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Natural connections for Natura2000 in Northern Italy to 2030

Reference: LIFE22-IPN-IT-LIFE-NatConnect2030/101104366 | Acronym: LIFE22-IPN-IT-LIFE NatConnect2030

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The LIFE NatConnect 2030 project involves four Italian Regions (Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna) and the Autonomous Province of Trento located in Northern and central Italy. In total, the area is about 100 000 Km2 hosting 843 Natura 2000 sites, five National Parks, and several other protected areas at regional and local level included in the Official List of Protected areas (EUAP) of the Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica (MASE). The project area covers 65% of the alpine and 70% of the continental biogeographic regions of Italy.

 

All the regions and the Autonomous Province of Trento have adopted their Priority Action Frameworks (PAFs) covering the period 2021 – 2027. The baseline data for habitats and species indicate that the conservation status of most of the habitats and species targeted by the project is not favorable and the trend is not increasing.


OBJECTIVES

The main aim of the LIFE NatConnect 2030 project is to set the basis for the full implementation of the 5 PAFs through the establishment of a process to mobilise complementary funds, the consolidation of an integrated management system of the N2000 network to guarantee the achievement of the conservation objectives of the Habitats and Birds Directives, the improvement of the coherence of the N2000 network in a trans-regional context, the reinforcement of the effectiveness of the interventions, and the development of a solid and expert governance.

 

The project foresees the implementation of the most urgent actions of the five PAFs using LIFE and complementary funds: 60% of the PAF Lombardia, 52% of the PAF Emilia-Romagna, 75% of the PAF Piemonte, 53% of the PAF Veneto, and 70% of the PAF Provincia Autonoma Trento.

 

This main objective will be achieved with the implementation of a set of actions targeting the following strategic themes:

 

  • restoration of habitats and species
  • reinforcement of ecological corridors along the Po River
  • increase of the resilience of key ecosystems for the adaptation to climate change
  • creation of a coordinated system of early detection, management, and control of invasive alien species
  • multi-target and multi-level communication activities.

 

The project is an important contributor to the 2030 targets of the EU Biodiversity strategy and sectoral initiatives, e.g., Pollinators and Green Infrastructures), on Forests, the Farm to Fork Strategy, on Climate adaptation efforts and other EU legislations (e.g., Water Framework Directive, Invasive Alien Species Regulation, Directive on Pesticides).


RESULTS

The LIFE NATConnect 2030 project is fully focused on actions aimed at the implementation of the five PAFs with the following impacts:

 

1. Set the bases for the full implementation of the 5 PAFs within 3-5 years after the project end

2. Significant contribution to the favourable conservation status of natural habitats and species of EU importance maintained and/or restored as per measures identified in PAF

  • increase of the nesting couples of Casmerodius albus by 10% in Regione Lombardia;
  • increase of the population of Ardeola ralloides by 10% in Regione Lombardia;
  • improve the conditions of cane thicket on 500 ha to stop the negative trend of the waterbird populations;
  • interventions on 8 ha of the habitat 9410 to favor capercaillie in Regione Veneto;
  • restoration of 185 ha of habitats inside N2000 sites and population reinforcement / reintroduction in 8 sites to stop the negative trend of the amphibian and reptile populations;
  • restoration of 16ha of bogs and diversification of 14 ha cane thicket for amphibians;
  • increase safety measures for caves in 21 sites, creation of habitat trees in 21 sites and installation of 920 bat boxes for bats, reinforcement of the effectiveness of two Centres for the recovery of the wild animals (CRAS);
  • 5 interventions for habitat restoration and population reinforcement / reintroduction in 5 sites with 8 000 individuals of Austropotamobius pallipes;
  • restoration of 8 ha of fluvial habitats and interventions on river morphology in 3 sites to improve the habitat conditions for Alcedo atthis;
  • improvement of habitat conditions in 10 sites for Graphoderus bilineatus, Coenagrion mercuriale and Acipenser naccarii;
  • restoration interventions on the threatened habitats 5110, 4030, 7210, 7150, 6210, 7140, and 7210*, as well as on dune and coastal habitats, in particular on 100 ha of 1150*;
  • improvement of habitat conditions on 40 ha and plantation of 14 ha of hedges for pollinators in Regione Lombardia;
  • increase of the biological agricultural area by 5% in Regione Lombardia and application of specific guidelines for the reduction of the phytosanitary products on 10 demo-farms;
  • complete the Regional Ecological Network in Regione Piemonte; improvement of the connectivity among the ecological networks of the four regions and of the province of Trento; implementation of 50 interventions on wet areas as stepping stones;
  • interventions on 558 ha of forest habitats to improve their suitability for biodiversity;
  • increase of the resilience of 1 000 ha of high-altitude habitats of Community interests; preparation and implementation of 12 grazing plans;
  • control and eradication of zoological and botanical IAS species on 2 718 ha (complementary funds); establishment of 5 task forces (one in each region + Province of Trento) for the Early warning and response system.

