News

September 19, 2025

CNR IRET at NetworkNature Annual Event: Advancing Nature-based Solutions for a Resilient Future

On September 16–17, 2025, CNR IRET took part, also in its role as member and coordinator of the NbS Italy Hub, in the NetworkNature Annual Event “Choose Nature” and in the Cluster Meeting of the Task Forces, held at the Brussels Environment headquarters. The Annual Event, titled “Unlocking pathways to a resilient economy for people and the planet”, provided an opportunity for dialogue among institutions, the research community, businesses, and civil society on the transition toward a resilient economy capable of

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August 13, 2025

Two Torgnon ICOS stations upgraded in ITINERIS

Torgnon (Valle d’Aosta), August 2025 — A coordinated effort by CNR IRET, ARPA Valle d’Aosta, and CMCC, led by Marta Galvagno and Dario Papale, has successfully upgraded two ICOS Associated Stations in Valle d’Aosta: the Torgnon grassland (IT-Tor) and the Torgnon larch forest (IT-TrF). Between August 2nd and 9th, standard eddy covariance equipment was installed at both sites, significantly enhancing their level of standardization. At the forest site, two permanent monitoring plots were established, equipped with a below-canopy PAR system and

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August 3, 2025

CAROLINA experimental sites ready: we are ready to study drought effects in grasslands

With the installation of the final structure at Passo Brocon (Trentino), the construction of the three experimental sites planned under the PRIN2022PNRR CAROLINA project has been officially completed. The project focuses on studying the impact of drought on semi-natural Italian grasslands subject to pastoral management. In total, three experimental sites have been established, selected along a climatic gradient of temperature and precipitation: The first site, San Rossore, is a Mediterranean grassland at sea level (0 m a.s.l.), located in the Migliarino San

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July 15, 2025

IRET Researchers are back from Arctic region

The 2025 Arctic expedition of the CNR-IRET researchers has successfully concluded. The team, from the Montelibretti and Porano branches, spent two weeks in the Svalbard Islands, Norway. The aim of the mission was to carry out long-term sampling campaigns and environmental measurements. The team—composed of Emanuele Pallozzi, Olga Gavrichkova, Federica D’Alò, and Carlotta Volterrani—was hosted at the Dirigibile Italia Arctic Station, coordinated by the CNR Institute of Polar Sciences, in the village of Ny-Ålesund, Norway. The recent expedition focused on the

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July 9, 2025

The first Italian bat tracked by GPS is from Tuscany

For the first time, a specimen of the lesser noctule – a native bat species widespread across much of the Italian peninsula – has been fitted with a GPS tracker to monitor its movements. The experiment, the result of collaboration between the National Research Council’s Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems (CNR-IRET), the Oasi Dynamo in Limestre (Pistoia), and the Max Planck Institute, is part of a study aimed at identifying the routes and movements of migratory bats in order

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May 14, 2025

BIOSMARTFERT is born: the intelligent fertilizer with controlled release!

The BIOSMARTFERT project marks an important milestone: the successful extraction of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) produced by bacteria fed with digestates derived from the “dark fermentation” of agri-food waste. This extraordinary result opens the path for a revolutionary innovation: the encapsulation and coating of granular fertilizers with extracted PHAs, to give life to a controlled release intelligent biofertilizer. Agronomic trials with lettuce and tomato will also begin soon; they are essential to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of this innovative and sustainable solution for

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April 16, 2025

Cotton, Silk, and Wool: Regenerative Agriculture and Innovation at the Heart of Italian Fashion’s Future

Cotton: currently being tested in Apulia through regenerative agriculture methods. Silk: efforts are underway to rebuild a high-end Italian supply chain. Wool: the focus is on restoring the Italian Merino sheep breed. And beyond that, a digital passport and 5.0 technologies are being implemented from field to garment to ensure full-spectrum sustainability, traceability, and circularity. Natural, eco-friendly fibers and cutting-edge solutions are at the core of a fashion future where an increasingly conscious and demanding consumer can bring the principles

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April 10, 2025

King Charles III Meets CNR

A delegation of researchers from the Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET) met King Charles III of England during his state visit to Italy, together with a delegation from the European Forest Institute (EFI) and the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA) During his state visit to Italy, King Charles III of England met on Wednesday, April 10, 2025, at the gardens of the British Ambassador’s Residence in Rome, with a delegation of researchers from

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mamma orsa con cucciolo tra l'erba
April 3, 2025

Don’t sell the skin of the Marsican bear

Il Venerdì di Repubblica devotes an article to the Marsican brown bear, an investigation into the metabolism of this subspecies of the European brown bear that lives in the Apennines and of which only 54 specimens remain in the Abruzzo and Majella National Parks. Beginning with the discovery of a genetic defect, we go on to analyze skull shape and diet to investigate what adaptations to the environment allow the Marsican bear to coexist peacefully with the human species and what

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studenti con volto pixellato che esibiscono i prodotti del concorso
April 1, 2025

Diamoci delle Arie – LIFE MODERn NEC school competition

Diamoci delle Arie is the special competition aimed at 4th and 5th grade primary and secondary school classes in the regions listed below. Classes are invited to produce a poster/manifesto (text+images) to raise awareness of air quality issues among families, classmates and citizens. Each class may submit up to 5 entries, produced by students individually or in small groups. For information and how to participate, read the RULES.   MEMBERSHIP IN THE PROJECT AND PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST ARE FREE OF

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