Anthropic Pressure Research Articles

Endogenous catch per unit effort and congestion externalities between vessels in a search‐matching model: Evidence from the French Guiana shrimp fishery

AbstractThis paper aims at explaining the recent rise in profits in the French Guiana shrimp fishery (FGSF) despite the overall fall in activity observed between 1990 and 2009. We develop a stochastic search‐matching version of the usual Cobb–Douglas bioeconomic fishery model. In this version catch per unit effort becomes endogenous, decreasing in the ratio of empty vessels to escaped fish, which we call “anthropic pressure” and which is determined by standard profit maximization. We first estimate the stochastic harvest function, which exhibits nearly constant returns to scale. We then show that a decrease in equilibrium anthropic pressure and congestion between vessels may be more than compensated by the consecutive rise in catch per unit effort. This leads to a fall in average harvesting costs and thus, to a rise in profits. In addition, we identify the condition under which a search‐matching fishery, working under open access, could reach a maximum economic yield equilibrium, which corresponds to a very particular case. Finally, the model makes it possible to evaluate the actual catch per unit effort and explain how the FGSF changed over the period considered with the help of the open access and maximum economic yield frameworks.

Temporal and Spatial Variations of Geodia cydonium (Jameson) (Porifera, Demospongiae) in the Mediterranean Confined Environments

Confined marine environments are particularly susceptible to climate change and anthropic pressures. Indeed, the long-term monitoring of benthic assemblages in these environments allows us to understand the direction of changes over time. The demosponge Geodia cydonium is a suitable study case, since it is widely represented in many Mediterranean environments, while being a long-living and important habitat-forming species. Here, we report the results of a descriptive study on temporal and spatial variations of this demosponge in three semi-enclosed environments along the Italian coast: Marsala Lagoon, Porto Cesareo Bay, and Mar Piccolo of Taranto. At Marsala and Porto Cesareo, the study compares the present data with those reported by the literature at the end of the 1990s. Caused by the modification of its preferential habitats, the data indicated the loss and a remarkable regression of this species at Porto Cesareo and Marsala, respectively. In addition, we hypothesized that the increase in severe weather phenomena in the small Bay of Porto Cesareo recorded during the last 20 years may have had a marked impact on water mass, thus affecting the sponge assemblages. At Taranto, despite a remarkable environmental degradation, G. cydonium has appeared stable and persistent in the last 45 years, thus representing one of the richest and most well-preserved populations in the Mediterranean Sea.

Integrated Surface-Groundwater Modelling of Nitrate Concentration in Mediterranean Rivers, the Júcar River Basin District, Spain

High nutrient discharge from groundwater (GW) into surface water (SW) have multiple undesirable effects on river water quality. With the aim to estimate the impact of anthropic pressures and river–aquifer interactions on nitrate status in SW, this study integrates two hydrological simulation and water quality models. PATRICAL models SW–GW interactions and RREA models streamflow changes due to human activity. The models were applied to the Júcar River Basin District (RBD), where 33% of the aquifers have a concentration above 50 mg NO3−/L. As a result, there is a direct linear correlation between the nitrate concentration in rivers and aquifers (Júcar r2 = 0.9, and Turia r2 = 0.8), since in these Mediterranean basins, the main amount of river flows comes from groundwater discharge. The concentration of nitrates in rivers and GW tends to increase downstream of the district, where artificial surfaces and agriculture are concentrated. The total NO3− load to Júcar RBD rivers was estimated at 10,202 tN/year (239 kg/km2/year), from which 99% is generated by diffuse pollution, and 3378 tN/year (79 kg/km2/year) is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea. Changes in nitrate concentration in the RBD rivers are strongly related to the source of irrigation water, river–aquifer interactions, and flow regulation. The models used in this paper allow the identification of pollution sources, the forecasting of nitrate concentration in surface and groundwater, and the evaluation of the efficiency of measures to prevent water degradation, among other applications.

