Search Results (40)

Cross-border regions have become key arenas for experimenting with new territorial configurations, particularly where functional interdependencies challenge inherited administrative boundaries. This article examines how cross-border cooperation contributes to innovative territorial construction along the French–Italian Alpine border, focusing on how territorial actors mobilise the border and how these dynamics relate to the emerging notion of transfrontierisation. The study centres on the urban–mountain system linking Savoie, the Aosta Valley, and the Metropolitan City of Turin, using the A-MONT project (Interreg ALCOTRA 2021–2027) as an empirical entry point. A mixed methodology was applied, combining quantitative analysis of ALCOTRA projects from the 2014 to 2020 and 2021 to 2027 programmes, qualitative fieldwork to local and supra-local actors, and a critical review of recent Integrated Territorial Plans (PITER). The results reveal a pronounced centre–periphery pattern in project participation, persistent disparities in administrative capacity, the development of informal networks that mitigate institutional fragmentation, and the emergence of shared territorial diagnoses. The article argues that these dynamics extend beyond project-based interaction and proposes the concept of transfrontierisation to describe the process through which cross-border cooperation reshapes supra-local networks, stabilises governance arrangements, and fosters shared territorial referents without replacing existing institutional frameworks. Full article

Alpine glaciers are a vital resource for mountain regions. They provide water reserves, support energy production and tourism, and promote biodiversity. However, they are highly susceptible to climate change. In fact, they are recognised as being among the areas most affected by, and increasingly exposed to, natural hazards. The Rutor glacier in Aosta Valley, Italy, which has been the subject of repeated measurements since the 19th century and currently covers an area of around 8 km², is undergoing significant and continuous retreat. It thus serves as an exemplary case study of the impact of climate change on the Italian Alps. This ongoing research has made it possible to conduct multi-temporal analysis of the glacier. Within this framework, Politecnico di Torino, in collaboration with ARPA Valle d’Aosta, has developed a multidisciplinary research approach focused on the characterisation of alpine environments. This study illustrates the geomatic workflows and derived geospatial products that can be used to carry out a 4D monitoring of the extent and volume of the Rutor Glacier and estimate its mass balance over the past six years. A specific focus of the study is the propagation of errors in multi-temporal analyses used to quantify glacier melt, with particular attention to the precision of input 3D geospatial data and to the Limit of Detection of elevation differences, ultimately enabling the estimation of the uncertainty associated with the derived quantities and their temporal trends. Finally, advantages and limitations in the multi-temporal and multi-sensor monitoring of glaciers are presented and discussed. Full article

This article examines how bordering is experienced in alpine environments undergoing rapid ecological change. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork conducted between 2024 and 2025 in the transboundary region of the Aosta Valley (Italy), Haute-Savoie (France), and the Canton of Valais (Switzerland), it explores how more-than-human relations become strained, suspended, or reconfigured through infrastructural instability, environmental rupture, and sanitary regulation. Based on a photo-ethnography, the analysis focuses on three empirical cases: infrastructural disruptions in the Val de Bagnes; the collapse of the Birch Glacier in the Lötschental Valley; and the effects of the Lumpy Skin Disease on pastoral practices across transboundary valleys. The article shows that alpine spaces are continuously co-produced by more-than-human assemblages through dynamics, in which bordering emerges not as fixed spatial line but as a conditional relational process unfolding across elevations and over time. By foregrounding interruption, waiting, constrained access, regulated proximity, suspension and exposure, it contributes to posthuman border studies by approaching bordering as a relational dynamic grounded in the material and temporal conditions under which more-than-human relations become practicable or impracticable. Full article

Mapping land cover, monitoring its changes, and simulating future alterations are essential tasks for sustainable land management. These processes enable accurate assessment of environmental impacts, support informed policymaking, and assist in the planning needed to mitigate risks related to urban expansion, deforestation, and climate change. This study proposes a GeoAI-based framework leveraging Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), a class of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), to predict land cover changes in the Aosta Valley region (NW Italy). The model uses Copernicus Earth Observation data, specifically Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 imagery, and is trained and validated on land cover maps derived from different time periods previously validated with ground truth data. The objective is to provide a predictive tool capable of simulating potential future landscape configurations, supporting proactive regional land use planning including regulatory constraints under the current land use plan. Model performance is evaluated using accuracy metrics. The land cover classification methodology follows established approaches in the scientific literature, adapted to the specific geomorphological characteristics of the Aosta Valley. To explore and visualize potential future land cover transitions, Sankey and chord diagrams are used in combination with zonal statistics and thematic plots. These provide detailed insights into the intensity, direction, and magnitude of landscape dynamics. Training data were stratified-sampled across the study area, covering a diverse set of land cover classes to ensure robustness and generalization of the MLP model. This GeoAI approach offers a scalable and replicable methodology for anticipating land cover dynamics, identifying vulnerable areas, and informing adaptive environmental management strategies at the regional scale, while simultaneously considering the latest urban planning regulations. Full article

