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This article provides an SVECM investigation of long-run, short-run and contemporaneous relationships across per capita international tourism arrivals (ar), real GDP (y), and total international commercial transactions (tr) for the Italian economy. We find that variables span a bidimensional cointegrating space, which we normalize as long-run relationships between y and ar and between ar and tr. Signs and magnitudes of the estimated elasticities are as expected and compare well with the literature. The causation mechanism shows that none of the variables are weakly exogenous. What we find is that, whereas there appears to be unidirectional long-run causality running from y to tr and from tr to ar, bidirectional causality is detected between y and ar. Structural estimation and a study of the Impulse-Response functions of “meaningful” shocks hitting the economy are used to provide valuable insights for policy and business strategy design. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The collections stored at the Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR) were analysed to verify if setting conservation priorities on the exclusive endemic flora of Sardinia (Italy) would make it possible to reach the 2010 GSPC Target 8. By 2010, 39.9% of the exclusive-endemics of Sardinia, 43.1% of the BGCI European threatened species and 65.0% of the taxa listed in Annex II of DIR 92/43/EEC present on the island had been stored in BG-SAR. Of the stored plants, 40% of those listed in the DIR 92/43/EEC, and only 25.69% of the BGCI threatened plants are represented by an adequate number of populations. For a few of the stored threatened plants (ca. 36%), and for 60% of the DIR 92/43/EEC ones, at least one seedlot with more than 5000 seeds is available. These data indicate that focusing on exclusive endemics gave a substantial, although not decisive, contribution towards the achievement of the 2010 GSPC Target 8 in Sardinia, and that more efforts are needed to guarantee the effective long-term conservation of these threatened taxa with the aim of reaching the 2020 GSPC target. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The autecology of the Sardinian endemics Aquilegia barbaricina Arrigoni et Nardi and A. nugorensis Arrigoni et Nardi were investigated. Peaks of anthesis and seed dispersal were recorded for five populations occurring in two distinct habitats, one riparian and one rupicolous. Germination tests were carried out on seed lots belonging to each population by sowing seeds at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 25/15°C. In addition, seeds were incubated for 2 months at either 25°C (summer), 5°C (winter) or 25°C for 2 months plus 2 months at 5°C (summer followed by winter–SW), and then moved to the germination temperatures. Embryo measurements were taken during pre-treatments and germination. Experimental seed burials were carried out for two populations of each species. Both species dispersed in summer. The population of A. nugorensis occurring on rocky outcrops differed in phenology from both the other A. nugorensis population from riparian vegetation and from A. barbaricina. Both species showed morphophysiological seed dormancy, with <50% germination under laboratory conditions. All riparian populations germinated only after the SW pre-treatment, while the rupicolous population germinated at 25°C, without any pre-treatment. Low germination percentages were observed in the experimental seed burials, suggesting the ability for both species to form a persistent soil seed bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution brings to the attention of the scientific community some of the results developed by the Evaluation Unit of the Regional Administration of Sardinia, regarding plausibility and effectiveness profiles of. the actions undertaken in the social exclusion area based on the 2000-2006 European Funding. After obtaining a picture of the phenomena by means of a Principal Components Analysis on available data, we observe many critical points regarding the devising and effectiveness of the policy. First of all, there appears no matching between the municipalities benefitting of the program and the intensity of the phenomena. Furthermore, perhaps because of the scarcity of available funds, we find that the Heckman (1979) two-stage procedure does not signal the policy as effective in affecting the performance of the municipalities in the control of the social exclusion phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only two members of the genus Ribes L. (Grossulariaceae) occur in Sardinia, both endemic: R. sardoum and R. multiflorum subsp. sandalioticum. R. sardoum is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and R. multiflorum subsp. sandalioticum is a rare species previously known from only a few localities. Both species grow only in mountainous areas. In 2006–2010 we carried out a field survey to verify the conservation status of R. sardoum and to estimate the number of individual plants, identify threats and assess the conservation status of R. multiflorum subsp. sandalioticum. R. sardoum is threatened by grazing, its small population, low seed viability and the activities of tourists, confirming its Critically Endangered status. We found R. multiflorum subsp. sandalioticum in 13 localities, three of which are new records, with the plants in scattered groups or singly, in three populations. The threats to R. multiflorum subsp. sandalioticum are overgrazing, the small populations, habitat fragmentation and the activities of tourists. We propose that R. multiflorum subsp. sandalioticum be categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Research activities and conservation measures for this genus on Sardinia have been proposed and some conservation actions have already commenced. