Ink disease is one of the most dangerous diseases damaging chestnut. It causes root and collar ro... more Ink disease is one of the most dangerous diseases damaging chestnut. It causes root and collar rot of adult trees and of seedlings. It has since been reported in many European countries, from Portugal to Romania. Two species of Phytophthora belonging to the Chromista kingdom have been found to be responsible for ink disease, namely P. cambivora and P. cinnamomi. In this work we carried out some experiments in vitro as reduction of radial growth and mycelial dry weight of these two species of Phytophthora, using two fungi belonging to genus Byssochlamys and two bacteria belonging to genus Bacillus both isolated from agricultural and forestry soil. Our results show a high reduction in radial growth and mycelial dry weight by both fungi and bacteria. In fact Byssochlamys and Bacillus inhibit the radial growth of the two Phytophthora species respectively of ~80% P. cambivora ~83% P. cinnamomi and ~83% P.cambivora 73% P.cinnamomi. Very strong also the mycelial dry weight: Byssochlamys re...
Forests play a key role in regulating global climate, being a vital resource for many countries. ... more Forests play a key role in regulating global climate, being a vital resource for many countries. The main objective of Zephyr EU-project (FP7-ENV.2012.6.3-1) is the realization of a new technology that will produce high quality forest plants stocks ready to be transplanted in pots or in the field at low costs. The project consortium is made of 14 partners from 10 European countries. The production unit will be not affected by outdoor climate. The optimal spectrum for photosynthesis will be provided by LED lamps. Light intensity, photoperiod and further environmental parameters will be automatically regulated by a control system which receives data from several wireless sensors. Energy will be provided by solar panels and the irrigation system will be based on water recycling. The new integrated technology would lead to a more sustainable forest nursery production. It will be more resource-efficient and it will also contribute to the environmental and biodiversity protection toward a...
The effluents deriving from agricultural industries are sources of wastewater sensibly different ... more The effluents deriving from agricultural industries are sources of wastewater sensibly different from common civil wastewater treatment plants effluents, because they are characterized by significant amounts of nutrients and organic load. Agricultural industries require considerable water volumes for processing the farm products, in doing so generating huge volumes of wastewater, with high concentration of chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Advanced and low cost techniques for water depuration are required in such circumstances, as the use of Integrated System of Phytodepuration (ISP). In the present work, three different case studies (a dairy, a pig feedlot and a vinegar industry) are investigated: the performances of the ISPs were evaluated analyzing raw wastewaters and final effluents over a period ranging from 2 to 4 years. The results obtained show that the designed ISPs are characterized by a mean efficiency value higher than 85% for COD removal, 73% for N and 85% for P. Moreover, for the pig feedlot the ISP final effluent is characterized by a quality level not only suited for the release into surface waters but also for irrigation, while for the other two case studies is possible to release the final effluent in surface water.
The aim of this study is to shed light on plant physiognomy and landscape changes which have char... more The aim of this study is to shed light on plant physiognomy and landscape changes which have characterized the Abruzzo coast in the past, analysing different historical documents in order to join the information with those related to the actual vegetation focusing on some events and historical processes which influenced the modification of the landscape, causing a huge spillover on natural environment and relapse of the soil use. The existence of different types of coastal woodlands is documented by some texts and geographic maps showing that in the past centuries the Abruzzo coast was covered by thick and impervious forests named "selvae", which were integral part of the economy of local populations, mostly based on non-wood products. About the past plant physiognomy, most of the available information are fragmentary, but a few well detailed documents give an acceptable representation of some plant formations, as in the case of large coastal pine woods, which have been remodeled and reshaped over time, even with reforestation and are today restricted in small areas. Many documents are also important to prove the close link between these formations and the daily life of local people in the past, underlining at the same time their cultural and historical-environmental value. The study of this documentation is also useful for the analysis of those species whose presence status is nowadays considered critical or cryptic, as well as for the study of introduced species which are now historicized in the landscape and in some cases have become typical.
