Areas Of Sicily Research Articles

Willingness to pay for protected areas: A case of Etna Park

Protected areas represent spaces of great environmental and social value. Their good management can allow both the protection of biodiversity and the growth of tourists’ interest. With regard to the governance of these areas, the possibility of charging visitors for their enjoyment is frequently discussed. This problem is very pertinent in Sicily (Italy) where the government of the region has recently decided to introduce an entry ticket for some regional protected areas. Among the protected areas of Sicily, the Etna Volcano park is an area with extraordinary natural and cultural features and a major tourist attraction whose value has recently been recognized by UNESCO. The objective of this study is to evaluate the willingness of visitors to pay (WTP) an admission ticket for the Etna Park. After some reflections on the importance of protected areas, the results of a survey analyzing the visitors' impression and their opinions about the possible introduction of an access ticket to the Park are presented. The results obtained provide useful facts to support decision makers with regard to the choice and the relative value of a ticket.

Effects of traditional forest management on carbon storage in a Mediterranean holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) coppice

Abstract: In the last decade, there has been increased interest in measuring and modeling storage in the five forest carbon pools: the aboveground and belowground biomass (living biomass), the deadwood and litter (dead biomass), and the soil (soil organic matter). In this paper, we examined carbon storage in a holm oak coppice stand in the Madonie Mountains in Sicily (Italy), which is a typical case of managed coppice stands. Today, traditional coppice practices are only applied to a small number of forested areas in Sicily, such as the selected site, because of the decline in demand for wood and charcoal. The dendrometric parameters of the stands were recorded, and silvicultural indices were calculated immediately after cutting as well as during and at the end of the rotation period; they showed the trends typical of coppices. The carbon stocks in the five carbon pools were quantified to investigate the effects of coppicing on carbon storage in this Mediterranean area. Results showed that the lowest living biomass values were observed in the first years following coppicing, except for litter carbon. Belowground biomass and the soil carbon stock did not vary significantly with coppicing. During the rotation period, the aboveground biomass was completely restored, and the balance of the carbon stocks indicates that coppicing is a sustainable forest management choice from the point of view of the carbon balance, given that the logged trees are generally used for bioenergy production.

Neocosmospora perseae sp. nov., causing trunk cankers on avocado in Italy

Trunk and branch cankers are among the most important diseases compromising avocado production worldwide. A novel species, Neocosmospora perseae sp. nov. is described isolated from trunk lesions on Persea americana in the main avocado producing area of Sicily, Italy. The new species is characterised using a polyphasic approach including morphological characters and a multilocus molecular phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of the translation elongation factor-1α, the internal transcribed spacer regions plus the large subunit of the rDNA cistron, and the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit. Pathogenicity tests and the fulfilment of Koch's postulates confirm N. perseae as a novel canker pathogen of Persea americana.

The Human Resource Approach to Innovation in the Recent Growth of Floriculture Sector in Rural Areas of Sicily

The variety and variability of the most commonly recognized innovation categories (product, process and management) have been the structural basis of the recent growth of floriculture sector in Sicily. However it is due to the virtuous character of farmer (vision, knowledge, skills and abilities) the ability to integrate the specific functions involved of the farm with innovation. As well as that, fundamental the relational behaviors within external environments characterized by non-deterministic stimulation-response mechanisms. This paper presents the main results of a motivational investigation of the figure of the farmer of the floriculture sector in Sicily.

Tecniche di trasformazione delle carni suine di razza autoctona: dalla materia prima al prodotto tradizionale finale

In Europe Mediterranean, Italy particularly, there is a long tradition of cured products made from pork meat. The products obtained from meat of native pigs and described as typical are often linked to ancient local traditions and the technical processing / preparation used can influence the final properties. During the survey, some of the techniques employed in the preparation of traditional salumi made from meat of Nero Siciliano and Sarda breed were analyzed. The preparation of salami and sausages was conducted at some artisan laboratories located in the traditional area of Sicily (Nebrodi mountains) and Sardinia, according to techniques in use in rural traditions. The mixtures were prepared manually and the temperature and humidity were influenced by seasonal variability and the locality of seasoning. The conservation of the peculiarities of the salami and sausages has required the identification and quantification of those properties that better describe the characteristics of these products: the characteristics of the formulations, the type of process, the chemical and microbiological characteristics and the local traditions.

