The collection of biodiversity data is possible by non-professionals and this is part of a not-canonical and interdisciplinary approach on scientific research called “citizen science”. One of the most important factors which accelerated the development of citizen science in the last decade has been the use of mobile devices which incorporate sensors. The smartphone is one of these devices for the possibility of catching pictures and register a number of information (mainly date, hour, geographic position). In this context, the data provided by a community of citizens can be used for testing scientific hypothesis or developing experiments. iNaturalist is a nonprofit social network of citizen scientists developed to share biodiversity observations and currently it is the fourth largest data provider to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF - www.gbif.org/). Through it, users can collect, organize, map, and share biodiversity observations across the globe. In this study, we used the iNaturalist platform to assess the impact of the data collected within the LTER-Italy umbrella project (www.inaturalist.org/projects/lter-italy-network), which means that all observations recorded within the boundaries of LTER-Italy sites, according to the Dynamic Ecological Information Management System - Site and Dataset Registry (DEIMS-SDR) (see Table 1, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 step A), are automatically collected under the project. Our analysis aimed to evaluate how the data generated thorough the iNaturalist platform contribute to scientific research within the LTER-Italy sites, including their relevance, usability, and integration into the broader goals of the network. Fig. 1 We explored the contribution of iNaturalist to: an increase in the number of observations of species of conservation concern, facilitate the detection of species previously un-recorded in the area, evaluate the presence of red-listed or non-native species, offer insights for new research lines, provide data for Standard Observations (SOs) (e.g., flying insects, vegetation composition, acoustic recording) (Zacharias 2024). an increase in the number of observations of species of conservation concern, facilitate the detection of species previously un-recorded in the area, evaluate the presence of red-listed or non-native species, offer insights for new research lines, provide data for Standard Observations (SOs) (e.g., flying insects, vegetation composition, acoustic recording) (Zacharias 2024). Additionally, we evaluated the efficiency of iNaturalist across different ecosystems (terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and transitional) and examined whether the data collected via iNaturalist differed significantly from those recorded by researchers. To ensure a robust dataset for our analysis, we included in the present study LTER-Italy sites with more than 100 iNaturalist observations. As of November 20, 2024, the date on which the selection was made, 26 out of 78 LTER-Italy research sites met this threshold (Table 1). We then carried out, via the built-in query module integrated in the iNaturalist web portal, a selection of the observations that had been validated by other users and had achieved the status of "Verifiable Observation", meeting the criteria of having a valid date, a geographic location, a photo or sound, and not involving captive or cultivated organisms. Among them we further selected observations classified as "Research Grade," that had received at least two independent identification confirmations (Table 1). After the selection process, our dataset includes only observations that are georeferenced, taxonomically labeled, fully verifiable, and highly reliable (Fig. 2 step B1). Thanks to using GIS software, we were able to overlay the observations with areas with specific management designations - such as integral reserves - to assess whether observations fell within these protected zones. With this operation we have thus been able to enrich observation incorporating information on the habitat, ecosystem and conservation status of the area where the observation was recorded (Fig. 2 step B2). To complete the quality control and enrichment process, based on the taxon, we assigned each observation a label related to: the conservation status, based on the IUCN Red List (www.iucnredlist.org), and the degree of nativeness, based on the national list of non-native species (Fig. 2, step C). Comprehensive observation lists and maps related to the number and distribution of non-native species and those in a high state of vulnerability (Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable), were then created for each site (Fig. 2 step D, Fig. 3). Below, we summarize some preliminary results from our analysis: most observations were conducted in lake and terrestrial ecosystems (67%), indicating that the use of iNaturalist is more widespread and effective in these environments; 40% of the observations are related to SOs, including Flying Insects (16%), Vegetation Composition (21%), and Acoustic Recordings (3%). most observations were conducted in lake and terrestrial ecosystems (67%), indicating that the use of iNaturalist is more widespread and effective in these environments; 40% of the observations are related to SOs, including Flying Insects (16%), Vegetation Composition (21%), and Acoustic Recordings (3%). Additionally, we highlighted three examples of sites that could help in addressing our initial research questions: at Val Mazia/Matschertal, iNaturalist observations shared with the Natural History Museum of Bolzano led to the discovery of four new spider species in the Province of Bolzano, two of which were previously unknown in Italy (Steinwandter et al. 2022); at Foce Trigno - Marina di Petacciato (Abruzzo-Molise) and Foce Saccione - Bonifica Ramitelli (Molise), the “Wild Coast CASCADE” iNaturalist project, launched by the University of Molise, combined citizen science observations with traditional research data, helping to detect red-listed and non-native species (Compagnone et al. 2023); at Castelporziano (Lazio), iNaturalist observations collected during events like bioblitzes could be used into ongoing biodiversity research projects in the area. at Val Mazia/Matschertal, iNaturalist observations shared with the Natural History Museum of Bolzano led to the discovery of four new spider species in the Province of Bolzano, two of which were previously unknown in Italy (Steinwandter et al. 2022); at Foce Trigno - Marina di Petacciato (Abruzzo-Molise) and Foce Saccione - Bonifica Ramitelli (Molise), the “Wild Coast CASCADE” iNaturalist project, launched by the University of Molise, combined citizen science observations with traditional research data, helping to detect red-listed and non-native species (Compagnone et al. 2023); at Castelporziano (Lazio), iNaturalist observations collected during events like bioblitzes could be used into ongoing biodiversity research projects in the area.
