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Haarr ML, Rydsaa J, Pires R, Espenes H, Hermansen S, Ghaffari P, Solbakken VS. Beach litter deposition and turnover, effects of tides and weather, and implications for cleanup strategies: A case study in the Lofoten archipelago, Norway. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 206:116720. [PMID: 39004056 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in the marine environment. Beach cleanups are considered a cost-effective mitigative measure with generally few negative environmental impacts. Beached litter is not static, however, and may wash back out to sea or be buried, meaning it is only temporarily available for cleanup. We studied deposition and turnover of litter on three Arctic beaches in Lofoten, Norway, biweekly for 31 months. The mean estimated daily deposition rate was 10 items/100 m, with a median residence time of 99 days. Both processes were impacted by seasons and weather and varied both spatially and temporally. Strong winds during the fall increased litter influx and onshore winds contributed to its loss. Heavier objects and those higher on the beach persisted longer yet were still subject to turnover. Snow temporarily buries litter but protects it in the long run. Given the turnover of litter, frequent (albeit smaller) cleanups can readily remove 3-4 times more litter from circulation in the environment than larger, infrequent cleanups. With limited resources, it is recommended to prioritise late fall cleanups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Johanne Rydsaa
- Salt Lofoten AS, Pb. 91, Fiskergata 23, 8301 Svolvær, Norway
| | - Rui Pires
- Salt Lofoten AS, Pb. 91, Fiskergata 23, 8301 Svolvær, Norway
| | - Håvard Espenes
- Akvaplan-niva AS, Framsenteret, Postbox 6606, Stakkevollan, 9296 Tromsø, Norway; SINTEF Ocean, Brattørkaia 17c, 7010 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Stine Hermansen
- Akvaplan-niva AS, Framsenteret, Postbox 6606, Stakkevollan, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Peygham Ghaffari
- Akvaplan-niva AS, Framsenteret, Postbox 6606, Stakkevollan, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
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Vlachogianni T, Scoullos M. Baseline assessment of macrolitter on the coastline of Algeria: Fit-for-purpose data for tailor-made measures to navigate the Plasticene Age. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116646. [PMID: 38936004 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Curbing the growing threat of marine litter requires reliable, coherent and fit-for-purpose data. The present study reports the findings of beach macrolitter surveys carried out in seventeen sites along the coastline of Algeria. The median litter density recorded along these sites amounted to 578 items per 100 m of coastline (range: 317-2684 items/100 m). Every surveyed beach exceeded the European threshold value of 20 items per 100 m of coastline by a significant margin. In addition, the evaluation conducted employing the Mediterranean threshold value of 130 items per 100 m of coastline indicated that each of the seventeen surveyed beaches resides within the non-Good Environmental Status spectrum. A significant proportion of the litter, accounting for 43 %, is attributed to food and beverage consumption-related items, highlighting the impact of single-use food packaging, including food and beverage containers resulting from unsustainable practices mainly by beach users and inadequate waste management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomais Vlachogianni
- Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE), Athens, Greece.
