Francesca Provenza
There has always been a dialogue between land and the aquatic ecosystem, whether freshwater or marine, but there has also always been a boundary — a boundary that was once considered clear and impassable. But is it really so? And, what if this boundary is instead becoming increasingly blurred?
Scarica PDFValentina H. Pauna, Serena Anselmi, Manuela Piccardo, Pier Paolo Franzese, Giovanni F. Russo, Monia Renzi
Abstract: Large quantities of environmental data are required to carry out a comprehensive Ecosystem Economic Valuation (EEV) in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). EEV is used to quantify social and economic costs and benefits that can be associated with nature and ecosystem services. This quantification requires translating ecological changes into welfare impacts. Microplastic (MP) levels are not yet considered in the EEV context due to a substantial lack of consistent and comparable data on levels in sediment and within trophic webs. These data are relevant for translating ecological changes into economic terms. This study reports the levels and chemical composition of microplastics in sediment and benthos species (H. tubulosa) collected from the Punta Campanella MPA in Italy following harmonised collection, sampling, extraction, and analysis methods. The reported data is compatible for use in a future EEV in this MPA. Results obtained provided a more thorough understanding of microplastic pollution in the Punta Campanella MPA ecosystem, which could be useful in filling knowledge gaps related to data availability in EEV studies of other similar MPA ecosystems. Results showed that samples contained low levels of MPs, mostly PET and nylon fragments or fibres (in sediment). H. tubulosa samples showed lower levels than sediment samples.
Scarica PDFMonia Renzi
Microplastics constitute one of the most pervasive and scientifically challenging environmental contaminants of the anthropocene. Their ubiquitous presence across marine, freshwater, terrestrial, and atmospheric compartments is the direct outcome of exponential plastic production combined with persistent structural failures in global waste management.
Scarica PDFSerena Anselmi, Monia Renzi
Abstract:The Directive 2008/56/EC (Marine Strategy Framework Directive – MSFD) establishes the European framework for achieving Good Environmental Status (GES) of marine waters. Descriptor 4 (Food webs) requires that all elements of marine food webs, insofar as they are known, occur at normal abundance and diversity levels capable of ensuring long-term ecosystem functioning. However, despite the clarity of this ecological objective, the Directive does not define a standardized operational methodology for assessing trophic network integrity in an integrated manner. This short communication presents the ICT Index® V1.0 (Trophic Continuity Index) as a methodological proposal designed to address this gap by providing a normalized, transparent and ecologically structured framework for evaluating functional trophic continuity in marine ecosystems.
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