Agrigento Province Research Articles

Spatial risk analysis of floating marine macro litter along the Western Sicilian coast: Overlap with bottlenose dolphin and seabird hotspots.

Marine litter is known to be a major stressor in coastal marine habitats. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the areas where species could be most threatened by floating marine macro-litter (FML) The composition and density distribution of FML along the waters of the Agrigento province was monitored from 2019 to 2021, together with the density distribution for the protected species Tursiops truncatus, Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis, Calonectris diomedea, and Puffinus yelkouan.. The areas where marine litter poses the biggest threat to these species were identified by overlapping the core areas of their distribution with that of FML. The results showed that FML’s was mainly composed of plastics (90 %). There was a high degree of overlap between FML’s core area and focal species: 65 % for bottlenose dolphins, 76,3 % for the European storm-petrel, and 85,1 % for the shearwaters. Our findings highlight a key area of about 54 km2, within the 25–70 m depth, where the highest presence of protected species and FML was observed. The high degree of overlap of the species and FML core-areas underlines the need to enact specific management measures.

Qualitative determinants of wine demand: an exploratory analysis of two Sicilian wines “Catarratto” and “Nero d’Avola”

This article analyzed the socio-cultural representations associated with two Sicilian wines, Catarratto, and Nero d’Avola. The study was carried out in the area of western Sicily, where most of the wine growing is concentrated. In particular, for ‘Catarratto’, the research was conducted in the area of the Gulf of Castellammare in the province of Trapani, an area particularly suited to the cultivation of the ‘Catarratto’ vine from which the white wine is obtained; for ‘Nero d’Avola’, the research was conducted in the area of Menfi in the province of Agrigento, an area particularly suited to this black vine. Our objective was to determine how the players in the wine chain, and who indirectly deal with wine, construct their mental model relating to wine to suggest to companies the appropriate wine marketing actions to take to increase their competitive advantage. To achieve the objective of the research, ten focus groups consisting of wine consumers, teetotalers, wine opinion leaders, wine merchants, wine shop owners, medical doctors, and food experts were conducted. During the focus group, we gave these subjects a document in which they had to explain what wine evokes in them. The results of the research confirm that wine is a complex food product whose consumption evokes sensations, memories, and pleasures. The study provides an important source of knowledge on the current cultural significance of wine and its consumption in these two areas of Sicily. Therefore, the study highlighted the quality of these two Sicilian wines can guarantee competitiveness at the company and sector levels.

Forest nurseries and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan: the case of Sicily and Apulia (Italy)

In Italy, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) foresees the planting of ca. 6.6 million trees to establish urban and peri-urban forests in 14 metropolitan cities. This ambitious project requires a significant number of native trees and shrubs, currently unavailable in Italian public and private nurseries. This survey analyzes the state of forest nurseries in two administrative regions of southern Italy, i.e. the “Filici” forest nursery (province of Agrigento, Sicily) and the Gargano Mountain Reclamation Consortium (province of Foggia, Apulia), to evaluate the adequacy of Sicilian and Apulian forest nurseries as potential sources of plant material to meet the requirements of the NRRP. The census carried out at the “Filici” nursery revealed the presence of more than 22,000 seedlings in cultivation, comprising 55 species, 26 genera, and 26 families. The autochthonous species are 43 (78.2%), while the exotic ones are 12 (21.8%). The Gargano Mountain Reclamation Consortium forest nursery has 190,876 seedlings in cultivation. A total of 80 species are present, belonging to 59 genera and 32 families. Of these, 68 (85%) are native species, 12 (15%) are exotic. An analysis of the plant material being cultivated in these forest nurseries shows the presence of a share of autochthonous species of interest for urban reforestation initiatives, however these are still insufficient in number.

Plant Growth-Promoting Activities of Bacteria Isolated from an Anthropogenic Soil Located in Agrigento Province.

