Journal Article

Assessing the effects of anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity: a multi-taxonomic approach in Basilicata, Italy

Carli, Emanuela, De Silvestri, Mara, Casella, Laura, Angelini, Pierangela, Lattarulo, Davide, Martini, Matilde, Iaria, Jacopo, Rossin, Jennifer, Cassola, Francesca Maura, Miraglia, Giuseppe, Pretto, Francesca, Cazzolla Gatti, Roberto, Caricato, Gaetano, Santi, Francesco

2025

Overview

The combined pressures of anthropogenic activities require rapid assessments of environmental impacts on ecosystems to develop strategies for sustainable management and biodiversity conservation. This study investigates the consequences of the anthropogenic effects in the upper Val d’Agri (Basilicata, Italy) by employing a multi-taxonomic analysis to investigate spatial dynamics and species responses to these pressures. By cataloguing 151 diverse species of small mammals, reptiles, birds, ground beetles, and lichens, we established a valuable baseline for analysing the local biodiversity. We assessed the relationship between anthropic impacts (industrial areas, roads, agriculture, forestry, etc.), vegetation cover, and species diversity. Our findings revealed a negative relationship between the number of species and proximity to industrial areas, emphasising the impact of these activities. Moreover, we observed a predominance of generalist biological traits across taxa in all the study sites rather than an increase in species specialisation with increased distance. This may suggest a homogenising effect caused by various anthropogenic activities that cause habitat fragmentation and species mortality, underlining the lasting influence of these activities on the biodiversity of the upper Agri Valley. Additionally, our study identifies numerous protected species, highlighting their vulnerability and emphasising the necessity for targeted conservation efforts to safeguard their existence.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Animals / Anthropogenic Effects / Anthropogenic factors / Aquatic Pollution / Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution / Biodiversity / biodiversity conservation / Birds / Conservation / Conservation of Natural Resources / Earth and Environmental Science / Ecosystem / Ecotoxicology / Environment / Environmental assessment / Environmental Chemistry / Environmental Health / Environmental impact / Environmental Monitoring / forestry / Habitat fragmentation / Human influences / Industrial areas / Italy / Lichens / mortality / Protected species / Reptiles / Research Article / Spatial analysis / species / Species diversity / Sustainability management / Taxonomy / Vegetation cover / Waste Water Technology / Water Management / Water Pollution Control