Renewable energies, business models and local growth

Energy is one of the driving factors of the world economy: energy consumption is closely linked to quality of life and environmental impact. Reducing the use of fossil fuels, curtailing greenhouse gas emissions, and cutting energy dependence from traditional energy producing countries are the cornerstones of European policies for safe, competitive, sustainable, and renewable energy. In addition, the pressing need to provide new and diversified opportunities for supplementary income for the agricultural sector has fueled the desire to engage rural areas in this process. Biogas, derived from the anaerobic digestion of biomass, is one of the renewable energy sources that has been very successful in these areas recently.This paper describes a practical example of the implementation of a biogas plant at a farm in the Madonie Mountain area of Sicily, Italy; by estimating the costs and revenues that will result from its management, we demonstrate how the bioenergy sector presents a great opportunity for farm supplementary income. Through cost-benefit analysis, we show that the investment is cost-effective both in terms of Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR).

Une nouvelle attestation du substrat « sicule » en Sicile ?

A coin from Himera (in the Sicanian area of Sicily) bears on its reverse the legend ΚΙΜΑΡΑ. This form was already understood as a pun based on the Greek name of the he-goat (χίμαρος), the animal which appears on the obverse of the coin. The presence of a pun without a direct connection with the official name of the city would be highly surpris-ing on a coin, as coins are an official expression of the political power of the Greek polis. Therefore, it is much more likely that ΚΙΜΑΡΑ reflects first of all a rendering of the indig-enous name of the city, which was used in parallel with the standard form (Η)ΙΜEΡΑ. As it appears so rarely, this variant must have been considered less prestigious than (Η)ΙΜEΡΑ. The widespread use of the he-goat image on the coins of Himera could have triggered the use of the variant ΚΙΜΑΡΑ. This variant was then even accepted as a coin legend. It is not possible to establish whether ΚΙΜΑΡΑ was the direct Greek adaptation of the indigenous name or there were some intermediate phases, e.g. *ΧΙΜΑΡΑ. Nevertheless, the absence of the aspiration in ΚΙΜΑΡΑ (and probably in *κίμαρος) brings to mind the Sicilian loss of initial aspiration (tenuis aspirata), typical of the Siculian Greek area. As shown by recent research, it is impossible to clearly separate Sicanian and Siculian cultures from a linguistic and epigraphic point of view. The case of ΚΙΜΑΡΑ shows that the lin-guistic continuum between the two areas was more extended than previously thought.

Housing Affordability in Metropolitan Areas. The Application of a Combination of the Ratio Income and Residual Income Approaches to Two Case Studies in Sicily, Italy

Housing affordability problems have become more serious over the course of the last few decades and are now also affecting the middle-class, despite the fall in prices on the housing market. This study proposes a methodology to assess threshold-income as an index for measuring housing affordability by applying a combination of the ratio income and residual income approaches. The methodology is applied to two particular areas of Sicily in Italy as case studies consisting of medium-size metropolitan areas located in a less developed European region. The areas have been chosen on the basis of their different territorial structure: a polarized area that comprises a high-density city centre and a polynuclear urban region. The results are diversified for income level, as well as for town and urban zone, and allow us to compare the housing affordability problems between towns belonging to the same metropolitan area.

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer in Sicily: The Role of Environmental Characteristics.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but extremely aggressive cancer of the thyroid, contributing up to 30-40% of thyroid cancer-specific mortality. We analyzed ATC characteristics and survival rates in Sicily to evaluate the possible influence of environmental factors. With this aim, data regarding ATC incidences in urban/rural and industrial, iodine-deficient, and volcanic vs control areas were compared in Sicily as well as ATC data from Sicily and USA. Using the Sicilian Register of Thyroid Cancer (SRTC) database incidence, age, gender, tumor size and histotype, extrathyroidal extension, stage, and coexistence with pre-existing differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) were evaluated in different areas of Sicily and also compared with Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results data in USA. Forty-three ATCs were identified in Sicily in the period 2002-2009. In our series only age <70 years at diagnosis (p = 0.01), coexistence with DTC (p = 0.027) and tumor size ≤6 cm (p = 0.012) were significant factors for increased survival at univariate analysis (only age at multivariate analysis). No difference in ATC incidence was found in urban vs rural areas and in iodine-deficient and industrial vs control areas. By contrast, in the volcanic area of Sicily, where DTC incidence is doubled relative to the rest of the island, also ATC incidence was increased. ATC data in Sicily were similar to those reported in the same period in the USA where overall survival rate at 6 and 12 months, however, was smaller. The similar ATC data observed in Sicily and USA (having different genetic background and lifestyle) and the increased ATC incidence in the volcanic area of Sicily paralleling the increased incidence of papillary thyroid cancer are compatible with the possibility that casual additional mutations, more frequent in a background of increased cell replication like DCT, are the major causes of ATC rather than genetic background and/or direct environmental influences.