Bacteria producers of plant growth-promoting (PGP) substances are responsible for the enhancement of plant development through several mechanisms. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the PGP traits of 63 bacterial strains that were isolated from an anthropogenic soil, and obtained by modification of vertisols in the Sicily region (Italy) seven years after creation. The microorganisms were tested for the following PGP characteristics: indole acetic acid (IAA), NH3, HCN and siderophore production, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity (ACC) and phosphate solubilization. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) showed that Bacillus tequilensis SI 319, Brevibacterium frigoritolerans SI 433, Pseudomonas lini SI 287 and Pseudomonas frederiksbergensis SI 307 expressed high levels of IAA and production of ACC deaminase enzyme, while for the rest of traits analyzed the best performances were registered with Pseudomonas genus, in particular for the strains Pseudomonas atacamensis SI 443, Pseudomonas reinekei SI 441 and Pseudomonas granadensis SI 422 and SI 450. The in vitro screening provided enough evidence for future in vivo growth promotion tests of these eight strains.

Chemical composition, cytotoxic effects, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of Artemisia arborescens (Vaill.) L. growing wild in the province of Agrigento, Sicily, Italy

Artemisia arborescens (Vaill.) L. is a perennial shrubby plant growing along the coastal strips of the Mediterranean region. It is used in traditional medicine. Its essential oil and solvent extracts exhibit a very interesting chemotherapeutic potential, which makes this plant useful in maintaining human health. The goal of this study was to determine the phytochemical composition of the petroleum ether and methanol extracts, as well as to evaluate anticancer activities and antimicrobial and biofilm formation reduction. Thirty-nine phytochemical compounds in negative ion mode and 25 in positive ion mode were identified by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. All four extracts reduced the viability of human MDA-MB231 and HCT116 cancer cells suggesting a similar cytotoxic efficacy of the different extracts in MDA-MB231 and more pronounced antiproliferative effects on HCT116 cells treated with HPEE and CPEE. Antimicrobial activity was exhibited by the hot petroleum ether extract against all tested bacteria (MIC 0.15–2.5 mg/mL), except for S. agalactiae. Both methanol extracts showed activity against C. albicans with a MIC value of 2.5 mg/mL, and a lack of antibacterial activity. To whom concern the anti-biofilm activity, hot methanol extract shows the highest activity in inhibiting biofilm formation among all extract.

Bottlenose Dolphins and Seabirds Distribution Analysis for the Identification of a Marine Biodiversity Hotspot in Agrigento Waters

The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of biodiversity hotspots in Agrigento waters (Mediterranean Sea) to define the conservation area for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and seabirds (Calonectris diomedea, Puffinus yelkouan, and Hydrobates pelagicus), according to European directives. With this purpose, the maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt) was applied to the sighting points of the focal species. They co-occur in the study area and have been documented to forage behind trawlers. In this study, a fishing rate was designed and used as an explanatory variable of the species distribution, together with physiographic variables. Data were collected during 68 surveys in the waters off Agrigento province. MaxEnt models showed a strong predictive power, with distance from the coast being the greatest predicting variable, followed by slope, depth, and fishing rate. For all the species considered, the probability of presence increased as the fishing rate grew. Cartographic analysis revealed one area shared by the species, which occupies 529 km2, from the shoreline to 100 m depth. This study increases knowledge on the distribution and habitat preferences of the target species in the Sicilian waters. Evaluating the influence of fisheries is a promising method that needs further testing to apply effective management measures.

Building on decay: urban regeneration and social entrepreneurship in Italy through culture and the arts

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on urban regeneration practices based on adaptive reuse projects in culture and the arts, where new forms of social entrepreneurship emerge. Through in-depth qualitative research, we develop three case studies in three different urban contexts in Italy: Turin, a large and highly industrialised city in one of the country's north-west regions; Terni, a medium-sized city in central Italy; and Favara, a small town in the province of Agrigento on the island of Sicily. Building on the case studies, we outline a possible taxonomy of urban remains, entrepreneurship, and adaptive reuse models, reflecting on the role of social entrepreneurship and its peculiar governance and business models, the specific features of adaptive reuse and urban regeneration processes, and the relationship between art and urban regeneration. Some closing remarks focus on how social entrepreneurship in the cultural field challenges both scholars and decision-makers.