Application of Native or Exotic Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Complexes and Monospecific Isolates from Saline Semi-Arid Mediterranean Ecosystems Improved Phoenix dactylifera’s Growth and Mitigated Salt Stress Negative Effects

The date, the palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an important component of arid and semi-arid Mediterranean ecosystems, particularly in Morocco where it plays a considerable socio-economic and ecological role. This species is largely affected by desertification, global warming, and anthropic pressure. Salinity is a very worrying problem that negatively affects the growth and the physiological and biochemical activities of the date palm. In these arid zones, the main challenge is to develop new environmentally friendly technologies that improve crop tolerance to abiotic restraints including salinity. In this sense, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have received much attention due to their capability in promoting plant growth and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. It is thus fitting that the current research work was undertaken to evaluate and compare the effects of native AMF on the development of the growth and tolerance of date palm to salt stress along with testing their role as biofertilizers. To achieve this goal, two complexes and two monospecific isolates of native and non-native AMF were used to inoculate date palm seedlings under saline stress (0 g·L−1 Na Cl, 10 g·L−1, and 20 g·L−1 Na Cl). The obtained results showed that salinity drastically affected the physiological parameters and growth of date palm seedlings, whilst the application of selected AMF significantly improved growth parameters and promoted the activities of antioxidant enzymes as a protective strategy. Inoculation with non-native AMF complex and monospecific isolates showed higher responses for all analyzed parameters when compared with the native complex and isolate. It therefore becomes necessary to glamorize the fungal communities associated with date palm for their use in the inoculation of Phoenix dactylifera L. seedlings.

Modelos de distribución potencial de mamíferos nativos en la Patagonia

Given the prospects of climate change and its influence on the species’ geographic range, it is important to clarify which climate indicators best explain current distributions, as tools for the conservation of threatened species. It is also important to know the percentage of protection of suitable habitats for these species. In this paper we identify the main climatic variables that explain the distribution patterns of 16 species of medium and large mammals in Patagonia through the MaxEnt model, using 19 bioclimatic variables from WorldClim, elevation, NDVI and EVI and a proxy for anthropic pressure (human footprint). We calculated the percentage of coverage of protected areas for each species and found that most of the ideal habitat is outside them, and that strictly protected areas (I and II) have more records of presence than managed resource areas (III to VI). Species with restricted distributions are the most vulnerable to extinction because they are less resilient to changes in the climatic envelope, especially outside protected areas.

Intra-Group Orca Call Rate Modulation Estimation Using Compact Four Hydrophones Array

Acoustic emissions are vital for orca (Orcinus orca) socializing, hunting, and maintaing spatial awareness. Studying the acoustic emissions of orcas on an individual basis often results in interference with their natural behaviors through mounting tags or following by boat. In order to analyze their inter- and intra-group communication, we propose a study allowing us to associate vocalizations with their emitter (matriline and when possible individual). Such a non-interfering device for allocating calls to individual orcas could substantially boost our understanding of their complex acoustic world. Our experimental protocol was based on a compact array of four hydrophones fixed near the shore, operable up to 1 km away from the path of orcas. It was used during summer 2019 at the research station OrcaLab, northern Vancouver Island, Canada. A total of 722 calls were extracted, jointly with visual identification and azimuth of surfacing orcas, allowing validation of the acoustic diarization and azimuth estimations of the orca calls. We then calculated the Call Rate (CR) for each matriline or when possible individual in order to describe their acoustic activity. Preliminary results show that CR could be modulated according to the distance of the signaler from a group, the presence of another group, or anthropic pressure.