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background and Aims The Mediterranean Basin is one of the most important regions for the Earth's plant biodiversity; however, the scarcity of studies on fine scale patterns of genetic variation in this region is striking. Here, an assessment is made of the spatial genetic structure of all known locations of the three Sardinian endemic species of Aquilegia in order to determine the relative roles of gene flow and genetic drift as underlying evolutionary forces canalizing the divergence of Sardinian Aquilegia taxa, and to see if the spatial genetic structure found fits the current taxonomic differentiation of these taxa. Methods DNA from 89 individuals from all known locations of Aquilegia across Sardinia was analysed by means of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Both principal co-ordinates analysis (PCoA) and Bayesian clustering analyses were used to determine the spatial genetic structure irrespective of any taxonomic affiliation. Historical effects of gene flow and genetic drift were assessed by checking for the existence of isolation-by-distance patterns. Key Results STRUCTURE and PCoA analyses revealed a pattern of genetic variation geographically structured into four spatial genetic groups. No migration–drift equilibrium was detected for Aquilegia in Sardinia, when analysed either as a whole or in individual groups. The scenario approached a Case III pattern sensu Hutchinson and Templeton, which is associated with extreme isolation conditions where genetic drift has historically played a dominant role over gene flow. Conclusions The pattern of genetic variation of Sardinian taxa of Aquilegia indicates that genetic drift has been historically more influential than gene flow on population structure of Sardinian species of Aquilegia. Limited seed dispersal and divergent selection imposed by habitat conditions have been probably the main causes reinforcing post-Pleistocene geographical isolation of Aquilegia populations. The spatial genetic structure found here is not fully compatible with current taxonomic affiliations of Sardinian Aquilegia taxa. This is probably a consequence of the uncoupling between morphological and genetic patterns of differentiation frequently found in recently radiated taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Morphophysiological dormancy was investigated in seeds of Ribes multiflorum Kit ex Roem et Schult. ssp. sandalioticum Arrigoni, a rare mountain species endemic to Sardinia (Italy). There were no differences in imbibition rates between intact and scarified seeds, suggesting a lack of physical dormancy, while methylene blue solution (0.5%) highlighted a preferential pathway for solution entrance through the raphe. Embryos were small at seed dispersal, with an initial embryo:seed ratio (E:S) of ca. 0.2 (embryo length, ca. 0.5 mm), whereas the critical E:S ratio for germination was three times longer ( ca. 0.6). Gibberellic acid (GA3, 250 mg·l−1) and warm stratification (25 °C for 3 months) followed by low temperature (<15 °C) enhanced embryo growth rate (maximum of ca. 0.04 mm·day−1 at 10 °C) and subsequent seed germination (radicle emergence; ca. 80% at 10 °C). Low germination occurred at warmer temperatures, and cold stratification (5 °C for 3 months) induced secondary dormancy. After radicle emergence, epicotyl emergence was delayed for ca. 2 months for seeds from three different populations. Mean time of epicotyl emergence was affected by GA3. Seeds of this species showed non-deep simple (root) - non-deep simple (epicotyl) morphophysiological dormancy, highlighting a high synchronisation with Mediterranean seasonality in all the investigated populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this work were to verify the distribution and population size of Lamyropsis microcephala (Asteraceae), characterize its habitat, assess its conservation status and initiate conservation measures for this Critically Endangered species. Distribution was determined by field surveys and mapping. To estimate population size and density 81 permanent monitoring plots were randomly established. Ex situ conservation measures were activated by harvesting and appropriate storage of seed. We confirmed the presence of L. microcephala at two previously known sites and found it in two previously unknown localities. The areas in which the species occur vary from 200 to 240,000 m2, at altitudes of 1,450–1,820 m, on slopes of 15–45° with aspects from north to west. The estimated number of ramets per population varied from c. 2,000 to c. 2,000,000, with a mean density of 8.29 ± SD 14.3 to 10.33 ± SD 10.05 ramets m-2. Our findings confirmed the Critically Endangered status of this species, although with different criteria. This study is an example of an integrated approach for the conservation of an extremely narrow endemic plant species and may be useful for other little-known