PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Berici Hills are situated on the Venetian plains, an area that has been extensively altered by human activity. Some 16-18% of the area lies in the Veneto Region, with 28-30% of this located inside urban townships. The Berici Hills are recognised as an important “oasis” for the preservation of habitats and animal and plant species.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this project is the conservation and preservation of both habitats and species living inside the SCI, – Colli Berici”. li>
Specific objectives include:
Conservation and protection of semi-natural dry grassland and scrubland found on calcareous substrates, which are threatened by scrub invasion and by the conversion of this habitat into agricultural land; Wetland restoration or creation to help the presence of amphibious and reptile species protected at the community level, such as Bombina variegata, Triturus carnifex, Rana latastei, Emys orbicularis and other species; Preservation of Austropotamobius pallipes from Procambarus clarkii invasion and species habitat improvement; Conservation of calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation and rocky calcareous or basophil grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi from degradation caused by rock climbing; Conservation of the priority for conservation lime tree ravine forests habitat from invasion of exotic species such as Robinia pseudoacacia and Ailanthus altissima. Expected results:
Creation of a spatial database and GIS; Restoration of 25 ha of dry grasslands (habitat *6210); Increase in biodiversity and its evaluation through the monitoring of Syrph Diptera (insect biodiversity indexes) as well as the creation of an index on avian species such as Lanius collurio, Caprimulgus europaeus and Emberiza hortulana; Grazing on at least 10 ha of dry grasslands; Protection of three of the most important caves through gates or grates conserving habitat 8310 and the chiropterans Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis myotis, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Myotis blythii and Myotis emarginatus that live inside the caves; Improvement of 15 ha of woodlands belonging to habitat 9180* (Tilio-Acerion sloping forests, screes and ravines); Creation of four botanical micro-sanctuaries, which could provide the nucleus of a wider network; Improvement of Austropotamobius pallipes habitat in at least eight sites within the SCI; Restoration of 10 ponds and improvement of about 2 000m of surface water bodies; Production of 35 000 seedlings of Saxifraga berica, Himantoglossum adriaticum and other species belonging to habitat 6210* and the protection of humid environments; Creation of habitat 3150 in a former opencast mine.