The aim of this research was to characterize the genetic structure of brown trout species complex populations in nine river basins in the Aosta Valley and neighbouring regions in northern Italy. We used a combined analysis of nuclear lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-C1*), mitochondrial DNA-CR (control region) (mtDNA-CR) sequences and ddRAD-seq-generated single-nucleotide polymorphism. In this way, we estimated the degree of hybridization of wild populations with the Atlantic-derived hatchery lineage. The results of the genetic analyses showed a complex genetic structure with different levels of introgression at the respective sampling sites. The mitochondrial lineages (Atlantic (AT), Mediterranean (ME), Adriatic (AD), and Marmoratus (MA)) were present with varying percentages across the sampling sites. Data analysis using the Admixture v.1.3.0 software allowed the identification of four distinctive cluster units in the Aosta Valley. For the Vertosan River, we identified a distinct native population and a level of hybridization close to zero. In terms of conservation, this population with a distinct native lineage represents a high priority for protection and serves as a reservoir for the entire western north Italian alpine zone. Some interventions to support conservation actions within the study area can be envisaged. Full article

An adult female Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), introduced with another subject in the National Park of Gran Paradiso (Aosta Valley Region, Italy), was found dead. The necropsy found a mass involving mainly the gallbladder walls with other multicentric masses in the liver and pancreas. In addition to these, through the histological examination, other nodules were detected in the pancreas, with structure similar to gallbladder neoplasm. Histopathology diagnosed it as neoplasia composed of epithelioid cells, forming lobules of tubules and pseudoacini, with a very low mitotic count, discrete cellular pleomorphism, and prominent fibrous stroma. Neoplastic cells demonstrated positive immunoreactivity for cytokeratin and negative immunoreactivity for S100. Gross and histologic lesions and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with a primary gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) of metastatic type. GBC is a rare neoplasm in both humans and animals, sometimes associated with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis, with few reports in the veterinary literature especially in cattle, pigs, dogs and cats. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of GBC in a Eurasian otter. Full article

This study investigates the context in which the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) takes place in Italy. Several region-specific characteristics pertaining to socioeconomic conditions, transportation, and infrastructure are studied and combined by means of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and k-means clustering. The model acts as a tool able to provide a 3D visualization of the relative states of the 20 regions analyzed. Three Principal Components are computed, and seven clusters are identified and described, with Lombardy, Trentino-South Tyrol, Aosta Valley, and Lazio showing an advanced level of adoption compared to the rest of Italy. Key findings indicate that regional incentives are necessary to accelerate adoption in underperforming regions, and that incentives targeting the scrapping of old vehicles might not always be useful. To address the emerging disparities, recommendations tailored to the individual territories are provided. Full article

Purpose: Dirofilariasis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by a species belonging to the Dirofilaria genus. Human dirofilariasis cases have increased in Europe in the last few decades. Dogs and wild canids represent the definitive hosts and principal reservoirs of Dirofilaria repens, while mosquito species are biological vectors. Humans act as accidental hosts, and clinical manifestations depend on the location of the worm in the organs or tissues. We described the first case of ocular dirofilariasis in the Aosta Valley region (Italy). Case description: a 62-year-old Italian woman complained of recurrent ocular redness, pain and discomfort, accompanied by itching and foreign body sensation in the right eye. The slit lamp biomicroscopic examination revealed conjunctival congestion on the temporal region of bulbar conjunctiva, and a long whitish vermiform mobile mass was detected under the conjunctiva. The anterior chamber showed no flare or cells in either eye, and the dilated fundus examination was normal. The worm was immediately surgically removed to prevent further migration, and was diagnosed morphologically and molecularly as D. repens. Following surgical removal, the symptoms resolved completely and rapidly, with no recurrence of ocular symptoms recorded during 12-month follow-up visits. Conclusions: Ocular dirofilariasis can lead to misdiagnosis due to its rare ocular manifestations, and it is considered an emergent zoonosis in European countries. Accurate diagnosis and control of ocular dirofilariasis by D. repens require a multidisciplinary approach under the One Health framework to effectively address this emergent zoonosis. Full article

