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We found significantly different percentages of malformed nymphs in two contiguous populations of Serratella ignita (Poda, 1761) in a stream in the northwestern Italy. We suggest that this may be due to a marked difference in the environmental conditions and especially to the effect of pollution on the functional structure of the insect community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a long-term trend towards the abandonment of agro-pastoral activities in the mountain areas of Europe: the following encroachment process of semi-natural grasslands by shrubs is one of the main severe threats to the conservation of biodiversity in mountain environments. To better understand the impact of land abandonment, we analysed the reliability of plant functional groups, ant traits, and ant functional groups as indicators of land use changes. We carried out the research in Italy at four sites along a latitudinal/altitudinal gradient in three biogeographic regions (Mediterranean, Continental, Alpine). We identified three stages of a chronosequence at each site as representative of the plant succession in response to pastoral land-use abandonment. Results: As expected, both the plant and ant assemblages considerably differed across sites at the species level and, within each site, among the three stages. This trend was found also using ant traits, functional groups of ants, and plant functional groups. Ant and plant communities were related in terms of composition and functionality. Harvester ants and ants with collective foraging strategy were associated with annual legumes and grasses (Therophytes); ants with a strictly individual foraging strategy with Phanerophytes. Ant traits and plant functional groups indicated significant differences among the three stages of the chronosequence. However, ant functional groups could not discriminate between the stages represented by secondary grasslands currently grazed and shrub-encroached grasslands ungrazed. Conclusion: Despite some limitations of ant functional groups in explaining the succession stages of land abandonment, our results suggest that ants are a good surrogate taxon and might be used as bioindicators of land-use changes and ecosystem functioning. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the functional group approach should be applied to other European ecosystems. Finally, reducing the taxonomic complexity could contribute to developing predictive models to detect early environmental changes and biodiversity loss in mountain habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union is significantly investing in the Green Deal that introduces measures to guide Member States to face sustainability and health challenges, especially employing Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in urban contexts. National governments need to develop appropriate strategies to coordinate local projects, face multiple challenges, and maximize NBS effectiveness. This paper aims to introduce a replicable methodology to integrate NBS into a multi-scale planning process to maximize their cost–benefits. Using Italy as a case study, we mapped three environmental challenges nationwide related to climate change and air pollution, identifying spatial groups of their co-occurrences. These groups serve as functional areas where 24 NBS were ranked for their ecosystem services supply and land cover. The results show eight different spatial groups, with 6% of the national territory showing no challenge, with 42% showing multiple challenges combined simultaneously. Seven NBS were high-performing in all groups: five implementable in permeable land covers (urban forests, infiltration basins, green corridors, large parks, heritage gardens), and two in impervious ones (intensive, semi-intensive green roofs). This work provides a strategic vision at the national scale to quantify and orient budget allocation, while on a municipal scale, the NBS ranking acts as a guideline for specific planning activities based on local issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A body plan (bauplan) is a suite of morphological characters shared by phylogenetically related animals at some point during their development. Despite its value, the bauplan concept is still rarely employed to characterize functional groups in community ecology. Here, we examine habitat use and spatio-temporal activity correlates of an entire seven-species community of lizards with different bauplans. The study was carried out in three locations in central Italy, encompassing a complex landscape with a patchy mosaic of a wide variety of habitats and microclimates. We tested four hypotheses regarding niche breadth, habitat use, and activity patterns. The first hypothesis, niche complementarity, in which species with similar body shapes should non-randomly partition available habitats, was not supported. By contrast, the hypotheses that larger bodied species should have a wider niche breadth, that slower species should inhabit habitat types of higher cover, and species inhabiting open sunny habitats should exhibit more seasonally variable activity patterns, were all supported by the data. Sympatric lizard communities in our study area were clearly organized by autecological constraints and eco-physiological attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In summer 2016 a severe infestation of the alien ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus was recorded from the Mediterranean maquis in the Circeo National Park in Central Italy. Trees and shrubs were infested and displayed wilting and necrosis of terminal branches caused by the