Citizen Science to Investigate the Ecophysiological Responses of Mediterranean Shrubland Vegetation in an Urban Open-Air Laboratory
Urban biodiversity is essential for enhancing liveability for both humans and wildlife by providing a range of ecosystem services. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness among citizens, particularly schoolchildren, about the significance of biodiversity in urban environments. To this end, an Op...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/423 |
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| author | Valerio Lazzeri Francesca Bretzel Graziella Rossini Laura Pellegrino Laura Marchetti Rosella Panti Enrica Talà Antonio Martelli Andrea Scartazza |
| author_facet | Valerio Lazzeri Francesca Bretzel Graziella Rossini Laura Pellegrino Laura Marchetti Rosella Panti Enrica Talà Antonio Martelli Andrea Scartazza |
| author_sort | Valerio Lazzeri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Urban biodiversity is essential for enhancing liveability for both humans and wildlife by providing a range of ecosystem services. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness among citizens, particularly schoolchildren, about the significance of biodiversity in urban environments. To this end, an Open-Air Laboratory was established in an urban park of an Italian Mediterranean city (Livorno), where natural vegetation flourishes. This initiative engaged schoolchildren in experimental campaigns to collect ecophysiological data on local wild woody species. Specifically, the students were tasked with identifying various wild woody species and, under the guidance of researchers, recording specific leaf ecophysiological traits, such as leaf mass per area, leaf pigments, and chlorophyll fluorescence. The results, which highlighted seasonal variations in leaf ecophysiological traits and interspecific differences, were analysed in relation to the environmental conditions documented by the schoolchildren. This analysis revealed distinct plant strategies for coping with winter and summer stressful periods. The methodology employed in this project, which involved schoolchildren in research activities, not only fostered environmental awareness among young participants but also serves as a pilot model for public engagement in scientific research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e0dbe7c1ee6c45b9bdf0de7fbae38fdf |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj-art-e0dbe7c1ee6c45b9bdf0de7fbae38fdf2025-08-20T02:44:42ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-02-0114242310.3390/land14020423Citizen Science to Investigate the Ecophysiological Responses of Mediterranean Shrubland Vegetation in an Urban Open-Air LaboratoryValerio Lazzeri0Francesca Bretzel1Graziella Rossini2Laura Pellegrino3Laura Marchetti4Rosella Panti5Enrica Talà6Antonio Martelli7Andrea Scartazza8Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, ItalyResearch Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, ItalyInstitute of Bioeconomy (IBE), National Research Council (CNR), Viale Italia 6, 57126 Livorno, ItalyInstitute of Bioeconomy (IBE), National Research Council (CNR), Viale Italia 6, 57126 Livorno, ItalyIstituto Comprensivo G. Bartolena, Plesso di Villa Corridi, Via del Vecchio Lazzeretto 10, 57124 Livorno, ItalyIstituto Comprensivo G. Bartolena, Plesso di Villa Corridi, Via del Vecchio Lazzeretto 10, 57124 Livorno, ItalyIstituto Comprensivo G. Bartolena, Plesso di Villa Corridi, Via del Vecchio Lazzeretto 10, 57124 Livorno, ItalyAssociation World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Livorno, Via Don Bosco 7, 57124 Livorno, ItalyResearch Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, ItalyUrban biodiversity is essential for enhancing liveability for both humans and wildlife by providing a range of ecosystem services. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness among citizens, particularly schoolchildren, about the significance of biodiversity in urban environments. To this end, an Open-Air Laboratory was established in an urban park of an Italian Mediterranean city (Livorno), where natural vegetation flourishes. This initiative engaged schoolchildren in experimental campaigns to collect ecophysiological data on local wild woody species. Specifically, the students were tasked with identifying various wild woody species and, under the guidance of researchers, recording specific leaf ecophysiological traits, such as leaf mass per area, leaf pigments, and chlorophyll fluorescence. The results, which highlighted seasonal variations in leaf ecophysiological traits and interspecific differences, were analysed in relation to the environmental conditions documented by the schoolchildren. This analysis revealed distinct plant strategies for coping with winter and summer stressful periods. The methodology employed in this project, which involved schoolchildren in research activities, not only fostered environmental awareness among young participants but also serves as a pilot model for public engagement in scientific research.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/423ecosystem servicesinformal green spacesMediterranean maquisphotosynthesisplant biodiversityschoolchildren biodiversity education |
| spellingShingle | Valerio Lazzeri Francesca Bretzel Graziella Rossini Laura Pellegrino Laura Marchetti Rosella Panti Enrica Talà Antonio Martelli Andrea Scartazza Citizen Science to Investigate the Ecophysiological Responses of Mediterranean Shrubland Vegetation in an Urban Open-Air Laboratory Land ecosystem services informal green spaces Mediterranean maquis photosynthesis plant biodiversity schoolchildren biodiversity education |
| title | Citizen Science to Investigate the Ecophysiological Responses of Mediterranean Shrubland Vegetation in an Urban Open-Air Laboratory |
| title_full | Citizen Science to Investigate the Ecophysiological Responses of Mediterranean Shrubland Vegetation in an Urban Open-Air Laboratory |
| title_fullStr | Citizen Science to Investigate the Ecophysiological Responses of Mediterranean Shrubland Vegetation in an Urban Open-Air Laboratory |
| title_full_unstemmed | Citizen Science to Investigate the Ecophysiological Responses of Mediterranean Shrubland Vegetation in an Urban Open-Air Laboratory |
| title_short | Citizen Science to Investigate the Ecophysiological Responses of Mediterranean Shrubland Vegetation in an Urban Open-Air Laboratory |
| title_sort | citizen science to investigate the ecophysiological responses of mediterranean shrubland vegetation in an urban open air laboratory |
| topic | ecosystem services informal green spaces Mediterranean maquis photosynthesis plant biodiversity schoolchildren biodiversity education |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/423 |
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