In recent times, the issues of geodiversity assessment and mapping have been subject of great attention, and many evaluation methodologies, either quantitative or qualitative, have been developed. In this research, a first assessment of geodiversity in the Liguria region has been carried out, according to a quantitative method based on spatial analysis techniques implemented in a GIS environment. This method considers four diversity indices obtained by grid analysis, relevant to the four main aspects of geodiversity: geology, geomorphology, hydrogeology and pedology. The geodiversity index was calculated two times, first with a non-weighted sum, then with a weighted sum of the four diversity indices. In the second case, the weights have been assigned according to a semi-quantitative analytical hierarchy process method (AHP) based on experts’ judgment. The results show that the Liguria region is characterized by many areas with high geodiversity, most of them internationally known by geoscientists and tourists for their valuable geoheritage and for their stunning landscapes. The correspondence between these areas and the protected areas of the european Natura 2000 network suggests a link between geodiversity and biodiversity.

The Liguria Region in Northern Italy is characterized by a wide geological and geomorphological variety, encompassing an important and valuable geoheritage. The Ligurian regional law (L.R. 39/2009) protects and enhances geodiversity and geosites, establishing the Regional Inventory of Geosites; however, an approved official inventory is still lacking. In this work, a first reasoned inventory of 120 geosites is proposed for the Liguria Region on the basis of field surveys and literature review. A quantitative assessment of the value and the degradation risk of geosites has been carried out: the value assessment takes into account scientific, additional and potential-for-use values; the degradation risk assessment considers geosites’ fragility and vulnerability. The results, providing knowledge on the Ligurian geoheritage, can serve as the basis for the Regional Inventory of Geosites and can be useful tools for the implementation of any regional geoconservation strategy or environmental management plan.

No abstract

We present Norma, a tool for the modeling and analysis of Relay-based Railways Interlocking Systems (RRIS). Norma is the result of a research project funded by the Italian Railway Network, to support the reverse engineering and migration to computer-based technology of legacy RRIS. The frontend fully supports the graphical modeling of Italian RRIS, with a palette of over two hundred basic components, stubs to abstract RRIS subcircuits, and requirements in terms of formal properties. The internal component based representation is translated into highly optimized Timed nuXmv models, and supports various syntactic and semantic checks based on formal verification, simulation and test case generation. Norma is experimentally evaluated, demonstrating the practical support for the modelers, and the effectiveness of the underlying optimizations.

<p><span>Ophiolite outcrops, representing the remnants of an ancient oceanic lithosphere, are present in various mountain locations of the Northern Apennines, between the Italian regions of Liguria, Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. They are characterised by high geodiversity, due to the associations of various lithologies and landforms: numerous geosites have been recognized in ophiolitic areas, with interests ranging from geomorphology to mineralogy, from petrography to geodynamics, from structural geology to ore deposits. They host very particular flora and fauna and are fragile ecosystems.</span></p><p><span>Ophiolites give rise to some of the most curious and impressive landscapes of these mountain areas. They contrast heavily with the surrounding landscape, shaped in weak sedimentary rocks; often, they emerge as huge rock formations, characterized by steep and craggy slopes, jagged crests and high cliffs. Their imposition on the landscape is further emphasized by the dark brown or dark green colour of these rock masses.</span></p><p><span>This research tries to pinpoint the great cultural significance of these rocks. Ophiolite crags are subject of numerous legends and tales that try to explain their origins: just to give some examples, some were believed to be meteorites (“Pietra Borghese”, Liguria), or stones thrown by the devil (“Sassi Neri”, Emilia-Romagna), some other were considered abodes of the gods (“Monte Penna”, on the border between Liguria and Emilia-Romagna).</span></p><p><span>The impregnability and difficult accessibility of many ophiolites favoured the presence of fortresses, castles and human settlements. The most ancient settlements (known as</span><span><em> Castellari</em></span><span>)</span><span><em> </em></span><span>date from the Neolithic, and the remains have been recognised by archaeologists in various locations of the Northern Apennines. Some notable medieval castles (e.g. Bardi and Rossena in Emilia-Romagna) have been built on ophiolite outcrops. The ophiolithic masses often contain Fe-Cu sulphide deposits exploited in some cases since the Copper Age (Monte Loreto mine in Liguria).</span></p><p><span>Because of their naturalistic and cultural significance, many ophiolites are included in protected areas. In the Northern Apennines, among them are the Aveto Natural Park (Liguria), the Monte Prinzera Natural Reserve (Emilia-Romagna), and the Monterufoli-Caselli Natural Reserve (Tuscany), just to name a few.</span></p><p><span>This study could provide insights on how geological and geomorphological features can influence (and become part of) the culture, the religion and the historical events of people who live nearby. </span></p>