Cultivating for the Industry: Cropping Experiences with Hypericum perforatum L. in a Mediterranean Environment

Hypericum perforatum is an intensively studied medicinal plant, and much experimental activity has been addressed to evaluate its bio-agronomical and phytochemical features as far. In most cases, plant material used for experimental purposes is obtained from wild populations or, alternatively, from individuals grown in vases and/or pots. When Hypericum is addressed to industrial purposes, the most convenient option for achieving satisfactory amounts of plant biomass is field cultivation. Pot cultivation and open field condition, however, are likely to induce different responses on plant’s metabolism, and the obtained yield and composition are not necessarily the same. To compare these management techniques, a 4-year cultivation trial (2013–2016) was performed, using three Hypericum biotypes obtained from different areas in Italy: PFR-TN, from Trento province, Trentino; PFR-SI, from Siena, Tuscany; PFR-AG, from Agrigento province, Sicily. Both managements gave scarce biomass and flower yields at the first year, whereas higher yields were measured at the second year (in open field), and at the third year (in pots). Plant ageing induced significant differences in phytochemical composition, and the total amount of phenolic substances was much higher in 2015 than in 2014. A different performance of genotypes was observed; the local genotype was generally more suitable for field cultivation, whereas the two non-native biotypes performed better in pots. Phytochemical profile of in-pots plants was not always reflecting the actual situation of open field. Consequently, when cultivation is intended for industrial purposes, accurate quality checks of the harvested material are advised.

Brassica tardarae (Brassicaceae), a New Species from a Noteworthy Biotope of South-Western Sicily (Italy).

A new species of Brassica sect. Brassica is described here from Sicily (Italy), which is known to be one of the centers of the diversification of wild taxa of this group. The new species (named Brassica tardarae) is restricted to the carbonate cliffs in the Tardara Gorges between Menfi and Sambuca di Sicilia (Agrigento province), an area with a peculiar geological history and where another strictly endemic species was recently described. The morphological relationships between the new species and other similar taxa are discussed, and an analytical key to the Sicilian taxa belonging to the genus Brassica sect. Brassica is also provided.

Preliminary identification of self-incompatibility genotypes of Sicilian almond landraces

Sicily is the main almond producer in Italy. The almond tree is one of the main protagonists of the Sicilian agrarian landscape, especially in the winter, when the bare branches are covered by white or pinkish flowers. Its presence is particularly significant in the province of Agrigento, in Syracuse and in Ragusa areas, where the almond nut is used for fresh consumption and for the preparation of typical sweets. The extremely rich Sicilian almond germplasm can be useful for genetic improvement, since many local landraces possess aromatic characteristics of the nuts of high value. Self-incompatibility in this species is gametophytic and controlled by a multi-allelic S locus, coding for the stylar RNases and the SFBox protein, expressed in the pollen. In commercial almond orchards, cross-compatible cultivars with overlapping flowering time are usually planted together to ensure fruit set. In this study S-genotypes of Sicilian landraces were investigated for the first time with consensus primers designed for the S locus. Knowledge of the S-genotypes of Sicilian almond germplasm can be helpful for planning pollinators in the orchards and for choosing parents and starting a breeding program focusing on the improvement of local resources.

Hydraulic Models and Finite Elements for Monitoring of an Earth Dam, by Using GNSS Techniques

This work gives a comparison between different mathematicalmodels for the evaluation of the movements of an earthendam situated between Bivona and Alessandria della Rocca, inthe province of Agrigento (AG), Italy. The models selected areof a hydraulic nature, already tested on concrete dams, andfinite elements models which, on the contrary, exploit geotechnicalparameters. The results obtained from the comparisonof the displacement planimetric components and the relativetime series of data over a period of two years appear to befully satisfactory, in fact using both models of a hydraulic andgeotechnical nature, we reach residues of just mm. To supportthis work, a monitoring procedure using GNSS techniques wastaken into consideration. After that time series of the movementsof some points at the top of the dam were attained inorder to support the data obtained using the models, and to findthe one that gives a better convergence.

