Biology subjects

Mancuso, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Mancuso, S..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Integrating Earth Observation and Graph Theory to Evaluate Urban Green Spaces Connectivity Across European Capitals

ContextAs global urbanization intensifies, Urban Green Spaces (UGS) are pivotal for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. However, comparative assessments of UGS spatial configuration and connectivity across diverse urban landscapes remain limited. ObjectivesThis study aims to assess the spatial arrangement and connectivity of UGS across 28 European capital cities. Additionally, we evaluate how Network Science metrics derived from Graph Theory can complement traditional landscape ecology metrics to provide a more comprehensive understanding of UGS at a large scale. MethodsWe developed a European Urban Vegetation Map using Earth observation data to classify UGS at 10m resolution across the selected capitals. We then analyzed UGS connectivity for each city utilizing 40 traditional landscape metrics and a Graph-Theory-based approach. ResultsWhile traditional landscape metrics effectively quantified fragmentation, they often remain strongly correlated with total vegetation abundance. In contrast, Network Science metrics provided specific insights into UGS functional connectivity, distinguishing the quality of ecological links beyond spatial proximity. This integration allowed us to cluster European capitals into three distinct typologies: unconnected compact cities, large metropolises with complex peri-urban dynamics, and high-connectivity cities with robust networks. These findings demonstrate that graph-based indices effectively complement traditional metrics, highlighting that relying solely on green space percentage is insufficient for assessing the ecological resilience of urban environments. ConclusionsThese results underscore the relevance of Earth observation-based UGS assessment and demonstrate that graph-based landscape connectivity analysis outperforms simple abundance metrics. Therefore, effective assessment requires integrating structural metrics with graph-based connectivity to support resilient urban biodiversity.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

The transcriptional mechanism behind Mimosa pudica leaf-folding in response to mechanical disturbance

Mimosa pudica is a plant known for its ability to fold leaves in response to mechanical disturbances, which serves as a visible phenotypic stress marker. Leaf folding occurs with a response timing and intensity that varies depending on the stimulus. This adaptive behavior may function as a defense mechanism, helping plant resist herbivores and environmental stressors. However, the molecular and genetic mechanisms that are involved in leaf folding are still not totally understood. In this study, the gene regulatory networks underlying M. pudica leaf closure following single and multiple mechanical disturbances (whole pot drops) were investigated. Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured as fast phenotypic indicator of transient or permanent photochemical damage, and transcriptional responses were measured to identify the key genes regulating phenotypic changes after single or multiple drops. A progressive reduction of the quantum yield of photosystem 2 revealed a lower electron transport rate in leaves subjected to one or more drops, which may indicate the onset of energy shortage, perhaps caused by low ATP availability, limiting both leaf movement and photosynthesis. The transcriptomic profiles revealed larger differences when plants were subjected to multiple drops than to a single drop, with respect to unstressed controls. Interestingly, following a single drop, the majority of up-regulated genes were associated with the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. After multiple drops, however, genes associated with biotic and abiotic stress resistance pathways were predominantly up-regulated. These results provide a basis for developing a gene regulatory network model of stress-induced movements in M. pudica leaves, which may help design sustainable strategies of plant stress defense. Main ConclusionsRepeated stress in Mimosa pudica reduces photosystem efficiency, alters gene expression, shifting from flavonoid biosynthesis to stress resistance pathways, offering insights for sustainable plant stress defense strategies.

plant biology↗