PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Four species of rare insect, three beetles and a dragonfly, protected in Europe that are present in the territory of the Emilia-Romagna region are in a sharp decline due to the progressive reduction of their habitats, caused by human activities such as exploitation of forests and the removal of tree rows, as well as elimination or inappropriate management of wetlands. The actions under the project are aimed at creating the conditions for a lasting ecological network for these species and to develop management practices conducive to their conservation.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the LIFE EREMITA project was to improve conservation status in the Emilia-Romagna region of the populations of two species of saproxylic beetles: the Hermit beetle Osmoderma eremita and the Rosalia longicorn Rosalia alpina and of other two species linked to acquatic environments: the Water beetle Graphoderus bilienatus and the Sauthern damselfly Coenagrion castellani.
Specific objectives encompass:
- increase in knowledge of the subpopulations of the target species;
- increase in availability of habitats for residual populations and improvement of their connectivity;
- production of a long-term management strategy;
- establishment of a specific regional habitat network that is suitable for the target species;
- improvement of the public’s attitude towards the conservation of target species and consequent involvement of farmers, managers and forest users.
RESULTS
The project successfully achieved all the concrete conservation objectives for three species (Osmoderma eremita, Rosalia alpina and Coenagrium castellani), while the results of the ex-post monitoring on the immission of Graphoderus bilineatus in three new selected sites has not yet validated the success of the action. For this latter species, the ex-post monitoring will continue during the After Life period, with sustained commitment of the involved Bodies, so new findings might vindicate the project’s results.
The project has had a high value for the EU, because it had implemented Dir. 92/43/EEC, with the improvement of the conservation status of four species included in the Annex II:
- Graphoderus bilineatus, through restocking searching for founders in other Italian regions and other European countries;
- Osmoderma eremita, with ex situ breeding, large-scale reintroduction and habitat creation;
- Coenagrium castellani, with translocation and habitat restoration;
- Rosalia alpina, with creation of suitable habitats.
Figures for awareness and information activities are impressive, with of 109 events involving around 20,053 people.
Notable policy impacts have been the update of the Standard Data Forms (SDF) for nine Natura 2000 sites based on the results of the ex ante monitoring of the species Osmoderma eremita and Rosalia alpina, and the approval by the Council of Regione Emilia Romagna of the Special Conservation Measures for the four target species. On the ex post results, 14 SDFs have been submitted to the Ministry of Environment for approval.