 

3. Improvement of the ecological condition of the hydrographic network of the Po River

  • improvement of the management of 120 km of riparian areas;
  • ecological restoration of 56 areas along the Po River;
  • reduction of the artificiality of the riverbeds on 37 km (with complementary funds).

 

4. Improvement on the long-term capacity to monitor and assess the status of species and habitats of EU importance (art 11 and 17 of the Habitats Directive)

  • increase and improvement of the territorial network for field data collection;
  • improvement of the interoperability of the databanks of the four regions + Province of Trento.

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA


Reference: LIFE22-IPN-IT-LIFE-NatConnect2030/101104366
Acronym: LIFE22-IPN-IT-LIFE NatConnect2030
Start Date: 01/01/2024
End Date: 31/12/2032
Total Eligible Budget: 46,583,730 €
EU Contribution: 27,950,238 €

CONTACT DETAILS


Coordinating Beneficiary: REGIONE LOMBARDIA
Legal Status: PUBLIC
Address: PIAZZA CITTA DI LOMBARDIA 1, 20124, MILANO,
Contact Person: Marzia CONT
Email: Send Email
Website: Visit Website


LIFE Project Map

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED

THEMES

  • Ecological coherence
  • Invasive species
  • Coastal
  • Forests
  • Freshwater
  • Grasslands
  • Marine
  • Rocky and Caves
  • Awareness raising - Information
  • Forest management
  • Green infrastructure
  • Marine and Coastal management
  • Plants
  • Reptiles
  • Birds
  • Risk assessment and monitoring
  • Natural resources and ecosystems

KEYWORDS

  • environmental management
  • forest management
  • risk management
  • restoration
  • invasive species
  • eradication
  • nature-based solutions
  • amphibians
  • early warning and response system
  • ecological corridor
  • ecosystem services
  • freshwater habitats
  • green infrastructure
  • invertebrates
  • open habitats
  • pollination
  • reptiles

TARGET EU LEGISLATION

  • Directive 92/43 - Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora- Habitats Directive (21.05.1992)
  • COM/2021/82 final - COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS - Forging a climate-resilient Europe - the new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change
  • COM/2018/395 EU Pollinators Initiative
  • Council Resolution on a Forestry Strategy for the European Union (15.12.1998)
  • COM(2013)659 - A new EU Forest Strategy: for forests and the forest-based sector (20.09.2013)
  • Regulation 1143/2014 - Prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (22.10.2014)
  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1262 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1141 to update the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (25.07.2019.)
  • Directive 2000/60 - Framework for Community action in the field of water policy (23.10.2000)

