PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Analysis of the population dynamics of species related to wetlands in the target area, and particularly amphibians and butterflies, reveals a range of problems. In particular, the populations of amphibians, the yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegate) (in sharp decline at national level), spectacled salamander (Salamandrina terdigitata) and Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) and the butterflies, Jersey tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria) (priority species) and Eriogaster catax have an irregular distribution due to the alteration and reduction of their habitats (including wetlands) and breeding sites, pathogens and transformation of their territory. Restoration of wetlands and other habitats relevant to the target species is vital.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the LIFE WetFlyAmphibia project was to improve the conservation status of the populations of amphibians and butterflies living in open wet areas inside the Foreste Casentinesi National Park. The specific objectives were to:
- Improve the habitats, establish breeding sites and reinforce the populations of Bombina variegata, Salamandrina terdigitata and Triturus carnifex populations;
- Improve the habitats of Euplagia quadripunctaria* and Eriogaster catax;
- Improve the conservation status of the wetlands of open areas (habitat 6430) and of the rare plant species found in these areas; and
- Foster a favourable attitude towards the conservation needs of amphibians and butterflies species.
RESULTS
The LIFE WetFlyAmphibia project’s objectives were largely achieved, with the main results as follows:
- Distribution maps of Bombina variegata, Salamandrina perspicillata, Triturus carnifex, Euplagia quadripunctaria and Eriogaster catax in the project areas and their estimated populations were successfully updated. Protocols for ex-situ breeding of B. pachypus and S. perspicillata were improved, thanks to networking with the LIFE ARUPA project (LIFE08 NAT/IT/000372) and experience gained during the project’s implementation.
- A higher number of interventions were carried out and a larger number of B. pachypus individuals and S. persicillata eggs were reintroduced than originally planned. The improvement of habitats and reinforcement of populations of B. pachypus and S. perspicillata was implemented with 202 interventions in the target areas. During the period 2018-2020, for B. pachypus a total of 857 eggs and 490 larvae were released at 4 sites, and for S. perspicillata 5,100 eggs were translocated to 5 streams on the Tyrrhenian side of the national park.
Ex-post monitoring of the project’s impacts on the target amphibian populations confirmed the effectiveness of the interventions performed:
- Of the total 109 interventions checked, 49 were colonised by at least 1 target species and 29 interventions allowed the presence of the same species detected in the ex-ante monitoring. In 28 sites the ex-post survey did not show the presence of any species, and in 3 sites the species disappeared after the work.
- Of the 109 interventions, in 55 the number of reproductive couples increased; in 28 no amphibian was detected, in 18 at least 1 amphibian species was detected but without reproduction; in 5 sites the number of reproductive couples remained stable; and in 3 sites the number decreased.
- For the Apennine yellow-bellied toad (B. pachypus), 14 new sites were detected with the species present; in 18 sites the number of reproductive couples increased; in 5 sites the number of couples remained stable; and in 1 site where the species was present at the time of the ex-ante monitoring no individual was detected in the ex-post monitoring.
- For T. carnifex, the construction and consolidation of many wetlands including new ponds and pools increased the presence of this target species; 4 new sites were detected with the species present; and the number of reproductive couples increased in 7 sites.
- Metamorphosed individuals of S. perspicillata deriving from the reintroductions were observed during the 2020 monitoring.
Maps of the collection areas of flora species to restore habitat 6430 (wetlands of open areas) and a list of species to reproduce and maintain at a germplasm bank were prepared. Improvement of the habitat’s conservation status was performed with the reproduction of 35 species and the transplantation of 15,500 plants. From this intervention. E. quadripunctaria and E. catax will benefit indirectly in the near future.
A total of 254 hiking guides and farmers, 997 students, 80 university students, 50 technicians and researchers, and 330 volunteers were involved in the project. The project also prepared 3 best practice guidelines, not originally foreseen, on the construction and management of new pools and on water trough restoration and management to improve habitats for the presence of 2 target species - B. pachypus and S. perspicillata. These were disseminated at both institutional and agricultural level.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
