Area Of Tuscany Research Articles

Spirits and liqueurs in European traditional medicine: Their history and ethnobotany in Tuscany and Bologna (Italy)

Ethnopharmacological relevance and backgroundFermented drinks, often alcoholic, are relevant in many nutritional, medicinal, social, ritual and religious aspects of numerous traditional societies. The use of alcoholic drinks of herbal extracts is documented in classical pharmacy since the 1st century CE and it is often recorded in ethnobotanical studies in Europe, particularly in Italy, where are used for a wide range of medicinal purposes. Formulations and uses represent a singular tradition which responds to a wide range of environmental and cultural factors. AimsThis research has two overarching aimsTo determine how long ancient uses, recipes and formulas for medicinal liqueurs from the pharmacopoeias and herbals of the 18th century persisted in later periods and their role in present ethnobotanical knowledge in areas of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna (Italy).To trace other possible relationships among ancient and recent recipes of alcoholic beverages, from both popular and ‘classic’ (learned) sources in N-C Italy and neighboring areas. MethodsThe review of herbals and classical pharmacopoeias, and ethnobotanical field work in Alta Valle del Reno (Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, Italy) were followed of a systematic study of ingredients and medicinal uses with multivariate analysis techniques. ResultsThe multivariate analysis clearly shows six different styles of preparing medicinal alcoholic beverages: 1. The medicinal wine formulae by Dioscorides (1st century CE). 2. The pharmacopoeias of Florence and Bologna in the 18th century CE. 3. The formularies of Santa Maria Novella and Castiglione (19th and early 20th centuries CE). 4. The ethnobotanical data from Appennino Tosco-Emiliano; home-made formulations based almost exclusively on the use of local resources. 5. Traditional recipes from NE Italy and Austria. 6. Traditional recipes from NW Italy, Emilia, and Provence (France).A total of 54 ingredients (29 fruits) from 48 species are used in different combinations and proportions in Alta Valle del Reno (Italy) to produce fermented beverages, liqueurs, distilled spirits and aromatized wines. Among these, 37 ingredients (33 species) are used as medicinal remedies. 15 ingredients (14 species) are also used to prepare specific medicinal liqueurs. Most are addressed to the treatment of diseases of the digestive system, dyspepsia in particular, followed by diseases of the respiratory system symptoms, not elsewhere classified and diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, fundamentally of allergic origin. ConclusionsAlthough medicinal wines, liqueurs and spirits are recorded in numerous classical herbals and pharmacopoeias in Italy and other countries of Europe these show in terms of formulations and ingredients little influence in the ethnobotanical formulations recorded in Alta Valle del Reno (Italy), they apparently play no role in present ethnobotanical knowledge in Appennino Tosco-Emiliano and similarly in other areas of Italy, France and Austria.No (or very poor) persistence was found of ancient uses, recipes and formulas for medicinal liqueurs from pharmacopoeias and herbals of the 16th century CE in later periods in the formulas in use in the pharmacies of Tuscany.Popular recipes are strongly dependent on the availability of local wild and cultivated plants. Overall, Alta Valle del Reno ethnobotanical formulations of medicinal wines and spirits are extremely simple involving from one single ingredient to a few, which are locally produced or collected and selected among relevant medicinal resources used for a wide range of diseases in form of non-alcoholic aqueous extracts. Fruits gathered in the forests are the main ingredients which in this aspect show similarities with those from Tyrol (Austria).Medicinal liqueurs and wines are in analyzed ethnobotanical data mainly employed as digestives.

An Exploratory Approach Aimed At Identifying And Estimating Interactions In An Area Characterized By Multiple Sources Of Pollution

Introduction. Detecting interactions among multiple sources of pollution is a complex analysis often requiring multiple testing. Data mining techniques may be a useful screening method to identify variables (i.e. single sources and/or interactions) potentially associated to the outcome. In this study, a combination of a data mining method with a classical statistical approach was used to explore and estimate the possible interactions between seven sources of pollution. Methods. A nested case-control of 6,459 subjects (1:2 matching by gender, age, socioeconomic status and person-years) was extracted from a cohort of 50,000 people living in an area of Tuscany (Italy) in 2001-2010 linked to hospitalization for respiratory diseases. Three exposure classes were defined for each source using the 50th and 80th percentiles of the concentrations of PM10 and Cd. Variables related to interactions between sources were defined by taking into account all the possible combinations among exposure classes. Classification models developed with a data mining method, random Forest (RF), were carried out and a permutation method was used to select variables best predicting the respiratory outcome. The statistical evidence of the selected variables was assessed by logistic regression. Results. 10 variables, corresponding to potential interactions, were identified by RF. Logistic regression applied to the nested case-control sample confirmed the statistical evidence of all the selected interactions. Logistic regression applied to the entire cohort and adjusted for gender, age, socioeconomic status and person-years, confirmed a statistical evidence for 80% of the selected interactions. Conclusion. The complementary application of a data mining explorative method and a classical statistical approach revealed an efficient method for the identification and estimation of interactions in geographical areas characterized by multiple sources of pollution.