Integration of spatio-temporal variations of surface metabolomes and epibacterial communities highlights the importance of copper stress as a major factor shaping host-microbiota interactions within a Mediterranean seaweed holobiont

BackgroundAlthough considered as holobionts, macroalgae and their surface microbiota share intimate interactions that are still poorly understood. Little is known on the effect of environmental parameters on the close relationships between the host and its surface-associated microbiota, and even more in a context of coastal pollutions. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to decipher the impact of local environmental parameters, especially trace metal concentrations, on an algal holobiont dynamics using the Phaeophyta Taonia atomaria as a model. Through a multidisciplinary multi-omics approach combining metabarcoding and untargeted LC-MS-based metabolomics, the epibacterial communities and the surface metabolome of T. atomaria were monitored along a spatio-temporal gradient in the bay of Toulon (Northwestern Mediterranean coast) and its surrounding. Indeed, this geographical area displays a well-described trace metal gradient particularly relevant to investigate the effect of such pollutants on marine organisms.ResultsEpibacterial communities of T. atomaria exhibited a high specificity whatever the five environmentally contrasted collecting sites investigated on the NW Mediterranean coast. By integrating metabarcoding and metabolomics analyses, the holobiont dynamics varied as a whole. During the occurrence period of T. atomaria, epibacterial densities and α-diversity increased while the relative proportion of core communities decreased. Pioneer bacterial colonizers constituted a large part of the specific and core taxa, and their decrease might be linked to biofilm maturation through time. Then, the temporal increase of the Roseobacter was proposed to result from the higher temperature conditions, but also the increased production of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) at the algal surface which could constitute of the source of carbon and sulfur for the catabolism pathways of these taxa. Finally, as a major result of this study, copper concentration constituted a key factor shaping the holobiont system. Thus, the higher expression of carotenoids suggested an oxidative stress which might result from an adaptation of the algal surface metabolome to high copper levels. In turn, this change in the surface metabolome composition could result in the selection of particular epibacterial taxa.ConclusionWe showed that associated epibacterial communities were highly specific to the algal host and that the holobiont dynamics varied as a whole. While temperature increase was confirmed to be one of the main parameters associated to Taonia dynamics, the originality of this study was highlighting copper-stress as a major driver of seaweed-epibacterial interactions. In a context of global change, this study brought new insights on the dynamics of a Mediterranean algal holobiont submitted to heavy anthropic pressures.2JHQi1qXvSzhvtywNrdzBEVideo abstract

Predicted and Measured Concentration of Pharmaceuticals in Surface Water of Areas with Increasing Anthropic Pressure: A Case Study in the Coastal Area of Central Italy

This study investigated the occurrence of 12 pharmaceuticals (PhCs) in surface water in Central Italy, aiming to improve the estimation of the predicted environmental concentration (PEC) by normalizing the loads to the number of inhabitants of the drainage system in rural, periurban, and urban areas. We performed two sampling campaigns assessing the concentration of PhCs (measured environmental concentration (MEC)) in surface water and in effluent from a wastewater treatment plant. The reliability of PEC calculated by the refined formula was assessed and compared to the ratio obtained by the unrefined formula. MECs of diclofenac, estradiol, estrone, ibuprofen, metformin, naproxen, sulfamethoxazole, atenolol, carbamazepine, and dehydro-erythromycin were significantly higher in urban than in periurban and rural areas, and increases were 12-, 3600-, 256-, 33-, 18-, 120-, 10-, 5-, 2-, and 1-fold, respectively. Refinement of PEC improved estimation of PhC concentrations for all areas, especially for the urban one. The environmental risk was predicted as low for atenolol, carbamazepine, erythromycin, metformin, and naproxen; low/medium for diclofenac and ibuprofen; and high for clarithromycin, estradiol, estrone, and sulfamethoxazole. Overall, the highest risk was posed by PhCs in effluent, while a progressively decreasing risk was estimated for urban, periurban, and rural areas.

Impact of anthropic activities on the geographic landscapes’ state in the area of Republic of Moldova in XXI century

Considerable anthropization degree of environment during the modern period had determined a gradual sinking of ecological stability of geographical landscapes, especially given the predominance of agricultural landscapes which occupy 73.4% from total area of Republic of Moldova at present [1]. Land Cadastre data for Republic of Moldova (2000-2020) [2] and population level’s statistical data (2000-2019) [3] was used to obtain a few indicators that reflect the state of geographical landscapes (population density, naturality index and environmental changes index) and quantify the anthropic pressure on the geographical landscapes at the commune level. We had used the period of 2000-2020 as the reference period.