combined impact of the insect and associated pathogenic fungi. A preliminary screening carried out on captured adults resulted in the isolation of a discrete number of fungal taxa with different life strategies, ranging from true mutualist (e.g. Ambrosiella xylebori) to plant pathogens (Fusarium spp.). In the present study, high-throughput sequencing was applied to determine the total diversity and functionality of the fungal community associated with X. compactus adults collected in the galleries of three Mediterranean woody hosts, Quercus ilex , Laurus nobilis, and Ceratonia siliqua. The effect of season and host in determining the composition of the associated fungal community was investigated. A total of 206 OTUs composed the fungal community associated with X. compactus. Eighteen OTUs were shared among the three hosts, including A. xylebori and members of the Fusarium solani complex. All but two were previously associated with beetles. Sixty-nine out of 206 OTUs were resolved to species level, identifying 60 different fungal species, 22 of which already reported in the literature as associated with beetles or other insects. Functional guild assigned most of the fungal species to saprotrophs and plant pathogens. Effects of seasonality and host on fungal community assemblage were highlighted suggesting the acquisition by the insect of new fungal taxa during the invasion process. The consequences of enriched fungal community on the risk of the insurgence of novel threatful insect–fungus association are discussed considering direct and indirect effects on the invaded habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive biomonitoring programme should integrate several methods distributed along the biomonitoring chain, allowing to detect exposure, threads and impacts. In the case of a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI), biomonitoring of air pollution can contribute to source attribution, detection of ongoing processes and assessment of environmental effects. Three different methods were used to assess the biological effects of air pollution around a MSWI using lichens as biomonitors: (1) lichen diversity; (2) bioaccumulation of trace elements; and (3) physiological status (photosynthetic efficiency, cell membrane damage, viability). The first method takes into account the native lichen flora, while the other two were applied to thalli of the lichen Evernia prunastri transplanted for 6 months in the study area. Lichen diversity and physiological parameters reflected the effects of air pollution around the incinerator and the surrounding industrial area. High frequencies of non-nitrophilous species corresponded to sites with higher environmental quality, while high frequencies of nitrophilous species corresponded to sites with higher level of eutrophication. Transplanted samples showed increased cell membrane damage and reduced vitality respect to control samples. Bioaccumulation of trace elements pointed at the atmospheric origin of Hg depositions in the area. These results suggest that an integrated use of lichen-based methods along the biomonitoring chain can provide useful biological outputs for decision-makers to establish correct sustainable waste management policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested the hypothesis that species composition and persistence of phytoplankton communities in nutrient rich lowland rivers depends mainly on physical factors. The study aimed to analyse the effects of water discharge, temperature and chemistry on phytoplankton dynamic and species composition in the lowland reach of the eutrophic Po river (Italy). Both taxonomical and morpho-functional methods were used. True planktonic and tychoplanktic (i.e. detached taxa of benthic origin that remain in suspension) species were found, among which only a few taxa and functional groups prevailed. Diatoms were the most abundant, with a clear dominance of species either sensitive to the onset of water stratification or well adapted to turbid waters. Phytoplankton abundance, biomass and chlorophyll- a followed similar trends, attaining the highest values in summer, at low discharge rates. Correlation and multivariate analysis revealed that the development of a stable phytoplankton community was mainly controlled by water discharge rates. Namely, changes in water flow rates induced major variations in the community structure. The seasonal succession of phytoplankton assemblages was also related to water temperature and dissolved reactive silica availability to some extent overlapping flow effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structure and function of the Serio River (northern Italy) ecosystem have been evaluated analyzing macroinvertebrate community functional traits. Starting from traits such as Functional Feeding Groups (FFG), Functional Habit Groups (FHG), voltinism and drift behavior, we determined values that can integrate direct measurements of ecosystem attributes and can be used in restoration planning. We collected invertebrates and environmental data in eight sites representative of the longitudinal succession of Serio River environments. High values for most of the ecosystem attributes, indicating good functionality, were confined in three sites of the upstream alpine sector, while downstream the ecosystem was severely impaired and colonized by non-specialized, pioneer communities. The intrinsic information given by ecosystem attributes helped aid the understanding of the health of specific ecosystem functions, thus leading to evaluation of priorities in restoration efforts. This methodology can be a complementary tool in river quality assessment if macroinvertebrate