Rosalba Padula - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Rosalba Padula

Water, 2020

Lake water quality monitoring has the potential to be improved through integrating detailed spati... more Lake water quality monitoring has the potential to be improved through integrating detailed spatial information from new generation remote sensing satellites with high frequency observations from in situ optical sensors (WISPstation). We applied this approach for Lake Trasimeno with the aim of increasing knowledge of phytoplankton dynamics at different temporal and spatial scales. High frequency chlorophyll-a data from the WISPstation was modeled using non-parametric multiplicative regression. The ‘day of year’ was the most important factor, reflecting the seasonal progression of a phytoplankton bloom from July to September. In addition, weather factors such as the east–west wind component were also significant in predicting phytoplankton seasonal and diurnal patterns. Sentinel 3-OLCI and Sentinel 2-MSI satellites delivered 42 images in 2018 that successfully mapped the spatial and seasonal change in chlorophyll-a. The potential influence of localized inflows in contributing to incr...

Population status and ecology of the Salmo trutta complex in an Italian river basin under multiple anthropogenic pressures

Ecology and Evolution, 2020

Salmonids inhabiting Mediterranean rivers are of particular concern for biodiversity conservation... more Salmonids inhabiting Mediterranean rivers are of particular concern for biodiversity conservation, as they are threatened by various stressors, including habitat alterations, overfishing, climate change, and introgressive hybridization with alien species. In the Tiber River basin (Central Italy), genetic introgression phenomena of the native Salmo cettii with the non‐native Salmo trutta hinder the separate analysis of the two species, which are both included in the S. trutta complex. Little is known about the factors currently limiting the trout populations in this area, particularly with respect to climate change. With the intention of filling this gap, the aims of the current study were to (a) quantify changes in the climate and (b) analyze the distribution, status, and ecology of trout populations, in the context of changing abiotic conditions over the last decades. Fish stock assessments were carried out by electrofishing during three census periods (1998–2004, 2005–2011, and 20...

New insights confirming the presence of Myriostoma coliforme in Italy

Czech Mycology

Conservation status of Chirocephalus marchesonii Ruffo & Vesentini, 1957 in the Pilato Lake (Sibillini Mountains National Park, Central Italy)

Chirocephalus marchesonii is a fairy shrimp endemic to the Pilato Lake, a small temporary high-el... more Chirocephalus marchesonii is a fairy shrimp endemic to the Pilato Lake, a small temporary high-elevationlake (1948 m a.s.l.) located in the Central Apennines (Italy). The species is of particular conservation interest,since it has limited thermal tolerance, low dispersal capacity and is represented by a single population with a veryrestricted range. The anthropogenic pressure linked to summer tourism and the habitat’s vulnerability to climatechange represent the main threats to the species. Concern over the population’s persistence has been increased bya period of total drying of the lake in summer 2017, which was attributed to earthquakes that occurred in 2016 andwere judged to have altered the hydrogeological conditions. Our study aims were to: i) evaluate the conservationstatus of C. marchesonii and its habitat; ii) examine the influence of environmental parameters on the zooplanktoncommunity, with special reference to C. marchesonii population densities; and iii) provide information to underpineffective conservation strategies. The zooplankton community was monitored monthly from July to November2018 and from June to August 2019, using a Ruttner bottle and an 80-μm mesh net within transects of known length.On each sampling occasion, 13 physicochemical parameters were measured, and water-level fluctuations and lakesurface area were recorded. Higher air temperatures seem to be a key driver of drying events, whereas we identifiedno significant differences in water physicochemistry compared to the past. The mean estimated population densityof C. marchesonii (0.06 individuals L–1) showed that, despite the 2017 drying event, the species completed its lifecycle during the study period, although its population densities were lower than previously recorded. Our resultscan inform extinction risk assessment and associated management strategies, such as the identification of alternativehabitats with the potential to support C. marchesonii populations.Keywords: anostracan crustaceans; endangered species; drought; global

The Diatomic Diversity of Two Mediterranean High-Elevation Lakes in the Sibillini Mountains National Park (Central Italy)

Temporary high-elevation lakes represent vulnerable and unstable environments strongly threatened... more Temporary high-elevation lakes represent vulnerable and unstable environments strongly threatened by tourism, hydrogeological transformations and climate changes. In-depth scientific knowledge on these peculiar habitats is needed, on which to base integrated and sustainable management plans. Freshwater diatoms, thanks to their high diversity and their particular sensitivity to the water chemistry, can be considered powerful ecological indicators, as they are able to reflect environmental changes over time. The aim of the present study was to analyze the diatomic diversity of the Pilato and Palazzo Borghese lakes, two small temporary high-mountain basins, falling in a protected area within the Apennine mountains chain (central Italy). Diatoms data were collected, at the same time as 12 physicochemical parameters, through six microhabitat samplings, from 17 June to 30 August 2019. In both lakes, a total of 111 diatomic species and varieties were identified. The most species-rich gener...