Distribution, ecology and conservation survey on theCeltis tournefortiisubsp.aetnensis(Celtidaceae: Cannabaceae) populations in Sicily

Results of research on the Celtis tournefortii subsp. aetnensis (Celtidaceae: Cannabaceae) populations in Sicily, based on the monitoring of the various nuclei distributed in the territory, are presented. In particular, two new important unpublished stations located in the southern part of the Sicani Mountains, widespread over an area of approximately 75 hectares, are reported. It is highlighted that the species, besides the lava flows of the western slope of Mount Etna (Catania province), is tied to conoids present in five other disjointed sub-ranges, often with fragmentary and relictual stations: (1) Nebrodi Mountains inland (Cesaro territory, Messina province); (2) Madonie Mountains inland (Gangi territory, Palermo province); (3) northwestern sector, in the Palermo province (Rocca Busambra); (4) southwestern Sicani Mountains (Pizzo Telegrafo, in Contrada S. Biagio and in the Caltabellotta territory, Agrigento province); (5) southeastern Sicani Mountains (S. Stefano di Quisquina at Pizzo Castelluzzo, Ag...

The role of native flower visitors in pollinating Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., naturalized in Sicily

The role of insects in pollination and consequently in fruit set and quality was assessed in two commercial orchards of the cactus pear, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., in Agrigento Province, Sicily. In 1997, insects visiting flowers were sampled during May–June (the first bloom) and July (the second bloom, induced by the “scozzolatura” practise). More than 50 insect species belonging to 10 orders were collected in May–June, while only five species of Hymenoptera Apoidea were collected in July. The quality of fruits arising from the second bloom showed that Hymenoptera alone were able to guarantee effective pollination. To verify the role of insects in pollination in 1996 (during only the second bloom), and in 1997 and 2009 (during both blooms), 60 single flowers were marked during each bloom; 30 of them covered with paper sleeves (which prevented natural pollination), while the others were not covered. After withering, fruits produced by marked flowers were analyzed in laboratory: in all years and blooms, the total number of seeds, the number of developed seeds, and the weight and the percentage of pulp were significantly lower for covered flowers than for non-covered flowers. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that native insects effectively carry out the pollination of cactus pear flowers.

Aspetti economici e commerciali dell'arancia di Ribera

The Sicily is the first region for orange cultivation in Italy. This sector, throughout the ages, has been characterized by a decrease of the invested areas and by a reduction of the fresh product’s demand; in the meantime, the competitiveness of the new producer countries is increased for a better commercial organization and for lower production costs. The aim of the paper is to improve the knowledge of orange cultivation in Ribera area, in the province of Agrigento (Sicily). It is carried out a microeconomic analysis on a sample of 20 farms to determine profitability of orange cultivation by means of various economic indicators (production costs, profits, net incomes). The business survey has regarded 30 plants, distinguished by the two principal variety of the area: Brasiliano and Naveline. The cropping techniques generally adopted in the farm sample are characterized by high manual labour inputs. This doesn’t depend by the variety, but it’s due to a low mechanization degree of the plants and to a different businessman management. Microeconomic analysis has showed similar average values of the production costs among the two variety. The profit average value, whereas, has resulted more elevated in the Naveline plants than Brasiliano ones, because of the high value of the Gross Saleable Product of Naveline oranges. The net incomes values, finally, are resulted higher in the direct management plants. With regard to commercial aspects, the most part of the farm product has been destined to the national market through some commercialization centres located in the Ribera area.

Skrjabinelazia rizzoin. sp. (Nematoda: Seuratoidea) from a Sicilian lacertid, with comments on specific and biological diversity in the genus

Skrjabinelazia rizzoi n. sp. (Seuratoidea), from Podarcis sicula captured at Cammarata, Agrigento Province, Sicily, is distinct from the 13 known species of the genus, including Skrjabinelazio sp. Rizzo from Catania. It is identified with the following set of characters: in the male, short spicules and gubernaculum, thin body; in the female, buccal cavity with a crown of leaflets, body cuticle without internal ornamentation, presence of cephalic and caudal vesicles, tail with a terminal digitiform spike 42-48 microm long. The morphology of the new species supports our previous hypothesis of two Skrjabinelazia lineages, one with spicules and one without spicules, respectively linked to Lacertidae and Gekkonidae. In Palearctic lacertids, five named species are presently known, S. taurica from Crimea (Ukraine), S. hoffmanni from Beijing (China), S. pyrenaica from Pyrenees (Spain), S. vozae from Cevennes (France), S. rizzoi from Agrigento Province, Sicily (Italy), but analysis of some published works suggests a greater diversity. S. rizzoi infection, found in April-May in 1/5 lizards, was recent with young females in the host's stomach and intestine, and males in the stomach. One female contained four membranous-shelled eggs. The two other females contained a few hatched infective larvae, membranous-shelled eggs with developing embryos and, unexpectedly at this early stage, a few thick-shelled divided eggs. As in several other Skrjabinelazia species, the progeny of S. rizzoi are adapted for intra-host suprainfection and inter-host transmission, but in this species the production of resistant eggs appears in very young females.

