scholarly journals [The Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) nesting in mountain areas]

2019 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-54
Author(s):  
Guido Cattaneo
Keyword(s):  
Western Alps ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Breeding Colony ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Northern Latitudes ◽  
Merops Apiaster

[The European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), usually breeding in lower, warm latitudes up to July isotherm of 21°C (Cramp, 1985), has recently begun his expansion in northern Italy. Gregarious throughout the year, the European Bee-eater is a summer visitor in Europe. In 2017 a new breeding colony of four-five breeding pairs, has been found out in mountain habitat facing the plain at 1,250 meters a.s.l. in Italian western Alps, showing his expansion not only in northern latitudes but even in altitudinal environment].   [Article in Italian]

scholarly journals Integrating dark diversity and functional traits to enhance nature conservation of epiphytic lichens: a case study from Northern Italy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Pires Ferraz Trindade ◽  
Meelis Pärtel ◽  
Carlos Pérez Carmona ◽  
Tiina Randlane ◽  
Juri Nascimbene
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Epiphytic Lichens ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
High Elevations ◽  
Harsh Conditions

AbstractMountains provide a timely opportunity to examine the potential effects of climate change on biodiversity. However, nature conservation in mountain areas have mostly focused on the observed part of biodiversity, not revealing the suitable but absent species—dark diversity. Dark diversity allows calculating the community completeness, indicating whether sites should be restored (low completeness) or conserved (high completeness). Functional traits can be added, showing what groups should be focused on. Here we assessed changes in taxonomic and functional observed and dark diversity of epiphytic lichens along elevational transects in Northern Italy spruce forests. Eight transects (900–1900 m) were selected, resulting in 48 plots and 240 trees, in which lichens were sampled using four quadrats per tree (10 × 50 cm). Dark diversity was estimated based on species co-occurrence (Beals index). We considered functional traits related to growth form, photobiont type and reproductive strategy. Linear and Dirichlet regressions were used to examine changes in taxonomic metrics and functional traits along gradient. Our results showed that all taxonomic metrics increased with elevation and functional traits of lichens differed between observed and dark diversity. At low elevations, due to low completeness and harsh conditions, both restoration and conservation activities are needed, focusing on crustose species. Towards high elevations, conservation is more important to prevent species pool losses, focusing on macrolichens, lichens with Trentepohlia and sexual reproduction. Finally, dark diversity and functional traits provide a novel tool to enhance nature conservation, indicating particular threatened groups, creating windows of opportunities to protect species from both local and regional extinctions.

Nature des sources des composants andesitiques des Gres du Champsaur et des Gres de Taveyannaz; implications dans l'evolution des Alpes occidentales au Paleogene

2001 ◽  
Vol 172 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maud Boyet ◽  
Henriette Lapierre ◽  
Marc Tardy ◽  
Delphine Bosch ◽  
Rene Maury
Keyword(s):  
Trace Element ◽  
Western Alps ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Calc Alkaline ◽  
Magmatic Source ◽  
Isotopic Compositions ◽  
Alpine Zone ◽  
Internal Zone ◽  
Isotopic Geochemistry

Abstract Paleogene magmatism is widespread in the western Alps and its origin is still a matter of debate. It consists of calc-alkaline and shoshonitic suites with mainly granodioritic intrusions in the Internal Zone (northern Italy), andesitic volcanism in the Delphino-Helvetic Zone (French-Swiss domain) and the Esterellite intrusions in Provence. In the External Alpine Zone, the Taveyannaz Sandstones and the Champsaur Sandstones preserve andesitic pebbles and mineral fragments dated at 32 Ma. On the basis of trace-element and isotopic geochemistry (Sr, Nd, Pb and O) of mineral separates (amphibole, pyroxene and plagioclase) and andesitic clasts, we characterise the nature of magmatic source(s) and compare the isotopic compositions of the andesites with those of well known Paleogene igneous suites.

Regional coda Q variations in the western Alps (northern Italy)

1991 ◽  
Vol 67 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 76-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Eva ◽  
Marco Cattaneo ◽  
Paolo Augliera ◽  
Marco Pasta
Keyword(s):  
Western Alps ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Coda Q

scholarly journals A new rating system for hydrogeological risk management along railway infrastructures in Prealpine zone (northern Italy)

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Gattinoni ◽  
L. Scesi ◽  
L. Arieni ◽  
M. Canavesi ◽  
F. Zaffaroni
Keyword(s):  
Heuristic Method ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Rating System ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Slope Instabilities ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Critical Sections ◽  
Risk Analysis And Management

