PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
In the Tremiti Islands the black rat (Rattus rattus) is a serious threat to breeding populations of seabirds, such as Yelkouan shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan), (100-150 pairs) and Scopoli's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea), (300-400 pairs), in their only Italian nesting sites along the Adriatic sea. The presence of rats is certainly the main limiting factor for the cause of the absence of the European storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus). The dune and retrodune habitat types listed in the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and present within the SCI 'Litorale Brindisino' are delicate and threatened. One of the main threat factors is the rapid spread of non-native plant species, in particular Ailanthus altissima, Robinia pseudoacacia, Myoporum insulare, Yucca gloriosa and Acacia saligna, that have been planted in green areas and gardens. In the freshwater environments of this SCI, an important threat is represented by the possible diffusion of the invasive blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), a species able to drastically alter ecosystems, which was recently recorded in the targeted Natura 2000 site. An important threat for grassland habitats, with potentially important impacts on some traditional economic activities, is constituted by the recent arrival of the South African ragwort (, currently detected in Puglia in only two limited stations, located in the Gargano National Park.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the LIFE DIOMEDEE project is to protect seabirds and habitat types against invasive alien species (IAS), within the Natura 2000 sites in the Gargano National Park, Italy.
Specifically, the project aims to:,
eliminate or contain the impacts caused by invasive non-native species in the Gargano National Park, with major actions in the Tremiti (Diomedee) Islands and in the Regional Park Dune Costiere da Torre Canne a Torre San Leonardo, and eradicate South African ragwort, a species potentially able to spread and cause significant ecological and economic impacts; eradicate the black rat in the Tremiti Islands, and consequently improve the conservation status of the breeding populations of Calonectris diomedea and Puffinus yelkouan, create suitable conditions for the settlement of Hydrobates pelagicus, and improve the overall quality of the island ecosystems, with positive economic and health effects for the local community; protect the Habitats Directive habitat types 'Low formations of Euphorbia close to cliffs', 'Thermo-Mediterranean and pre-desert scrub', 'Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea', and 'Mediterranean pine forests with endemic Mesogean pines in the Tremiti Islands' against the spread of Ailanthus altissima; protect dune and back-dune habitats in the Regional Park Dune Costiere da Torre Canne a Torre San Leonardo, where the impact of some non-native plants is already rapidly increasing; rapidly respond to the recent arrival in Puglia of Senecio inaequidens and in the SCI Litorale Brindisino of Callinectes sapidus, both species capable of producing significant impacts in the future; and increase awareness in local communities about the impact of IAS on species and habitats. The project aims at protecting and improving the conservation status of habitats and species included in the Habitats Directive (Annex I) and Birds Directive (Annex I). The project also contributes to the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (targets 1, 5 and 6) and the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species.
RESULTS
Expected results:
increased reproductive success of the breeding populations of Calonectris diomedea (estimated: 300-400 pairs) and Puffinus yelkouan (estimated: 100-150 pairs) in the Tremiti Islands, immediately after the eradication of the black rat, followed by a medium-term increase in the numerical consistency of both species (at a rate of at least 7% per year), and establishment of Hydrobates pelagicus; increased naturalness of the animal communities (ceased predation of saurians and arthropods) and of the plant communities, with overall ecosystem benefits; recovery of areas invaded by Ailanthus altissima and protection from the risk of invasion by this species of the entire territory of the two main islands of Tremiti, including important habitats of Community interest vulnerable to invasion: 5320 (3.8 ha), 5330 (18.6 ha), *6220 (18.6 ha), and 9540 (18.6 ha); eradication of the IAS Senecio inaequidens in the Gargano National Park, with reduced risk of its spreading. Protection of two SCIs very close to the original Senecio inaequidens sites of its presence, characterised by the presence of vast extensions of habitats of Community interest (11 700 ha of habitat Eastern sub-Mediterranean dry grasslands (62A0); 6 100 ha of habitat Semi-natural dry grasslands (*6210), which are extremely vulnerable to invasion by this species; protection of habitats of Community interest and of the landscape in the SCI 'Litorale Brindisino', in relation to the ongoing invasion by alien plant species. Among the most vulnerable habitat types there are 1420 (11.6 ha), *2250 (20.6 ha), 2260 (20.6 ha), *6220 (72.5 ha); local eradication or near-zero density control of the alien crab Callinectes sapidus in the SCI 'Litorale Brindisino', protecting the wet aquatic environments of the SCI from the risk of invasion by this species; and improvement of awareness of local communities on issues related to the spread of alien species (e.g. shift to use of non-invasive species in gardens) and replication of project actions through dissemination activities.