Tick-Borne Infections in Horses From Tuscany, Italy

To estimate the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in horses living in areas of Tuscany (Italy) with high risk of arthropod exposure, blood samples from 160 clinically healthy grazing horses were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), Coxiella burnetii, Babesia caballi, and Theileria equi. Tick-borne infections were detected in 70 (43.75%) horses, in particular 43 animals (26.87%) resulted positive for T. equi, 41 (25.62%) for A. phagocytophilum, six (3.75%) for C. burnetii, and five (3.12%) for B. burgdorferi s.l. All horses scored negative for B. caballi. Twenty-five animals were coinfected: four horses (2.5%) were positive for A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l., four (2.5%) for C. burnetii and T. equi, and 17 (10.62%) for A. phagocytophilum and T. equi. Our results show the spread of tick-borne agents in equine population, including those able to infect humans. Detection of C. burnetii is of critical relevance because it is a severe zoonotic agent, that may be transmitted not only by tick bites, but also through feces, urine, and birth products of infected animals.

Late Pleistocene relic Ultisols and Alfisols in an alluvial fan complex in coastal Tuscany

Detailed stratigraphic, sedimentary facies and palaeosol analyses were performed on an outcrop on Late Quaternary deposits in the coastal area of Tuscany. The outcrop was selected as representative of one of the major Quaternary alluvial fan complexes of Central Italy, the ancient Cecina river fan, and as showing contrasting, if related, palaeosols. The oldest relic palaeosol was identified as an Ultisol, representative of the most developed soil type normally found as relic soil in Italy, and about whose possible ages only approximate interpretations presently exist.OSL dating set the whole succession of sediments, palaeosols and geomorphic surfaces into a firm chronological setting. As a result, evolution of the Cecina fan complex in Late Pleistocene could be fully reconstructed. Assessment of the age of the relic Ultisol produced results contrasting with current interpretations, showing how such a soil type can have developed in Italian conditions in a relatively short time, i.e. since about MIS 5d.

Nutraceutical properties of chestnut flours: beneficial effects on skeletal muscle atrophy.

Plants contain a wide range of non-nutritive phytochemicals, many of which have protective or preventive properties for human diseases. The aim of the present work has been to investigate the nutraceutical properties of sweet chestnut flour extracts obtained from fruits collected from 7 geographic areas of Tuscany (Italy), and their ability in modulating skeletal muscle atrophy. We found that the cultivars from different geographic areas are characterized by the composition and quantity of various nutrients and specific bioactive components, such as tocopherols, polyphenols and sphingolipids. The nutraceutical properties of chestnut sweet flours have been evaluated in C2C12 myotubes induced to atrophy by serum deprivation or dexamethasone. We found that the pretreatment with both total extracts of tocopherols and sphingolipids is able to counterbalance cell atrophy, reducing the decrease in myotube size and myonuclei number, and attenuating protein degradation and the increase in expression of MAFbx/atrogin-1 (a muscle-specific atrophy marker). By contrast, polyphenol extracts were not able to prevent atrophy. Since we also found that γ-tocopherol is the major form of tocopherol in sweet flour and its content differs depending on the procedure of sweet flour preparation, the mechanisms by which γ-tocopherol as well as sphingolipids affect skeletal muscle cell atrophy have been also investigated. This is the first evidence that chestnut sweet flour is a natural source of specific bioactive components with a relevant role in the prevention of cell degeneration and maintenance of skeletal muscle mass, opening important implications in designing appropriate nutritional therapeutic approaches to skeletal muscle atrophy.