AbstractRailway infrastructures in mountain areas often develop along hillslopes affected by geomorphological and hydrogeological processes which might lead hazardous events. Therefore, specific tools for risk analysis and management are required. This paper develops a new rating system (Railway Hydrogeological Management System, RHMS), based on a heuristic method which considers the susceptibility to different types of slope instabilities, as well as the peculiar features affecting the railway vulnerability. The proposed method introduces an iterative approach for the risk assessment, based on the definition of acceptability thresholds for the residual risk. The application of this method to a test area pointed out its feasibility, as well as its operational capability to identify the critical sections of the infrastructure, in which protection or mitigation measures are needed in order to reduce the risk.

scholarly journals Zircon dissolution in a ductile shear zone, Monte Rosa granite gneiss, northern Italy

2008 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 971-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Dempster ◽  
J. C. Martin ◽  
Z. K. Shipton
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
Granite Gneiss ◽  
Western Alps ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Crystal Shape ◽  
Ductile Shear Zone ◽  
Grain Sizes ◽  
Fine Grain ◽  
Ductile Shear ◽  
Monte Rosa

AbstractThe sizes, distributions and shapes of zircon grains within variably deformed granite gneiss from the western Alps have been studied. Zircon shows numerous indicators of a metamorphic response in both the host gneiss and a 5 cm wide continuous ductile shear zone, within which the zircon grain sizes range from <1 urn to >50 μm. However, the very fine grain sizes are virtually absent from grain boundaries. Within this zone, zircons consistently have more rounded and embayed margins, which are interpreted as evidence of dissolution in response to fluid influx during shearing. Zircons are preferentially located near metamorphic muscovite in both the host gneiss and the shear zone and tend to show the poorest crystal shape, indicating that fluids linked to the formation and presence of muscovite may enhance both the crystallization of zircon and its subsequent dissolution. Larger zircon crystals typically show a brittle response to deformation when adjacent to phyllosilicates, with fractures consistently perpendicular to the (001) mica cleavage. The variety of metamorphic behaviour observed for zircon indicates that it may be highly reactive in sub-solidus mid-crustal metamorphic environments.

scholarly journals Louse (Insecta: Phthiraptera) infestations of European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster Linnaeus, 1758) at Albertirsa, Hungary

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-37
Author(s):  
Kata Karáth ◽  
Tibor István Fuisz ◽  
Zoltán Vas
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Breeding Birds ◽  
Breeding Colony ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Merops Apiaster ◽  
Louse Species ◽  
Colonial Breeding

Abstract Colonial breeding birds such as the European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), are perfectly suited for ectoparasitological studies, as their elaborate social life and frequent body-to-body contacts induce high prevalence of louse (Phthiraptera) infestations. In this study we investigated a large breeding colony at Albertirsa, Hungary, and measured the louse burden of the breeding population. With more than 200 pairs nesting in the loess wall there, it may be Hungary’s largest colony of European Bee-eaters. We sampled breeding birds and compared their louse burdens between age groups and sexes. We report the prevalence, mean and median intensity of infestations of the three louse species harboured by the Bee-eaters, and the results of louse burden comparisons between age groups and sexes.

scholarly journals Megacraspedus cottiensis sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) from northern Italy – a case of taxonomic confusion

ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 963 ◽  
pp. 141-152
Author(s):  
Peter Huemer ◽  
Ole Karsholt ◽  
Christian Wieser
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Dna Barcode ◽  
Western Alps ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Dna Barcodes ◽  
Taxonomic Confusion ◽  
Southwestern Alps

Megacraspedus cottiensissp. nov. is described from the western Alps (prov. Torino, Italy). The dorsal habitus and genitalia for both the male and brachypterous female are provided. The new species belongs to the M. faunierensis species group based on genitalia morphology and DNA barcodes, and was hitherto confused with M. neli Huemer &amp; Karsholt, 2018 from the southwestern Alps. However, it clearly differs in morphology and DNA barcode sequences from that species and from M. faunierensis Huemer &amp; Karsholt, 2018. The new species is suspected of being a regional endemic of the Cottian Alps.

Hidden paleosols at high elevation in the Alps (Stolenberg Plateau - NW Italy): evidence for a Lateglacial Nunatak?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Pintaldi ◽  
Michele Eugenio D'Amico ◽  
Nicola Colombo ◽  
Marco Giardino ◽  
Michele Freppaz
Keyword(s):  
Hot Spot ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Western Alps ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Vegetation Development ◽  
Climate Change Research ◽  
Last Glacial ◽  
C Stocks