Evaluation of the optimal size of a rainwater harvesting system in Sicily

Abstract In the Mediterranean area, water scarcity represents a critical issue due to the increasing water demand related to the population growth and the expansion of urban and industrialized areas. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) may be an effective alternative water supply solution to deal with water scarcity in order to reduce non-potable water needs. The reliability of RWH systems is greatly affected by the intensity and the temporal distribution of rainfall events. The purpose of the present study was to identify the optimal tank capacity, in terms of water saving efficiency, of a RWH system installed to supply water for toilet flushing, garden irrigation and both uses with reference to a single-family house in a residential area of Sicily (southern Italy). A water balance simulation of the rainwater storage tank was performed to define the tank release rule. The optimal capacity of the RWH tank was evaluated considering three different catchment surfaces, namely 100, 200 and 300 m2. Results showed that, in some areas of the region, the system could be able to provide significant water savings, even with the installation of collecting tanks of less than 10 m3, thus ensuring important environmental and economic benefits to the householders.

Event tree analysis for rockfall risk assessment along a strategic mountainous transportation route

A quantitative risk analysis has been performed in a tourist area of Sicily (Italy) with the aim of assessing the rockfall risk along an important transportation corridor, crossing a geologically complex area and poor rock masses. The procedure followed herein is based on an event tree analysis, which was properly customized to take into account the peculiarity of the area and of the road path. Rock mass surveys, trajectory simulations and probabilistic models are proposed with the aim of calculating the probability related to possible scenarios in case of rockfalls. Achieved outcomes demonstrate that such procedure, resulting from a multifaceted study, is a reliable tool, which can be taken as reference to calibrate further risk models in comparable contexts of the world, where rockfall threaten communication routes. This would represent a helpful instrument to the scientific community and to local authorities dealing with one of the most troublesome natural phenomena affecting the public safety.

A multifactorial approach in characterizing geographical origin of Sicilian cherry tomatoes using 1H-NMR profiling

In this study, metabolomic analysis of chloroform extracts was performed to characterize cherry tomatoes (cv Naomi and Shiren) grown in different Sicilian areas, using 1H NMR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate statistical analysis. Principal components analysis showed clear discrimination between extracts of cherry tomatoes cultivated in two different seasons (winter and summer) and grown in three areas of Sicily (Gela, Licata, Pachino). In particular, carotenoids and phospholipids mainly were found to be more discriminating metabolites for both cultivars in summer and winter. In the present study, the simple separation only based on production area was found to be inadequate to distinguish the three groups of tomatoes. A clear separation among the different samples groups was obtained using a multifactorial approach not only based on the geographical origin classification, but considering also cultivar, year and seasonality.

Identification of Optimal Mechanization Processes for Harvesting Hazelnuts Based on Geospatial Technologies in Sicily (Southern Italy)

Sicily is a region located in the southern Italy. Its typical Mediterranean landscape is appreciated due to its high biodiversity. Specifically, hazelnut plantations have adapted in a definite area in Sicily (the Nebroidi park) due to specific morphological and climatic characteristics. However, many of these plantations are not used today due to adverse conditions, both to collect hazelnuts and to reach hazel groves. Though a geospatial analysis, the present paper aims to identify which hazelnut contexts can be actively used for agricultural, economic (e.g., introduction of a circular economy) and energetic purposes (to establish a potential agro-energetic district). The examination revealed the most suitable areas giving several criteria (e.g., slope, road system), ensuring an effective cultivation and consequent harvesting of hazelnuts and (ii) providing security for the operators since many of hazelnut plants are placed in very sloped contexts that are difficult to reach by traditional machines. In this sense, this paper also suggests optimal mechanization processes for harvesting hazelnuts in this part of Sicily.

