Agnese and her blog

Picture from: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/31/new-species-to-look-out-for-in-the-uk-in-2022-aoe Humanity is currently accelerating the loss of biodiversity at a rate never seen before leading the academic community to discuss the potential entering into a anthropogenic induced "sixth mass extinction" (Ceballos 2015). With such a phenomenon unwinding before us, new strategies are researched as pathways for the restoration of biodiversity (Drayton and Primack 2012). Reintroduction (often called relocation) is an increasingly more common practice, however, it encounters opposition and remains controversial for reasons related to preservation of ecological systems, loss of genetic variability, success rate of-transplantation, etc. (Drayton and Primack 2012).  It is difficult to generalize on successful methodologies for species reintroduction as species specific characteristics (such as genetic diversity or life cycles) might make one strategy more successful ...

Demographic strategies are important in deciding what management actions are necessary for threatened populations and species, in an effort to increase demographic numbers and genetic variation, and alleviate the expression of genetic load while preserving genetic uniqueness (Willi 2021). A common assumption for species conservation is that these dynamics are linked, such that large populations are more stable and small populations more variable due to stochasticity in demographic (Hallett 2018). Although analyses of species spatial distributions and genetic variation, creation of Red Lists and reserve design studies predominate in the plant conservation biology literature, in any conservation project they should be only a second step succeeding population demographic assessments. Demographic studies and analysis of species regeneration are vital because only such studies can provide the necessary information for effective conservation management (Volis 2020). Assisted reproductive tec...

An umbrella species in the context of ecology and biodiversity is defined by the Oxford Reference as "a species of plant or animal that has a large home range and broad habitat requirements, both of which overlap with other species, so that if it is given a large enough area for its own protection the other species will also benefit" (Park 2012). They represent a shortcut for the maintenance of biodiversity considering the consistent limitations on finance, knowledge and time for action (Roberge 2004). However, the adoption of umbrella species as conservation practice is equivocal based on the empirical data of its effectiveness (Thornton 2016).  This tool is useful in determining the minimum size for conservation areas, selecting the sites to be included in reserve networks and setting minimum standards for composition and processes of ecosystems (Roberge 2004).  When charismatic umbrella species are selected, they can also become a representative surrogate for sympatric spe...

  The strategic choice for selection of species or habitats is the key to preserving biodiversity as we know it now to future generations. However, there is still an open debate on the most successful and efficient conservation strategy which would lead to the preservation of the most diverse environment: there should be an adequate mix between the protection of variegated habitats and species (WWF 2008). These are also called species-based approach or environment (coarse-filter) based approach (Hunter 2021). At a more detailed level, the scientific perspective for adopting certain ecological guidelines indicators which would allow the decision making of one species or habitat with respect to another have been based on: trends in the abundance and distribution of selected species,  change in status of threatened and/or protected species, trends in invasive alien species, and  area of forest, agricultural, fishery and aquaculture ecosystems under sustainable management (Fi...

The creation of parks has historically been a symbol for social impact: from the exclusivity of royal hunting estates to the first protected lands opened to commoners, parks have with time become a cultural image for a specific city, region or nation (Eagles 2002). Nonetheless, parks management is still a highly debated topic in order to create an international framework applicable for different parks typologies with the common objective of allowing controlled touristic access to the territory but at the same time creating an economically sustainable means to finance the conservation and protection agenda while valuing the social and cultural significance of the land. "This short- fall has highlighted the importance of ensuring effective visitor management within protected areas to maximise the environmental and economic returns that are attributable to – or obtainable from – nature-based tourism" (Whitelaw 2014). The social representation of parks is evolving with the trends...

  Italy presents a highly diversified and complex network of protected areas which cover around 21.5% of terrestrial territory and 8.8% of marine territory (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023). Nonetheless, these areas are continuously reported as lacking of appropriate financing which leads to poor management plans resulting with the inability to protect the areas from illegal activities, such as pastures, tourism or fishing (WWF Italia 2018).  During an investigation by WWF Italia in 2018 where protected areas personnel itself responded to a survey exploring the current status of Italian Protected Areas, respondents highlighted some key points of development regarding risks and opportunities (WWF Italia 2018).  First of all, the main threat for Italian Protected Areas, especially Marine territories, is identified with Climate Change as the leading problem, followed by littering, naval traffic, illegal fishing or poaching and invasion of alien species (WWF Italia 2018).  To re...