Background/Objectives: In the Aosta Valley, the alpine grazing system integrates livestock production and land management. Valdostana breeding has adapted to this mountainous region, but the spread of Staphylococcus aureus within pastures may impact animal health. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of S. aureus genotypes associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence profiles in four dairy herds in the Aosta Valley from July 2022 to August 2023. Methods: A total of 468 composite milk samples were collected at three timepoints: T1 (pasture-livestock system), T2 (farm-livestock system), and T3 (pasture-livestock system). S. aureus isolates were characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, ribosomal spacer (RS)-PCR, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), PCR analysis for 28 virulence genes and 6 AMR genes, and adlb-targeted real-time PCR. Results: RS-PCR analysis of 82 S. aureus strains revealed 12 genotypes (GT) in eight clusters (CL). The most prevalent variant was GTR^I (61%), followed by GTB (15%). Resistance to penicillin was high (69%), with CLR strains showing 88% resistance, and 51% resistance to amoxicillin plus clavulanate. All strains were susceptible to cephalosporins and oxacillin. Macrolide resistance was low (4%), and multi-drug resistance was 6%. AMR gene presence corresponded with susceptibility, with blaZ detected in 94% of CLR strains. CLR strains also possessed genes for biofilm formation and virulence factors. Conclusions: This study highlights the presence of AMR and virulence factors in S. aureus strains from alpine grazing systems, underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring to mitigate risks to animal health. Full article

This study investigates the critical relationship between soil characteristics, trace element concentrations in Nebbiolo grapes, and the resulting wine quality, emphasizing the importance of terroir in winemaking. Italy, particularly the regions of Piedmont, Lombardy, and the Aosta Valley, is home to Nebbiolo, a prestigious grape variety known for its depth and aging potential in wines like Barolo and Barbaresco. The research focuses on seventeen grape and wine samples, highlighting how soil mineral composition could affect grape composition and wine characteristics. The analysis employed ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry) to measure trace elements such as Al, Ba, and Mn, linking their concentrations to the soil’s geological properties. Elements were categorized into three groups based on their origins—natural soil contributions (Al, Ba, Li, Mn, Mo, Sr, Ti), those influenced by production cycles (Ca, Mg, K, Cu, Zn, Fe), and artificial sources (Co, Cr, Ni, V)—asserting that the first group serves as the most reliable indicators for tracing wines back to their vineyard origins. By establishing a chemical fingerprint for Nebbiolo wines, this research aims to enhance their authenticity and market value while providing insights into the intricate interplay between soil, grape varietals, and winemaking practices and contemporary challenges like climate change and evolving market demands. Full article

Climate change is resulting in significant transformations in mountain areas all over the world, causing the melting of glacier ice, reduction in snow accumulation, and permafrost loss. Changes in the mountain cryosphere are not only modifying flora and fauna distributions but also affecting the stability of slopes in those regions. For all these reasons, and because of the risks these phenomena pose to the population, the dentification of dangerous areas is a crucial step in the development of risk reduction strategies. While several methods and examples exist that cover the assessment and computation of single sub-components, there is still a lack of application of risk assessment due to glacier melting over large areas in which the final result can be directly employed in the design of risk mitigation policies at regional and municipal levels. This research is focused on landslides and gravitational movements on slopes resulting from rapid glacier melting phenomena in the Valle d’Aosta region in Italy, with the aim of providing a tool that can support spatial planning in response to climate change in Alpine environments. Through the conceptualization and development of a GIS-based and multi-criteria approach, risk is then estimated by defining hazard indices that consider different aspects, combining the experience acquired from studies carried out in various disciplinary fields, to obtain a framework at the regional level. This first assessment is then deepened for the Lys River Valley, where the mapping of hazardous areas was implemented, obtaining a classification of buildings according to their hazard score to estimate the potential damage and total risk relating to possible slope instability events due to ice melt at the local scale. Full article