Agronomic evaluation of ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun) germplasm and physical-energy characterization of crop residues in a semi-arid area of sicily (Italy)

Brassica carinata A. Braun is one of the most interesting oilseed crops suited to arid and semi-arid areas for energy purposes. Several studies have highlighted the possibility of introducing this species into cropping systems, typical of Mediterranean region. The aims of this study were to evaluate the agronomic performance of Brassica carinata germplasm under Mediterranean climatic conditions and to assess the physical and energy characteristics of crop residues and pellets made from the residues. A total of 20 different accessions of Brassica carinata were compared in a semi-arid area of Sicily (Italy). In the two-year test period, the main morphological and yield parameters of the accessions were recorded. Crop residues were characterized by determining the moisture content, the ash content and the gross calorific value. The crop residues were tested for pellet-making and the end product was analysed for its physical and energy properties by determining the ash content, gross calorific value and mechanical durability. For crop residues, differences were found to be highly significant for the moisture content and not significant for the gross calorific value. For pellet, differences were highly significant for all parameters in the study.

Quantification of olive pomace availability for biogas production by using a GIS‐based model

AbstractRecently, to obtain biogas from biomass, an innovative system based on both sustainable intensification of crop rotation and use of by‐products was developed. This system derives from BIOGASDONERIGHT concept, which was put forward with the aim of making more sustainable biogas production. Among the by‐products that could be considered for the anaerobic digestion within this new concept, olive pomace (OP) has been the object of research studies aimed at evaluating its possible reuse for energy purpose in terms of economic sustainability. This possibility is of relevant importance to reduce the environmental burden caused by disposal processes of the residues of olive oil industries. However, to the authors’ knowledge, the amount of processed olives in olive‐producing areas, as well as the correct planning of OP use for energy purposes, has not yet been the object of research activities. Therefore, the aim of this research study was to compute the availability of OP, the main waste from the olive oil industry to be disposed of, by following a methodology which included a geographic information system (GIS) based model that allowed the computation of indicators suitable to describe OP potential production within geographical areas. In the first phase of the study, the spatial distribution of the olive‐producing areas in Sicily, a geographical area of the Mediterranean Basin highly representative of olive oil production, was analyzed. Then, a GIS‐based model, previously defined and applied to evaluate the amount of citrus pulp production, was applied to this case study to estimate OP potential production by the computation of a suitable index. The model required information about olive oil industries, which was gathered by performing specific surveys, and included the computation of indicators regarding olive‐producing areas, the amount of olive oil produced, and the amount of OP obtained. In the second phase of this study, the quantification of OP that can be available for biogas production was carried out at a provincial level in an area described by the highest potential of OP production. The total amount of OP available for biogas production corresponded theoretically to 1.9 million Nm3 biogas. This result proved that OP has a high potential to be converted into a resource for renewable energy production, such as biogas. Therefore, it constituted a potential solution to issues related to the environmental burden of OP disposal. Furthermore, the GIS‐based model applied in this case study, by giving the potential production of OP, could contribute to build an information base aimed at improving the sustainability of biogas sector. In this context, by considering the availability and distribution of other agricultural biomasses, the results of this study could be useful for applications in geographical areas where biogas sector is still developing. In fact, the obtained results could help identifying the best location of new biogas plants in terms of optimization of the logistics of biomasses supply. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd

LCA Methodology for the Quantification of the Carbon Footprint of the Integrated Urban Water System

In integrated urban water systems, energy consumption, and consequently the amount of produced CO2, depends on many environmental, infrastructural, and management factors such as supply water quality, on which treatment complexity depends, urban area orography, water systems efficiency, and maintenance levels. An important factor is related to the presence of significant water losses, which result in an increase in the supply volume and therefore a higher energy consumption for treatment and pumping, without effectively supplying users. The current European environmental strategy is committed to sustainable development by generating action plans to improve the environmental performance of products and services. The analysis of carbon footprints is considered one such improvement, allowing for the evaluation of the environmental impact of single production phases. Using this framework, the aim of the study is to apply a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to quantify the carbon footprint of an overall integrated urban water system referring to ISO/TS 14067 (2013). This methodology uses an approach known as “cradle to grave” and presumes to conduct an objective assessment of product units, balancing energy, and matter flows along the production process. The methodology was applied to a real case study, i.e., the integrated urban water system of the Palermo metropolitan area in Sicily (Italy). Each process in the system was characterized and globally evaluated from the point of view of water loss, energy consumption, and CO2 production, and some mitigation strategies are proposed and evaluated to reduce the energy consumption and, consequently, the environmental impact of the system.