Water Footprint of soybean, cotton, and corn crops in the western region of Bahia State

ABSTRACT Water catchment to subsidize agricultural activities is estimated at 70% of world consumption. In the western region of Bahia, the main agricultural center of the state, there is intensive use of water for the production of agricultural commodities. In regions with high water demand, quantification of the use of this resource can be performed using anthropic pressure indicators, such as the Water Footprint. Thus, this work determined the Water Footprint of the soybean, cotton, and corn crops produced in the western region of Bahia State. In order to determine the Water Footprint, data of the environmental characteristics and crop production in the region were used, were obtained from different Brazilian public and private institutions. The calculation of Water Footprint of the crops was performed by the sum of the green, blue, and gray components. The average Water Footprint between 2012 and 2017 for soybean corresponded to 1,972.3 m3 t-1, with cotton at 1,825.2 m3 t-1, and corn 512.4 m3 t-1. The analyses of the results and the comparison with the values of the Water Footprint of other regions demonstrate that the edaphoclimatic conditions of the western region of Bahia are propitious to the development of these crops.

Impacts of urban and industrial pollution on functional traits of benthic macroinvertebrates: Are some traits advantageous for survival?

Urbanization and industrialization produce substantial changes in biodiversity and in the functionality of ecosystems. However, little is known about how anthropic pressures might drive these changes and about their functional consequences. We aimed to determine the responses of macroinvertebrate biological traits to urban and industrial pollution and assess the impacts of these disturbances on the functional diversity of these assemblages. We sampled benthic macroinvertebrates in 27 sites of four basins with different urban disturbance gradients (rural, peri-urban, and urban-industrial), among them the Matanza-Riachuelo River, one of the most polluted basins in the world. We classified macroinvertebrates into 11 traits and 56 categories. Then, we performed an RLQ analysis and computed functional richness, evenness, divergence and Rao diversity indexes for each site and community weighted means for each trait category. The urban and industrial sites (mainly low and middle Matanza-Riachuelo River Basin) showed high concentrations of ammonium, SRP, conductivity, COD, BOD, and organic matter, as well as the lowest values of DO. The functional richness and Rao index of these sites were significantly lower than that of the other sites. Macroinvertebrate traits associated with urban and industrial sites were aerial respiration (spiracles), forms of resistance (eggs or statoblast), cylindrical body shape, oviparity, feeding on microinvertebrates, and full water swimmers. These traits potentially enabled tolerant species persistence at polluted sites while gills, grazers, and crawlers were sensitive to these disturbances. Urban and industrial activities influence biological traits, producing the disappearance or dominance of certain traits in macroinvertebrate assemblages. As a consequence, extreme pollution caused predictable trait-based community changes resulting in reduced functional diversity, and potentially altered the ecosystem function.

Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

Cinclodes pabsti is an endemic passerine restricted to the highland areas in southern Brazil. The aim of this study was to provide information on its breeding biology. The nesting cavities along road cuts were monitored from May 2008 to March 2011. The survey was carried out monthly from May to July 2008, February to July 2009, 2010 (non-breeding season), weekly from August 2008 to January 2009, 2010 (breeding season), and on a 2 to 4-days basis from August 2010 to January 2011. The geographic location, physical characteristics, and soil/substrate type in which the nesting cavities were situated were recorded. The total number of cavities used in the three breeding seasons was 136, resulting in 295 nests. The distance of a nest to its nearest neighbor ranged from 24-2,368 m, with a higher number of nests (n = 34; 59.7%) in the distance interval of 24-500 m. There was a greater usage of cavities located in Inceptisols, and the distances of nesting cavity entrances to the ground and to the top of road cuts were 1.6 ± 0.9 m and 0.8 ± 0.62 m, respectively. The breeding season lasted 148 days from mid-August to early January. Clutch size (n = 256) varied from 2 to 3 eggs, and the eggs (n = 155) had a total length of 27.2 ± 1.3 mm, breadth of 20.9 ± 0.8 mm, and mass of 6.2 ± 0.7 g. The incubation phase lasted 17.3 ± 0.8 days and the nestling phase for 18.3 ± 1.5 days. The body mass of the chicks was 6.0 ± 1.0 g just after hatching and reached a maximum of 59.6 ± 2.4 g at 16 days of age. Our results can contribute to filling the gaps in knowledge of C. pabsti ecology, because its habitat is under high anthropic pressures and the information on its life history is yet limited.