| | - Michael Scoullos
- Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE), Athens, Greece; Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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3
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Dos Reis Cavalcante E, Ribeiro VV, Taddei RR, Castro ÍB, Alves MJ. High levels of anthropogenic litter trapped in a mangrove area under the influence of different uses. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116045. [PMID: 38266479 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The contamination of mangroves by anthropogenic litter has increased in recent decades. Notably, Brazil occupies a prominent status within Latin America, boasting the second-largest mangrove areas globally. In Santos-São Vicente Estuarine System (SESS), mangroves coexist with a preeminent port complex and substantial urbanization rates. Nevertheless, the anthropogenic litter occurrence and distribution in this ecosystem remains unknown. This study aimed to comprehensively assess anthropogenic litter across 13 strategically positioned sites in the SESS. The total litter density (Mean ± SD) was 22.84 ± 36.47 (0.00-142.00) items·m-2, putting the SESS among the top four most contaminated mangrove ecosystems worldwide. Residential zones accumulated more litter than uninhabited areas and significant correlation was seen with human modification index. Plastic was the prevalent material (70.4 %), measuring mostly between 2.5 and 30 cm (41.1 %). It is imperative that local authorities adopt comprehensive strategies to mitigate contamination, while also curtailing the litter inputs to the SSES mangrove ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Magno José Alves
- Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, Brazil
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Gallitelli L, D'Agostino M, Battisti C, Cózar A, Scalici M. Dune plants as a sink for beach litter: The species-specific role and edge effect on litter entrapment by plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166756. [PMID: 37659519 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic litter accumulates along coasts worldwide. In addition to the flowing litter load, wind, sea currents, geomorphology and vegetation determine the distribution of litter trapped on the sandy coasts. Although some studies highlighted the role of dune plants in trapping marine litter, little is known about their efficiency as sinks and about the small-scale spatial distribution of litter across the dune area. Here, we explore these gaps by analysing six plant species widespread in Mediterranean coastal habitats, namely Echinophora spinosa, Limbarda crithmoides, Anthemis maritima, Pancratium maritimum, Thinopyrum junceum, and Salsola kali. The present study analyses for the first time the capture of litter by dune vegetation at a multi-species level, considering their morphological structure. Data on plastic accumulation on dune plants were compared with unvegetated control plots located at embryo-dune and foredune belts. We found that dunal plants mainly entrapped macrolitter (> 0.5 cm). Particularly, E. spinosa, L. crithmoides, A. maritima and P. maritimum mostly accumulated litter in the embryo dune while T. junceum and S. kali entrapped more in the foredune area. Moreover, beach litter was mainly blocked at the edge of the plant patches rather than in the core, highlighting the 'Plant-edge litter effect'. As A. maritima and S. kali entrapped respectively more litter in embryo and foredune habitats, these species could be used to monitor and recollect litter. In this light, our findings provide further insight into the role of dune plants in the beach litter dynamics, suppling useful information for beach clean-up actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Gallitelli
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Martina D'Agostino
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Corrado Battisti
- "Torre Flavia" LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) Station, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Servizio Aree Protette, Via G. Ribotta, 41, 00144 Roma, Italy
| | - Andrés Cózar
- Department of Biology, Institute of Marine Research (INMAR), University of Cádiz, European University of the Seas, Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Massimiliano Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
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5
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Calderisi G, Cogoni D, Loni A, Fenu G. Difference between invasive alien and native vegetation in trapping beach litter: A focus on a typical sandy beach of W-Mediterranean Basin. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115065. [PMID: 37216878 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Beach litter is one of the most pervasive pollution issues in coastal environments worldwide. In this study, we aim to assess the amount and distribution of beach litter on Porto Paglia beach, its entrapment across psammophilous habitats, and whether the invasive Carpobrotus acinaciformis (L.) L.Bolus plays a different role in trapping litter than native vegetation. To this end, two seasonal samplings (in spring and autumn) were conducted using a paired sampling method that considers plots in all coastal habitats with and without C. acinaciformis. Our results confirm that the main beach litter category is plastic, and that its distribution varies across habitats: the white dune seems to play a greater role in trapping and filtering beach litter, reducing its amount in the backdune. A correlation was found between the Naturalness index (N) and the beach litter amount, supporting the finding that invaded habitats trap beach litter better than native ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Calderisi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (DiSVA), University of Cagliari, Viale Sant'Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Donatella Cogoni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (DiSVA), University of Cagliari, Viale Sant'Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Loni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (DiSVA), University of Cagliari, Viale Sant'Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fenu
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (DiSVA), University of Cagliari, Viale Sant'Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
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Battisti C, Fanelli G, Gallitelli L, Scalici M. Dunal plants as sink for anthropogenic marine litter: The entrapping role of Salsola kali L. (1753) in a Mediterranean remote beach (Sardinia, Italy). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115033. [PMID: 37182241 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The ability to retain anthropogenic marine litter by a halo-psammophilous plant formation dominated by a single prostrate species (Salsola kali) on a Sardinian beach was measured. We hypothesized that the anthropogenic litter (i) is trapped by plants to a greater extent than in control areas, and (ii) has more elongated size, mimicking the organic Posidonia wrack, largely occurring locally as 'banquettes'. Salsola kali patches show an apparently higher anthropogenic litter density than control sites without vegetation. Salsola kali plants trap litter items significantly longer and a larger number of size length categories than control plots. These effects may be due to the prostrate structure of the plant with small thorns at the apex. Also, litter entrapped by plants can interfere with the mechanisms of dune deposition and structuration, in turn affecting food chains by decreasing the availability of organic material for pedofauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Battisti
- "Torre Flavia" LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) Station, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Servizio Aree protette - parchi regionali, Viale G. Ribotta 41, 00144 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giuliano Fanelli
- Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome Sapienza, Italy.
