PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Orchid-rich semi-natural grasslands (such as habitat 6210*, assigned to habitat E1.2a Semi-dry perennial calcareous grassland), present in almost the entire European continent, are among the most species-rich plant communities in Europe and contain many rare and endangered species, thus bearing high nature conservation importance. Such grasslands are currently among the most threatened plant communities in Europe, due to their inherent sensitivity to land use changes. The long-term preservation of orchid communities can be achieved starting from specific measures aimed to restore and stabilise the environments that host them. In this respect, the reinforcement of declining orchid populations and the reintroduction of native orchid species that have previously disappeared from the target areas require a specific approach complying with the unique biology of these plants.
OBJECTIVES
LIFEorchids aimed at counteracting the steady decline of wild orchids typical of highly biodiverse semi-natural dry grasslands (habitat 6210*) in two different geographic and ecological contexts, the Regional Park of Portofino in Liguria and the Regional Park of Po Piemontese in Piedmont, in North-western Italy, by combining habitat restoration, in-vitro plant reproduction, reintroduction of nine wild orchid species, engagement of Orchid Stewards and exchange of knowledge and practices between Italy and Czechia.
RESULTS
The following main results were achieved:
- 95 ha and 2.28 ha of 6210* habitat restored in Piedmont and Liguria, respectively;
- 3.29 ha of land purchased in SCI “Basso Scrivia” (IT1180031) and 0.45 ha purchased in SCI “Bric Montariolo” (IT1180032) in Piedmont to be permanently assigned to habitat 6210*;
- 8 Orchid Micro Reserves (OMRs) created in small land parcels, 4 in Piedmont and 4 in Liguria
- 2,229 orchid seedlings coming from 9 target orchid species (A. morio; H. adriaticum; H. robertianum; Op. apifera; Op. bertolonii; Op. holosericea; Or. Anthropophora; Or. Patens; S. neglecta) outplanted within the OMRs;
- publication of specific propagation and translocation protocols for the nine target orchid species;
- 122 Land Stewardships Agreements (LSAs) signed with local stakeholders, all lasting 10 years and covering over 1 000 ha of private lands;
- 19 agreements “Promoter of Orchid Stewardship” signed;
- 17 projects involved in networking activities;
- one feasibility study for replication in Czechia;
- four networking events;
- five NGOs involved in Czechia;
- 62 training events organised in Italy with at least 420 participants;
- at least 10 000 people reached by project communication, dissemination and awareness raising activities;
- 200 students involved in project-specific educational activities;
- “handbook” for Orchid Stewards produced, in Italian and English (additional output);
- 61 videos produced and published on the project YouTube channel.