TARGET HABITAT TYPES

Code Name Type Version
1150 Coastal lagoons ANNEX1 v.2024
1210 Annual vegetation of drift lines ANNEX1 v.2024
2110 Embryonic shifting dunes ANNEX1 v.2024
2120 Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria ('white dunes') ANNEX1 v.2024
2130 Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation ('grey dunes') ANNEX1 v.2024
2160 Dunes with Hippophaë rhamnoides ANNEX1 v.2024
2230 Malcolmietalia dune grasslands ANNEX1 v.2024
3220 Alpine rivers and the herbaceous vegetation along their banks ANNEX1 v.2024
3240 Alpine rivers and their ligneous vegetation with Salix elaeagnos ANNEX1 v.2024
3260 Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation ANNEX1 v.2024
3270 Rivers with muddy banks with Chenopodion rubri pp and Bidention pp vegetation ANNEX1 v.2024
5110 Stable xero-thermophilous formations with Buxus sempervirens on rock slopes (Berberidion pp) ANNEX1 v.2024
6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites) ANNEX1 v.2024
7110 Active raised bogs ANNEX1 v.2024
7140 Transition mires and quaking bogs ANNEX1 v.2024
7150 Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion ANNEX1 v.2024
7210 Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae ANNEX1 v.2024
7230 Alkaline fens ANNEX1 v.2024
9110 Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests ANNEX1 v.2024
9130 Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests ANNEX1 v.2024
9160 Sub-Atlantic and medio-European oak or oak-hornbeam forests of the Carpinion betuli ANNEX1 v.2024
9170 Galio-Carpinetum oak-hornbeam forests ANNEX1 v.2024
9180 Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines ANNEX1 v.2024
9190 Old acidophilous oak woods with Quercus robur on sandy plains ANNEX1 v.2024
91D0 Bog woodland ANNEX1 v.2024
91E0 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae) ANNEX1 v.2024
91F0 Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris) ANNEX1 v.2024
91H0 Pannonian woods with Quercus pubescens ANNEX1 v.2024
9260 Castanea sativa woods ANNEX1 v.2024
9410 Acidophilous Picea forests of the montane to alpine levels (Vaccinio-Piceetea) ANNEX1 v.2024
91K0 Illyrian Fagus sylvatica forests (Aremonio-Fagion) ANNEX1 v.2024
91L0 Illyrian oak-hornbeam forests (Erythronio-carpinion) ANNEX1 v.2024

SPECIES

Name Version
Ardea purpurea - Birds v.2024
Ixobrychus minutus - Birds v.2024
Porzana parva - Birds v.2024
Aythya nyroca - Birds v.2024
Lanius collurio - Birds v.2024
Rhinolophus ferrumequinum - Mammals v.2024
Barbastella barbastellus - Mammals v.2024
Tursiops truncatus - Mammals v.2024
Acipenser naccarii - Fishes v.2024
Bombina pachypus - Amphibians v.2024
Salamandra atra - Amphibians v.2024
Alcedo atthis - Birds v.2024
Myotis blythii - Mammals v.2024
Plecotus macrobullaris - Mammals v.2024
Pipistrellus nathusii - Mammals v.2024
Triturus carnifex - Amphibians v.2024
Bufo bufo - Amphibians v.2024
Rana temporaria - Amphibians v.2024
Coenagrion mercuriale - Invertebrates v.2024
Ophiogomphus cecilia - Invertebrates v.2024
Rhinolophus hipposideros - Mammals v.2024
Osmoderma eremita - Invertebrates v.2024
Rosalia alpina - Invertebrates v.2024
Circus aeruginosus - Birds v.2024
Myotis bechsteinii - Mammals v.2024
Miniopterus schreibersii - Mammals v.2024
Lethenteron zanandreai - Fishes v.2024
Bombina variegata - Amphibians v.2024
Austropotamobius pallipes - Invertebrates v.2024
Caretta caretta - Reptiles v.2024
Ardeola ralloides - Birds v.2024
Botaurus stellaris - Birds v.2024
Sterna albifrons - Birds v.2024
Egretta garzetta - Birds v.2024
Marsilea quadrifolia - Ferns v.2024
Rana latastei - Amphibians v.2024
Rana dalmatina - Amphibians v.2024
Lycaena dispar - Invertebrates v.2024
Sterna hirundo - Birds v.2024
Tetrao urogallus - Birds v.2024
Myotis capaccinii - Mammals v.2024
Myotis myotis - Mammals v.2024
Plecotus auritus - Mammals v.2024
Liparis loeselii - Flowering Plants v.2024
Isoetes malinverniana - Ferns v.2024
Hyla intermedia - Amphibians v.2024
Graphoderus bilineatus - Invertebrates v.2024
Emys orbicularis - Reptiles v.2024
Myotis emarginatus - Mammals v.2024
Milvus migrans - Birds v.2024
Emberiza hortulana - Birds v.2024
Sabanejewia larvata - Fishes v.2024
Pelobates fuscus - Amphibians v.2024

