Restoration of areas infested by Ailanthus altissima in the Alta Murgia National Park: experience within a LIFE project.

This study presents the results of multi-seasonal WorldView-2 (WV-2) satellite images classification for the mapping of Ailanthus altissima (A. altissima), an invasive plant species thriving in a protected grassland area of Southern Italy. The technique used relied on a two-stage hybrid classification process: the first stage applied a knowledge-driven learning scheme to provide a land cover map (LC), including deciduous vegetation and other classes, without the need of reference training data; the second stage exploited a data-driven classification to: i) discriminate pixels of the invasive species found within the deciduous vegetation layer of the LC map; ii) determine the most favourable seasons for such recognition. In the second stage, when a traditional Maximum Likelihood classifier was used, the results obtained with multi-temporal July and October WV-2 images, showed an output Overall Accuracy (OA) value of ?91%. To increase such a value, first a low-pass median filtering was used with a resulting OA of 99.2%, then, a Support Vector Machine classifier was applied obtaining the best A. altissima User's Accuracy (UA) and OA values of 82.47% and 97.96%, respectively, without any filtering. When instead of the full multi-spectral bands set some spectral vegetation indices computed from the same months were used the UA and OA values decreased. The findings reported suggest that multi-temporal, very high resolution satellite imagery can be effective for A. altissima mapping, especially when airborne hyperspectral data are unavailable. Since training data are required only in the second stage to discriminate A. altissima from other deciduous plants, the use of the first stage LC mapping as pre-filter can render the hybrid technique proposed cost and time effective. Multi-temporal VHR data and the hybrid system suggested may offer new opportunities for invasive plant monitoring and follow up of management decision.

Among the woody and shrubby weeds colonising non-crop areas in the Apulia Region(South Italy), Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven), an exotic invasive species, is one ofthe worst, because of its fast growth and root-sucker production. It reaches the heart ofprotected areas and spreads everywhere in urban and peri-urban areas creating densestands. As there are no official monitoring protocols for weed mapping, a method basedon real-time global positioning system (GPS) on satellite maps was set up. Due to thismethod, the distribution, spread, size, density and harmfulness of A. altissima wereassessed across the wide urban area of Bari (South Italy) by mapping all the individualplants and areas/stands of plants. In Bari, along a total of 76 km of roads mapped, 170very large (diameter .18 cm), 231 large (diameter 8-18 cm), 130 medium (diameter3-8 cm), 53 small (diameter , 3 cm) single plants, and 70 high, 63 medium and 13 lowdensity areas were detected. This indicated that A. altissima (tree of heaven) was verywidespread in the study area. Moreover, 35 types of damage or potential risks wererecorded covering functional, environmental, health and safety and aesthetic aspectsand then classified according to frequency and location. The real-time GPS methodproved to be very useful for providing a speedy and accurate record of the data.

The first asymmetric total synthesis of both enantiomers of the natural products colletorin A and colletochlorin A is presented. The proposed methodology is based on the coupling reaction between highly substituted aromatic Gilman cuprates and optically active allyl bromides, in turn obtained by Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation. The latter ensured a high degree of regio- and stereocontrol in the enantioselective step of the synthesis. The same synthetic strategy has been also applied for the preparation of differently halogenated synthetic analogues of colletochlorin A in high enantiomeric purity. The enantioselective synthesis of colletorin A and colletochlorin A allows to reliably assign their absolute configuration. Preliminary assessment of their herbicidal and insecticidal properties evidence the possibility to modulate the bioactivity of these compounds, highlighting its dependence on both the absolute stereochemistry and the halogen nature. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (commonly named tree of haven, family: Simaroubaceae) is a very dangerous invasive plant species. The invasiveness of this dioecious species is due to its ability to reproduce, equally well, both by seed (one plant can produce thousands of "flying" samaras) and asexually (its extended and vigorous root system generates numerous suckers and progeny plants). The species is able to adapt to any type of soil and water regime. It spreads everywhere in urban and sub-urban areas, on roadsides, railways and ruins, in uncultivated or abandoned areas, gardens and green spaces. A. altissima plants reach the heart of natural areas causing severe ecological effects. Plants form highly dense stands outcompeting native species and reducing their growth. Thus this species represents a serious threat both in natural and anthropic areas.The management of A. altissima is very difficult. The most common methods include manual, mechanical and chemical control. Hand pulling can be carried out only on very young seedlings before the root system has developed. Mechanical removal (cut) is the most used technique in public areas but proved to be costly and quite ineffective, as it induces a faster development of suckers and resprouting shoots. Moreover, in urban and archeological areas the use of mechanical equipment can be very dangerous or even not practicable. Spray treatments of herbicides are frequently not allowed in urban and natural areas due to health and environmental risks. The Alta Murgia National Park is a very wide Park (over 68,000 ha) located in the Apulia Region (Southern Italy). It is a Site of Community Importance (SCI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA) within the EU Natura 2000 network. Within the Park, A. altissima is the most spread invasive plant species, and it is considered one of the most serious threat for the biodiversity. A project named "LIFE Alta Murgia" was funded in 2013 by the European Commission within the LIFE+ Framework, aimed at eradicating A. altissima from the Alta Murgia National Park by using innovative and eco-friendly control techniques, based on a minimized use of effective herbicides with environmentally friendly stem applications (e.g. stem injection, cut stump, spaced cut). In order to accurately take a census, map and quantify the infestation in the whole park, plan the interventions, manage the control program and check the progresses of the management practices, a ad hoc software was initially developed.In the present communication the procedures used and the results obtained in the weed mapping will be shown. Moreover, the first results regarding the control treatments and their effectiveness will be presented.