threatened species for which urgent conservation measures are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Polygala sardoa Chodat and P. sinisica Arrigoni (Polygalaceae) are two exclusive endemics to Sardinia and P. sinisica is affiliated under “Critically Endangered” in the IUCN Red Lists. In this work comparative studies on two populations of P. sardoa and in the only one of P. sinisica were carried out. In particular, seed output calculations and morphometric measurements on seed and elaiosome sizes were carried out. The effect of chipping, constant (15°C) and alternating (25/10°C) temperature regimes and light (8h irradiance/day and dark) on germination were investigated. Seedling vigor assessments and a study on seed persistence in the soil were also carried out. P. sinisica had a higher seed output than P. sardoa and P. sinisica seeds were smaller than those of P. sardoa, with lower elaiosome area and elaiosome ratio values. Neither species had alternating temperature or light requirements for germination. P. sardoa achieved high germination percentages (> 80%) at all the tested conditions. P. sinisica had a lower maximum germination (<60%), suggesting the presence of physiological dormancy, and took more than twice as long to reach the maximum germination percentage. Seedlings of P. sardoa were larger than those of P. sinisica, and neither species formed a persistent soil seed bank. These new data may help implement effective conservation measures for these two species and, more generally, for threatened endemic species of this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centranthus amazonum Fridl. & A. Raynal (Valerianaceae) is a critically endangered narrow endemic to Central–Eastern Sardinia (Italy), where it occurs in rocky habitats. In the present study, the germination ecology of this species was investigated and compared with the relatively widespread species Centranthus ruber (L.) DC. subsp. ruber. In particular, the effects of a range of constant temperatures (5–25°C) and two alternating temperature regimes (25/10 and 30/15°C) on seed germination were analyzed. For the two species, cardinal temperatures were determined as the reciprocal of time to 50% germination (t50). In addition, seed persistence in the soil was assessed by experimental seed burials. Seeds of both species were non-dormant; however, C. amazonum produced more empty seeds and germination was slower and reached lower final percentages than C. ruber. Moreover, seed and seedling mass of C. ruber were higher than for C. amazonum and the lack of a persistent soil seed bank detected for C. amazonum increases vulnerability to extinction for this species. The present study provides new data on the germination ecology of the previously unstudied C. amazonum that may explain the rarity of this species when compared with the commonness of C. ruber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a quantification of the short and long-run impacts of the recent credit guarantee scheme agreed by the regional policy maker in Sardinia (Italy) in support of local SME's. Specifically, taking the expected value of several hypothesized economic scenarios, we first calculate the credit additionality to be ascribed to the implementation of the policy. Then, by exploiting previous findings referring to the specific Italian case (Zecchini and Ventura, 2006), we are also able to calculate the expected reduction in the cost of capital provision enjoyed by the targeted firms. Finally, starting on these two direct effects, the "economic additionality", in terms of higher Investments, Value Added and Labour Units, is also calculated. Simulations concern both annual and cumulated values till the 2020 and refer to a suitable ATECO sectorialization of the regional economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the cointegrating space spanned by Italian regional relative prices and per capita GDPs. To this end, we combine panel data with vector error correction model estimation in an innovative approach which is still under development. The results are interesting: regional prices, which seem to persistently deviate from the law of one price ( PPP), cointegrate with relative per capita GDPs. The estimated elasticity is not consistent with the Balassa–Samuelson hypothesis but is closer to supporting the classical supply-demand schedule. Weak-causality testing gives further details on linkages between the real and nominal side of Italy’s regionally diversified economy. Homogeneity of the coefficients, lacking at a national level, can be recovered at a more disaggregated macro-area level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We combine panel data with SVECM methodologies to assess the role of real shocks in determining price differentials in Italy. The main results can be summarized as follows. At a national level, we find strong evidence of persistent price and productivity misalignments across regions. In accordance with the Balassa-Samuelson Hypothesis, such misalignments are positively correlated in all samples. Aggregate productivity seems to be the driving force at the national level. The adjustment mechanism is rather intricate and changes across the country. The retrieval of the structural coefficients is also rich in powerful insights into the functioning of the Italian economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]