A comparison of Sentinel-3-OLCI and Sentinel-2-MSI-derived Chlorophyll-a maps for two large Italian lakes

Remote Sensing Letters

ABSTRACT The twin satellites Sentinel-3 (S3A/B) with Ocean and Land Colour Imager (OLCI) sensors,... more ABSTRACT The twin satellites Sentinel-3 (S3A/B) with Ocean and Land Colour Imager (OLCI) sensors, with a spatial resolution of 300 m, and a revisiting time of 1–2 days, and the twin satellites Sentinel-2 (S2A/B) with MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) instrument, with a spatial resolution up to 10 m, offer a special opportunity to monitor at both small and large scale, phytoplankton phenology and variation at small time (OLCI) and at small spatial scale (MSI). The aim of this study was to contribute to further testing on MSI imagery, for retrieving chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration, proxy of phytoplankton abundance, in inland waters. Since OLCI has higher revisiting frequency and multiple matchups with MSI, it was also examined as a surrogate for MSI. A common image-processing scheme for both sensors was applied in the two large Italian lakes Garda (oligo-mesotrophic) and Trasimeno (eutrophic). Results showed good performances, both in retrieving atmospherically corrected Remote Sensing Reflectance, and, from this last derived, chl-a concentration maps. Very good accordance was assessed between simultaneous OLCI and MSI derived chl-a maps, both in terms of magnitude, and spatial distribution, despite the fact variations in concentration at small scale were better retrieved by MSI imagery.

Potential effects of global climate change on fisheries in the Trasimeno Lake (Italy), with special reference to the goldfish Carassius auratus invasion and the endemic southern pike Esox cisalpinus decline

Fisheries Management and Ecology

Indagine sulla popolazione di luccio (Esox cisalpinus Bianco & Delmastro, 2011) del Lago Trasimeno condotta attraverso l’analisi di un campione di riproduttori selvatici

Cisalpine pike Esox cisalpinus is a species native to both Italian biogeographic districts, consi... more Cisalpine pike Esox cisalpinus is a species native to both Italian biogeographic districts, considered nowadays in strong decline throughout its native range. Also in the Lake Trasimeno, considered as a very suitable environment for the species, a progressive reduction of the population has been recorded during the last decades. The aim o this study was to investigate some still little-known biological aspects of E. cisalpinus, such as age class structure, growth and condition and their variation over time. The research was carried out on 3248 specimens (1722 females and 1526 males), collected from 2008 to 2017 by the Ichthyogenic Center of Lake Trasimeno. The pike population of the Lake Trasimeno was characterized by a strong sexual dimorphism in growth, with females reaching the maximum size of 103 cm and 15 years, while males grew only up to 70 cm and 8 years. The Proportional Stock Density Index showed an ongoing, gradual ageing process of the sample. The condition, assessed thr...

Journal of Limnology

This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been th... more This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the final one. Please cite this article as

