaciers also considering ice- mass loss and can contribute to modelling glaciers response to climate changes in a sensitive area of the Italian Alps, considering its location at the border of a “dry zone”. Improving the knowledge on the glacial resource could contribute in better understanding the impact of warming climate on mountain hydrology, as well as to increase the awareness of the population and authorities to be resilient in a near future with strong reduction of meltwater runoff.</p>