Project title: Are facultative cave species drivers of metal contaminants into subterranean environments?

Project duration: 24 months

Funding organization: Finanziato dall’Unione europea – Next Generation EU

Description (short description):

Subterranean environments are widespread on Earth, yet we have a poor knowledge of their biota. These environments are characterized by peculiar characteristics that make them unique but also extremely sensitive to human induced effects. Nonetheless, they hold a very rich and unique biodiversity. A few studies focused on assessing the potential pollutants of different nature into subterranean environments; surprisingly those focusing on metal contaminants are quite scarce. Furthermore, the majority of those studies analysed groundwater, while cave soil has been usually neglected.

Project title: Sub-BioMon – Developing and testing approaches to monitor subterranean biodiversity in karst

Project duration: 36 months

Funding organization: European Union – Biodiversa+, Horizon2020

Description (short description):

The Sub-BioMon project will provide standardized methods and protocols for monitoring subterranean biodiversity in European karst areas. Consistent with Theme 1, a common approach to
monitoring subterranean biodiversity in karst areas will be developed, incorporating a new paradigm which considers caves as either habitats or windows to subterranean habitats. Consistent with Theme 2, it addresses the major gap created by the lack of a standardized protocol for monitoring subterranean biodiversity in karst habitats. Although many conservation measures and management plans for subterranean biodiversity are being developed and implemented, there is no standardized methodology that would allow for an actual assessment of their positive impact. Consistent with Theme 3, the project will use data from large species distribution and existent DNA databases, as well as collect new data through monitoring protocols. Sub-BioMon provides a scientific basis for monitoring schemes that are relevant to a variety of stakeholders from authorities to the public, all of which will be involved from the beginning in the project.  Subterranean habitats are, therefore, a key example where international collaboration is needed for
effective management and conservation, based on scientifically tested and developed monitoring protocols. Subterranean habitats extend through more countries, as karst massifs may be extended in two countries and karst aquifers may be fed in one country while drinking water may be used in a neighboring country. Caves are listed as a habitat type (8310 “Caves not open to the public”) in the EU Habitats Directive and must be monitored using standardized methods on the national and international levels.

Project title: The Amphibians’ Trophic Niche

Project duration: NA

Funding organization: NA

Description (short description):

This project aims to study multiple aspects of the trophic niche of Italian amphibians, evaluating similarities and divergences occurring among conspecific populations, as well as among different species. This project uses Italian species as models to develop a standardized methodology that allows to collect comparable data on amphibians from all over the world.