The operational role of the occupational health physician in the assessment and management of health risks related to night work. Night work, in the last 30-40 years, has been extended to almost all areas of employment. The potential effects on workers' health - related to the disruption of circadian rhythms - are now well defined and studied in the Literature. All issues about the protection of safety and health for night workers are governed by the Italian Legislative Decree no. 66/2003 and subsequent amendments. The management of night work hasn't been included into the main Law on Occupational Safety and Health (Italian Legislative Decree no. 81/2008 and subsequent amendments) and a coordination between the two disciplines is desirable. The occupational health physician, as a global consultant for the protection of all health issues into a company, has to evaluate the potential effects of night work on health, both individually and as a group of workers. In this way, the physician may use either traditional tools (history, physical examination, blood tests) or innovative tools (questionnaires, health promotion programs, interventions on shift schedules). In the management of night work is useful to employ schedules that respect both psycho-physical integrity and social welfare of workers and the needs of the production. The occupational health physician plays a significant role in information and training of workers, both individually and as a group of workers, and in the organization of health promotion programs (whit a voluntary participation by the workers).
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of environmental regulation on innovation and international competitiveness. We test the weak, narrow, and strong versions of Porter's hypotheses by looking at the impact of environmental regulation on exports both directly and indirectly through innovation and by introducing the role of pollution intensity in moderating the impact of stringent regulation on innovation and international competitiveness. Green policies are measured with the OECD Environmental Stringency Policy Index, distinguishing between market, non-market instruments, and technology support policies. Differently from previous papers, we adopt the technology gap approach to trade, which is suitable for relating environmental regulation to trade competitiveness and we apply the simultaneous-equation system econometric model with a moderating factor represented by pollution intensity. The results support the weak and strong versions of Porter’s hypotheses and find that the positive impact of regulation on innovation and exports increases with a country’s pollution intensity, suggesting that green policies, if properly coordinated, can represent a win–win strategy, fostering, at the same time, sustainability and international competitiveness.
The extensive evaluation of the impact of local seismo-stratigraphic configurations on seismic ground motion presents significant challenges due to the necessity of considering the combined effects of uncertainty and smallscale lateral variability of the relevant parameters. To effectively explore these sources of uncertainty, a new Python-based computer program is proposed for one-dimensional seismic site response simulations, adopting the equivalent linear viscoelastic approach in the frequency domain. With respect to existing software, the code introduces new pre- and post-processing features, which also meet the specific requirements of seismic microzonation studies. Within the code, the complete spectrum of uncertainties related to local seismo-stratigraphic configurations, including lithotype successions, layer thicknesses, and seismic and geotechnical properties for the considered lithotypes, is managed by considering user-defined constraints and statistical properties of the relevant parameters. Additionally, a batch approach is offered, enabling the application of the procedure to an unlimited number of different scenarios. To demonstrate the potentiality of the proposed code, a comprehensive set of 90,000 local seismic site response analyses was conducted, showing a clear correlation between the amplification factors, the mean shear wave velocity in the upper 30 m, the fundamental frequency of the deposit and the depth to the seismic bedrock.
The plastic footprint is defined as a science-based tool for quantifying the amount of plastic (in kg) one contributes to the world's plastic waste (from plastic wraps to anything containing plastics, such as clothes). Making consumers aware of their total plastic footprint and of how it is divided among their various daily life activities can promote concrete eco-sustainable actions aimed at reducing it and consequently plastic consumption. To this aim, we developed a free online plastic footprint calculator for making users aware of how much plastic they introduce into the environment through individual consumption, from food to clothing or leisure. In this tool, we also considered the consumption of plastics during mountain activities as it leads to the production of specific plastic waste. We tested the beta version of this tool on a small sample of users, including students, living in the mountains. Our results show that the sector with the greatest impact is food consumption (72.8%, mainly due to plastic drink bottles), followed by mountain activities (17.4%), a sector that was investigated in more detail (i.e., with more questions) than food consumption. Considering only mountain activities, synthetic fleeces are the most widely used and incorrectly managed items (34.7%), followed by shoes for mountain running or hiking (20.8%). We hope this tool will contribute to more aware use and management of plastic items during mountain activities and daily life and help reduce the distribution of plastics into the environment.
