In the framework of scientific projects and collaborations, the research activity is focused on the following key themes:
- High-resolution sequence stratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental evolution of continental, transitional and shallow marine depositional systems during the late Quaternary, through the reconstruction of subsurface depositional architecture, facies patterns, palaeobiological turnover and key stratigraphic surfaces by means of core analysis and stratigraphic correlations. Special attention is paid to incised-valley systems buried beneath modern delta plains. These studies are designed to investigate the relationships between depositional-environmental dynamics and natural or human-induced forcing factors. Study areas include Arno Plain; Po Plain; Ombrone Delta and Rhône Delta (among others).
- Stratigraphic palaeobiology applied to: i) facies characterization of transitional to shallow marine successions of Quaternary age (subsurface or outcrop successions) and ii) palaeoclimate characterization of late Quaternary architectural elements buried beneath modern coastal areas. Study areas include Arno Plain; Po Plain; central-southern Adriatic coastal areas; La Spezia Gulf; Corsica wetlands; Crotone Basin-Valle di Manche Section and Gulf of Taranto-Fronte Section.
- Meiofauna (benthic foraminifers and ostracods) distribution patterns and driving factors in modern settings (e.g., lagoon, marshes). The quantitative and multivariate analysis of modern analogues is fundamental for accurate and robust palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, the evaluation of past relative sea levels and the analysis of the ecological quality status of transitional waters. Study areas include the Bellocchio Lagoon (N Adriatic coastal plain) and the Morbihan Gulf (France).
- Geoarchaeology and Holocene stratigraphy of archaeological sites and alluvial-deltaic areas. These studies are designed to reconstruct past landscapes of human-occupied areas and to probe the mutual relationships between ancient societies, climate and environments. Study areas include: i) Mediterranean alluvial plains hosting long-settled multilayered cities as the Pisa plain (MAPPA Project: “Metodologie Applicate alla Previsione del Potenziale Archeologico”); ii) coastal areas hosting ancient harbours (e.g., Sea of Galilee-Magdala Project, Israele; Portus Pisanus and Vada Volaterrana, Italy; Aquileia, Italy) and iii) sites of archaeological excavation (e.g., Tell Tuqan, Syria; Qasr Shemamok site, Iraqi Kurdistan; Lio Piccolo-Venice Lagoon, Italy; Nora, Italy).