Among the arboreal and shrubby weeds colonizing non-crop environments in the ApuliaRegion (Italy), Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Tree of Haven), an exotic invasive fastgrowing species, is one of the worse. Its management is very difficult because of its fast growthand root-sucker's production, and mechanical and chemical treatments provide only shorttermcontrol. Within a research program on the management of woody weeds, impact ofA. altissima was assessed in the wide urban area of Bari and in the Alta Murgia National Park.During numerous inspections distribution was determined by mapping all plants with GPS;their size, number and density were estimated. All damages were noted down. In Bari, datawere recorded along a 76 Km path, with 146 areas of plants surveyed (most with medium-highdensity) and 584 single plants measured; in the Park around 126 Km of roads were mapped,with a total of 92 areas surveyed and 130 single plants measured. Compared with otherarboreal and shrubby weeds, in Bari A. altissima proved to be the most widespread species; inthe Park it is highly threatening the ecological equilibrium of the environment. Its distributionin the studied areas confirms its ability to colonize strongly disturbed, marginal, or naturalundisturbed environments. Moreover, within the project, different methods for micro injectionof systemic herbicides into trunks were developed and tested, to combine the effectiveness ofthe herbicides at reduced rates with the safety for non target organisms and environment. Theresults of mapping and tests will be presented.

Green foxtail (Setaria viridis), one of the most common and troublesome weeds worldwide, is becoming very difficult to manage because of the lack of registered herbicides and the appearance of herbicide-resistant populations. Among the new and possible environment-friendly strategies, the use of biological control methods seems to have potential. Drechslera gigantea, Exserohilum rostratum and Exserohilum longirostratum have previously proved to be promising bioherbicide agents against several grass weeds in field trials.While previous studies have established the susceptibility of S. viridis under greenhouse conditions, so far no attempt has been made to establish the effectiveness and feasibility of these fungi as bioherbicides for green foxtail. When spore suspensions were applied as foliar sprays to green foxtail seedlings in a greenhouse, all three fungi caused severe damage by 1 day after application, and seedlings in most cases died within 1 week.The fungi were compatible with several agro-chemicals and host specific when tested against major vegetable crop species grown in the Mediterranean. The demonstrated technological feasibility of producing large amounts of quickly germinable conidia (i.e., asexual spores) on inexpensive solid media increases the potential of these fungi to be used as bioherbicides.

Ailanthus altissima (l'albero del paradiso) è una tra le più diffuse e dannose specie aliene invasive che colonizzano le aree extra-agricole. E' una specie arborea che si accresce in qualunque tipo di habitat urbano, periurbano e naturale creando densi popolamenti monospecifici e causando numerosi danni tra cui la perdita della biodiversità. Il controllo della specie è molto difficile a causa dell'elevato tasso di crescita e dell'inefficacia degli interventi meccanici. Il Progetto LIFE Alta Murgia è stato recentemente finanziato dalla Commissione Europea con lo scopo di eradicare la specie dal Parco Nazionale dell'Alta Murgia mediante l'utilizzo di tecniche innovative a basso impatto ambientale. Le caratteristiche principali della specie e le finalità del Progetto vengono descritte in questo articolo.