| | - Luca Gallitelli
- Department of Sciences, University of Rome Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Rome Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446 00146 Rome, Italy.
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Aguilera MA, Rojas A, Bulleri F, Thiel M. Breakwaters as habitats for synanthropes: Spatial associations of vertebrates and vegetation with anthropogenic litter. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 862:160753. [PMID: 36513231 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Urban infrastructures can provide 'novel' habitats for marine and terrestrial animals and plants, enhancing their ability to adapt to urban environments. In particular, coastal infrastructures characterized by a complex three-dimensional morphology, such as breakwaters, could provide species refuges and food. We investigated the role of breakwaters in providing habitat for vertebrates and plants, and the influence of anthropogenic litter in regulating the value of these structures as habitat. We sampled vertebrate and plant species and quantified the amount of anthropogenic litter on breakwaters and adjacent rocky habitats at several sites in three different countries (Italy, Spain and Chile). We found breakwaters to accumulate more litter items (e.g. especially plastics) than adjacent rocky habitats by means of their large-scale (i.e., 1 m) structural complexity. Birds, which used the artificial infrastructure as transitory habitat, reached similar abundances in breakwaters compared with adjacent rocky platforms. In contrast, synanthropic mammal species, such as Rattus norvegicus and feral cats, were slightly more frequent on breakwaters and appeared to use them as permanent habitat. Plants were frequent in the upper zone of breakwaters and, even though many macrophyte species can trap litter, their cover correlated negatively with anthropogenic litter density. Therefore, breakwaters provide either transitory or permanent habitats for different species, despite functioning as a sink for anthropogenic litter. Thus, new infrastructure should be designed with lower structural complexity in their supralittoral zone limiting the proliferation of synanthropic species. In addition, restricting public access to sensitive areas and enforcing littering fines could enhance the ecological value of these novel habitats by reducing the benefits to pest species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés A Aguilera
- Departamento de Ciencias, Facultad de Artes Liberales, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Diagonal Las Torres, 2640 Peñalolén, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Ariel Rojas
- Departamento de Calidad y Laboratorio, Empresa AQUADEUS S.L. Crta. El ballestero, Km. 2, 02340 Robledo, Albacete, Spain
| | - Fabio Bulleri
- Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Pisa, CoNISMa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Martin Thiel
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo, 1281 Coquimbo, Chile; Center for Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile; Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Coquimbo, Chile
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8
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Ben-Haddad M, Abelouah MR, Hajji S, Rangel-Buitrago N, Alla AA. The halophyte Cakile maritima Scop. 1772 as a trap of plastic litter on the Moroccan coast. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 187:114574. [PMID: 36634536 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Some plant communities of coastal dunes may affect the magnitude and distribution of litter on the ecosystem. In this study, the aim is to assess the aptitude of the halophyte Cakile maritima Scop. 1772 to be a trap and sink of plastic litter on the Moroccan Atlantic coast. Overall, a significant difference was noted between plastic litter trapped in C. maritima patches (1173 items) and control plots (502 items). Food containers and ropes were the most common trapped items. Shoreline and recreational activities, followed by dumping and ocean/waterway activities are the main sources of the trapped plastic items. The findings suggest the expansion of the cleaning operations to include coastal dunes, the need to change behavior among beachgoers in regard to food plastics disposal, as well the control of C. maritima distribution in the study area, and similar plant species in other regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
| | - Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Sara Hajji
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Biologia, Facultad de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad del Atlantico, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia; Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia.
