360 volunteers for monitoring forest biodiversity in the Italian Natura 2000 Network

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Monitoring is a vital step for nature conservation, as data on the conservation status of species allows the management of reserves to be targeted. Monitoring of species of Community interest is also an obligation for Member States. In 2016, monitoring methods for many species listed in the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive were published in Italy, but monitoring has so far been limited. Currently, many state reserves lack the necessary monitoring data for evaluating population trends and better defining management goals and specific management actions. Monitoring data are also missing for many species listed in the Annexes of the Habitats Directive, which are urgently needed for the reporting on Article 17. There is therefore need for action to provide data for the management of reserves and for reporting under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive.

OBJECTIVES

The LIFE ESC 360 project aims to create opportunities for young people to work on the monitoring of protected species in state-owned nature reserves in Italy. The volunteers will acquire knowledge and skills on species and habitats of Community interest in the conservation of Natura 2000 network sites. They will also develop an increased awareness of the importance of nature conservation and species protection. The specific project objectives are to:

Generate a significant improvement of monitoring data for many species of Community interest in the target state-owned reserves; and

Make standardised biodiversity monitoring systems available to the reserves for priority forest habitat.

Thus, this project will provide important data for the management of the reserves, while at the same time providing data for reporting under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive.

The monitoring activities will focus on:

Five species of saproxylic beetles listed in the Annexes of the Habitats Directive;

Amphibians listed in the Annexes of the Habitats Directive;

Birds species such as the white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), middle spotted woodpecker (Leiopicus medius) and collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis);

Mammals such as the wildcat (Felis silvestris), bicoloured shrew (Crocidura leucodon) and brown bear (Ursus arctos); and

Forest structure.

Additionally, very few naturalists have experience with standard monitoring methods and the project is an opportunity to provide young people with hands-on experience of the monitoring of protected species.

Expected results:

Participation of 360 volunteers in monitoring activities in forests of the Italian Natura 2000 network, who will be trained and gain experience in forest monitoring activities and in data collection; and

Monitoring data on a large number of species of invertebrates, amphibians, birds and mammals, from around 10 800 monitoring days.