Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale

Underrated deep-water scleractinian species: an ecological study along the Italian coasts (Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract Scleractinians are key components of Mediterranean mesophotic and bathyal benthic ecosystems, comprising 30 species known to occur below 40 m. A large ROV dataset, including 625 dives, each corresponding to a distinct geographical site, conducted between 40 and 1825 m ac...

Landscape composition and photoperiod shape differences in space use and hunting behaviour between boreal and Alpine pygmy owl populations

Abstract Context Investigating how habitat specialists express population-level differences in habitat preferences and movement behaviour across contrasting landscapes and abiotic environments allows us to distinguish patterns that are consistent across populations from those tha...

The Italian geothermal play-typing, a blueprint for unlocking national geothermal development

Abstract Italy has a long history of geothermal use, but a comprehensive, updated national assessment has been lacking. This study is the first to systematically evaluate geothermal systems across Italy using the modern geothermal play concept. The primary objective is to provide...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) embryos: Occurrence, tissue distribution and associated biological responses

Maternal transfer of environmental contaminants represents a critical pathway that occurs during the early life stages of marine vertebrates, however, the occurrence and the fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sea turtle embryos remain poorly characterized. This st...

A Spatial Footprint Assessment Method for Mapping Port Transformation Areas: An Application to the Italian Ports Database

The Italian coastal zone is a dynamic and fragile environment that is characterized by high ecological vulnerability and subjected to strong anthropogenic pressures that significantly alter its natural morphology and environmental balance. In this scenario, port infrastructures r...