NATURA 2000 SITES

Code Name Type Version
Roncon IT3120084 SCI/SAC v.2021
Palu' Longa IT3120020 SCI/SAC v.2021
Torbiere del Lavaze' IT3120169 SCI/SAC v.2021
Fiave' IT3120068 SCI/SAC v.2021
Torbiera Lomasona IT3120069 SCI/SAC v.2021
Le Sole IT3120154 SCI/SAC v.2021
Stagni della Vela - Soprasasso IT3120051 SCI/SAC v.2021
Laghetti di Marco IT3120080 SCI/SAC v.2021
Laghi e abisso di Lamar IT3120087 SCI/SAC v.2021
Pra dall'Albi - Cei IT3120081 SCI/SAC v.2021
Lago di Toblino IT3120055 SCI/SAC v.2021
Marocche di Dro IT3120074 SCI/SAC v.2021
Ontaneta di Croviana IT3120117 SCI/SAC v.2021
Lago (Val di Fiemme) IT3120118 SCI/SAC v.2021
Bassa Valle del Chiese IT3120120 SCI/SAC v.2021
Palude di Roncegno IT3120033 SCI/SAC v.2021
Inghiaie IT3120038 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Canneti di San Cristoforo IT3120042 SCI/SAC v.2021
La Rocchetta IT3120061 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Lago d'Idro IT3120065 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Adige IT3120156 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Talpina - Brentonico IT3120150 SCI/SAC v.2021
Monte Brione IT3120075 SCI/SAC v.2021
Sorgente Resenzuola IT3120029 SCI/SAC v.2021
Foci dell'Avisio IT3120053 SCI/SAC v.2021
Tione - Villa Rendena IT3120152 SCI/SAC v.2021
Terlago IT3120110 SCI/SAC v.2021
Lagorai IT3120160 SPA v.2021
Dorsale prealpina tra Valdobbiadene e Serravalle IT3240024 SPA v.2021
Gruppo Antelao - Marmarole - Sorapis IT3230081 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Delta del Po: tratto terminale e delta veneto IT3270017 SCI/SAC v.2021
Delta del Po IT3270023 SPA v.2021
Monti Lessini - Pasubio - Piccole Dolomiti Vicentine IT3210040 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Colli Euganei - Monte Lozzo - Monte Ricco IT3260017 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Grave e Zone umide della Brenta IT3260018 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Adriatico settentrionale – Emilia-Romagna IT4060018 SCI/SAC v.2021
Pineta pedemontana di Appiano Gentile IT2020007 SCI/SAC v.2021

PARTNERSHIPS

Name Status Type
 LEGAMBIENTE LOMBARDIA ONLUS ACTIVE Participant
 FONDAZIONE LOMBARDIA PER L'AMBIENTE ACTIVE Participant
 ENTE DI GESTIONE PER I PARCHI E LA BIODIVERSITA' - DELTA DEL PO ACTIVE Participant
 AGENZIA INTERREGIONALE PER IL FIUME PO ACTIVE Participant
 REGIONE PIEMONTE ACTIVE Participant
 REGIONE EMILIA ROMAGNA ACTIVE Participant
 CONSIGLIO DI BACINO BRENTA ACTIVE Participant
 PROVINCIA AUTONOMA DI TRENTO ACTIVE Participant
 COMUNITA AMBIENTE SRL ACTIVE Participant
 ENTE PARCO DELTA DEL PO ACTIVE Participant
 LIPU ODV ACTIVE Participant
 ENTE REGIONALE PER I SERVIZI ALL' AGRICULTURA E ALLE FORESTE ACTIVE Participant
 WWF ITALIA ACTIVE Participant
 REGIONE DEL VENETO ACTIVE Participant
 AUTORITA' DI BACINO DISTRETTUALE DEL FIUME PO ACTIVE Participant
 REGIONE LOMBARDIA ACTIVE Coordinator