The water conservation topic is likely to become increasingly important and alternative water res... more The water conservation topic is likely to become increasingly important and alternative water resources employment should be considered as one possible response to the challenges of fresh water demand and environmental protection; among alternative water sources, municipal wastewaters represent one of the most profitable source but in order to reuse them they need adequate and advanced depuration techniques, such as the use of Integrated System of Phytodepuration (ISP). Across a 3-year sampling period, the performances of an ISP within the Natural Park of the Sile River in the Northern Italy were evaluated, analyzing raw wastewater and final effluent characteristics according to the recommendations of European and Italian legislation. The investigated ISP represents one of the first attempts designed in Italy to improve the efficiency of an existing wastewater treatment plant, able to serve 8000 equivalent inhabitants. The results obtained during the 3 years of analysis show that the designed ISP is characterized by a general efficiency value higher than 87% for TSS removal, 79% for TN, 91% for BOD 5 and 86% for COD; moreover the ISP final effluent is characterized by a quality not only suited for release into surface waters but also for irrigation. 10 15
Land use changes over recent decades have led to serious decline in natural ecosystems, in partic... more Land use changes over recent decades have led to serious decline in natural ecosystems, in particular the Mediterranean forests. This is due mainly to uncontrolled urbanisation causing agricultural land to be abandoned or to become partially polluted. In such areas,
forest restoration appears the most appropriate remedy, in particular, by using native species with high ecological and economic values, such as cork oak. This species can be
used for noble biomass production, that is biomass not addressed for energy production but mainly for industrial purposes. This work describes a case study located in central Italy, which is characterised by the integration of forest restoration with water-saving management for irrigation purposes, based on the use of effluents from a
phytodepuration plant. By joining thematic maps with a map of topographic wetness index (TWI) a suitable site was selected in the municipality of Tuscania for a cork oak
plantation. An irrigation scheme, useful for maximising the growth rate of cork oak and consequently for maximising the economic profits retrievable from the plantation, was determined based on the estimated potential evapotranspiration using Thornthwaite’s equation, the soil type and the available wastewater. An economic analysis showed that the total cost of the works might be amortised within the first stripping of gentle cork or even before, for example, if cork oak was cultivated in conjunction with an economically relevant non-food species. In this case study, the advantages of dyeing species were analysed. Results show that an integrated forest restoration and wastewater management system could be implemented to provide an economic income that ensures both cost recovery and a significant profit over time.
Ink disease is one of the most dangerous diseases damaging chestnut. It causes root and collar ro... more Ink disease is one of the most dangerous diseases damaging chestnut. It causes root and collar rot of adult trees and of seedlings. It has since been reported in many European countries, from Portugal to Romania. Two species of Phytophthora belonging to the Chromista kingdom have been found to be responsible for ink disease, namely P. cambivora and P. cinnamomi. In this work we carried out some experiments in vitro as reduction of radial growth and mycelial dry weight of these two species of Phytophthora, using two fungi belonging to genus Byssochlamys and two bacteria belonging to genus Bacillus both isolated from agricultural and forestry soil. Our results show a high reduction in radial growth and mycelial dry weight by both fungi and bacteria. In fact Byssochlamys and Bacillus inhibit the radial growth of the two Phytophthora species respectively of ~80% P. cambivora ~83% P. cinnamomi and ~83% P.cambivora 73% P.cinnamomi. Very strong also the mycelial dry weight: Byssochlamys re...
Forests play a key role in regulating global climate, being a vital resource for many countries. ... more Forests play a key role in regulating global climate, being a vital resource for many countries. The main objective of Zephyr EU-project (FP7-ENV.2012.6.3-1) is the realization of a new technology that will produce high quality forest plants stocks ready to be transplanted in pots or in the field at low costs. The project consortium is made of 14 partners from 10 European countries. The production unit will be not affected by outdoor climate. The optimal spectrum for photosynthesis will be provided by LED lamps. Light intensity, photoperiod and further environmental parameters will be automatically regulated by a control system which receives data from several wireless sensors. Energy will be provided by solar panels and the irrigation system will be based on water recycling. The new integrated technology would lead to a more sustainable forest nursery production. It will be more resource-efficient and it will also contribute to the environmental and biodiversity protection toward a...
The effluents deriving from agricultural industries are sources of wastewater sensibly different ... more The effluents deriving from agricultural industries are sources of wastewater sensibly different from common civil wastewater treatment plants effluents, because they are characterized by significant amounts of nutrients and organic load. Agricultural industries require considerable water volumes for processing the farm products, in doing so generating huge volumes of wastewater, with high concentration of chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Advanced and low cost techniques for water depuration are required in such circumstances, as the use of Integrated System of Phytodepuration (ISP). In the present work, three different case studies (a dairy, a pig feedlot and a vinegar industry) are investigated: the performances of the ISPs were evaluated analyzing raw wastewaters and final effluents over a period ranging from 2 to 4 years. The results obtained show that the designed ISPs are characterized by a mean efficiency value higher than 85% for COD removal, 73% for N and 85% for P. Moreover, for the pig feedlot the ISP final effluent is characterized by a quality level not only suited for the release into surface waters but also for irrigation, while for the other two case studies is possible to release the final effluent in surface water.
The aim of this study is to shed light on plant physiognomy and landscape changes which have char... more The aim of this study is to shed light on plant physiognomy and landscape changes which have characterized the Abruzzo coast in the past, analysing different historical documents in order to join the information with those related to the actual vegetation focusing on some events and historical processes which influenced the modification of the landscape, causing a huge spillover on natural environment and relapse of the soil use. The existence of different types of coastal woodlands is documented by some texts and geographic maps showing that in the past centuries the Abruzzo coast was covered by thick and impervious forests named "selvae", which were integral part of the economy of local populations, mostly based on non-wood products. About the past plant physiognomy, most of the available information are fragmentary, but a few well detailed documents give an acceptable representation of some plant formations, as in the case of large coastal pine woods, which have been remodeled and reshaped over time, even with reforestation and are today restricted in small areas. Many documents are also important to prove the close link between these formations and the daily life of local people in the past, underlining at the same time their cultural and historical-environmental value. The study of this documentation is also useful for the analysis of those species whose presence status is nowadays considered critical or cryptic, as well as for the study of introduced species which are now historicized in the landscape and in some cases have become typical.
