10 research outputs found
Growth of agroforestry trees in real and simulated ecosystems
No full textThe thesis explores tree growth both in the field and under controlled environmental conditions, focusing on the potential of Microcosm, a model of growth chamber, to study tree species and ecosystem dynamics. The project aims to assess the effectiveness of Microcosm in investigating tree growth by monitoring ecophysiological and biochemical traits. While drawing ecosystem-level conclusions solely from growth chamber experiments is limited, combining controlled-environment studies with field investigations is essential to analyse correlations between the ecophysiological traits of individual trees and broader ecosystem dynamics.
The purpose of this research is to enhance the understanding of the current and potential applications of the Microcosm device in studying tree dynamics through an ecophysiological approach. The study specifically aims to validate the efficacy of Microcosm in inducing responses in tree species comparable to those observed in real ecosystems, to explore its potential for studying tree and plant responses to pollutants, and to identify its practical applications in agroforestry design and management. These goals are pursued through field data collection and the measurement of biometric and morphological parameters in growth chamber experiments.
To achieve these research objectives, a dual approach is adopted, combining controlled-environment experiments and field surveys to investigate tree growth under the same stress factor. This approach allows for the assessment of tree responses both in real-world conditions and, in parallel, under controlled conditions. In defining a common stress factor applicable to both controlled environments and real ecosystems, exploratory analyses identified railway infrastructure as a site with high copper concentrations in soils along embankments, where black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is the dominant and most widespread species in the study area (Veneto region, north-east of Italy). Consequently, black locust was selected as the target species for investigation, and high copper concentration in soil was identified as the stress-inducing factor.
Two parallel investigations were conducted to understand the effects of copper contamination. In the field, the development of black locust in a Cu-contaminated environment, specifically along railway infrastructure, was analysed. Under controlled conditions, black locust seedlings growth was tested in extreme Cu-concentration soil using Microcosm experiments.
This approach highlights the strengths and limitations of both controlled-environment research and field data collection. By integrating these methodologies, the research underscores the importance of combining experimental precision with real-world conditions to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of ecological dynamics
Ecosystem changes induced by Robinia pseudoacacia: results from invaded landscapes in the Veneto Region
No full textInvasive alien species are one of main threats to biodiversity conservation worldwide. Indeed, widely spread species can become an important feature of a landscape and can have strong impacts over large areas. Investigating the role and impact of invasive alien species is fundamental to tackle this issue through appropriate landscape management and planning. Here we present results from a number of studies investigating the potential ecosystem changes induced by the presence of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in forest habitats, as well as the potential influence of forest management on these dynamics at the landscape scale. Black locust, a N-fixing tree, is the most widely spread alien woody species in Europe and has an impact on many natural and semi-natural habitats. We selected several forest sites in hilly and riparian landscapes in the Veneto region (northern Italy) within and outside the Natura 2000 European network of protected sites. We considered the effects of this species on ecosystems after its invasion of fields and other abandoned areas, but also in managed coppice and high forests. We surveyed vascular plant species and soil features in nearby paired plots dominated by black locust, invaded, and by native tree specie, non-invaded. Results show that plant diversity is not influenced by the alien tree species. Invaded plots are rich in nitrophilous and alien species. Black locust showed compositionally heterogeneous plant communities, but species composition clearly differed between invaded and non-invaded plots. Furthermore, the effects on functional plant trait composition were substantial and can be linked to differences in soil conditions with native stands. Further research will investigate the presence of nitrogen fixing archaea in invaded and non-invaded forest soils. Management and conservation decisions should consider these impacts, the landscape context and specific environmental features in which black locust forests develop
Effects of Cu-contaminated soil on Robinia pseudoacacia L.: a controlled environment experiment
No full textThe long generation times of trees are a challenge for research, yet trees are exceptionally well-characterized in adaptive quantitative variations and their responses to different environmental variables. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge concerning important early fitness components of germination and establishment, and how different environmental parameters affect ecophysiological traits. Meanwhile the crucial role of soil temperature on plant metabolism, even under stress condition, is underrated in research.
Heavy metal contamination in soil affects plants inducing several morphological, physiological, and biochemical dysfunctions. Copper (Cu), while is an essential micronutrient for plants, may cause the cited dysfunctions affecting plant growth when exceed a certain threshold, primarily due to human activities.
This research aims to explore how Cu affects the early stage of tree growth, focusing on black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), in controlled environment, with a special attention to soil and air temperature. This is of interest as in the north-eastern Po plain black locust commonly grows along the embankments of railway lines, where we have found that soils are frequently Cu-contaminated.
