PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Established in 1935, Stelvio is Italy’s biggest national park, bordering on the Swiss Engadin park. In the area affected by the LIFE project, an Alpine valley at an altitude of between 2,400 and 3,400 metres, there are permanent glaciers, thickets of rhododendron and Pinus mugo, habitats listed in Annex I of Directive 92/43/EEC, and species listed in Annex I of Directive 79/409/EEC, such as the bearded vulture (3 individuals) and the golden eagle (22 pairs).
Nevertheless the extremely fragile Alpine ecosystem is threatened by intense human pressure, in particular tourists and winter sporters ( an average of 1.3 million per season). Litter and other refuse is abandoned on the glaciers, and this can lead to pollution of the areas traversed downstream by the glacier’s meltwaters. Furthermore, potential differences in the way large areas in the park are managed, due to imminent sale of municipal land to private buyers, could have negative consequences for nature conservation.
OBJECTIVES
To prevent the sale of municipal land which includes priority habitats to private buyers and to manage these areas, the project intended to acquire the right to use such land for 99 years. In all, 500 hectares were targeted, consisting of Alpine meadows and sections where rhododendrum and Pinus mugo thickets are found.
In the areas to be acquired, measures to regulate the tourist influx, such as the construction of observation platforms and new paths, were to be taken as well as measures to restrict grazing. To encourage the bearded volture and golden eagle populations to spread, the project had to carry out a series of measures focusing on maintaining the stability of the food supply networks. Installations to regulate water levels mechanically and to carry out biochemical monitoring of water quality had to be established. Finally, a large-scale awareness campaign for visitors was planned, aiming at reducing their impact on the threatened habitats.
RESULTS
The project has obtained a great part of the results foreseen. An ecologically correct management of over 800 ha of land with Alpine meadows and areas where rhododendron and Pinus mugo are present, has been guaranteed through the aquisition of the areas by the Stelvio National Park. Among the main actions carried out and results obtained there are: Completion of studies on the state of vegetation (Caricion bicoloris-artofuscae, Nardus grasslands and Pinus mugo and Rhododendron hirsuti). Preparation of management plans for the above habitats in the areas in which the actions were carried out. Acquisition of use-rights for a period of 99 years for a total of 838 ha of land with habitats of EU interest. Realisation of a 300 meters long fence to protect an area with Carex bicoloris atrofuscae in order to avoid the grazing in this site. Collection of Pinus mugo seeds for future plantation (over 95 kg). Creation of a plant nursery for the production of the Pinus mugo plants. Over 23.000 seeds were planted during the time of the project. Reconstitution of peaty areas and scrub: completed on a surface larger than what was foreseen. A total surface of 25 ha, damaged by a fire before the start of the project, was reconstituted through the elimination of dead plants, the creation of small anti-erosion barriers. About 23.420 authoctonous plants were place, among which Pinus mugo, Salix purpurea , Sorbus aucuparia and Alnus viridis. Realisation of measures directed at turist fruition, such as the creation of two itineraries and observation points. Realisation of material aimed at raising awareness of the importance of the habitats of EU interest present in the site: 35.000 leaflets, 35 sign posts, 3.500 maps of the natura 2000 site, organization of 10 public encounters with local residents, organization of 100 visits by local schools students, organization of one final seminar for technicians. The actions foreseen directed at improving water quality of the main stream in the area were no longer needed. The problems, linked to the pollution of the tourist facilities up stream, were solved with the realization of a water depuration plant. The project has obtained a great part of the results foreseen. An ecologically correct management of over 800 ha of land with Alpine meadows and areas where rhododendron and Pinus mugo are present, has been guaranteed through the aquisition of the areas by the Stelvio National Park. Among the main actions carried out and results obtained there are: Completion of studies on the state of vegetation (Caricion bicoloris-artofuscae, Nardus grasslands and Pinus mugo and Rhododendron hirsuti). Preparation of management plans for the above habitats in the areas in which the actions were carried out. Acquisition of use-rights for a period of 99 years for a total of 838 ha of land with habitats of EU interest. Realisation of a 300 meters long fence to protect an area with Carex bicoloris atrofuscae in order to avoid the grazing in this site. Collection of Pinus mugo seeds for future plantation (over 95 kg). Creation of a plant nursery for the production of the Pinus mugo plants. Over 23.000 seeds were planted during the time of the project. Reconstitution of peaty areas and scrub: completed on a surface larger than what was foreseen. A total surface of 25 ha, damaged by a fire before the start of the project, was reconstituted through the elimination of dead plants, the creation of small anti-erosion barriers. About 23.420 authoctonous plants were place, among which Pinus mugo, Salix purpurea , Sorbus aucuparia and Alnus viridis. Realisation of measures directed at turist fruition, such as the creation of two itineraries and observation points. Realisation of material aimed at raising awareness of the importance of the habitats of EU interest present in the site: 35.000 leaflets, 35 sign posts, 3.500 maps of the natura 2000 site, organization of 10 public encounters with local residents, organization of 100 visits by local schools students, organization of one final seminar for technicians. The actions foreseen directed at improving water quality of the main stream in the area were no longer needed. The problems, linked to the pollution of the tourist facilities up stream, were solved with the realization of a water depuration plant.