Baseline levels of trace elements in coastal sediments from the central Mediterranean (Tuscany, Italy)

The aim of this paper was to define for the coastal areas of Tuscany (Central Tyrrhenian Sea) relationships between certain trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) and others (Al, Ba, Cs, Fe, Li, and Rb) proposed by the literature as useful tracers for natural background levels due to aluminosilicates. Relationships among trace elements and sediment descriptors (pH; oxidative-state (Eh); total inorganic carbon; grain-size; and nutrients, total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorous (TP), and organic matter (OM)) were also explored. Some sediment descriptors (pH, Eh, TC, TN, TP, and OM) were strongly auto-correlated. To the best of our knowledge for Cs (<0.01 mg kg−1), Li (38.75, 5.20–80.89 mg kg−1), Rb (39.74, 1.88–197.10 mg kg−1), and V (39.03, 7.84–95.23 mg kg−1), this was the first time that levels were defined in sediments from this geographical area. Results reported in this study evidenced that, among the considered trace elements, Ba and Rb represent useful tools for sediment management purposes and for risk assessment evaluations associated with sediment dredging in harbours and trace-element-polluted sites along the Tuscan coast.

Integrated Urban Regeneration: The Opportunity of Enhancing the Open Spaces

The paper, draws the attention of the debate a reflection on the possibility of developing, in some urban areas, strategies and actions for the regeneration and redevelopment of the city; bringing to the attention not only the improvement of the spatial and functional dimension of the rundown neighborhoods, but also of the social and environmental dimensions. The valorisation of these areas may benefit from the theory of Ecosystem Services [, which appears to be able to renew the traditional approaches, to land use planning from the perspective of urban metabolism [; in this regard are of great interest those forms of planning of degraded urban fringes that take into account the minimal standard of space and/or rural services by to each inhabitant in order to make an area sustainable. The contribution starts from careful analysis of the rural peri-urban areas of Tuscany, polarized between two apparently conflicting dynamics between them (use of land abandonment and agricultural soils), to develop a reflection about the possibility of experiencing urban regeneration processes that include in inside them, innovative forms for the design of open spaces, with the aim both to recover a portion of depressed urban areas both to create new public spaces, modeled according to the forms of multifunctional agriculture and identitarian landscape [. An urban regeneration directed not only to the built space, but also to the open space and to the promotion of effective projectuality through proper analysis of services, which could be offered by rural areas and serve needs expressed by residents.

Earthquake impact on fissure-ridge type travertine deposition

AbstractThe role of travertine fissure-ridges in reconstructing tectonics and related earthquakes is a challenging issue of recent debate directed at delineating historical/prehistorical seismic records. Indeed, direct measurements on a travertine fissure-ridge immediately after a seismic event have never been previously performed. We describe the co- and post-seismic effects of a M = 3.6 earthquake on fluid flow and travertine deposition in a geothermal area of Tuscany (Italy). Direct observation allows us to demonstrate that thermal spring (re)activation is directly influenced by transient seismic waves, therefore providing a basis for reconstructing seismic events in the past.

Geothermal power in Italy: A social multi-criteria evaluation

Italy was the first country in the world to exploit geothermal resources for electricity production. In Europe it is still the first country in terms of installed capacity. Currently, the only region in Italy with geothermal power plants is Tuscany. This study focuses on Mt. Amiata, one of the two geothermal areas in Tuscany. In Mt. Amiata a strong opposition to the exploitation of geothermal resources is rising. The context is characterized by contested scientific results regarding crucial issues such as the impact of geothermal exploitation on human health and the conservation of water resources. A social multi-criteria evaluation is proposed to explore the different legitimate perspectives of the actors involved. Scenarios are distinguished in terms of their technology, plant site and installed capacity. Criteria reflect economic considerations, social aspects and environmental concerns. A Condorcet consistent aggregation algorithm is applied and results are analyzed using a sensitivity analysis. The alternative scenarios are evaluated by attaching different weights to the criteria reflecting divergent points of view.

Density and habitat use of sympatric Brown hares and European rabbits in a Mediterranean farmland area of Tuscany (Central Italy)

Use of habitat by sympatric Brown hare (Lepus europaeus) and wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was investigated in a farmland area of western Tuscany from 1999 to 2011. We used spotlight counts in winter and indirect surveys on faecal pellet counts in spring–summer. The density of Brown hare increased during the study period, whereas the European rabbit population crashed in 2010 after a European Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) outbreak.The results of the use of habitat type differed between the observations obtained during the spotlight census and the observations obtained from the indirect surveys carried out using faecal pellet counts.The two lagomorph populations showed a great habitat overlap; however, European rabbits seem to live at a shorter distance from permanent cover such as hedgerows and woods and seem to prefer uncultivated fields and permanent crops such as olive tree groves that offer more protection from avian predators. Brown hares seem to prefer more open habitat such as arable crops and this resulted in them being less selective than European rabbits. The differences found in habitat use have probably enabled the two species to coexist for many decades and can be used to manage these lagomorphs.