Among the woody invasive alien species colonizing non-crop areas, Ailanthus altissima (Tree ofhaven) is one of the worst and most damaging weeds. It spreads everywhere in urban, suburban andnatural areas creating dense stands and causing much damage including biodiversity loss. Its controlis very difficult because of its fast growth, its capability of regenerating as 'suckers' from buds on theroots and stem after mechanical interventions, and its production of large numbers of seeds that areeasily scattered in the environment. Within the "LIFE Alta Murgia" Project, founded by the EuropeanCommission, aimed at eradicating A. altissima from the Alta Murgia National Park using innovativeand eco-friendly control techniques, the suitability of potential microbial biological agents wereexplored. Two fungal pathogens were isolated from diseased plants, identified, tested forpathogenicity and aggressiveness, and studied for the production of bioactive metabolites. The firstresults of the studies on the two fungal agents, including the chemical and biological characterizationof the metabolites and their potential as natural herbicides, are presented.

Fungal phytotoxins are natural secondary metabolites produced by plant pathogenic fungi during host-pathogen interactions. They have received considerable particular attention for elucidating disease etiology, and consequently to design strategies for disease control. Due to wide differences in their chemical structures, these toxic metabolites have different ecological and environmental roles and mechanisms of action. This review aims at summarizing the studies on the possible use of thesemetabolites as tools in biological and integrated weed management, e.g. as: novel and environmentally friendly herbicideslead for novel compounds; sources of novel mechanisms of action. Moreover, the limiting factors for utilizing those metabolites in practice will also be briefly discussed.

Effectively dealing with invasive species is a pervasive problem in environmental management. The damages, andassociated costs, that stem from invasive species are well known, as is the benefit from their removal. We investigateproblems where optimal control theory has been implemented, and we show that these problems can easily becomehypersensitive, making their numerical solutions unstable. We show that transforming these problems from state-adjointsystems to state-control systems can provide useful insights into the system dynamics and simplify the numerics. Weapply these techniques to two case studies: one of feral cats in Australia, where we use logistic growth; and the other ofwild-boars in Italy, where we include an Allee effect. A further development is to optimize the control strategy by takinginto account the spatio-temporal features of the invasive species control problems over large and irregular environments.The approach is used in a management scenario where the invasive species to be controlled with an optimal allocationof resources is the deciduous tree Ailanthus Altissima, infesting the Alta Murgia National Park in the south of Italy.This work has been carried out within the H2020 project ECOPOTENTIAL (http://www.ecopotential-project.eu),coordinated by CNR-IGG. The project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research andinnovation programme (grant agreement No 641762).

Tra le specie infestanti arboree ed arbustive che colonizzano gli ambienti extra-agricoli Ailanthus altissima, specie esotica invasiva, è tra le più dannose e diffuse a causa del veloce accrescimento e della spiccata attitudine pollonifera. Raggiunge il cuore delle aree naturali protette e si diffonde ovunque nelle aree urbane e peri-urbane creando densi popolamenti. Data la mancanza di un metodo ufficiale di mappatura delle infestanti, al fine di valutare la diffusione, distribuzione e dannosità della specie nelle vaste aree urbane del comune di Bari e del Parco Nazionale dell'Alta Murgia, è stato adottato un sistema di monitoraggio e mappatura supportato da GPS e mappe satellitari. Tutte le piante o le aree di rinvenimento delle stesse sono state mappate in tempo reale, riportando le dimensioni e la densità delle piante. Nell'area urbana e peri-urbana, su un percorso complessivo di circa 76 km, sono state censite 170 piante molto grandi (diametro > 18 cm), 231 grandi (diametro 8-18 cm), 130 medie (diametro 3-8 cm), 53 piccole (diametro < 3 cm), 70 aree ad alta densità di piante, 63 aree mediamente dense e 13 aree con piante sparse. Nel Parco, su una distanza percorsa di circa 126 km sono state censite 18 piante grandi, 76 medie, 33 piccole, 60 aree di piante ad alta densità e 30 aree a media densità. Inoltre, 34 tipi di danni diretti ed indiretti sono stati determinati e classificati.

A challenging task in the management of Protected Areas is to control thespread of invasive species, either floristic or faunistic, and the preservation of indigenousendangered species, tipically competing for the use of resources in a fragmentedhabitat. In this paper, we present some mathematical tools that have beenrecently applied to contain the worrying diffusion of wolf-wild boars in a SouthernItaly Protected Area belonging to the Natura 2000 network. They aim to solve theproblem according to three different and in some sense complementary approaches:(i) the qualitative one, based on the use of dynamical systems and bifurcation theory;(ii) the Z-control, an error-based neural dynamic approach ; (iii) the optimal control theory. In the case of the wild-boars, the obtained results are illustrated and discussed.To refine the optimal control strategies, a further development is to take intoaccount the spatio-temporal features of the invasive species over large and irregularenvironments. This approach can be successfully applied, with an optimal allocationof resources, to control an invasive alien species infesting the Alta Murgia NationalPark: Ailanthus altissima. This species is one of the most invasive species in Europeand its eradication and control is the object of research projects and biodiversityconservation actions in both protected and urban areas [11]. We lastly present, as afurther example, the effects of the introduction of the brook trout, an alien salmonidfrom North America, in naturally fishless lakes of the Gran Paradiso National Park,study site of an on-going H2020 project (ECOPOTENTIAL).