quantitative data are available. Particularly, it can be used in accordance with the new quantitative sampling protocols being adopted in the European Union, and it can define new metrics in a multimetric evaluation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypothesis that climate changes may strongly interfere with the peculiar hydrological patterns in the Mediterranean basin and alter the structure of the aquatic biota was tested in a shallow Sicilian lake. A phytoplankton survey, carried out monthly in the brackish and shallow Biviere di Gela, in 2005–2007, revealed a transformation in the structure of its phytoplankton assemblage as compared with similar data collected in 1987–1988. An analysis of the trends followed by precipitation and temperature over the last 40 years, showed reduced water inflows, due to increased air temperature and evapotranspiration rather than to a decrease in the amount of precipitation. A consequent reduction in water level occurred, which almost caused the disappearing of the lake at the beginning of the century. This reduction in water level disrupted the littoral zone of the lake and transformed it from a clear, macrophyte-dominated environment to a turbid one characterized by huge summer blooms of the cyanobacteria Aphanizomenon ovalisporum, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, and Pseudanabaena limnetica. The addition of freshwater from a nearby dam reservoir, to restore water levels, likely opened the way to another alga, Prymnesium parvum, whose allelopathic and toxic glycosides further contributed to the transformation of the lake biota. On the whole, the Biviere di Gela is an example of how climate changes, coupled with inadequate management procedures, may negatively impact Mediterranean aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We assessed population trends for breeding birds in Lombardy (N Italy) from 1992 to 2019 and investigated the relationships between the observed trends and groups of species sharing similar characteristics (i.e., functional groups). We found a general positive or stable situation for 76% of the species. However, about 24% of the species declined, with worrying negative trends (greater than −50%) for two-thirds of them. Regarding species groups, we found that populations of migrants, of species with short incubation period, and of species with high annual fecundity declined. Similarly, populations of plant-eaters, of species feeding on invertebrates, and of farmland birds decreased. Only populations of woodland birds increased. In conclusion, our study provided a portrait of the status of common breeding birds in the region. Moreover, by analyzing the population response of the functional groups, we identified which of them experienced the most significant population changes, providing the foundations to implement studies aimed at quantifying the effects of specific divers responsible of the observed population changes in these groups. Long-term population trends are considerable sources of information to set wildlife conservation priorities and to evaluate the performance of management actions. In addition, trends observed in functional groups (e.g., trophic guilds) can provide the foundation to test specific hypotheses about the drivers of the observed population dynamics. The aims of this study were to assess population trends of breeding birds in Lombardy (N Italy) from 1992 to 2019 and to explore the relationships between trends and species sharing similar ecological and life history traits. Trends were quantified and tested for significance by weighted linear regression models and using yearly population indices (median and 95% confidence interval) predicted through generalized additive models. Results showed that 45% of the species increased, 24% decreased, and 31% showed non-significant trends. Life history traits analyses revealed a general decrease of migrants, of species with short incubation period and of species with high annual fecundity. Ecological traits analyses showed that plant-eaters and species feeding on invertebrates, farmland birds, and ground-nesters declined, while woodland birds increased. Further studies should focus on investigation of the relationship between long-term trends and species traits at large spatial scales, and on quantifying the effects of specific drivers across multiple functional groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research sought to understand the patterns of vegetation recovery after disturbances because of coppice management in beech forests. Eighty sampling units from the mountain belt of the Marche region (Apennines, Italy) were collected according to a stratified sampling based on their geological setting (limestone, sandstone), elevation classes and age after last coppicing (to represent a chronosequence, from 1 to 90 years). The expected successional trend of decreasing species richness was confirmed, together with some stabilisation processes for older stand ages. However, more complex diversity patterns were found when total species richness was decomposed into the species richness of five social behaviour types (SBTs), defined based on the species' habitat preference. On both bedrocks, temporal gradients explained the observed diversity changes at the stand level: forest specialists increased whereas non-forest species decreased. A relatively long time after coppicing (40-60 years), the contribution of the beech specialist species doubled, whereas non-forest and species from anthropogenic habitats decreased by about 50%. On sandstone, the contribution of gap species also decreased over a long-period, and the beech stands experienced stronger