In this research, we are testing black locust seedlings growing under Cu-toxic levels in a controlled environment using a new-concept Microcosm device (European patent no. 3236741). Microcosm setup allows for autonomous control of the environmental conditions of both hypogeal and epigeal portion of the tree.
The experiments last 3 months and compare the growth of 2-months old seedlings growing in CuSO4 contaminated soil and in control media (non-contaminated soil). Biomass allocation patterns, allometric relationships, and photosynthetic activity are measured to investigate tree responses at morphological and ecophysiological levels. Cu content is determined in tree samples from each organ using ICP-OES to assess plant potential for phytoremediation purposes. Preliminary results suggest a significant impact on tree growth despite the high tolerance of black locust to highly Cu-contaminated soil
Unlocking the environmental impact of rail traffic: insight and remediation potential of black locust linear systems
No full textRailway networks constitute a vast and intricate infrastructure system that connects various environments, exerting a significant impact on them. Nonetheless, our comprehension of railway ecology remains limited, encompassing issues such as habitat loss, surrogates and connectivity, and the effects of pollution (Barrientos et al. 2019). Studies have drawn attention to elevated soil contamination levels along railway infrastructure, demonstrating a wide spatial reach of influence, extending up to 50 meters from the tracks (Burkhardt et al. 2008; Wilkomirski et al. 2012; Mętrak et al. 2015; Brtnický et al. 2022). As time progresses, this pollution accumulates, presenting a plausible long-term ecological threat (Jiasheng et al. 2020). To address this concern, buffers, as permanent vegetation strips, assume a pivotal role in mitigating the mobilization and transportation of pollutants towards fields through natural processes, filtering and reducing water runoff, and reducing bank erosion (Dosskey 2001). Regrettably, the potential and actual environmental pressures stemming from rail traffic is overlooked in landscape planning. Agroforestry, a practice that reintegrates tree planting or spontaneous tree growth into agricultural systems, offers a balanced approach to addressing environmental challenges while considering both productivity and protection(Smith et al. 2013). The black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), a widespread non-native invasive tree in Europe found alongside railway tracks (Cierjacks et al. 2013; Pfeiffenschneider and Ries 2014; Sitzia et al. 2016), has been widely planted along railways and gained attention in agroforestry systems for biomass and honey production. Consequently, there is a pressing need for further research into its remediation capabilities.
The project seeks to accomplish two primary goals: first, to advance our understanding of soil contamination resulting from rail traffic; second, to investigate the remediation potential of black locust linear systems as farmland or riparian buffer strips by examining their functional and structural characteristics in relation to soil contamination levels alongside railway infrastructures.
Exploratory analyses were conducted in the north-eastern Po plain to investigate the influence of rail traffic on the quality and quantity of heavy metals. We selected two railway lines characterized by differing traffic intensities for our study. Each line had two transects perpendicular to the tracks, and we collected soil samples at various distances from the tracks (at 3, 8, 13, 18, 25, and 40 m) at two different depths (0-10 cm and 10-20 cm). The selection criteria for the study areas were designed to minimize variables, except for track distance, ensuring homogeneity in topsoil and the absence of recent earthmoving activities, among other factors. The concentrations of total Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Tl, V, Zn, As, Hg, Sb, and Sn were determined using inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy.
Subsequently, a characterization of black locust linear systems was conducted alongside electrified railway infrastructures. Forty-two sampling units were chosen along various railway lines with differing traffic intensities and functional segments. The sampling units were defined with a fixed length of 10 meters along the tree linear system, running parallel to the rail track. The width of each area varied according to the width of the tree system's crown projections. Within each unit, data on general attributes, tree size, and understory composition were collected. Soil and black locust leaves were sampled for the analysis of heavy metal concentrations using the same method as mentioned earlier.
The analyses conducted along the distance gradient from the railway infrastructure revealed a significant increase in heavy metal content near the tracks, followed by a rapid decline in metal content beyond distances of 8 to 13 meters from the tracks. When comparing data collected from different train lines characterized by varying levels of rail traffic, it becomes evident that there is a correlation between contaminant levels and the intensity of traffic.
The investigation concerning the black locust linear systems and their relative contamination levels highlighted a wide range of heavy metal content across various sampling units. The metal with the highest concentration was copper often exceeding the Italian environmental regulatory threshold for industrial sites, and lead, zinc, nickel, and tin, which surpass the regulatory thresholds for green areas. Preliminary analyses confirmed existing evidences that black locust tree systems do not appear to be negatively influenced by the level of soil contamination (Sitzia et al. 2016).
