The "Signora" of limnology. Rina Monti: geological experience, ecosystem protection and the impact of human activity

Following the conferral of her degree in Natural Sciences in 1892, Rina Monti (1871-1937) proceeded to pursue her education with great assiduity. During the 1892-93 academic year, she elected to assist the mineralogist Francesco Sansoni in his research activities at the University of Pavia. This period proved pivotal in Monti’s professional development, as it marked her first direct engagement in the field of geology. Her participation in the Congress of Italian Naturalists in Milan in 1906, which was promoted by the Italian Society of Natural Sciences, and her marriage to Augusto Stella, an important Italian geologist, consolidated her enduring and unwavering commitment to Earth science. For Rina, however, the geological description represented the initial step to comprehending the history and current state of the lakes and the intricate and vulnerable ecosystems they sustained. The relevance of her studies is underscored by their focus on the conservation, protection and promotion of the environment. For this reason, they prompt us to reflect on fundamental issues of our era.