| | - Aicha Ait Alla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
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Cesarano C, Aulicino G, Cerrano C, Ponti M, Puce S. Marine beach litter monitoring strategies along Mediterranean coasts. A methodological review. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114401. [PMID: 36462417 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Marine beach litter (MBL) represents a serious issue for marine life, coastal ecosystems, human health and several economical activities. The Mediterranean Sea is a semi enclosed basin particularly vulnerable to this problem. Its coasts are threatened by critical anthropogenic pressures that sum up with intensive fishing and shipping, and the slow turnover of its waters. In the last decades, several scientific and participative initiatives have been conducted to study, monitor and clean-up shorelines. These studies were generally characterized by differences in timing and frequency of the surveys, as well as in litter sampling, classification and analysis. This paper presents a systematic review of current literature concerning MBL monitoring strategies along the Mediterranean coasts. Scopus indexed studies are analysed to identify discrepancies and similarities among the applied protocols, understand where current gaps lie, and point out what would be needed to develop a basin-scale efficient monitoring for the Mediterranean Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Cesarano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Aulicino
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Università degli studi di Napoli Parthenope, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Carlo Cerrano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Reef Check Italia onlus, Ancona, Italy; Fano Marine Center, Fano, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Roma, Italy
| | - Massimo Ponti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Ravenna, Italy; Reef Check Italia onlus, Ancona, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Roma, Italy
| | - Stefania Puce
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
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Turner A, Amos SL, Williams T. Coastal dunes as a sink and secondary source of marine plastics: A study at Perran Beach, southwest England. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113133. [PMID: 34808542 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plastic food packaging and containers (n = 263) have been retrieved from the scarped foredunes at Perran Beach, SW England, following a storm surge. Samples displayed evidence of cracking, scratching, discolouration, staining and hydroxyl and carbonyl stretching, but legible text indicating their origin, dates of manufacture/expiration, packaging codes and logos, coupled with online product searches, allowed 25 food packets and 87 containers to be aged. Estimates of food packaging age spanned a 43-year period (1975-2018), with a median age of 25 years, while estimates for containers spanned 57 years (1962-2019), with a median age of 19 years. Plastic derived from local littering and offshore sources appears to be trapped within the foredunes for years to decades and subsequently released as "fresh" beach litter following surges sufficient to effect scarping. Dunal systems may act as significant reservoirs of historical plastics and play a critical role in their recycling and retention in the coastal zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Turner
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK.
| | - Sara L Amos
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Tracey Williams
- The Lost At Sea Project, Old Bridge House, Porth Bean Road, Newquay TR7 3LU, UK
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11
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Gallitelli L, Battisti C, Olivieri Z, Marandola C, Acosta ATR, Scalici M. Carpobrotus spp. patches as trap for litter: Evidence from a Mediterranean beach. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113029. [PMID: 34673433 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Dunal plants may affect the patterns of deposition of beach litter. In this study, we aimed at evaluating if Carpobrotus spp. patches may act as a litter trap in coastal dune systems. To do so, we counted the number of macrolitter occurring in both Carpobrotus and control (embryo dune vegetation) patches classifying each item into categories according to the Marine Strategy. Totally, we observed a significant difference between litter trapped in Carpobrotus (331 items, representing 62.4% of the total beach litter) and control (199, 37.6%). Plastic fragments were the most trapped items by both Carpobrotus (46.2%) and control patches (47.2%). We also calculated the item co-occurrence, obtaining a random aggregated 'litter community'. The main emerging output is that Carpobrotus patches act as filter in respect to different anthropogenic materials (overall plastics), suggesting that alien plant management actions may contribute to solve beach litter issues as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gallitelli
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - C Battisti
- "Torre Flavia" LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) Station, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Servizio Aree Protette, Via G. Ribotta, 41, 00144 Roma, Italy.
| | - Z Olivieri
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - C Marandola
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - A T R Acosta
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - M Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
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