PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Spring systems provide environmental stability and help combat climate change threats. The Padano-Veneta plain represents a unique environment at the European level, due to its rich spring systems. Water rivers and channels are considered as a ‘blue infrastructure’ that can provide ecosystem services aimed at both preserving biodiversity and developing tourism and recreational activities.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objectives of the LIFE Risorgive project were to restore and consolidate a ‘green/blue infrastructure’ such as a network of springs, irrigation ditches and canals in the territory of Bressanvido (Vicenza, Italy). This infrastructure is found in the proximity of the Natura 2000 site "SIC IT3220040 - Bosco di Dueville e risorgive limitrofe" in areas of high agricultural activity, mainly animal husbandry for milk production, in which it can significantly contrast the loss in biodiversity caused by the intensive exploitation of the territory.
RESULTS
The LIFE Risorgive project restored and consolidated the network of springs, irrigation ditches and canals in the territory of Bressanvido (Vicenza, Italy), to reverse the loss of biodiversity in riparian and aquatic habitats in areas of intensive agricultural activity and to improve connectivity between spring environments.
The project team:
- Restored and/or improved the hydraulic functionality of 26 spring systems, corresponding to 43 spring heads, with positive effects on the fish species bullhead and lamprey, as well as for other benthic species.
- Acquired 15 204 m2 of areas necessary to maintain the targeted ecosystem (2 016 m2 purchased and 13 188 m2 leased).
- Created a new area including spring systems on 120 m2 that is currently open and used by the public.
- Raised and planted 26 011 seedlings to create strips of riparian mixed forest (habitat 91F0) on a total area of 4 660 m2; strips of alluvial/hygrophilous forest (habitat 91E0*) on a total area of 3 146 m2; structural and compositional improvement of riversides with the plantation of 9 370 seedlings of riparian tree species; and structural improvement of canals, improving watercourse vegetation (habitat 3260).
- Constructed a pond for breeding of Italian agile frog (Rana latastei), with eggs and adults found during sampling in 2019-2020.
- Monitoring through 26 survey stations to evaluate the effectiveness of the work. This showed a 50% improvement in fish population (ISECI fish index), with 19 species verified, 5 being of conservation interest (Barbus plebejus, Cottus gobio, Sabanejewia larvata, Lethenteron zanandreai, Cobitis taenia); and a 35% improvement in the quality of water and ecosystems (IBMR macrophytic index, the STAR ICMi macroinvertebrate index and the LIMeco chemical index).
In addition, the project team installed information boards and road signs; produced and distributed a map for visitors; and prepared a technical manual, which is the first guide at regional level for restoration interventions of springs. Regione Veneto adopted this manual as a reference for this type of intervention.
The project team developed a Resurgence Contract, a governance tool aiming to ensure the long-term sustainability of the work through 12 specified measures, which was signed by 36 organisations (including public and private authorities, non-profit organisations, private enterprises, and education institutions). The municipality of Bressanvido and other organisations committed themselves to maintain and protect public green areas for three years following a checklist of interventions indicated in the Guidelines on spring systems planning and management. The agreement can be extended, while external funding should enable the involved organisations to also extend the approach to the areas of the Vicenza and Padua mid-plain.
The project experience informed the development of two calls in the RDP 2014-2020 of the Veneto Region (i.e. ID 4.4.2 "Introduction of green infrastructures" and ID 4.4.3 "Structures functional to the increase and enhancement of naturalistic biodiversity”) that were published in December 2017 and were open to reclamation consortia financing measures similar to the one implemented in the LIFE Risorgive project.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