changes over time. We conclude that the decomposition of total species richness in terms of SBT affords the opportunity to identify temporal references for thresholds which can be used to assess plant diversity status in relation to management schedules and conservation policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The influence of streambed sediment clogging on macroinvertebrate communities was investigated in the Lemme creek (NW Italy). To assess how fine sediment accumulation can influence the colonisation process and community composition of macroinvertebrates, we placed 48 traps in the riverbed. The traps consisted of boxes built with metal net (mesh 1cm, height 15cm, sides 5cm) covered with nylon net except for the apex, allowing access exclusively from the top. We created four trap types filled with 100% gravel, 30% sand and 70% gravel, 70% sand and 30% gravel and 100% sand. After 20 and 40 days, we removed 6 traps/type. Macroinvertebrates rapidly colonised the traps, as we found no significant community differences between the two removal dates. Among the four trap types, we found significant differences in taxa number and abundance, which both decreased with increasing clogging. Thus, our study supports the hypothesis that clogging and the accumulation of fine substratum elements strongly affects benthic stream communities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Phylogenetic classifications of plants often do not reflect their ecological functions. In fact, the functional mechanisms of biological communities may be better understood if species are pooled into groups having similar characteristics. The objective of this work is to evaluate, with the use of multivariate methods, classifications based on the morphological and functional characteristics (size and form, mobility, potential mixotrophy, nutrient requirements, presence of gelatinous envelopes) of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae to explain the seasonal dynamic of the phytoplankton community. The analyses involve data from two deep lakes: Lake Garda, southern Alps, z max = 350 m; biennium 2002–2003) and Lake Stechlin (north-east Germany, z max = 67 m; 1995, 1998 and 2001). In both lakes, the temporal evolution of the phytoplankton communities within individual years followed a regular annual cycle, with the exception of Lake Stechlin in 1998, when an irregular phytoplankton pattern was caused by a sudden mass appearance of Planktothrix rubescens in the spring and summer months, resulting in a collapse of the whole community in autumn. Overall, the temporal developments of the phytoplankton communities obtained on the basis of patterns of the morpho-functional groups appeared highly comparable with those obtained, in the single years, on the basis of the original phytoplankton species matrices. The comparison of the morpho-functional groups of the lakes Garda and Stechlin showed important differences in the abundance and seasonality of the dominant phytoplankton types. The results obtained in this study underline that the use of classifications based on the adaptive strategies of the single species may represent a useful tool to investigate the community evolution and to compare phytoplankton assemblages of different lakes, overcoming problems related to possible differences of taxonomic accuracy and identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the concerns regarding cadmium pollution increased steadily, due to its serious damages to the environment and human health. Consequently, stringent limits have been set for this heavy metal ion both in industrial and drinking water. Numerous traditional and unconventional methods were applied to reach these limits. In this paper, two phosphine oxide/phosphine oxide and thiourea chelating resins MPX-310 and MPX-317 produced by Magpie Polymers - Italmatch Chemicals, Italy were comparatively evaluated with a commercial thiourea chelating resin Lewatit® MonoPlus TP 214 produced by Lanxess regarding Cd(II) removal from aqueous synthetic solutions. The physicochemical properties of the resins were studied by FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DSC) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Batch tests have been performed to assess the performance of these resins in Cd(II) removal. A value of 3–4 for pH and 600 min of contact time were determined as optimal parameters for the removal process. The experimental results also showed that the Lewatit® MonoPlus TP 214 has a higher removal capacity than MPX-317 and MPX-310 due to the presence of the thiourea and ion-exchange functional groups on the Lewatit® MonoPlus TP 214 backbone, compared with the presence of the phosphine oxide functional groups on the MPX-310 and thiourea and phosphine oxide on MPX-317. A monolayer adsorption on the homogenous adsorbent surface mechanism involved in Cd(II) removal was pointed out by the results regarding adsorption isotherms. The best fit of the pseudo-second kinetic model indicates that the sorption process goes through a mechanism that involves chemical reaction between Cd(II) and functional groups grafted on the resin's backbone. The chelating capacity of the tested resins showed that they are suitable for Cd(II) removal from aqueous synthetic solutions and industrial wastewater. Unlabelled Image • Three chelating resins were evaluated for Cd(II) removal from aqueous solutions. • The chelating capacity has been evaluated from batch experiments. • A monolayer chemisorption on homogenous surface is involved in Cd(II) adsorption. • Possible bonding modes of cadmium to the chelating resins have been proposed. • The chelating resins tested can be