Spatio-temporal topsoil organic carbon mapping of a semi-arid Mediterranean region: The role of land use, soil texture, topographic indices and the influence of remote sensing data to modelling

SOC is the most important indicator of soil fertility and monitoring its space-time changes is a prerequisite to establish strategies to reduce soil loss and preserve its quality. Here we modelled the topsoil (0–0.3m) SOC concentration of the cultivated area of Sicily in 1993 and 2008. Sicily is an extremely variable region with a high number of ecosystems, soils, and microclimates. We studied the role of time and land use in the modelling of SOC, and assessed the role of remote sensing (RS) covariates in the boosted regression trees modelling. The models obtained showed a high pseudo-R2 (0.63–0.69) and low uncertainty (s.d.<0.76gCkg−1 with RS, and <1.25gCkg−1 without RS). These outputs allowed depicting a time variation of SOC at 1arcsec. SOC estimation strongly depended on the soil texture, land use, rainfall and topographic indices related to erosion and deposition. RS indices captured one fifth of the total variance explained, slightly changed the ranking of variance explained by the non-RS predictors, and reduced the variability of the model replicates. During the study period, SOC decreased in the areas with relatively high initial SOC, and increased in the area with high temperature and low rainfall, dominated by arables. This was likely due to the compulsory application of some Good Agricultural and Environmental practices. These results confirm that the importance of texture and land use in short-term SOC variation is comparable to climate. The present results call for agronomic and policy intervention at the district level to maintain fertility and yield potential. In addition, the present results suggest that the application of RS covariates enhanced the modelling performance.

A theoretical and methodological framework for the analysis and measurement of environmental heritage at local level

The study aims to assess the lived experience and the environmental heritage perceived level by residents of an high complexity rural area, and which is, in this context, the role played by production of renewable energies. The paper introduces the concept of rural capital as an effective tool for environmental heritage analysis and measurement. The proposed theoretical and methodological approach allows, in fact, its analysis in order to understand what dimensions related to territoriality are connected to the perceived level of environmental heritage at local level. Translated into operational terms, the methodology has resulted in an empirical analysis of a rural and inner area of Sicily, performed both through the examination of identified benchmark indicators, and through the observation of various phenomena, directly experienced by rural residents, detected by sample surveys that, by using a complex sampling design, allow more accurate estimates, modelled on the contexts. All these results are integrated by a multi-case study carried out by a qualitative survey detected both through desk analysis and in field observation, and through in-depth interviews with stakeholders and focus groups with local actors, all asked to assess in a participative way. The research proves that it is necessary to activate the processes of participation and social learning in order to energy planning of the territorial system, allowing at the same time to protect, preserve and enhance the environmental and natural heritage.

Effect of solid waste landfill organic pollutants on groundwater in three areas of Sicily (Italy) characterized by different vulnerability.

The aim of this study was to obtain information on the presence and levels of hazardous organic pollutants in groundwater located close to solid waste landfills. Eighty-two environmental contaminants, including 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 20 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 29 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 7 dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, PCDDs) and 10 furans (polychlorinated dibenzofurans, PCDFs) were monitored in areas characterised by different geological environments surrounding three municipal solid waste landfills (Palermo, Siculiana and Ragusa) in Sicily (Italy) in three sampling campaigns. The total concentrations of the 16 PAHs were always below the legal threshold. Overall, the Fl/Fl+Py diagnostic ratio revealed that PAHs had a petrogenic origin. VOC levels, except for two notable exceptions near Palermo landfill, were always below the legal limit. As concerns PCB levels, several samples were found positive with levels exceeding the legal limits. It is worth noting that the % PCB distribution differs from that of commercial compositions. In parallel, some samples of groundwater containing PCDDs and PCDFs exceeding the legal threshold were also found. Among the 17 congeners monitored, the most abundant were the highest molecular weight ones.

Chemodiversity of the Essential Oil from Leaves of Abies nebrodensis (Lojac.) Mattei.

Abies nebrodensis (Lojac.) Mattei (Pinaceae) is a species occurring in a very small population only in a restricted area of Sicily. Its taxonomic classification as different species has been object of discussion. In this work the chemical composition of the essential oil from the leaves is presented for the first time and compared to the essential oils from other euroasiatic species reported in literature. Peculiar characteristics of the essential oil of A. nebrodensis are highlighted.