Natural resource depletion and the economic performance of local districts: suggestions from a within-country analysis

SUMMARY

Studying the interactions among ecological factors and economic performance measured at the local scale is necessary to suggest policies able to mitigate natural resource depletion in complex ecosystems, like those in the Mediterranean region. The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship among natural resource depletion due to land degradation (LD) and some economic characteristics of local labour systems in Italy, a country where many areas, especially southern regions, are vulnerable. LD was estimated using an environmental sensitive area index, covering the national territory at a fine scale, which takes into account ecological factors such as climate, soil and vegetation. Economic indicators used here consider per capita income, land productivity, production and labour productivity by sector (agriculture, industry and services). A regression analysis was built-up at the LLS scale using an index change over time (1990–2000) as dependent variable and economic variables as predictors. A principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to synthesise the outputs of the regression analysis. Results indicate a negative relationship among per capita income and LD over the whole study area. However, other variables showed a significant correlation with the dependent variable, highlighting the importance of local factors to increase land vulnerability. In order to clarify the contribution of economic factors to natural resource depletion it is necessary to drive integrate policies to combat LD in dry Mediterranean areas.     

Radio (<Superscript>14</Superscript>C)- and fluorescent-doubly labeled silica nanoparticles for biological and environmental toxicity assessment

A new and efficient synthetic route to fluorescent and ¹⁴C-double-labeled silica-based nanoparticles (NPs) is described. The synthesis has been carried out using the “oil-in-water” micro-emulsion technique. Fluorescent and radioactive labeling have been achieved entrapping labeled poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecules in the NPs. The produced particles have been analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy, photon correlation spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, scintillation counting and oxidation/combustion experiments. Fluorescence quenching experiments confirm that the label is entrapped in the particles. The results presented suggest that the silica matrix does not block the β-radiations emitted from the labeled PEG molecules entrapped in the NPs.     

Temperature and discharge variations in natural mineral water springs due to climate variability: a case study in the Piedmont Alps (NW Italy)

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - In the context of global climate change, understanding the relationships between climate and groundwater is increasingly important. This study in the NW Alps...     

Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper”: a case study to evaluate the influence of visitors on the Museum preservation systems

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The most important parameter to obtain an appropriate preservation condition of museum environments concerns the indoor air quality. The exposure of...