used for Cd(II) removal from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bibliographic survey of macro-zoobenthic species colonizing natural and artificial subtidal formations scattered off the Venetian coasts (North Adriatic Sea, Italy) was realized to update and organize the hard to find and fragmentary information on species lists and functional groups, with the aim to contribute to the ecological analysis of the hard substrate habitat. The results of the survey carried out at 39 sites revealed high species richness especially in the broader rocky outcrops, and a total number of species per site ranging from 13 to 142. As a whole, 399 species were recorded, mainly Mollusca, Crustacea, Annelida and Porifera. Among the recorded species, 36 were commercially valuable and 9 were included in protection lists. From a functional point of view, the category "suspension feeders" was the most numerous group. Low species evenness among the various taxa was generally observed, only few sites, specifically those more distant from the coast and/or included in protected areas, showing well-structured macro-zoobenthic communities. The analysis of taxonomic distinctness highlighted altered taxonomic structure at most sites, mainly due to changes in Mollusca assemblages, suggesting that anthropogenic stressors are likely affecting the surveyed hard substrates. • A bibliographic survey allowed to study zoobenthic diversity of 39 hard substrates. • Three hundred ninety-nine species were recorded in natural outcrops and artificial reefs. • Suspension feeders were the most frequent and abundant functional group. • Substrates and distance from the coast are the main drivers structuring zoobenthos. • Taxonomic distinctness highlighted altered community structure in most sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus heldreichii is a high-altitude coniferous tree species naturaly occurring in small and disjuncted populations in the Balkans and southern Italy. The aim of this study was to assess diversity and composition of fungal communities in living needles of P. heldreichii specifically focusing on fungal pathogens. Sampling was carried out at six different sites in Montenegro, where 2-4 year-old living needles of P. heldreichii were collected. Following DNA isolation, it was amplified using ITS2 rDNA as a marker and subjected to high-throughput sequencing. Sequencing resulted in 31,831 high quality reads, which after assembly were found to represent 375 fungal taxa. The detected fungi were 295 (78.7%) Ascomycota, 79 (21.0%) Basidiomycota and 1 (0.2%) Mortierellomycotina. The most common fungi were Lophodermium pinastri (12.5% of all high-quality sequences), L. conigenum (10.9%), Sydowiapolyspora (8.8%), Cyclaneusma niveum (5.5%), Unidentified sp. 2814_1 (5.4%) and Phaeosphaeria punctiformis (4.4%). The community composition varied among different sites, but in this respect two sites at higher altitudes (harsh growing conditions) were separated from three sites at lower altitudes (milder growing conditions), suggesting that environmental conditions were among major determinants of fungal communities associated with needles of P. heldreichii. Trees on one study site were attacked by bark beetles, leading to discolouration and frequent dieback of needles, thereby strongly affecting the fungal community structure. Among all functional groups of fungi, pathogens appeared to be an important component of fungal communities in the phyllosphere of P. heldreichii, especially in those trees under strong abiotic and biotic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delta areas are highly dynamic transitional areas, important for burial and decomposition of terrestrial and marine organic matter (OM). In these environments, macrofaunal organisms are influenced by fluctuations of fresh OM inputs that modify several aspects of their growth, reproduction and behaviour. Macrofaunal bioturbation activities are significant processes performed by individuals, which directly influence the biogeochemical cycling and thus the ecosystem functioning. To assess the influence of terrigenous/freshwater OM on bioturbation attributes of macrofauna in a lagoonal system, we integrated the bioturbation and irrigation potential (BP c and IP c) community indices and functional traits linked to reworking and ventilation of sediments (using Biological Traits Analysis-BTA). The macrofaunal community was investigated in four lagoons (Caleri, Marinetta-Vallona, Canarin and Scardovari) of the Po River Delta in Italy (northern Adriatic Sea). We examined the macrofaunal biodiversity and bioturbation attributes in relation to grain-size distribution, carbon and nitrogen ratio (C:N), carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N), and the radionuclides 137Cs and 7Be. The latter were used as proxies of the age of terrigenous/riverine-derived OM. The lowest values of BP c and IP c that corresponded to minimum values of benthic biodiversity were observed at the inner sampling stations of Scardovari. Here, low diversity values were likely ascribed to recent hypoxic/anoxic conditions exacerbated by the low water renewal that characterizes this lagoon, influencing the bioturbation processes. Grain-size fractions were significant drivers of the differences in BP c and IP c , and the major number of taxa in coarse sediments contributed to the highest values of bioturbation indices. A significant difference in IP c between sandy and muddy stations was due to the presence of subsurface deposit feeders with high burrowing depths and blind-ended burrows that enhanced the bio-irrigation in coarse sediments. We observed diverse spatial patterns of