PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The conservation status of three target habitats Molinia meadows, calcareous fens and alluvial forests found in the project area have been assessed as mostly poor or extremely poor, hence the need for restoration actions. Similarly, the 11 target aquatic species are all classified as endangered. The restoration of the functionality of the humid ecosystems is crucial to their improved conservation status.
OBJECTIVES
The SILIFFE project aimed to:
- Strengthen the ecological network of Sile River, creating some main points of nature preservation that will be included in the network;
- Preserve the areas risking degradation, particularly those suffering from human pressures, such as agriculture. The abandonment of already wooded areas has caused degradation and loss of habitat, and the project aims to create some valuable areas that will be permanently reserved for nature conservation;
- Promote the integration of agricultural activities with the needs of nature preservation. To avoid conflicts, it is advisable to integrate the development of agriculture and environment through the support of the Rural Development Plan (RDP) 2014-2020 of the Veneto Region;
- Monitor the effectiveness of implemented actions, assessing also the value of ecosystem services and the socio-economic effects related to nature preservation in the area of the Sile River;
- Raise awareness of the value of Natura 2000 network sites, involving citizens actively in the preservation of sites and their sustainable use;
- Network and share project results across the EU, building a permanent network of projects that are focused on the management of floodplain areas in territories converted by human actions; and
- Ensure efficient and effective project management to guarantee continued nature preservation after the end of the project.
RESULTS
LIFE SILIFFE has been carried out within the territory of the Regional Natural Park of River Sile, an area which high natural values (such as those of Habitats 91E0*, 3260, 6410, 6430, 7210*,7230 and 91L0) that are strictly connected with fluvial and peri-fluvial environments and entirely included in the resurgence zone. The Park is in the north-west portion of Pianura Padana, an area which is characterised by high anthropic presence and agriculture is a relevant economic activity. Only a few marginal areas have been preserved along the river where edges of natural landscape are found, as well as woods and wet meadows, mixed with peat bogs, reeds, and associations of Carex spp. and Molinion caeruleae. The hedges are in constant regression, and the uncultivated/reforested neighboring areas are often represented by non-native species and are managed incorrectly. The constant threats to these valuable habitats stimulated in 1991 the institution of the Park authority for safeguarding the remaining habitats. The protected area is located along the Sile river and it is divided into 2 parts (i.e. two Natura 2000 sites named respectively SCI Alto corso IT3240028 and SCI Basso corso IT3240031) by the city of Treviso that constitutes a barrier for the ecological continuity of the natural site. LIFE SILIFFE pursued the main objectives of halting the threats and promoting a definitive consolidation of the elements of highest natural value, in particular riparian habitats (91E0* and 6410) on a total area of 1.35 ha (vs. foreseen 1.42 ha) via hydrogeological and reforestation activities. The project acquired land plots thus increasing the extent of the protected Natura 2000 sites overreaching the foreseen target (7.52 hectares instead of the foreseen 6.69 hectares). Three water springs have been re-connected with the Sile river by means of hydrogeological interventions (debris removal from buried springs and creation of channels) and transplantation of more than 800 native plants (such as Fraxinus angustifolia Alnus glutinosa, Salix alba, Populus nigra, Fraxinus excelsior (Habitat 91E0*) and Molinium caeruleae (Habitat 6410) ) and elimination of exotic tree species (Robinia psuedoacacia). Native endangered fish species populations of Salmo marmoratus, Thymallus thymallus, Cottus gobio and Austropotamobius pallipes (included in “Habitats” Directive Annex I, V) have been improved as well as other relevant freshwater species (such as Lethenteron zanandreai, Knipowitschia punctatissima, Anguilla anguilla and Emys orbicularis). The monitoring activities for assessing the ecological and environmental status of Sile river (evaluated on the base of the Fluvial Functionality Index) confirmed the favourable conservation status of the intervention areas but also allowed to create a consistent and complete data repository for the whole river's length included in the Park territory (about 62 km). An interesting note should be pointed out: the project has contributed to improve knowledge on the distribution of the endemic fish Knipowitschia punctatissima. These data are required to properly assess its IUCN status at the global level. The project team will submit an official proposal to the Italian Ministry of Environment for the inclusion of this species in Habitat Directive Annexes or in its National or regional transpositions.
The newly created green areas will provide important ecosystem services such as water treatment and phytodepuration (by filtering and blocking at least 74.4 ton/year of phosphates and 2.9 tons/year of nitrogen compounds) but also pollination, floodwater absorption, preservation of soil structure and reduction of greenhouse gases emissions (41.62 tCO2eq of C have been stored during the project's lifetime). The project improved the relationships with/and amongst citizens, farmers and local administrations where the Park is located. All relevant stakeholders shared common objectives and agreed upon the actions included the new Environmental management Plan that will constitute the main planning (and replicability) tool for the whole area during next years. Several edutainment activities were carried out with schools and will continue after the end of the projects thanks to the commitment of local groups of fishermen (such as FIPSAS - the Italian Federation of Sport Fishing and Underwater Activities). Different dissemination tools (brochures, documentary, notice board etc.) were produced and shared with all relevant stakeholders.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
