Pier Paolo Franzese,Giulia Maisto,Anna De Marco,Carmen Arena,Elvira Buonocore

1Department of Science and Technology,Parthenope University of Naples,Italy

2Department of Biology,University of Naples “Federico II”,Italy

Keywords Environmental quality Environmental management Environmental assessment Environmental accounting

Abstract This volume gathers theoretical,methodological,and applied papers exploring different issues related to environmental quality and management.Human economy depends on healthy ecosystems capable of ensuring a life support system delivering ecosystem services vital for human well-being.Integrated environmental assessment and environmentalaccounting are essential research areas to assess the quality of environmental matrices while supporting managers and policy makers with scientifically sound information.

1 Introduction

The massive exploitation of natural resources by humans is strongly affecting biodiversity and the functionality of natural ecosystems(Cardinale et al.,2012;MA,2005;TEEB,2010).The lack of understanding about the dependence of human economy upon natural resources has generated critical environmental problems,among which chemical pollution,eutrophication,soil erosion,biodiversity loss,water crisis,and climate change(Folke et al.,2011;Meadows et al.,2014;Rockstr?m et al.,2009).Over the past few decades,efforts have been done to explore the link between environmental quality and human well-being.Indeed,healthy ecosystems are capable of maintaining their structures and functions,ensuring the generation and maintenance of natural capital stocks and ecosystem services flows(Costanza et al.,1997,2014;H?yh? and Franzese,2014).

The increased awareness on the interdependency between natural and human economy has led to the development of nature conservation actions and sustainable management schemes,also boosting natural capital and ecosystem services assessment(Franzese et al.,2015,2017;H?yh? et al.,2015;Nikodinoska et al.,2018;Picone et al.,2017;Vassallo et al.,2017).

Environmental monitoring and natural resource accounting represent key tools to perform integrated environmental assessment focusing on the quality of environmental matrices(air,soil,and water)and the resilience of natural ecosystems(Folke et al.,2004).

The design of sustainable management strategies requires the integration of environmental,economic,and social aspects(Franzese et al.,2008,2014;Russo et al.,2014;Ulgiati et al.,2010;Viglia et al.,2013).These aspects can be investigated through multicriteria assessment frameworks capable of supporting local managers,policy-makers,and other stakeholders(Buonocore et al.,2012,2014;Nikodinoska et al.,2017).

2 Goal of this special issue

The main goal of this special issue is to present a set of articles exploring different aspects related to the issue of environmental quality and management.In particular,this special issue gathers theoretical,methodological,and applied papers exploring the following research areas:a)characterization and functionality of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems,b)relationships between chemical alterations and biological components of ecological communities,c)chemical,biological,and ecotoxicological indicators to assess environmental quality,d)spatial analysis and environmental accounting tools to assess anthropogenic impacts and ecosystem resilience,e)renewable energy options and their implications on economy and environment.

3 Papers presented in the special issue

This special issue collects papers presented at the X Biennal International Workshop Advances in Energy Studies(BIWAES)and the XXVII Congress of the Italian Society of Ecology(S.It.E.),summarized as follows.

Esposito et al.(2018)evaluate heavy metals concentration in leaves of Q.ilex L.collected in two municipalities located in Southern Italy.

Figlioli et al.(2018)assess the effects of increasing Mn concentrations on the uptake of a set of micro and macro nutrients in Cistus salvifolius L.grown in hydroponic culture.

Amitrano et al.(2018)analyze specific physiological traits of mung bean(Vigna radiata)seedlings grown at different light quality regimes toassess the best light treatment promoting photosynthesis and plant development.

Romanucci et al.(2018)test the effects on five selected plant species of phytotoxic extracts added in subsurface drip irrigation system.

Sapio(2018)discusses the effects of regional redistribution of renewable energy subsidies and shows that regions characterised by high energy demand and low renewable energy endowments disproportionately contribute to the green energy budget.

Schiavo et al.(2018)assess the toxicity of virgin plastic pellet leachates on organisms of different trophic levels,spanning form prokaryotes to eukaryotes,in freshwater environment.

Marzaioli et al.(2018)investigate the effect of biochar amendment on soil quality and crop yield in a greenhouse environment of an organic farm located in Southern Italy.

Appolloni et al.(2018)perform an integrated landscape-seascape spatial analysis of the Gulf of Naples(Southern Italy)to detect differences inthespatial patterns ofecosystem patches between landscape andseascape and to compare the effects of anthropogenic impact in terms of spatial heterogeneity.

Buonocore et al.(2018)use bibliometric network analysis to investigate the global scientific literature on“natural capital”,exploring the relationships among authors,countries,journals,and main keywords on the subject.

4 Concluding remarks

TheGuest Editors hope that this volume willboost theinterdisciplinary knowledge on different aspects regarding the issue of environmental quality and management.

Acknowledgement

A special thank is due to all the Reviewers who contributed their time and valuable effort.Without their work and scientific support this special issue would not have been possible.