The study of the cetacean strandings along the Central Adriatic coast started on 2009 and is currently underway. The data is collected occasionally, by citizens which observed them along the seashore. Most of those data are collected using citizen science approach and is stored also on an iNaturalist dedicated database (wildcoastCASCADE). Stored data describe species occurrences (e.g. Tursiops truncatus and Stenella cerueoalba), along with their conditions (e.g. necropsy information in relation with human impact and threats impinging the cetacean biodiversity). Spatial distribution of stranding individuals along central Adriatic coast are also analyzed. Further studies are currently underway.

The study of the cetacean strandings along the Central Adriatic coast started on 2009 and is currently underway. The data is collected occasionally, by citizens which observed them along the seashore. Most of those data are collected using citizen science approach and is stored also on an iNaturalist dedicated database (wildcoastCASCADE). Stored data describe species occurrences (e.g. Tursiops truncatus and Stenella cerueoalba), along with their conditions (e.g. necropsy information in relation with human impact and threats impinging the cetacean biodiversity). Spatial distribution of stranding individuals along central Adriatic coast are also analyzed. Further studies are currently underway.

Zoysia japonica pasture used for cattle grazing

The site is located between two bio -geographical zones arid and hyper-arid, the research is carried out by both sides. The arid side is characterized by remains of terraces from the Nabatean agriculture runoff. The main research topics that being studied in the site are: biodiversity, climate change, runoff hydrology. The arid zone is a geo hydrological ecological system which is depended on a combination of rainfall and runoff that creates water enriched parches that support relatively high biodiversity. The hyper arid zone is runoff depended system the source of runoff are stipe, slope consist on bare bedrock, biological activities are constructed in the dry riverbeds that functions as sinks for the runoff generated from the slopes.

The study of the plankton cyst bank from the Mar Piccolo of Taranto started in 1996 and is still ongoing. Different stations located in the two sub-basins basin are intermittently sampled, collecting surface sediments for cyst analysis. The identification of more than 100 different morphotypes was performed over the years.

Botanical reserve “Randu meadows” is situated on the northern coast of the Riga Gulf. The botanical reserve is a part of the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve. It represents about 200 ha of unique coastal meadows with high habitat and species diversity. There were recorded 531 plant species, 42 are rare and protected in Latvia, 2 species are on the EU Biotope Directive 92/43/EEC list. Man has participated in the development of these littoral meadows for hundreds of years, by cattle grazing and hay harvesting. Recently, the intensity of grazing and mowing have sharply decreased, and the meadows are gradually overgrowing by reeds and shrubs. Wild cattle herd was introduced for some time in part of the grassland area in order to prevent overgrowth of meadows.

The introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS), also known as alien species, is a pressing issue throughout the world nowadays, mostly linked to globalization. Transitional environments are particularly exposed to this threat due to the importation of seafood for either aquaculture or sale. According to the most recent observations, the Mar Piccolo of Taranto hosts 36 NIS positively identified, divided in 13 invertebrates, 15 macroalgae, and 8 planktonic species. This basin ranks third among the Mediterranean hot spots for seaweed introduction, after the Thau Lagoon (southern France) and the Venice Lagoon. Continuous monitoring activities are carried out to early identify new introductions and follow the fate of those already introduced.

PLANNED (as of August 2016) regular monitoring activities of the Park's selected vascular plant species are specified in the new Park Protection Plan (currently in the final project stage, pending final approval and implementation resolution by the Minister of Environment). They're planned to comprise 6 rare species of Communnity Importance occurring in the Park at few locations (from 1 to 19). Monitoring activities are planned to be conducted in principle once a year, in selected cases every 2-3 years, seasonally. They'll be based on counting and controlling the sites, searching for new sites, as well as counting plant shoots (total and generative shoots). For the purpose of the Park's Protection Plan, nature inventory and assessment of the state of the above-mentioned 6 plant species, i.e. FV or U1 (no U2s or XXs, luckily) related to (a) habitat area, (b) habitat structure and function, and (c) future prospect - plus (d) the cumulative value - was conducted and data may already be available at the Park.

Coastal dune site with complete gradient from beach to coastal woodland, partly grazed - >20 year follow up of vegetation succession

The site consists of “orographic islands” with high elevation vegetation in central Mediterranean basin, along the Apennines mountain range. Majella: 26 plots are in Majella National Park, 15 plots belonging to the world network GLORIA, placed along an elevation gradient between dwarf shrublands and tundra vegetation (2400-2700 m a.s.l.), 6 plots refer to the study of population biology of endangered taxa and other 5 plots, ranging from 2400 to 2600 m a.s.l., refer to soil monitoring. Matese: 10 plots in Matese mountains (1800-2000 m a.s.l.), included into the world network GLORIA, and characterised by high elevation grasslands.