The water conservation topic is likely to become increasingly important and alternative water res... more The water conservation topic is likely to become increasingly important and alternative water resources employment should be considered as one possible response to the challenges of fresh water demand and environmental protection; among alternative water sources, municipal wastewaters represent one of the most profitable source but in order to reuse them they need adequate and advanced depuration techniques, such as the use of Integrated System of Phytodepuration (ISP). Across a 3-year sampling period, the performances of an ISP within the Natural Park of the Sile River in the Northern Italy were evaluated, analyzing raw wastewater and final effluent characteristics according to the recommendations of European and Italian legislation. The investigated ISP represents one of the first attempts designed in Italy to improve the efficiency of an existing wastewater treatment plant, able to serve 8000 equivalent inhabitants. The results obtained during the 3 years of analysis show that the designed ISP is characterized by a general efficiency value higher than 87% for TSS removal, 79% for TN, 91% for BOD 5 and 86% for COD; moreover the ISP final effluent is characterized by a quality not only suited for release into surface waters but also for irrigation. 10 15
Land use changes over recent decades have led to serious decline in natural ecosystems, in partic... more Land use changes over recent decades have led to serious decline in natural ecosystems, in particular the Mediterranean forests. This is due mainly to uncontrolled urbanisation causing agricultural land to be abandoned or to become partially polluted. In such areas,
forest restoration appears the most appropriate remedy, in particular, by using native species with high ecological and economic values, such as cork oak. This species can be
used for noble biomass production, that is biomass not addressed for energy production but mainly for industrial purposes. This work describes a case study located in central Italy, which is characterised by the integration of forest restoration with water-saving management for irrigation purposes, based on the use of effluents from a
phytodepuration plant. By joining thematic maps with a map of topographic wetness index (TWI) a suitable site was selected in the municipality of Tuscania for a cork oak
plantation. An irrigation scheme, useful for maximising the growth rate of cork oak and consequently for maximising the economic profits retrievable from the plantation, was determined based on the estimated potential evapotranspiration using Thornthwaite’s equation, the soil type and the available wastewater. An economic analysis showed that the total cost of the works might be amortised within the first stripping of gentle cork or even before, for example, if cork oak was cultivated in conjunction with an economically relevant non-food species. In this case study, the advantages of dyeing species were analysed. Results show that an integrated forest restoration and wastewater management system could be implemented to provide an economic income that ensures both cost recovery and a significant profit over time.
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Papers by Tatiana Marras
forest restoration appears the most appropriate remedy, in particular, by using native species with high ecological and economic values, such as cork oak. This species can be
used for noble biomass production, that is biomass not addressed for energy production but mainly for industrial purposes. This work describes a case study located in central Italy, which is characterised by the integration of forest restoration with water-saving management for irrigation purposes, based on the use of effluents from a
phytodepuration plant. By joining thematic maps with a map of topographic wetness index (TWI) a suitable site was selected in the municipality of Tuscania for a cork oak
plantation. An irrigation scheme, useful for maximising the growth rate of cork oak and consequently for maximising the economic profits retrievable from the plantation, was determined based on the estimated potential evapotranspiration using Thornthwaite’s equation, the soil type and the available wastewater. An economic analysis showed that the total cost of the works might be amortised within the first stripping of gentle cork or even before, for example, if cork oak was cultivated in conjunction with an economically relevant non-food species. In this case study, the advantages of dyeing species were analysed. Results show that an integrated forest restoration and wastewater management system could be implemented to provide an economic income that ensures both cost recovery and a significant profit over time.
forest restoration appears the most appropriate remedy, in particular, by using native species with high ecological and economic values, such as cork oak. This species can be
used for noble biomass production, that is biomass not addressed for energy production but mainly for industrial purposes. This work describes a case study located in central Italy, which is characterised by the integration of forest restoration with water-saving management for irrigation purposes, based on the use of effluents from a
phytodepuration plant. By joining thematic maps with a map of topographic wetness index (TWI) a suitable site was selected in the municipality of Tuscania for a cork oak
plantation. An irrigation scheme, useful for maximising the growth rate of cork oak and consequently for maximising the economic profits retrievable from the plantation, was determined based on the estimated potential evapotranspiration using Thornthwaite’s equation, the soil type and the available wastewater. An economic analysis showed that the total cost of the works might be amortised within the first stripping of gentle cork or even before, for example, if cork oak was cultivated in conjunction with an economically relevant non-food species. In this case study, the advantages of dyeing species were analysed. Results show that an integrated forest restoration and wastewater management system could be implemented to provide an economic income that ensures both cost recovery and a significant profit over time.