trait-categories belonging to sediment reworking activity at stations differently influenced by freshwater OM. Semi-motile and conveyor invertebrates, that are able to move sediment particles through their gut by ingestion and secretion, were dominant nearby the lagoon mouths where OM of freshwater origin was present. High occurrence of motile and biodiffuser invertebrates, that can randomly mix sediments layers, were found at stations characterized by old OM. Macrofaunal sediment reworking and ventilation processes are of paramount importance in the framework of an efficient management and sustainable use of lagoons, often exposed to anoxic and dystrophic events, that are strongly exploited for aquaculture. • Macrofaunal bioturbation is related to freshness and origin of organic matter (OM). • Confinement gradient and grain-size affect bioturbation in coastal lagoons. • The trait conveyor is highly influenced by the enrichment of allochthonous OM. • The trait biodiffuser prevailed in the presence of old OM of freshwater origin. • Reworking and ventilation are key processes in anoxic lagoon used for aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Diatoms track changes in environmental conditions and human alterations. • Dispersal is expected to affect diatom distribution in Alpine streams. • Substrate lithology affects diatom community in reference sites. • Chemical variables and spatial processes affect diatom community in impacted sites. • Biomonitoring programs should account for the combined effects of spatial and environmental processes. Given their documented capacity to track changes in environmental conditions and human alterations, benthic diatom communities are at present widely used in biomonitoring programs to evaluate stream water quality. However, it is becoming more and more evident that species ecological preferences are not the only drivers of diatom community composition, since dispersal-related processes also play a role. This is particularly compelling in Alpine streams, where orographic conformation and human-related impacts limit dispersal of organisms. In addition, several environmental variables may influence diatom community in pristine or impacted sites. We here investigate the differential role of environmental and spatial factors in driving the community assemblages of diatoms in streams of the Eastern Italian Alps, focusing on both taxonomic and functional composition. We analysed data from 110 samples collected on two different geological substrates, i.e. calcareous and siliceous, during the last eight years of biomonitoring programs, among which 64 collected in reference sites and 46 in impacted sites. We first evaluated whether diatom communities in reference and impacted sites are differentially shaped by environmental and spatial factors, highlighting the major role of spatial constraints in both of them. In particular, anthropogenic disruption of longitudinal connectivity in streams likely shaped impacted communities, as demonstrated by the increasing abundance of motile taxa, which are associated with physical disturbance. Conversely, reference communities were mostly affected by spatially structured environmental variables, especially those related to streambed lithology. We then compared the taxonomic and functional composition of diatom communities between the two geological substrates in both reference and impacted sites to better highlight the differential role of this factor. Our results demonstrate that lithology strongly drives diatom community composition in reference but not in impacted sites, confirming our previous observations. The analysis of functional traits, however, highlighted how differences were due not only to the geological substrates, but also to other environmental variables, like flow velocity. Overall, the effect of the spatial component on the structure of diatom assemblages can represent a background noise in the framework of the river quality assessment, and this should be taken into account especially in those countries, like Italy, covering a broad range of mountain areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban environments are densely populated areas buzzing with a wide range of anthropic activities that cause disturbances like air pollution or the heat island effect, threatening both human and environmental health. Mitigating its impacts implies understanding the integrated effects that those disturbances exert on urban environments. Lichen biodiversity is frequently used as an ecological indicator, being able to integrate its effects in a quantifiable way. The poleotolerance response trait classifies lichens according to their tolerance to human disturbance, but it was developed for Italy's flora and has seldom been applied outside Italy or in urban context studies. The aim of this work was to assess this trait suitability as an indicator of urban anthropic disturbance and test it outside Italy. For that, we sampled lichen diversity in 41 green spaces in Lisbon. Lichens were classified into the respective poleotolerance trait functional groups and their community weighted mean related with three type of environmental variables used as surrogates of urban disturbance. We showed that disturbance-tolerant functional groups could be used as an ecological indicator of the integrated effects of environmental disturbances. Some species were clearly misclassified, so we propose reclassification for those. Natural and seminatural functional groups did not behave as expected. Nevertheless, disturbance-tolerant functional groups have the potential to be used in in other Southern European cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]