The present work has estimated greenhouse gas emissions in aerobic and anaerobic Wastewater Treatment Plants in Southern Italy. Greenhouse gases emissions from each treatment unit were calculated based on emission factors related to Chemical Oxygen Demand removal for biogenic CO₂ and CH₄ assessment and on Nitrogen removal for N₂O. N₂O, biogenic CO_2, and CH₄ emissions vary for aerobic and anaerobic-based WWTPs respectively from 73 kgCO_2eq/PE*y for anaerobic plants to 91 kgCO_2eq/PE*y for aerobic plants. In aerobic and anaerobic digestion systems WWTPs the contributions to CO_2eq total emissions from N₂O, CH₄, biogenic CO₂, and fossil CO₂ are 30 %-33 %, 20 %-29 %, 22 %-25 %, and 26 %-16 %, respectively. N₂O emissions from biological processes were found the most contributing sources of greenhouse gases while in the physical processes higher contribution is indirect carbon dioxide related to energy consumption. Compensatory measures are reported to reduce greenhouse gases emissions.

An analysis of the pressure factors that influence the sustainable tourism in the Tremiti Islands (TI) has been performed. Tourist’s fluxes have been investigated in terms of monthly arrival and presences showing a high value of the territorial exploitation index with high number of arrivals, particularly in August, and low occupancy rate. Effects of climatic change has been analyzed in TI with reference to the increase of average air and sea temperature in the islands. Some measures of contrast to climate change and to favour sustainable tourism have been discussed also. The CO₂ emissions by ferries transport, solid waste and wastewater treatment have been calculated. Environmental taxation for sustainable tourism aimed tat CO₂ content reduction is also assessed identifying the value in 1.47 €/capita on the basis of the tourist arrivals and presences considering the environmental cost for CO₂ removal and showing that tourism taxation should be well accepted if funds are destined to environmental purposes.

Nickel contamination poses a serious risk to ecosystems and human health. Phytoremediation provides a sustainable solution. This study evaluates the ability of Helinathus annuus L. to tolerate and accumulate nickel under simulated Mediterranean and semi-arid conditions, representing a short-term contamination event with nickel-enriched irrigation. Laboratory experiments assessed growth, tolerance, and Ni distribution within plant tissues. Results showed that Ni uptake increased with concentration, mainly in roots, while translocation to aerial parts remained limited. The bioconcentration factors ranged from 1.32 to 2.55, and the translocation factors from 0.46 to 0.60, indicating efficient uptake but restricted metal mobility. Higher water availability enhanced Ni absorption, suggesting that soil moisture facilitates metal transport and root activity. Helinathus annuus L. demonstrated good tolerance at moderate Ni levels but reduced growth and accumulation efficiency at higher concentrations, confirming its potential for phytostabilization in Mediterranean soils affected by metal contamination.

The Phyllostachys pubescens macrophyte, known also as Moso Bamboo, was evaluated in laboratory conditions for its potential to renovate copper-polluted soil. Pot experiments were conducted to determine Phyllostachys pubescens’ growth, tolerance and phytoextraction potential capacity to restore copper-contaminated soil in Mediterranean conditions. Data collected evidenced that the Phyllostachys pubescens evolution rate was 0.47 cm/day on average, with a 1.644 mm/d irrigation flow. Moso Bamboo tolerance was tested over a twelve-week irrigation period, while adding copper-polluted water. Copper removal from soil was 51.4% and the quantity of copper per gram of root/rhizome was equal to 1.18 mg Cu/g, while the amount of copper per gram of stem/leaves was 0.50 mg Cu/g, after 12 weeks. The conducted laboratory experiments show that environmental restoration using the phytoextraction technique, and using Phyllostachys pubescens, should be considered for the restoration of copper-contaminated soils.

Ecosystem services (ES) are defined as “the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human wellbeing” The release of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) established the groundwork for research in this field. Subsequently, there has been a remarkable increasing in interest in ecosystem services (ES) valuation, leading to the advancement, enhancement, and dissemination of various qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The investigation of the economic value of these services/benefits and its drivers, is crucial to the scientific debate, particularly to allow an estimate of the monetary value. As a consequence, support for the decision maker is provided to improve policy to the drivers that potentially have a positive effect on these ES. Considering the significance of ecosystem services (ES) for the sustainable advancement of contemporary society, this study endeavors to explore potential factors influencing ES values related to recreational and touristic opportunities on a global scale using meta-regression analysis. The investigation spans the years 1975 to 2021. Data for this study were sourced from the Ecosystem Service Valuation Database (ESVD), renowned as one of the most extensively utilized databases for ecosystem service valuation (ESV). Main findings show the existence of a difference in the assessment of the ES value for recreational and touristic opportunities in favor of the latter. This difference is more evident in Southern American countries, in which the number of studies published in the field appears low. Furthermore, the degree of protection of the study area is another relevant factor providing a positive effect on the economic value of ES. This result could be supported by the increasing number, over time, of protected areas across the globe. The findings of the present study would help policy makers to develop ad-hoc policies (e.g. financial incentives to increase the number of protected areas) and implement appropriate spatial strategies tailored to the geographical features and territorial characteristics of the area under investigation.