Species list of ground-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Nhecolândia, Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

This study provides a list of the ground-dwelling ant species in Nhecolândia, Pantanal, Mato Grosso Sul, Brazil. The Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland in the world and is currently under strong anthropic pressure. Ground-dwelling ants were collected in three sites: (1) a forest regeneration area; (2) a pasture area; and (3) an area of secondary native vegetation. In each site, 120 samples were collected using pitfall traps in the dry and rainy seasons of 2016. Additional samplings were performed with Winkler extractors (30 leaf-litter samples) and manually, also in dry and rainy seasons of 2016. In total, we collected 172 species, which, summed with the additional records from literature, raise the number of ant species recorded in Nhecolândia to 184 in 42 genera and nine subfamilies. Eleven species were recorded for the first time in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Also, the survey adds two new species records to Brazil. Besides contributing to the inventory of the ant species present in the Pantanal biome, the present study provides an important resource for future conservation plans for this threatened ecoregion.

Hydroecological implication of long-term flow variations in the middle Paraná river floodplain

The Paraná River is ranked among the top-ten major rivers of the world. During the last century, the expansion of agriculture and the construction of large dams strongly modified the upper basin but the middle and lower sections are still among the few free-flowing river reaches of this magnitude in the world. However, the great anthropic pressure in the upper basin coupled with the climate variability of the past fifty years affected the hydrology of the lower reaches. In this study, we analyzed the hydrological characteristics of the flow regime from 1905 to 2019. Based on 10 m-resolution satellite images, we performed a cartography of the surface waters covering 15% of the Middle Paraná River floodplain and we analyzed the processes of connectivity for each 50 cm of the river height. We related the hydrological changes with the landscape analyses and discussed their potential implication on the ecosystem functioning. In other words, we highlighted how a regional disturbance in a large river basin affects some hydro-geomorphological processes several hundreds of kilometers downstream, which potentially involves long-term alterations of the structural and functional components of the biota.

Low calcification rate, structural complexity, and calcium carbonate production of Pocillopora corals in a biosphere reserve of the central Mexican Pacific

AbstractThe capacity of coral reefs to provide ecosystem services is widely recognized, but this ability depends on continued carbonate production within the coral community. The Islas Marías archipelago (21° 29.5′ N–106° 15′ W) is subject to minimal anthropic pressures. This archipelago serves as a model to study the influence of environmental variables [e.g., sea surface temperature (SST), upwelling periods, El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, and pH] on the structure of the coral community. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth parameters, ecological volume, and CaCO3 production of Pocillopora corals, which comprise the dominant genus in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). During an annual period (2016–2017), 10 colonies were stained with alizarin red and height, major diameter, and minor diameter measurements were recorded. Live coral cover, the annual extension rate (cm/year), skeletal density (g/cm3), the calcification rate (g/cm2 year−1), ecological volume (cm−3), and carbonate production (kg m−2 year−1) were also calculated. The average extension rate (± SD), skeletal density, and the calcification rate were 1.86 ± 0.31 cm/year, 2.28 ± 0.34 g CaCO3 cm−3, and 4.34 ± 1.28 g CaCO3 cm−2 year−1, respectively. The average live coral coverage was 3.19 ± 3.17%, and the relative cover of Pocillopora corals was 65%. Ecological volume increased 140.6 ± 84.28% with respect to the initial volume, and the average production of CaCO3 was 0.46 ± 0.41 kg CaCO3 m−2 year−1. This study shows evidence of low growth rates, low generation of three‐dimensionality, and low CaCO3 production in the study area when compared to other sites in the ETP. These results are relevant because they indicate compromised long‐term maintenance and reef development in Islas Marías, which may result in low reef functionality and compromise the stability of reef‐associated biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Soil Quality and Organic Matter Pools in a Temperate Climate (Northern Italy) under Different Land Uses