The preliminary findings of the study underscore a significant level of contamination along the railway infrastructure, with high concentrations of heavy metals in the soil frequently exceeding regulatory threshold values. Interestingly, the analysis of the black locust linear systems appears to support the notion that these systems exhibit a high degree of tolerance to soil contamination. Further research is warranted to compare the distribution gradient of heavy metals at increasing distances from the tracks under various conditions, including: i) with and without the presence of tree linear systems, ii) with different types of tree linear systems, and iii) across different land-use types and farmland areas
Exploring relationships: Railway Ecology and Black locust
No full textUrban environments, heavily influenced by human activities, often exhibit increased levels of plant invasion. This is driven by disturbances and the influx of non-native species. Utilizing these invasive species for ecological restoration, particularly in polluted, early-stage ecological sites, offers a novel approach to environmental management. Railways in urban areas, subjected to various human-induced stresses such as vegetation management and pollution, are ideal setting for studying these dynamics. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), an invasive non-native tree species in Europe, is commonly found along railway tracks, either planted for stabilizing embankments or through spontaneous expansion. Our study focuses on black locust's role along electrified railways in the north-eastern Po plain by examining the structural characteristics of black locust stands in relation to soil pollution levels.
We surveyed 42 railway sites, each characterized by varying traffic and functional purposes. These sites were defined as 10 m units along the railway track, with the width determined by the tree canopy's extent. Within each sampling unit, we collected data on general vegetation attributes, tree dimensions, and understory species. Soil and black locust leaf samples were analysed for heavy metal content using ICP-OES.
Our findings show varying levels of heavy metals in the soil at these sites, with the intensity of rail traffic significantly influencing their concentration. Copper levels consistently surpassed the regulatory limits for industrial areas, and concentrations of nickel, lead, zinc, and tin exceeded thresholds for green spaces. Initial assessments suggest that black locust trees are resilient to soil contamination, supporting previous research on the species' tolerance to polluted environments. Further research is required to fully understand the impact of black locust on local ecosystems, especially in comparison to native species
Risposta fisiologica della robinia alla contaminazione da rame nel suolo: un esperimento in ambiente controllato.
No full textIl rame (Cu), sebbene sia un micronutriente essenziale per le piante, quando presente in eccesso a causa di attività antropiche, può causare disfunzioni morfologiche, fisiologiche e biochimiche.Il presente studio mira ad indagare l’effetto di questo metallo nella fase iniziale di crescita nella specie Robinia pseudoacacia L.. L’interesse dell’indagine nasce dall’abbondanza della robinia lungo gli argini delle linee ferroviarie, dove, in uno studio svolto nella Regione Veneto nel 2023, abbiamo riscontrato suoli frequentemente contaminati da rame. L’obiettivo dello studio è valutare il potenziale della robinia nel risanamento di suoli contaminati.Le prove si svolgono in ambiente controllato, ponendo particolare attenzione al controllo della temperatura del suolo e dell’aria mediante un dispositivo innovativo chiamato Microcosmo (brevetto europeo n. 3236741). L’impiego del Microcosmo consente il controllo indipendente delle condizioni ambientali di crescita sia della porzione d’albero ipogea (ovvero del suolo dove si sviluppa l’apparato radicale) che epigea (ovvero dello spazio dove si sviluppano fusto e chioma). Le prove sperimentali, della durata di quattro mesi, si sono svolte tra il 2023 e il 2024 confrontando la crescita di plantule di robinia di età di due mesi messe a dimora in terreno contaminato da rame e in suolo di controllo non contaminato. Le risposte a livello morfologico ed eco-fisiologico sono state indagate tramite analisi dei modelli di allocazione della biomassa, relazioni allometriche e misure di attività fo tosintetica (fluorescenza, scambi gassosi e curve di riposta alla luce). Il contenuto di rame è determinato se parando foglie, fusto e radici utilizzando spettroscopia di emissione ottica (ICP-OES) per valutare possibili
meccanismi di distribuzione organo-specifici. I risultati preliminari suggeriscono che il rame può avere un im patto negativo significativo sulla crescita delle plantule nei primi stati di sviluppo. In particolare, analizzando le condizioni di contaminazione estreme testate (concentrazione di Cu di 5000 mg/kg), la biomassa secca totale delle piante su suolo contaminato è ridotta del 96.7% rispetto al controllo e l’area fogliare del 98.55%. Le curve di luce nelle piante di controllo sono risultate conformi ai dati in letteratura, con un’assimilazione massima assoluta di 12.5 μmol /m2s contro il valore massimo di 8.5 μmol /m2s misurato nelle piante cresciute su suolo contaminato (-33% di assimilazione). Relativamente all’analisi della fluorescenza, l’efficienza massima del fo tosistema II (Fv/Fm) nelle piante di controllo è 0.67 contro il 0.48 delle piante su suolo contaminato, mentre il contenuto relativo di clorofilla (SPAD) registra un valore medio di 34.48 per le piante controllo contro 16.89 nelle piante su suolo contaminato. La robinia, pertanto, risulta una specie interessante per il fitorimedio ma è necessario uno studio più esteso per definire i valori di tossicità soglia ai quali la specie riesce a mantenere un trade off tra immobilizzazione degli inquinanti e funzionalità fisiologica