Durum wheat in-field monitoring and early-yield prediction: assessment of potential use of high resolution satellite imagery in a hilly area of Tuscany, Central Italy

SUMMARYModern agriculture is based on the control of in-field variability, which is determined by the interactions of numerous factors such as soil, climate and crop. For this reason, the use of remote sensing is becoming increasingly important, thanks to the technological development of satellites able to supply information with high spatial resolution and revisit frequency. Despite the large number of studies on the use of remote sensing for crop monitoring, very few have addressed the problem of spatial variability at field scale or the early prediction of crop yield and grain quality. The aim of the current research was to assess the potential use of high resolution satellite imagery for monitoring durum wheat growth and development, addressing forecast grain yield and protein content, through vegetation indices at two stages of crop development. To best represent the natural variability of agricultural production, the study was conducted in wheat fields managed by local farmers. As regards dry weight, leaf area index and nitrogen (N) content, the possibility of describing the crop state is evident at stem elongation, while at anthesis this potential is completely lost. However, satellites seem to be unable to estimate the N concentration. Aboveground biomass accumulated from emergence to stem elongation is strictly related to the final yield, while it has been confirmed that the crop parameters observed at anthesis are less informative, despite approaching harvesting time.

Evaluation of the environmental sustainability of a micro CHP system fueled by low-temperature geothermal and solar energy

In this paper we evaluate the environmental sustainability of a small combined heat and power (CHP) plant operating through an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). The heat sources of the system are from geothermal energy at low temperature (90–95°C) and solar energy. The designed system uses a solar field composed only of evacuated, non-concentrating solar collectors, and work is produced by a single turbine of 50kW. The project addresses an area of Tuscany, but it could be reproduced in areas where geothermal energy is extensively developed. Therefore, the aim is to exploit existing wells that are either unfit for high-enthalpy technology, abandoned or never fully developed. Furthermore, this project aims to aid in downsizing the geothermal technology in order to reduce the environmental impact and better tailor the production system to the local demand of combined electric and thermal energy. The environmental impact assessment was performed through a Life Cycle Analysis and an Exergy Life Cycle Analysis. According to our findings the reservoir is suitable for a long-term exploitation of the designed system, however, the sustainability and the energy return of this latter is edged by the surface of the heat exchanger and the limited running hours due to the solar plant. Therefore, in order to be comparable to other renewable resources or geothermal systems, the system needs to develop existing wells, previously abandoned.

Seroprevalence of Leishmania sp. Infection in Healthy Horses Housed in Endemic Areas in Tuscany

This study carried out an epidemiological survey of seroprevalence of positive immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) results for Leishmania infantum in horses living in Tuscany, where the disease in the dog is endemic and no cases of equine leishmaniasis were observed. Inclusion criteria were (1) horses housed for more than 2 years in endemic areas; (2) horses grazing 24 hours a day outside; and (3) horses living on farms where affected dogs were housed. Two blood samples each were collected from 277 horses from June to October 2011 (T1) and from December 2011 to February 2012 (T2), and IFAT was performed for L. infantum. A dermatologic examination was performed to detect the presence of skin lesions. No animals had skin abnormalities. At T1, 18 of 277 horses had positive results for IFAT, while at the second sampling (T2) 277 of 277 samples were negative. In conclusion, our seroprevalence is lower than that in Spain but higher than that in Greece. Our results suggest the presence of a transient humoral response to L. infantum in horses.