We develop a modelling approach for the optimal spatiotemporal control of invasive species in naturalprotected areas of high conservation value. The proposed approach, based on diusion equations, isspatially explicit, and includes a functional response (Holling type II) which models the control rateas a function of the invasive species density. We apply a budget constraint to the control programand search for the optimal eort allocation for the minimization of the invasive species density. Boththe initial density map and the land cover map used to estimate the habitat suitability to the speciesdiusion, have been generated by using very high resolution satellite images and validated by means ofground truth data. The approach has been applied to the Alta Murgia National Park, one of the studysite of the on-going H2020 project ECOPOTENTIAL: Improving Future Ecosystem Benets ThroughEarth Observations' (http://www.ecopotential-project.eu) which has received funding from the EuropeanUnion's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 641762. All theground data regarding Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle presence and distribution are from the EULIFE Alta Murgia Project (LIFE12 BIO/IT/000213) titled Eradication of the invasive exotic plant speciesAilanthus altissima from the Alta Murgia National Park funded by the LIFE+ nancial instrument ofthe European Commission.

The threat, impact and management problems associated with alien plant invasions are increasingly becoming a major issue in environmental conservation. Invasive species cause significant damages, and high associated costs. Controlling them cost-effectively is an ongoing challenge, and mathematical models and optimizations are becoming increasingly popular as a tool to assist managers. The aim of this study is to develop a modelling approach for the optimal spatiotemporal control of invasive species in natural protected areas of high conservation value. Typically, control programs are either distributed uniformly across an area, or applied with a given fixed intensity, although there is no guarantee that such a strategy would be cost-effective at the conservation asset. The proposed approach, based on diffusion equations, is spatially explicit, and includes a functional response (Holling type II) which models the control rate as a function of the invasive species density. We apply a budget constraint to the control program and search for the optimal effort allocation for the minimisation of the invasive species density. Remote sensing derived input layers and expert knowledge have been assimilated in the model to estimate the initial species distribution and its habitat suitability, empirically extracted by a land cover map of the study area. Both the initial density map and the land cover map have been generated by using very high resolution satellite images and validated by means of ground truth data. The approach has been applied to the Alta Murgia National Park, where the EU LIFE Alta Murgia Project is underway with the aim to eradicate Ailanthus altissima, one of the most invasive alien plant species in Europe. The Alta Murgia National Park is one of the study site of the on-going H2020 project ECOPOTENTIAL which aims at the integration of modelling tools and Earth Observations for a sustainable management of protected areas. The H2020 project 'ECOPOTENTIAL: Improving Future Ecosystem Benefits Through Earth Observations' (http://www.ecopotential-project.eu) has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 641762. All ground data regarding Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle presence and distribution are from the EU LIFE Alta Murgia Project (LIFE12 BIO/IT/000213 titled "Eradication of the invasive exotic plant species Ailanthus altissima from the Alta Murgia National Park" funded by the LIFE+ financial instrument of the European Commission).

Ailanthus altissima, tree of heaven is an introduced tree species in Europe, Africa, South America andNorth America. Seeds were introduced from China to France in the middle of 1700s and in NorthAmerica as an ornamental shade tree during the late 18th century from Europe. It is a serious threatto ecosystems in introduced areas, as the plant is very competitive through allelopathic chemicalsthat may inhibit growth of surrounding native plants. It has a complex of secondary chemicals thatmake it unpalatable to most of the phytophagous generalist arthropods. Management of this specieshas been very difficult because of its fast growth and production of root-suckers. Europe uses theclassic approach using mechanical and chemical treatments which provide only short-term control,however, this usually exacerbates the problem. One potential agent for Ailanthus, the eriophyidmite Aculops mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyoidea), has been already recorded in six European States:Hungary, Italy, Serbia, Austria, Croatia, Macedonia and Greece. Beside to the classic symptomsassociated with the mite infestation (leaf rolling), an important impact has been recorded on thegrowth and the survival rate of young plants. In this work we are providing some life history data andwe are describing the results of some impact bioassays carried out in field and laboratory conditions,comparing the effects of classic biological control alone and in combination with other managementapproaches.