Sweet chestnut forests under black locust invasion threat and different management: An assessment of stand structure and biodiversity
No full textSweet chestnut forests in Europe are impacted by management abandonment, non-native species invasions and
diseases, among other factors. Understanding the effects of these factors is crucial for forecasting future biodiversity
changes, as well as proposing appropriate planning and management strategies. We studied sweet
chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) dominated forests within three hilly
landscapes (Euganean hills, Montello, and Berici hills) of north-eastern Italy. We surveyed 25 paired sweet
chestnut and black locust dominated plots of 100 m2 representing coppice or over-aged stands. We collected and
analysed data related to vascular plant composition and richness, soil physical features (moisture content, shear
strength and penetration resistance), ammonia-oxidising archaea in the soil, and stand structure features.
Composition of vascular plants differed significantly between the two forest types, without the influence of
management regime. Soil characteristics did not change comparing forest types, management regimes and their
interaction, except for soil moisture that was higher in coppice forests. Ammonia-oxidising archaea abundance
was lower in sweet chestnut stands. Sweet chestnut and black locust forests have a similar stand structure. The
management regime played a role in determining mean diameter, number of stems and deadwood volume. We
suggest adopting a heterogeneous array of silviculture practices to achieve the highest variety of forest structures
and plant composition in Mediterranean hilly landscapes, coupled with management practices aimed at black
locust control
Safety and Efficacy of PTH 1-34 and 1-84 Therapy in Chronic Hypoparathyroidism: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Trials
No full text: Hypoparathyroidism is the only endocrine deficiency for which hormone replacement therapy is not the standard of care. Although conventional treatments may control hypocalcaemia, other complications such as hyperphosphatemia, kidney stones, peripheral calcifications, and bone disease remain unmet needs. This meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration number CRD42019126881) aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of PTH1-34 and PTH1-84 in restoring calcium metabolism in chronic hypoparathyroidism. EMBASE, PubMed, and CENTRAL databases were searched for randomized clinical trials or prospective studies published between January 1996 and March 2021. English-language trials reporting data on replacement with PTH1-34 or PTH1-84 in chronic hypoparathyroidism were selected. Three authors extracted outcomes, one author performed quality control, all assessed the risk of biases. Overall, data from 25 studies on 588 patients were analyzed. PTH therapy had a neutral effect on calcium levels, while lowering serum phosphate (-0.21 mmol/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.31 to -0.11 mmol/L; p < 0.001) and urinary calcium excretion (-1.21 mmol/24 h; 95% CI, -2.03 to -0.41 mmol/24 h; p = 0.003). Calcium phosphate product decreased under PTH1-84 therapy only. Both treatments enabled a significant reduction in calcium and calcitriol supplementation. PTH therapy increased bone turnover markers and lumbar spine mineral density. Quality of life improved and there was no difference in the safety profile between PTH and conventionally treated patients. Results for most outcomes were similar for the two treatments. Limitations of the study included considerable population overlap between the reports, incomplete data, and heterogeneity in the protocol design. In conclusion, the meta-analysis of data from the largest collection to date of hypoparathyroid patients shows that PTH therapy is safe, well-tolerated, and effective in normalizing serum phosphate and urinary calcium excretion, as well as enabling a reduction in calcium and vitamin D use and improving quality of life. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR)
How to recover from extreme events and anthropogenic impact? Knowledge and best practices from thirteen case studies.
No full textLa giustizia tra storia, genealogia e sociologia
No full textIl presente contributo mostra come l'analisi dei rapporti tra giurisdizione, potere e sapere, all'incrocio delle metodologie proprie dell’epistemologia storica, della sociologia e della genealogia, possa ampliare l’orizzonte tradizionale della filosofia del diritto e delle teorie dell’interpretazione, pensando la giustizia nella sua ontologica instabilità e nella sua fondamentale storicità, nonché come uno dei luoghi decisivi di costituzione delle categorie che ordinano l’esperienza