Temperate soils are threatened by degradation and soil organic matter (SOM) loss due to a combination of geomorphology, soil types, and anthropic pressure. In 54 sites in Northern Italy, characterized by different land uses, climates, geological substrates, and soils, we assessed (i) the soil quality, (ii) the SOM accumulation/degradation patterns, and (iii) whether land use and related soil management practices are sustainable based on changes in soil quality. Soil samples from the 0–15 and 15–30 cm deep layers were collected and analyzed for the soil parameters recommended by the FAO (bulk density, pH, organic and microbial C, total N, and soil respiration rate) and for the chemical SOM pools. Parameters related to the efficient use of soil microbial C were also calculated. The findings showed that agricultural lands where organic material was added had good soil quality and used microbial C efficiently. Reclaimed peaty soils degraded because the conditions were too stressful for the soil microbial biomass as supported by high metabolic quotient and the low values of mineralization quotient, microbial quotient, and soil biofertility index. Conservative management practices carried out in chestnuts were found to have a decreased soil degradation risk. An investigation of the soil parameters recommended by the FAO can be used to evaluate sustainable practices and soil quality on microbial activity and SOM dynamics.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in coastal wetlands: A review of their occurrences, toxic effects, and biogeochemical cycling

Coastal wetlands, such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and salt marshes, are highly threatened by increasing anthropic pressures, including chemical pollution. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have attracted attention in these particularly vulnerable ecosystems, due to their bioaccumulative, pervasive, and ecotoxic behavior. This article reviews and summarizes available information regarding current levels, biogeochemical cycling, and effects of POPs on coastal wetlands. Sediment POP levels were compared with international quality guidelines, revealing many areas where compounds could cause damage to biota. Despite this, toxicological studies on some coastal wetland plants and microorganisms showed a high tolerance to those levels. These taxonomic groups are likely to play a key role in the cycling of the POPs, with an active role in their accumulation, immobilization, and degradation. Toxicity and biogeochemical processes varied markedly along three main axes; namely species, environmental conditions, and type of pollutant. While more focused research on newly and unintentionally produced POPs is needed, mainly in salt marshes and seagrass beds, with the information available so far, the environmental behavior, spatial distribution, and toxicity level of the studied POPs showed similar patterns across the three studied ecosystems.

Assessing the Long-Term Impact of Traditional Agriculture and the Mid-Term Impact of Intensification in Face of Local Climatic Changes