This study presents an evaluation of the CHIMBO modeling chain applied to the Italian domain, specifically focusing on the Po Valley subdomain over the one-year period of 2019. The comparison between simulated and observed data indicates that the performance of the CHIMBO model aligns well with existing literature on other state-of-the-art models. The results demonstrate that the CHIMBO chain is particularly effective for regional-scale quantitative assessments of pollutant distribution, comparable to that of CAMS ensemble models. The analysis of key chemical species in particulate matter reveals that the CHIMBO model accurately represents the average concentrations of organic and elemental carbon, as well as secondary inorganic compounds (sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium), particularly at background monitoring stations in the flat terrain of the Po Valley, with the exception of Aosta, a city located at about 500 m asl. However, seasonal discrepancies were identified, especially during winter months, when significant underestimations were observed for several species, including elemental and organic carbon, predominantly at background sites. These underestimations are likely attributed to various factors: (i) inadequate estimations of primary emissions, particularly from domestic heating; (ii) the limited effectiveness of secondary formation processes under winter conditions characterized by low photochemical activity and high humidity; and (iii) excessive dilution of pollutants during calm wind conditions due to overestimation of wind intensity. In conclusion, while the CHIMBO modeling chain serves as a robust tool for mesoscale atmospheric composition investigations, limitations persist related to emissions inventories and meteorological parameters, which remain critical drivers of atmospheric processes. Full article

Deep-seated gravitational slope deformations (DSGSDs) consist of gravity-induced, large-scale, gradual rock mass movements. In the Aosta Valley region (Valle d’Aosta NW Italy), DSGDs affect wide valley slopes and produce several interconnected morpho-structures that involve bedrock and Quaternary cover. Some DSGSD effects are not visible at the surface because of subglacial abrasion or burial by sediments and, therefore, are difficult to map with standard geomorphological surveys. This is the case for the Pointe Leysser DSGSD in the Aosta Valley, which is heavily influenced by the historical movements of the Verrogne-Clusellaz Glacier and its tributaries. We conducted a new geological investigation, integrated with deep electrical resistivity tomography geophysical surveys (ERTs). The ERT results were initially compared with geological/geomorphological evidence at the surface to define the correlation between the values and spatial distributions of electrical resistivity and the sediments, rocks, or morpho-structures. The resistivity values at various depths were subsequently analysed, interpreted, and discussed in conjunction with geological hypotheses. The geological and geophysical survey revealed three wide buried glacial valleys filled with glacial sediments and mapped the locations of gravitational morpho-structures at depth. These new data allowed us to draw a relationship between glacialism and gravitational evolution, distinguishing between pre-singlacial movements and postglacial movements. Full article

As climate change and decreasing precipitation worsen water scarcity, understanding farmers’ willingness to reduce water usage is crucial. This study examines this issue in the Aosta Valley, a region facing unique challenges due to its mountainous terrain and high water management costs. The aim is to evaluate farmers’ willingness to reduce water usage and the economic incentives needed to encourage water-saving strategies. To gather the data, 100 farmers participated in a survey that included a discrete choice experiment. The findings revealed that 75% of farmers were unwilling to reduce their water usage even with proposed monetary compensation (EUR 100–120 per hectare per year). On average, the additional compensation farmers would accept for a 10% reduction in water usage was estimated at EUR 360 per hectare per year. This high compensation demand suggests a disconnect between individual desires and economic feasibility. The key reasons for their reluctance included the belief that their current water usage is already optimized, inadequate compensation for potential economic losses and concerns about water shortage. The study highlights the need to understand the socio-cultural context when designing water management policies. Combining economic incentives with social and educational initiatives is likely more effective for promoting sustainable water practices. Full article

Optimising antimicrobial usage (AMU) in livestock is pivotal to counteract the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. We analysed AMU in more than 1000 cattle herds over 11 years (2008–2018) in the Aosta Valley (Italy), a region where 80% of farms house less than 50 cattle. Dairy cows accounted for over 95% of AMU. AMU was estimated using the defined daily dose animal for Italy (DDDAit) per biomass for the whole herd and a treatment incidence 100 (TI₁₀₀) for cows. Average annual herd-level AMU was low, with 3.6 DDDAit/biomass (range: 3.2–4.0) and 1.2 TI₁₀₀ in cows (range: 1.1–1.3). Third and fourth generation cephalosporins, which are critical for human medicine, represented almost 10% of usage, and intramammary antimicrobials accounted for over 60%. We detected significant downward temporal trends in total AMU, as well as a positive relationship with herd size. The magnitude of such effects was small, leaving scant room for further reduction. However, the frequent use of critical antimicrobials and intramammary products should be addressed, following the principles of prudent AMU. Our findings highlight the importance of monitoring AMU even in low-production, smallholding contexts where a low usage is expected, to identify any deficiencies and implement interventions for further AMU optimisation. Full article