WETLANDS
Wetlands in the OGLIO River
Wetland ecosystems in agricultural areas often become
progressively more isolated from main water bodies. Stagnation favors the
accumulation of organic matter as the supply of electron acceptors with water
renewal is limited. In this context it is expected that nitrogen recycling prevails
over nitrogen dissipation. To test this hypothesis, denitrification rates, fluxes of dissolved oxygen (SOD), inorganic
carbon (DIC) and nitrogen and sediment features were measured in winter and
summer 2007 on 22 shallow riverine wetlands in the Po River Plain (Northern Italy).
This study confirmed the importance of restoring hydraulic connectivity of riverine wetlands for the maintenance of important biogeochemical functions such as nitrogen removal via denitrification.
References
This study confirmed the importance of restoring hydraulic connectivity of riverine wetlands for the maintenance of important biogeochemical functions such as nitrogen removal via denitrification.
References
The BUSATELLO swamp
We studied this wetland within a LIFE project. We were surprised by its biodiversity and by the number of endangered species that were still present, despite its limited surface. Here we studied aspects of macrophytes decomposition, via litter bags and core incubations, and the effect of resuspension of fluffy sediments. We also investigated the fish community, in particular the top predators.
More recently we measured greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4 and N2O) fluxes across the free water and Nuphar luteum vegetated surface and their regulation.
More recently we measured greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4 and N2O) fluxes across the free water and Nuphar luteum vegetated surface and their regulation.
The LANCA di PO
This oxbow lake is entirely colonized by an autochtonous floating macrophyte (Trapa natans) that turns the water column anoxic over 2 months. We demonstrated that under such circumstances the meadow triggers a huge methane release to the atmosphere, which is far above the amount of fixed CO2.
Elsewhere (Hudson River) Trapa is studied as an invasive species but it is really hard to remove as seeds can germinate after many years within anoxic and reduced mud.
Elsewhere (Hudson River) Trapa is studied as an invasive species but it is really hard to remove as seeds can germinate after many years within anoxic and reduced mud.