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Landfilling is a worldwide common waste treatment method. Final recovery usually consists of capping the area with top soil on which vegetation can grow. Depending on the suitability of the recovery pattern, landfill sites can work as potential reserve of semi-natural habitats. A recovery pattern applied to land reclamation of two hazardous waste landfills sited in Northern Italy (Po floodplain) was studied to assess the results in terms of biodiversity. These landfills lie within a landscape dominated by intensive agriculture. After final sealing, both landfills were covered by soil on which a meadow was sown and a hedgerow was planted around the borders. One of the compared areas was not provided with a pond and the hedgerow was incomplete. Butterflies and birds were used as indicators, and their seasonal abundance was related to habitat structure and ecological factors. Meadows grown on both areas supported a rich butterfly population (30 species), including some species that are by now uncommon in the Po floodplain. In both areas butterfly abundance was affected by summer drought. The birds' community included 57 species; 16 Species of European Conservation Concern (SPECs) were observed. Each bird community was different in the compared study areas because of their different size and habitat structure. For example, landfill A, provided with a pond and a more complex structure of the hedgerow, supported a richer birds community (52 species versus 39). Both restored landfills worked well as a stepping stone for migratory birds, but they were a reproductive habitat of poor quality.

A traditional Italian sweet pepper landrace, 'Peperone di Voghera', which faced the risk of extinction, was analyzed for its genetic, phenological, morphological, agronomic and biochemical traits. An extant population was compared with cultivars 'Quadrato d'Asti', 'Cuneo', and 'Giallo d'Asti', cultivated in the same area, in order to evaluate the chance of the landrace recovery. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis demonstrated that Voghera landrace is distinct with respect to reference cultivars, thus excluding extensive genetic contamination and providing a molecular basis of both phenological and biochemical differences. Leaf chlorophyll content is lower, fruits start ripening earlier than controls, and yield (1,100-1,300 g plant -1 ) does not significantly differ. Sensitivity to root pathogens, the main factor that led to the decline in the past, does not seem to compromise the future chance of recovery. Vitamin C concentration is high (200-240 mg/100 g) and preserved by cold storage; more than 25% of vitamin C is also kept in pickled fruits. 'Voghera' landrace has nutritional and gastronomic properties that can be appreciated by consumers. The high internal genetic variability shown by AFLP analysis indicates that future selection work is necessary to fully maintain the original traits of the landrace and to improve it.Additional key words: AFLP; biodiversity; Capsicum annuum; extinction; nutraceutical properties; root mycosis. ResumenCaracterización de la variedad de pimiento tradicional 'Voghera', rescatada en el norte de ItaliaEn este trabajo se han analizado las características genéticas, morfológicas, fenológicas, agronómicas y bioquími-cas de una variedad tradicional italiana de pimiento dulce, 'Peperone di Voghera', en peligro de extinción. Se comparó una población existente con cultivares de la misma zona, 'Quadrato d'Asti', 'Cuneo', y 'Giallo d'Asti', a fin de evaluar la posibilidad de recuperarla. Análisis AFLPs (polimorfismos en la longitud de fragmentos amplificados) demostraron que 'Voghera' es distinta con respecto a los cultivares de referencia, lo que excluye que haya una amplia contaminación genética y proporciona una base molecular de las diferencias, tanto fenológicas como bioquímicas. Su contenido en clorofila es menor y los frutos comienzan a madurar antes que los controles, pero el rendimiento (1.100-1.300 g planta -1 ) no es significativamente diferente. Su sensibilidad a patógenos de la raíz, el principal factor que llevó a su declive en el pasado, no parece poner en peligro la posibilidad de una futura recuperación. La concentración en vitamina C es alta (200-240 mg/100 g) y se preserva en el fruto conservado en cámara frigorífica; también se detecta una buena cantidad (más del 25%) de vitamina C en las frutas encurtidas. 'Voghera' tiene propiedades nutritivas y gastronómicas que pueden ser apreciadas por los consumidores. La alta variabilidad genética interna detectada en los análisis AFLP indica que el trabajo de selección es necesario para mantener plena...

Understanding community attitudes towards urban forests is of great importance since these attitudes are inherently linked to the long-term sustainability of urban forests management and conservation. We analysed the attitudes of the local community towards the Njiro forest (Arusha, Tanzania) which is managed and used as an experimental beekeeping area by TAWIRI (Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute). Data collection was done between September-October 2018 involving a sample of 163 randomly selected respondents. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Quantitative data were analysed through Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). Chi-square tests and contingency tables were used to determine whether there was a significant difference between the expected frequencies and the observed frequencies in one or more categories. Possible influences coming from sociological and demographic factors such as age, gender, education level, occupation were assessed. The majority of the respondents declared to gain ecological benefits from the forest. A significantly larger group of older respondents in comparison with the younger ones (p<0.05) declared to face problems coming from the forest (stray dogs, robbers, illegal waste disposal). Males showed to be more interested in practising beekeeping than females (p<0.05). Respondents with a primary education level were more prone to express agreement with the adopted management strategies in comparison with respondents with higher education (p<0.001). In conclusion, the great majority of respondents declared to support the conservation of Njiro forest, however, employed respondents and females were more positive regarding the hypothesis of abolishing the forest (p<0.05). In order to improve management strategies and support the long-term conservation of the forest, respondents recommended strengthening the protection of the forest by fencing it, providing environmental education to the surrounding community, reinforcing the cooperation with the local community and planting new trees to improve the health of the forest ecosystem.