We are a transdisciplinary group of scientists from the Italian National Research Council (CNR), uniting expertise from the Department of Earth System Science and Environmental Technologies (DSSTTA) and the Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Science (DISBA).

CNR-ISAFOM (Institute for Agricultural and Forestry Systems in the Mediterranean): Leading project coordination and environmental data integration. 

CNR-IRPI (Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection): Leading environmental characterization and GIS analysis. 

CNR-IPSP (Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection): Leading the evaluation of pollinator health and ecosystem services. 

CNR-ISPAAM (Institute for Animal Production System in Mediterranean Environment): Leading the development of genomic biomarkers.

The aims of SPA lab is to Support Precison Agriculture through the use of standard and new scientific approaches. Each approach is strongly oriented to the analysis and understanding of Soil-Plant-Atmosphere system (SPA) and to support planning and management strategies.

Planning strategies:  Study of the impact of climate change in production areas; Evaluation of alternative scenarios (CC, cultivars, management..); Optimization of resources; Identification of management and support policies for rural areas; Identification of breeding trajectories

Management strategies: Field monitoring (proximal and remote sensors); DSS decision support systems; Improvement of agricultural practices; Spatial Optimization of harvest; Infrastructure improvement

The activities of SPA lab are supported by GAIA iLAB (Geophysics  Agronomy Interdisciplinary Analysis, interdepartmental Laboratory) of ISAFOM and IREA CNR's Institutes.

The Geomorphology group of CNR IRPI is team of geologists, engineers and physicists in Perugia, Italy. The group performs research on geo-hydrological hazards at different scales and in different physiographic environments, analyzing different hazard types and patterns in relation to geological and morphological settings.

Mapping of geo-hydrological hazards is carried out using the expert mapping on the field and from remote sensing imagery, numerical and statistical modeling, the tools of high-perofmrnace computing and the methods of geomorphometry.

Geodiversity: recently introduced among the activities of the group, at the intersection of geomorphometry and environmental research, and in relation to anthropization and urban modifications. We published research and software for the assessememt of geomorphodiversity in general terms and in urban areas.

The aims of GEN-Lab is to support Precision Agriculture and Environmental Sustainability through the use of advanced molecular biology techniques and genomic biomarkers. Each activity is strongly oriented toward the early detection of chromosomal pathologies, monitoring of biological stress, and long-term conservation of genetic resources, with applications across animals, plants, and insects.

The main activities:

• Molecular diagnostics: Fast and highly specific detection of genomic markers related to chromosomal anomalies and stress conditions.

• Environmental stress evaluation: Use of biomarkers to assess the impact of environmental pressures on living organisms

• DNA biobanking: Collection, extraction, and preservation of DNA samples from: Protected or endangered animal breeds Species from high- and low-impact environments

• Support biodiversity conservation and agri-environmental monitoring 

Instrumentation and Technologies:

• Second- and third-generation PCR platforms

• Automated systems for sample preparation

General activities

The BeeLab conducts research on the ecosystem services provided by pollinators, aiming to promote the development of ecological and sustainable agriculture.

Specific Research Activities

• Investigating the impact of biotic and abiotic stress factors on honey bees and wild bees using biomolecular approaches (gene expression and transcriptomics) and artificial intelligence (AI).

• Assessing plant–pollinator interactions and behaviour mediated by volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

• Monitoring the morpho-bio-molecular biodiversity of pollinators (DNA barcoding) in natural and agricultural ecosystems, and studying agroecological techniques to recovery ecosystem services.

• Using honey bees as bioindicators to monitor environmental pollutants associated with human activities (e.g., climate change, crop protection products, fine particulate matter, heavy metals, dioxins).

• Studying honey bee resilience to environmental stress through nutritional management and the selection of native subspecies, employing re-wilding techniques and artificial queen insemination.

For more info about the project  [antonello.bonfante@cnr.it]