Riassunto Nell'ambito delle attività di attuazione della Direttiva Europea 60/2000/CEE, le Agenzi... more Riassunto Nell'ambito delle attività di attuazione della Direttiva Europea 60/2000/CEE, le Agenzie regionali per la Protezione Am-bientale in collaborazione con le rispettive Regioni, hanno defi nito le reti e i programmi di monitoraggio individuando e tipizzando i corpi idrici. Tra le idroecoregioni (HER) individuate su scala nazionale, la maggior parte del territorio umbro e toscano ricade in una sola area geografi ca, HER11 (Colline Toscane). Attraverso questo studio, i laboratori biologici di ARPA Umbria e ARPA Toscana (Provincia di Firenze) hanno messo in campo una prima collaborazione, condividendo il lavoro svolto nell'ambito del monitoraggio istituzionale delle diatomee bentoniche dei corsi d'acqua superfi ciali, al fi ne di verifi care analogie e diversità dei risultati conseguiti. L'analisi è stata eseguita per il macrotipo fl uviale M5, comprendendo così, complessivamente 13 stazioni, campionate negli anni 2013-2014-2015. I risultati dello studio evidenziano nei 26 campioni prelevati, 40 generi diversi di diatomee. Il genere che comprende il maggior numero di specie è Nitzschia (27 specie), seguito da Navicula (23 specie). Il genere Achnanthidium, se pur rappresentato da un numero non elevato di specie (14), è quello che risulta più numeroso; in particolare, la specie Achnanthidium minutissimum risulta la più abbondante, con 871 frustuli riconosciuti in Umbria e 854 in Toscana, confer-mando le sue caratteristiche di specie cosmopolita e pioniera. Complessivamente, sono state riconosciute 169 specie, delle quali più del 40% presenti in entrambi i territori. Signifi cativo è che le 68 specie comuni, sono anche tra le più abbondanti in tutti i corsi d'acqua, sebbene ciascun territorio abbia presentato alcune specie diatomiche che ne caratterizzano le co-munità. PAROLE CHIAVE: Bacillariophyceae / piccoli corsi d'acqua / ricchezza di specie Umbria-Toscana, a diatom-based comparison In the context of the European Directive WFD 2000/60/CE, the Regional Environmental Protection Agencies (ARPA) in Italy designed watercourses monitoring programs and network, representing different hydroecoregions (HERs), rivers types and ecological stressors. Most of the Umbria and Toscana regions lie in the same geographical area, HER11 (Tuscan hills), belonging to the Mediterranean area. In the present work ARPA Umbria and ARPA Toscana began a survey on benthic diatoms communities collected in the two regions, according to their monitoring programs. The aim was to assess differences and similarities in their taxonomic composition. The study included 26 samples coming from 13 stretches (6 Umbria rivers and 7 Tuscany rivers), related to M5 macrotype and monitored between 2013 and 2015. As a result a total of 40 diatoms genera were recorded. Nitzschia was identifi ed as the richest genus in species (27 species) followed by Navicula (23 species). Although represented by a limited number of species (14) the genus Achnanthidium, had the highest number of individuals; and in particular the species Achnanthidium minutissimum resulted the most abundant with 871 frustules in Umbria and 854 in Tuscany. These species are very frequent and are pioneer diatom in rivers. The study identifi ed 169 species of which more than 40% in both regional territories. It is worthnote that the 68 common species are also among the most abundant in all the rivers, although each region showed species which are characteristic of their communities.

The extraordinarily pleasant Clitunno’s springs’ appearance, and the historical-naturalistic appe... more The extraordinarily pleasant Clitunno’s springs’ appearance, and the historical-naturalistic appeal of the area, has driven the Umbria regional administration to insert them among the zones, subject to safeguard and promotion and among the sites of community importance (SIC) of the Natura 2000 Network ("IT5210053 - River and Clitunno’s springs").
The aim of this study is to contribute in spreading the biological knowledge of the Clitunno’s springs, examining their floral aspect. In particular, the study was focused on Bacillariophyceae, unicellular micro-algae, of great relevance, as they are responsible for the oxygen production and they are the foundation of the water ecological web.

Keyword
Bacillariophyceae, teratological forms, alien shapes, Red List

First application of the epiphytic and epilithic diatoms index (EPI-L) for the evaluation of lake ecological quality in Italy: a case study from Umbria (central Italy)

The European Directive 2000/60/EC requires monitoring of macrophytes and phytobenthos – including... more The European Directive 2000/60/EC requires monitoring of macrophytes and phytobenthos – including diatoms – for the assessment of the ecological quality of lakes. In response to a call from the European Commission to Member States, the Italian Ministry of Environment invited Regions to join a “Program on Lake Diatoms", with the aim to design a national method for the evaluation of lake ecological quality. The Institute for Ecosystem Studies of the National Research Council (ISE-CNR) provided guidelines for sampling and analysing benthic diatoms, and a new index (EPI-L) was developed on the basis of data collected by Environmental Agencies and Research Institutes in 2012. Environmental Protection Agency of Umbria (ARPA Umbria) participated to the Program, collecting and analyzing data from two sampling sites for each of the two main lakes in Umbria (Lakes Trasimeno and Piediluco). We recorded ca.70 diatom species. Our preliminary results were used for a first application of EPI-...