PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
With no less than 32 priority habitat types, 91 species of fauna, one hundred species of birds, and some hundreds species of flora listed in the Habitat Directive, Italy had an exceptionally rich natural heritage and a particular responsibility for protecting this heritage within the EU.
Aware of this burden, the Italian authorities embarked in 1992 on establishing a comprehensive “Nature Atlas” of their country’s fauna and flora. This was also intended to help prepare the designation of Special Areas of Conservation for inclusion in the NATURA 2000 Network under the Habitats Directive.
This complex project brought together a wide range of scientific institutions, NGOs and government bodies to work on a variety of related sub-projects to support this work.
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OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the “Habitat Italia” project was to help identify and prepare Special Areas of Conservation for designation under the Habitats Directive, for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network. The project consisted of 15 sub-projects. Most concerned surveys, maps and inventories to establish the scientific base necessary for determining conservation priorities throughout Italy. Some sub-projects related to specific areas, such as wetlands and the Mediterranean maquis or target individual species - notably the wolf (Canis lupus), monk seal (Monachus monachus), Corsican red deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus) and sea turtles.
The 15 sub-projects and their specific objectives were:
Check list of Italian fauna – research 65 000 fauna species found in Italy
Protection of the monk seal - a study a seal sites and potential sites and awareness raising around them on the Sardinian coast
Wildlife corridors - a study on the ecological corridors between animal populations in the alpine area
Protection of the sea turtle - a study and a series of actions to promote and support the conservation of the sea turtle
Protection of the Corsican red deer in the Monte Arcosu reserve, Sardinia - a study and a series of actions to promote the conservation of the Corsican red deer
Raptors - monitoring raptor populations and surveillance of the annual migration to protect the birds from a notorious uncontrolled bird shoot in the Straits of Messina. Also identification of potential SPA sites and public awareness campaigns.
S.Rossore - a study on the damaging effects of marine spray and other agents of human origin on vegetation - in particular Mediterranean Maquis (scrub) and pinewoods in a regional park in Tuscany – and pilot conservation actions
Padule di Fucecchio - a study on the conservation status of animals and plants in the wetlands of the Arno river valley in Tuscany - and pilot conservation actions
Goletta Verde – an analysis of human impact factors on sea waters - marine parks, reserves and natural areas - and associated awareness campaign
Investigation on flora - identifying all sites where species on the Red List of Italian plants could be found
Priority habitats - research on the priority habitats present in Italy for the proposal of SCIs.
Data Bank - a study and census of all the data already existing on fauna present in Italy, connected with a system of cartography.
Wolf - a study on the wolf and its habitats in Italy to inform the elaboration of a national management plan for the animal.
Ramsar zone - two sub-actions consisted of studies of: the 46 Italian Ramsar zones; and the protection status, potential pollution, conservation and monitoring of wintering birds all over Italy. Land purchase and urgent conservation measures.
National Parks in southern Italy - specific conservation measures on Natura 2000 sites, within the new Gargano and Cilento-Vallo di Diano national park.
RESULTS
The project achieved its overarching objective and Italy was able to present a list of 2 400 proposed SCIs to the Commission within the set deadline. The most significant results were achieved by the sub-projects that compiled the check list of fauna, the database of fauna, investigated the wolf and studied wildlife corridors.
The specific results of each sub-project, briefly, were:
Check list of Italian fauna - a list of 18 000 fauna species in Italy was compiled and published.
Protection of the monk seal – the study was completed and the species found to be virtually extinct in Sardinia. It identified two new potential areas for the reproduction of the species.
Wildlife corridors – the study on the corridors contributed to the preparation of an Action Plan for the conservation of wildlife in the Alps - mainly the wolf and brown bear - through the protection and appropriate management of corridors.
Protection of the sea turtle – the study was successfully completed, with surveillance of nest sites and the rehabilitation of 24 accidentally caught turtles.
Protection of the Corsican red deer in Sardinia - the study was completed and actions undertaken, notably habitat improvement and the creation of a 12ha captive breeding enclosure for future protection efforts.
Raptors – increased surveillance of the annual migration, monitoring, identification of potential SPA sites and public awareness actions.
S. Rossore – studies were completed and experimental restoration techniques undertaken
Padule di Fucecchio - studies were completed and experimental restoration techniques undertaken.
Goletta Verde – human impact factors on marine environments were analysed and a list of important sites for *Posidonia beds created.
Investigation of the Flora – identifying all sites where species on the red list could be found was crucial for the compilation of the national list of pSCIs.
Priority habitats – identified the priority habitats present in Italy was crucial for the compilation of the national list of pSCIs.
Data Bank - a software package for recording and analysing data was produced and subsequently developed further after the LIFE project.
Wolf - set up a wolf task force, identified optimal wolf habitat and corridors and prepared a Wolf Action Plan. It also developed a national strategy for wolf management and a technical manual to reduce impact on livestock.
The two Ramsar projects were completed, including the purchase of 13 ha within the Ortebello Lagoon Ramsar site.
National Parks in southern Italy - measures undertaken to reduce detrimental impact of visitors - re-directing access, board-walks and local habitat restoration - in Gargano and Cilento-Vallo di Diano national parks.The project achieved its overarching objective and Italy was able to present a list of 2 400 proposed SCIs to the Commission within the set deadline. The most significant results were achieved by the sub-projects that compiled the check list of fauna, the database of fauna, investigated the wolf and studied wildlife corridors.
The specific results of each sub-project, briefly, were:
Check list of Italian fauna - a list of 18 000 fauna species in Italy was compiled and published.
Protection of the monk seal – the study was completed and the species found to be virtually extinct in Sardinia. It identified two new potential areas for the reproduction of the species.
Wildlife corridors – the study on the corridors contributed to the preparation of an Action Plan for the conservation of wildlife in the Alps - mainly the wolf and brown bear - through the protection and appropriate management of corridors.
Protection of the sea turtle – the study was successfully completed, with surveillance of nest sites and the rehabilitation of 24 accidentally caught turtles.
Protection of the Corsican red deer in Sardinia - the study was completed and actions undertaken, notably habitat improvement and the creation of a 12ha captive breeding enclosure for future protection efforts.
Raptors – increased surveillance of the annual migration, monitoring, identification of potential SPA sites and public awareness actions.
S. Rossore – studies were completed and experimental restoration techniques undertaken
Padule di Fucecchio - studies were completed and experimental restoration techniques undertaken.
Goletta Verde – human impact factors on marine environments were analysed and a list of important sites for *Posidonia beds created.
Investigation of the Flora – identifying all sites where species on the red list could be found was crucial for the compilation of the national list of pSCIs.
Priority habitats – identified the priority habitats present in Italy was crucial for the compilation of the national list of pSCIs.
Data Bank - a software package for recording and analysing data was produced and subsequently developed further after the LIFE project.
Wolf - set up a wolf task force, identified optimal wolf habitat and corridors and prepared a Wolf Action Plan. It also developed a national strategy for wolf management and a technical manual to reduce impact on livestock.
The two Ramsar projects were completed, including the purchase of 13 ha within the Ortebello Lagoon Ramsar site.
National Parks in southern Italy - measures undertaken to reduce detrimental impact of visitors - re-directing access, board-walks and local habitat restoration - in Gargano and Cilento-Vallo di Diano national parks.