In the Mediterranean basin, edaphic salinization, sodification and alkalinization related to anthropic pressures and climatic changes may hinder the ecosystem sustainability. It is pertinent to study the mid and long-term variability of these soil characteristics in face off the macro agricultural system in use (i.e., irrigation or rain-fed). Four irrigated soils from the Caia Irrigation Perimeter (Portugal), Fluvisols, Luvisols, Calcisols and Cambisols were analysed in the mid-term, from 2002 to 2012, for its available Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+ content. Overall, Ca2+, K+ and Na+ significantly increased during the period of this study by 25%, 8% and 7%, respectively. Soil organic matter (SOM) and pH for the irrigated soils in the area were already assessed in previous studies with the overall SOM remaining constant (p ≥ 0.05) and pH increasing (p < 0.01) by 5%. We provide the predictive maps for Na+ and the CROSS predictive & HotSpot evolution map from 2002 to 2012. Rain-fed soils were analysed in the long-term, from 1965 to 2012, for their SOM, pH and non-acid cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+) content. While SOM, pH and the exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ significantly increased (p < 0.01) by 23%, 8%, 60%, 21% and 193%, respectively, exchangeable Na+ significantly decreased (p < 0.01) by 50%. These results may be related to the local climate changes as, according to the Thornthwaite classification, it went from sub-humid with great water excess (C1B2s2b4) in the climate normal 1951/1980 to sub-humid with moderate water excess (C1B2sb4) in 1981/2010 to semi-arid with little to none water excess (DB2db4) in 1991/2020. The irrigated areas in this Mediterranean region are slowly departing from sustainable goals of soil conservation and better edaphic management and conservation practices, that address the registered climatic changes in the area, could be adopted.

First comprehensive contribution to the knowledge of the lepidopteran fauna of Gioia Tauro Plain, South Italy (Lepidoptera)

In this paper, we investigated for the first time on the composition of nocturnal Lepidoptera of the Gioia Tauro Plain, Calabria region (South Italy). The main goal was to acquire information on the biodiversity of this insect order in an area little investigated and subject to strong anthropic pressures. The study was carried out for one year in 4 sites characterized by different habitats. Sampling was carried out about twice a month through the use of UV-LED light traps. In total, 791 specimens belonging to 97 species were collected. The species richness of the study area was rather low compared to a more natural habitat sampled near to the study area in previous years. However, we found species very interesting from a faunistic point of view. In detail, Morophaga morella (Duponchel, 1838) is a new record for the continental Italy. 15 species are new for the fauna of the Calabria region: Ornativalva tamaricella (Zeller, 1850), Cnephasia (Cnephasia) genitalana Pierce & Metcalfe, 1915, Euzophera lunulella (O. Costa, 1836), Hellula undalis (Fabricius, 1794), Raphimetopus ablutella (Zeller, 1839) Achyra nudalis (Hübner, 1796), Dioryctria mendacella (Staudinger, 1859), Ematheudes punctella (Treitschke, 1833), Endotricha flammealis (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), Oxybia transversella (Duponchel, 1836), Lamoria anella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), Anania crocealis (Hübner, 1796), Evergestis isatidalis (Duponchel, 1833), Udea ferrugalis (Hübner, 1796), and Uresiphita gilvata (Fabricius, 1794).

Arthropod-Microbiota Integration: Its Importance for Ecosystem Conservation.

Recent reports indicate that the health of our planet is getting worse and that genuine transformative changes are pressing. So far, efforts to ameliorate Earth’s ecosystem crises have been insufficient, as these often depart from current knowledge of the underlying ecological processes. Nowadays, biodiversity loss and the alterations in biogeochemical cycles are reaching thresholds that put the survival of our species at risk. Biological interactions are fundamental for achieving biological conservation and restoration of ecological processes, especially those that contribute to nutrient cycles. Microorganism are recognized as key players in ecological interactions and nutrient cycling, both free-living and in symbiotic associations with multicellular organisms. This latter assemblage work as a functional ecological unit called “holobiont.” Here, we review the emergent ecosystem properties derived from holobionts, with special emphasis on detritivorous terrestrial arthropods and their symbiotic microorganisms. We revisit their relevance in the cycling of recalcitrant organic compounds (e.g., lignin and cellulose). Finally, based on the interconnection between biodiversity and nutrient cycling, we propose that a multicellular organism and its associates constitute an Ecosystem Holobiont (EH). This EH is the functional unit characterized by carrying out key ecosystem processes. We emphasize that in order to meet the challenge to restore the health of our planet it is critical to reduce anthropic pressures that may threaten not only individual entities (known as “bionts”) but also the stability of the associations that give rise to EH and their ecological functions.