&lt;p&gt;In the framework of climate change research, alpine soils may provide excellent paleoenvironmental information, thus representing a powerful tool for paleoclimate reconstruction. However, since Pleistocene glaciations and erosion-related processes erased most of the pre-existing landforms and soils, reconstructing soil and landscape development in high-mountain areas can be a difficult task.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This study was performed in the periglacial environment of the Stolenberg Plateau (LTER site Istituto Mosso), located on the watershed between Valsesia and Lys Valley, at the foot of the southern slope of the Monte Rosa Massif (Western Italian Alps, elevation: ca. 3030 m a.s.l.). The plateau is covered by thick periglacial blockfields and blockstreams, with a plant cover that reaches no more than 3-5% of the surface.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;These periglacial landforms unexpectedly revealed well-developed soils below the superficial coarse deposits. In particular, below the stone layer, thick (between 30 and 65 cm) umbric horizons were observed, under which discontinuous cambic Bw ones were developed. In contrast, the surrounding snowbed communities (Salicetum herbaceae) were characterized by Regosols or Cambisols with 10-15 cm thick A horizons and weak signs of cryoturbation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Despite the sparce plant cover, the organic carbon (C) stocks were surprisingly high (above 5 kg*m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt;), comparable to vegetated and even forest soils at lower elevation. In addition, geophysical investigations showed that these soils are widespread under the stony cover, with a thickness ranging between 20 and 90 cm.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Radiocarbon dating (&lt;sup&gt;14&lt;/sup&gt;C) indicated that these soils are paleosols, probably originated during the main warming phases/interstadials occurred between the end of Last Glacial Maximum and the beginning of the Neoglacial. In particular, the ages of the oldest samples were 20.5-20 ka cal. BP (values obtained from two independent and blind datings performed in different moments), others were dated ca. 17.5, 13, 8.5, 6.5, 5.7 ka cal. BP, while the youngest ages were 4.4-4.1 ka cal. BP.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;These dates, particularly the oldest ones, show that the Stolenberg Plateau was presumably free of ice at the beginning of the Early Lateglacial, and its summer temperatures were already compatible with some kind of vegetation development. The origin of these unexpected high-elevation soils, below blockstreams and blockfields, is of great relevance for unraveling the climatic history in the Western Alps. The results, including the soil characteristics, the geomorphological framework and the specific local landform setting, aspect, and position, suggest that the plateau may have been a Nunatak, which acted as a refugium for alpine vegetation during the last glacial pulses, serving as a hot-spot for the rapid reoccupation of deglaciated high-elevation landscapes.&lt;/p&gt;

GIS and geomatics for hydrogeodiversity assessment of glaciated mountains: examples from the Western Alps (Italy) and the Coast Mountains (Canada)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Perotti ◽  
Manuela Lasagna ◽  
Gilda Carraro ◽  
Cristina Viani ◽  
Federico Tognetto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Western Alps ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Coast Mountains ◽  
Climate Change Effects ◽  
Monitoring Tools ◽  
Detailed Interpretation ◽  
Temporal Dimensions

&lt;p&gt;This paper aims at the systematization of knowledge related to geodiversity assessment for water resources and its evaluation within high mountain areas. In this environmental context, geological features, landforms and geomorphological processes, soils and water too are particularly sensitive to climatic and environmental changes, thus giving geodiversity a particularly dynamic character.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A multidimensional (regional, local; present, past) approach was developed for analyzing components of geomorphological and hydrogeological systems, both at superficial and underground level, in order to establish a conceptual model and a specific procedure for the evaluation of geodiversity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Spatial and temporal dimensions of glaciated mountain landscapes of the Italian Western Alps (Monte Rosa, Maggiore Lake, Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark) and the Coast Mountains of Canada (Mount Meager, Lillohet Valley, Sea-to-Sky Corridor) were mapped and interpreted by means of: 1) detailed interpretation of DEM-derived data, 2) proper selection of Geomatics survey and monitoring tools and 3) targeted application of GIS analytical methods. The selection and processing operations of the elements considered for this evaluation led to the identification of areas characterized by greater values of hydrogeodiversity. Here, the link between surface and underground hydrodynamics becomes closer and intense, thus conditioning the local landscape setting and the interactions of its natural and human components.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conceptual model and related workflow proved to be useful for both a) enhanced accuracy of models of a diversity of geomorphological and hydrogeological elements and processes of mountain regions and b) improved &amp;#8220;targeted&amp;#8221; knowledge on hydrogeodiversity and increased awareness on related geoheritage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The proposed GIS and Geomatics framework allowed the hydrogeodiversity assessment going well beyond the limit of classical geomorphological and hydrogeological techniques. Difficulty of quantitative analysis over large areas was overcome, and small landscape features and other &amp;#8220;hidden&amp;#8221; hydrogeological markers could be taken into account. The results of the research strengthened the possibility of strategic management of geological, geomorphological and hydrological heritages within the study areas. In fact, we identified different landscapes and local peculiarities determined by mutual influences between geology and hydrological dynamics and mapped their possible interaction with human activities and infrastructures within areas of enhanced climate change effects.&lt;/p&gt;

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