A self-sufficient system ("Energy Island") fed only with bio-oil from local crops

The paper summarizes a project for an experimental energy system to be developed as a strategic measure to enhance global competitiveness of the Industrial Development Area (ASI) of Aragona - Favara in Agrigento Province. The aim of the project is to achieve a self-sufficient system (“Energy Island”) fed only with bio-oil from local crops.

Feasibility study and assessment of the technical, administrative and financial viability of the Voltano desalination plant (Agrigento, Sicily)

The Italian Ministry of Public Works has funded a study aimed at assessing the technical feasibility and financial viability of a disalination plant to be implemented in Agrigento, Sicily. The plant, with a design production capacity of 40,000 m 3 and an estimated cost of € 120 million, will serve 19 municipalities of the Agrigento province with a total population of 300,000. The study has reviewed all the technologies presently available on the market. An indepth analysis has been carried out on multi-flash and osmosis based processes. For both technologies implementation and operational cost have been assessed. The study has placed particular emphasis on the possible solutions enabling: energy saving; power co-generation (multi-flashes); renewable energy sources (reverse osmosis). The study has also explored the potential for the production of Aeolian energy and identified solutions ensuring from 20,000 kW to 30,000 kW. Each solution has taken into account current town planning regulations, environmental impacts, possible mitigation measures, pre-treatment requirements, water in-take works, production waste dumping structures, as well as operation and management problems to be tackled. Implementation and operation costs have also been estimated. The study provides an assessment of the administrative, institutional and financial viability of the proposed solutions, in compliance with regional plans and regulations. Econometric models have been developed in order to enable project financing and water tariffs to be established.

Behavioral impairment and dementia among the elderly population of the province of agrigento: An epidemiological survey performed by general practicioners

Behavioral impairment and dementia among the elderly population of the province of agrigento: An epidemiological survey performed by general practicioners

The Preservation of Sicilian Forests with Poorly Mechanized Logging Processes

In the province of Agrigento (Sicily), owing to lack of funds, machinery and permanently employed workers, it is necessary to forecast costs and time required for thinning out about 1500 ha of artificial forest using only chain saws and temporarily employed manpower.This study was made to find out how costs and labour productivity vary with tree species, age, size, forest density, land orography and ground uneveness, in order to decide in which areas the change from artificial to natural forest, by gradually thinning out the non-autochthonous trees, could be done at the least cost. Logging processes have been monitored at nine different test sites of about 1 ha each.The results show that labour productivity and consequently costs are increased by the unevenness of the ground and its gradient, but only slightly increased by tree density and size. The presence of species with a low number of branches or of trees of relatively young age (<20 years), increases labour productivity and decreases the logging costs.

Landscape ecological approach to hilly basin restoration in Sicily: the Magazzolo River near Bivona

As can easily be verified, ordinary perturbations (i.e.storms) frequently result in local disasters in Sicily. Common diagnosis underlines the precarious state of the hydro eology of the territory, but this is not the ultimate cause of instability. These problems are further complicated by the need to build reservoirs, due to the long summer aridity (from May to November). This has implications for river control, mainly done with concrete works. On the contrary, it is important to demonstrate that the ultimate causes of this situation result from the ecological degradation of the landscape, and to try to analyze the types of degradations occuring. The importance of this analysis concerns the necessity to create and follow a landscape ecological methodology in order to restore the most precarious basin areas, consequently, also preventing the above-mentioned disasters. The case study of the hilly basin of Magazzolo River, in the municipalities of Bivona and Santo Stefano Quisquina (Agrigento Province), allows the possibility of proposing an unsual approach to the Province Authorities, in order to prevent the local reservoir filling up with silt and clay. The control of the river must be done principally by the control of the ecology of the landscape.