Vitamin D status and predictors of hypovitaminosis D in Italian children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Hypovitaminosis D affects children and adolescents all around the world. Italian data on vitamin D status and risk factors for hypovitaminosis D during pediatric age are lacking. Six hundred fifty-two children and adolescents (range 2.0-21.0 years) living in the northwestern area of Tuscany were recruited at the Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Pisa. None of them had received vitamin D supplementation in the previous 12 months. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were analyzed in all subjects. Severe vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum levels of 25-OH-D<25.0 nmol/L (10.0 ng/mL) and vitamin D deficiency a<50.0 nmol/L (20.0 ng/mL). Serum 25-OH-D levels of 50.0-74.9 nmol/L (20.0-29.9 ng/mL) indicated vitamin D insufficiency, whereas 25-OH-D levels ≥ 75.0 nmol/L (30.0 ng/mL) were considered sufficient. Hypovitaminosis D was defined as 25-OH-D levels<75.0 nmol/L (30.0 ng/mL). The median serum 25-OH-D level was 51.8 nmol/L, range 6.7-174.7 (20.7 ng/mL, range 2.7-70.0), with a prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency of 45.9, 33.6, and 20.5 %, respectively. The prevalence of severe vitamin D deficiency was 9.5 %. Adolescents had lower median 25-OH-D levels (49.8 nmol/L, range 8.1-174.7; 20.0 ng/mL, range 3.2-70.0) than children (55.6 nmol/L, range 6.8-154.6; 22.3 ng/mL, range 2.7-61.9, p=0.006). Non-white individuals (n=37) had median serum 25-OH-D levels in the range of deficiency (28.2 nmol/L, range 8.1-86.2; 11.3 ng/mL, range 3.2-34.5), with 36/37 having hypovitaminosis D. Logistic regression showed significant increased risk of hypovitaminosis D in the following: blood samples taken in winter (odds ratio (OR) 27.20), spring (OR 26.44), and fall (OR 8.27) compared to summer; overweight (OR 5.02) and obese (OR 5.36) subjects compared to individuals with normal BMI; low sun exposure (OR 8.64) compared to good exposure, and regular use of sunscreens (OR 7.06) compared to non-regular use. Gender and place of residence were not associated with vitamin D status. The 25-OH-D levels were inversely related to the PTH levels (r=-0.395, p<0.0001). Sixty-three out of the 652 (9.7 %) subjects showed secondary hyperparathyroidism. Italian children and adolescents who were not receiving vitamin D supplementation had high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. Careful identification of factors affecting vitamin D status is advisable to promptly start vitamin D supplementation in children and adolescents.

Preliminary report on arsenic and heavy metals contents in soils and stream bed sediments of Cornia, Bruna and Alma coastal plains (Southern Tuscany)

The Department of Earth Sciences of University of Florence has conducted over the past ten years, numerous studies about the distribution of arsenic and heavy metals in mineralized areas of Tuscany, particularly in the Pecora basin. The area hosts several polymetallic ore bodies and a pyrite ore deposit. The studies have identified several geochemical anomalies (As, Cu, Pb, Zn…) both in the areas which host the ore bodies and in the coastal plain (Scarlino Plain). To increase the knowledge concerning the distribution of As and heavy metals in other Tuscan coastal plains, research is under way in the alluvial plains of the Bruna, Cornia and Alma rivers. The preliminary analysis have focused on soils and stream sediments, to better understand the correlations between the downstream transport of rivers and the soils. We have made physic-chemical analysis, particle size analysis, mineralogical analysis for X-ray powder diffraction, chemical analysis for the determination of major element (X-ray Fluorescence) and for the determination of 35 minor elements and traces (AAS and ICP).Preliminary data show high concentrations of several elements (As, Zn, Co…). The concentrations of these elements in soils and stream bed sediments are not always consistent; in particular we have found higher concentrations in soils than in stream bed sediments in Cornia Plain, while the opposite happens in the Bruna basin. Therefore the natural processes of rocks weathering does not seem to have affected uniformly. The distribution of As and heavy metals in soils and stream bed sediments of the all three basins of interest are still under investigation.

Molecular identification of root fungal associates in Orchis pauciflora Tenore

The terrestrial orchid, Orchis pauciflora Ten., growing in poor grassland and garrigue of Central Mediterranean region, is local and rare and has been included in the red lists of several Italian regions. We investigated the diversity of fungal associates in O. pauciflora adult plants collected in two protected areas of Tuscany (Central Italy). Genomic DNA was extracted from mycorrhizal roots of 12 orchid plants and the fungal ITS were amplified and sequenced. Several fungal associates, belonging to different taxa of basidiomycetes (Tulasnellaceae) and ascomycetes such as Leptodontidium, Exophiala and Phialophora species, were recovered. The trophic role of these fungi and their impact on O. pauciflora growth and conservation are discussed.

One year intensive PM2.5 bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons monitoring in the area of Tuscany, Italy. Concentrations, source understanding and implications

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated to PM2.5 particles were monitored at three sites in the region of Tuscany, Italy, during the period March 2009–March 2010. PAH concentrations ranged between 0.92 ng m−3 and 13 ng m−3. The spatial and seasonal differences observed at the three sites are discussed and attributed to specific PAH sources.Benzo[a]Pyrene average annual values were below the EU limit value of 1.0 ng m−3. The results of this study suggest that emissions from commuting and work related traffic play an important role for the city of Florence, whereas for the city of Livorno, the harbor activities seem to impact the PAH burden substantially, as well. The PAH cancer risk (expressed as the “BaPE index”) has shown a 6-fold decline compared to early 1990's concentrations and 2- to 3-fold decline compared to the late 1990's.

