From the use of apps and drones to 3D printing, there are many technological tools and inaction projects in Italy to support nature and biodiversity.
Taking stock - on the eve of World Wildlife Day, a world day dedicated this year to "connecting people and the planet: exploring digital innovations in the conservation of wild nature" - is Legambiente with the new dossier "Wild nature at risk in Italy".
Eight pilot experiences have been launched in Italy.
Among these is the citizen science app Marine Ranger with which from 2021 to date over 3 thousand users have reported 723 dolphins spotted in the Mediterranean.
Another pilot example is the LifeSea.Net App (of the project of the same name of which Legambiente is the leader), which offers detailed information on eight species currently subjected to different types of threats: the large (or magnosa) cicada, the red coral, the sea limpet, laposidonia oceanica, the diadem hedgehog, the Caretta caretta sea turtle, the bottlenose dolphin, all subjected to different types of threats.
Also in Italy, the creation of the first seed cryobank in Europe, born in 2021 to preserve the biodiversity of the native Mediterranean trout in the Molise rivers.
And again the drones used both as "sentinels" to monitor the stretches of coast of the Peninsula where the Caretta caretta sea turtle increasingly nests (454 nests officially registered in 10 Italian regions in 2023, a record year), and to analyze the specific threats regarding nesting as well as the susceptibility to flooding (due to rising sea levels) of beaches.
Another experience is that started with 3D printing to protect and restore coral reefs, creating artificial coral reefs to be placed in the sea to encourage the proliferation of sponges, algae, molluscs and other organisms, as is happening in Sardinia.
The use of technology against poaching, fires and smog is also fundamental: IoT (Internet of Things) sensors are powerful allies in monitoring the movements of poachers, to detect fires.
The Sicilian municipality of Carini is making use of this technology to fight fires.
Finally, IoT sensors are also used in Inwit and Legambiente monitoring of air quality and the related impacts on biodiversity.
Furthermore, Legambiente recalls the need to accelerate digitalisation within the scope of the provisions of the Pnrr and the definition of action plans for species and ecosystems at risk.
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