Le specie esotiche invasive (piante, animali, insetti, microrganismi, ecc.) sono specie che, trasportate in genere accidentalmente o volontariamente ad opera dell'uomo fuori dal loro areale di origine, sopravvivono, si riproducono e si diffondono nei nuovi ambienti con effetti negativi e gravi danni ecologici ed economici. Queste specie hanno un notevole impatto sulla perdita della biodiversità in quanto competono con le specie native e possono contribuirne all'estinzione. Tra le specie esotiche invasive più presenti e dannose l'ailanto, Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, (famiglia Simaroubaceae) l'albero del paradiso, è tra le più minacciose in Italia (Celesti-Grapow et al, 2010) e in Europa. L'Organizzazione Europea e Mediterranea per la Protezione delle Piante (EPPO) la include nella lista delle specie aliene invasive particolarmente temibili. Si tratta di una specie esotica altamente "invasiva" in quanto si diffonde spontaneamente in habitat naturali o semi-naturali, producendo cambiamenti significativi nella composizione ed equilibrio degli ecosistemi. La specie è molto rustica, non ha habitat preferenziali e può adattarsi a qualsiasi tipo di suolo e di regime idrico: cresce anche su suoli aridi e rocciosi, tollera carenze nutritive e siccità prolungata. La specie si riproduce sia per seme che per via vegetativa. I danni causati da A. altissima sono numerosi e ingenti (Casella, Vurro, 2012; Casella, Vurro, 2013) in diversi ambienti e a carico di differenti tipi di strutture. Nelle aree naturali l'ailanto danneggia gli equilibri ecologici, degrada degli habitat protetti generando inquinamento floristico e riduzione della biodiversità. Essendo poco esigente e a crescita molto rapida, la specie risulta molto competitiva con le specie autoctone. Le piante invadono le aree naturali formando popolamenti monospecifici ad alta densità che ombreggiano le specie autoctone e ne riducono o impediscono la crescita, sostituendo e modificando in modo significativo la vegetazione autoctona.Il Progetto LIFE Alta Murgia "Controllo ed eradicazione della specie vegetale esotica invasiva Ailanthus altissima nel Parco Nazionale dell'Alta Murgia" ha come obiettivo principale la eradicazione di A. altissima dal territorio del Parco Nazionale dell'Alta Murgia. Il progetto ha carattere innovativo e dimostrativo, prefiggendosi di impiegare su ampia scala tecniche di controllo della specie nuove, mai applicate né nell'area di interesse del Parco né altrove, e impegnandosi a divulgarle e a diffonderne l'uso a tutti i diretti interessati.Il Parco è interamente compreso nel Sito Natura 2000 - SIC/ZPS IT9120007 "Murgia Alta". Istituito con d.P.R. 10 marzo 2004, il Parco è tra i più estesi a livello nazionale ed europeo con i suoi 68.077 ettari. Il territorio è caratterizzato da una successione di praterie aride mediterranee, creste rocciose, colline, inghiottitoi, cavità carsiche, lame, estesi pascoli naturali e coltivi, boschi di quercia e di conifere, dove l'az

The spread of invasive alien species threatens the conservation of natural ecosystems, being the second leading cause of biodiversity loss. Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (tree of heaven) is one of the most damaging invasive alien plant species, and the most important one within the Alta Murgia National Park, the second largest park in Europe, containing a great wealth of biodiversity. The species is highly present throughout the park, both in anthropic places such as antique manors and sheepfolds, where farmers intentionally planted A. altissima trees for shade, and in natural habitats such as grasslands and rocky soils, fi elds, woods edges, dry stone walls and roadsides, where they spontaneously grew. The "LIFE Alta Murgia" project, started in 2013, was funded within the European LIFE+ Framework. Its main objective is to eradicate A. altissima from the Alta Murgia National Park. Many large areas have been restored by using an eco-friendly and sustainable strategy for tree of heaven control based on stem application techniques able to minimize herbicide use and reduce risks for health and environment. For broad high plant density patches, best results were obtained with one winter treatment with glyphosate followed by one summer completion treatment. Stem applications provided good control with low rates of herbicide and off ered many advantages: no drift, no off -target eff ects, selectivity, minimal need for equipment, the possibility of treatments in urban and natural areas. An offi cial protocol for tree of heaven management will be proposed.

The idea of using living organisms for weed control goes back over a century, and very encouraging results were obtained from the 1960s to the 1970s. It is foreseeable and desirable that in the near future, further reasons will support the development and financial sustainment of this research field. The authors describe past and present successes, and discuss possible approaches for improving future achievements.