Relationship between the nutritional value of fatty acid profile and the morphometric characteristics of milk fat globules in ewe's milk

Over the last few years the interest of scientists in the nutritional value of milk and dairy products has been increasing as a result of the role of specific components such as individual fatty acids (FAs) in health maintenance and chronic diseases. Milk fatty acid composition has been reported to change with the morphometric characteristics of milk fat globules. Although some studies have investigated the relationship between milk fatty acids and the morphometric characteristics of milk fat globules in cows, this relationship has not been sufficiently explored in ewe's milk.The aim of this study was to check how the nutritional value of fatty acid profile in ewe's milk is linked to changes in the morphometric characteristics of milk fat globules (MFGs).The study involved sampling and analyzing bulk milk from a dairy that collects and manufactures milk from six flocks of Massese ewes. All the ewes were reared in the same area of Tuscany (Italy) and were fed according to a grazing system. Milk samples were taken over a month.Results highlighted a negative correlation between the number of milk fat globules/mL and the average diameter of the MFGs. In addition, the number of MFGs was positively related with n-3 docosapentaenoic acid, long chain FAs, monounsaturated FAs, and the n-3/n-6 ratio. It was negatively related on the other hand, with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n-6 FAs, thrombogenic index and the linoleic/linolenic acid ratio.MFGs >5μm were positively related with lauric and vaccenic acids, with short chain FAs, PUFAs, n-6 FAs, and the linoleic/linolenic ratio; whereas MFGs <2μm were negatively related with PUFAs, n-6 and the linoleic/linolenic ratio.In conclusion, adjusting the average diameter of MFGs could modify the nutritional value of ewe's milk and dairy products, favoring better health effects.

The Use of Benefit Transfer to Estimate the Recreational and Touristic Value of Two Wooded Areas in Tuscany

The holistic role of forests going beyond the economic function, identified in timber production, substantiates the evaluation of forests’ social and environmental dimensions. Consequently, biodiversity, landscape, hydro-geological security, and maintenance of cultures and traditions are among the manifold issues to be addressed in dealing with forests. Touristic and recreational role of forests is also associated with the disproportionate development of human activities, sources of pollution often correlated to a reduced quality of life. This paper aims at applying the benefit transfer methodology to estimate (from a financial point of view) the recreational and touristic value of wooded areas. The proposed approach relies on an extensive literature review including earlier published books, project’ reports, scientific journals, and conference proceedings addressing the economic evaluation of forests. The reviewed methodologies are then rationally synthesized, adapted, and applied on two case studies in Tuscany, in an attempt to assign a value to forest’s systems; however, only the recreational and touristic dimensions are considered. The ultimate purpose of this work is to emphasize aspects that were not yet properly considered in the financial appraisal of wooded areas, for a balanced management of natural resources avoiding deterioration and neglect.

Reducing visual stimulations in European hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas) captured for translocation

Stress may be an important variable affecting the survival of the captured hares, for this reason the Authors studied the effect of the use of a blindfolding hood applied to the hares immediately after net trapping. A total of 119 hares were captured by coursing with 3–4 dogs (greyhounds or lurchers) in no hunting areas of Tuscany. Immediately after net trapping 38 hares were blindfolded with a hood and 81 were normally handled to the wooden darkened capture-boxes without blinding their eyes (control). From all the hares a sample of blood was collected within 1–2 min by the auricular vein. Blood samples were analyzed for haemocromocytometry and metabolic profile determination. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Sub-clinically stressed hares were discriminated from nonstressed hares by the use of the discriminant function based on CK, AST and glucose and the differences were tested by ?2c. Results showed that body temperature, heart and respiratory rates, glucose, cholesterol, CK, AST, ALT, BUN, total protein and some haemocromo-cytometric parameters were significantly higher in captured hares without blindfold. The incidence of subclinically stressed hares was 26% in the hares equipped with the blindfold and 81% in the hares without blindfold (?2c = 32.98, P<0.0001) (presence of subclinical stress discriminated by the use of a discriminant function based on CPK, AST and glucose). For this reason the procedures designed for the translocation of the hares could take advantage by the use of a blindfold which should be applied to the hares immediately after their trapping.