PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The scattered wetlands in the plain surrounding Florence, Prato and Pistoia, between the Arno and Ombrone Pistoiese rivers, represent what remains of the original natural ecosystem of this area. Today, the plain is the most densely populated area in Tuscany, with more than 1 000 inhabitants per square kilometre. Human activities such as hunting, intensive farming and the expansion of urban areas, industries and infrastructure - particularly roads - have both degraded and fragmented the wetlands. Key issues are poor water-level management and the lack of protection status afforded to the wetlands. The cumulative effect of these factors has been pronounced low seasonal water levels, the loss of ponds, and a significant negative impact on the conservation of fragile habitats and their vulnerable species.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the Water SCIs project was to improve the conservation status of key species of Community interest that are inadequately represented or exposed to risks in the high Apennines area and in the plain surrounding Prato. The project aimed to reduce the threats caused by human activities, by securing and increasing the overall wetland surface area and expanding the Special Protection Area (SPA) to cover more wetland. It also sought to mitigate the impact of urban infrastructure on bird species and endorse a Natura 2000 network site management plan to regulate activities not compatible with conservation of the ecosystem. These activities were designed to improve the conservation status of bird species covered by the Birds Directive (Annex I and migratory species); the Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive; the white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes); and European bullhead (Cottus gobio), a fish included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive.
RESULTS
The Water SCIs project contributed to improving the conservation status of key species of Community interest in Natura 2000 network sites in the high Apennines area and in the plain surrounding Prato. It did this through the enlargement of the "Stagni della Piana Fiorentina" SCI, by 1 902 ha into the new "Stagni della Piana Fiorentina e Pratese" SCI/SPA, and the designation of the 4 191 ha "Appennino Pratese" SCI. The project mitigated the impact of human activities such as hunting, urban infrastructure, and the presence of invasive species, through the endorsement and implementation of the Management Plan for the new SCI/SPA and Action Plans for white-clawed crayfish and European bullhead. The project produced positive impacts on the conservation status of white-clawed crayfish and European bullhead by restocking activities, control of predators, ex-situ conservation (collection of reproductive individuals in the field, breeding in captivity and release of juveniles into rivers), in-situ conservation (installation of artificial structures as micro-habitats favourable for reproduction), and the installation of two fish ramps to link two Apennine streams. The successful captive breeding and release of European bullhead in the "Appennino pratese" SCI, and the construction of fish ramps for this species, serve as good examples for interventions at other sites.
To extend and enhance available habitat for the target species, the project restored two artificial wetlands of the Prato Plain that are managed by hunters: the Pantanelle (6.2 ha) and Ombrone (10.5 ha) lakes. In particular, actions at Pantanelle included restoring 0.7 ha of the lakeshore, installing four artificial nests for birds, removing non-indigenous (allochthonous) vegetation and planting native (autochthonous) vegetation, and installing two nurseries for amphibians. Two amphibian nurseries were also installed at Ombrone lake, where the project team planted a vegetation buffer zone of 0.7 ha and a small woodland area (0.4 ha). The project restored and enlarged the natural wetland at Bogaia lake, by about 1 ha, and installed two islets for birds and three pools for amphibians. About 2 ha of banks were restored by removing invasive species, planting autochthonous vegetation and a small wood. The project monitored the presence of invasive fauna and flora species and trialled methods to control them.
By implementing the Management Plan, the project identified problems in the Prato Plain relating to human activities that require additional solutions. The project’s Action Plans for white-clawed crayfish and European bullhead were accepted by Prato Province and the National Park in 2012. Restoration work on the wetlands in the SCI/SPA "Stagni della Piana fiorentina e Pratese" contributed to increasing the conservation status of the target birds, ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca), black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), little egret (Egretta garzetta), black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus), common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio), and also the Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex).
Through its conservation actions, the project directly implements the objectives of the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive.
The project carried out a range of dissemination activities, including the organisation of public events, and the publication of materials including a brochure and the booklet "Vademecum for fisherman".
Local companies and associations benefitted from the project’s implementation, particularly through its educational activities. For instance, local environmental associations "Via del Campo" and "Polisportiva Aurora” manage the educational facility created near Pantanelle lake, and they will continue to organise environmental education in the project sites. Social benefits were created in terms of increased local awareness about the existence of natural wetlands and rivers as a source of biodiversity in the Prato Plain. The return of white stork (Ciconia ciconia) in the project sites after 300 years highlighted the importance of protecting the few remaining natural sites in this area.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
