scholarly journals Conservation status of Italian coastal dune habitats in the light of the 4th Monitoring Report (92/43/EEC Habitats Directive)

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Prisco ◽  
Claudia Angiolini ◽  
Silvia Assini ◽  
Gabriella Buffa ◽  
Daniela Gigante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Current Conservation ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Biogeographical Regions ◽  
Inland Dunes ◽  
Monitoring Report

Coastal dunes are among habitats with the worst conservation status on a global, European and national scale. Monitoring and reporting are of strategic importance to determine the effectiveness of the implementation of Habitats Directive and to preserve the unique biodiversity heritage of the Italian dunes. In this study we show main results of the 4th National Report with specific reference to the macro-habitat “Coastal Sand Dunes and Inland Dunes”, highlighting its updated current conservation status at the national and Biogeographical level. A comprehensive Working Group of territorial experts collected, updated, validated and integrated the data available for 11 Annex I Habitats, distributed in the Alpine, Continental and Mediterranean Biogeographical Regions. The conservation status was evaluated through the following criteria: geographic range, surface area, structure, functions, pressures, threats, conservation measures and prospects. Results highlighted the dramatically bad conservation status of Italian dune Habitats: the overall assessment reported 88% of habitats in bad conservation status and the remaining 12% is in inadequate conditions. Results showed a generalised threat and a worrying conservation status both on herbaceous and wooded communities, in particular in some relevant habitats, such as the shifting dunes. Main pressures and threats were linked to residential, commercial and industrial activities, as well as alien species. Although some of the changes in distribution and trends are probably deriving from more accurate and updated data, the alarming conservation status of Italian sand dunes requires a better knowledge of pressures and threats for further management actions and monitoring plans, inside and outside protected areas.

scholarly journals Not just a sandy beach. The multi-service value of Mediterranean coastal dunes.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mita Drius ◽  
Laurence Jones ◽  
Flavio Marzialetti ◽  
Maria Carla de Francesco ◽  
Angela Stanisci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Ecological Integrity ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Existence Value ◽  
Service Value ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Natural Dune

Coastal sand dunes are complex transitional systems hosting high levels of biodiversity and providing important benefits to society. In this paper we aimed to evaluate the multi-service nature of ecosystem services (ES) supply in the dunes of the Italian Adriatic coastwithin Natura 2000 (N2K) sites. We i) identified ES indicators and assessed the supply capacity (Climate regulation, Protection fromwind and aerosol, Erosion regulation, Recreation and Tourismand Existence value of biodiversity) of natural dune ecosystems of European conservation concern; ii) upscaled this data to create an inventory of ES supply for all dune N2K sites in the study area; iii) explored the trade-offs among ES; and iv) summarized and spatially compared the overall multi-service value of the N2K sites.The study provides a method for quantifying the role of N2K sites in supplying benefits for our society. We found that the multi-service capacity of coastal dunes is uneven within sites and within administrative regions. This variability is related to both ecological (e.g. distribution, ecological integrity, extent and conservation status of dune habitats) and administrative (e.g. local implementation of the Habitats Directive) characteristics of the analysed area. ES are not coupled as several sites with high values for one ES show very low values for others. The results suggest that conservation actions should favour restoration of the natural dune zonation, since this underpins multi-service ES supply. The approach can distinguish regions with high ES values and regions where the paucity of protected areas represents a gap in ES supply, fact that offers an incentive to enhance the protection strategy butalso suggests an urgent need to improve the N2K network by enlarging existent sites and including new ones.

Zonation and succession

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Anwar Maun
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
Directional Change ◽  
Sandy Material ◽  
Inland Dunes

There is ample evidence that a progressive change in the intensity of an important environmental factor leads to the formation of zones or belt-like communities in which the plant species reflect a fairly distinct range of tolerance for that factor (Daubenmire 1968). Zonation has been defined as a sequence of vegetation in space and succession as a sequence of vegetation in time (McIntosh 1980). A zone is an area occupied by a plant community that is distinctly different from other zones and can be readily recognized by a change in dominant vegetation. Striking examples of zonation are found in salt marshes, mountain slopes and ponds because of soil salinity in salt marshes, decrease in temperature on mountain slopes and increase in water depth in ponds (Daubenmire 1968; Chapman 1976; Partridge and Wilson 1988). Similarly, it has long been known (Beck 1819) that sand dunes along sea coasts exhibit a zonation pattern extending from the beach to inland dunes. The zones are discrete and occur in parallel series with distinctly different species composition that is related to the ability of plant species to withstand the environmental factors prevailing in that zone (Doing 1985). Many later studies using transects from the shoreline to the inland dunes have confirmed that the taxa are not randomly distributed; they peak at definite distances from the beach (Oosting and Billings 1942; Boyce 1954; Martin 1959; Barbour 1978; Barbour et al. 1985). Succession in coastal dunes is an example of primary succession because the sandy material deposited on the shoreline by waves is inert. The term is generally used to denote a directional change in species composition and physiognomy of vegetation at the same site over time (Drury and Nisbet 1973). However, only the very early stages of dune succession can be observed during the life time of a plant ecologist and the later stages are usually inferred from plant communities represented on older sand dunes. It is hypothesized that the autogenic influence of early colonizers alters environmental conditions in the habitat and facilitates the establishment of new species better adapted to live in the altered habitat.

scholarly journals Evaluating different conservation approaches to protection of subterranean fauna in Slovenia

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Zagmajster ◽  
Petra Bregović ◽  
Teo Delić ◽  
Cene Fiser ◽  
Žiga Fišer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Single Site ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Current Conservation ◽  
Apparent Lack ◽  
First Case ◽  
Subterranean Species

Due to increasing human activities with negative impacts on wildlife and natural habitats, it has become necessary to establish conservation policies protecting at least parts of natural diversity. Subterranean fauna presents a challenge for conservation as species with small ranges or single site occurrences are common. In addition to the high level of strict endemism, the concealed lifestyles in habitats that are difficult to access make it challenging to establish the conservation status of subterranean species. Conservation approaches have different practical implications, but they should: i) include a sufficient number of important sites or proportion of species populations, and ii) involve monitoring of target species and habitats to check the effectiveness of conservation efforts. We evaluated both aspects in two study cases on subterranean fauna from Slovenia, which is known as one of the global biodiversity hotspots in the Western Balkans. In the first case, we investigated to what extent current conservation schemes cover single site species. In the second case, we studied a region in Southern Slovenia and evaluated to what extent the EU legislation, namely EU Habitats directive, has been successfully implemented. In the frame of the latter, Sites of Community Importance were designated also due to the presence of important cave habitats and subterranean species. Our results suggest that the inclusion of important subterranean sites in conservation schemes is considerable. But, the apparent lack of research and monitoring of both subterranean habitats and species hampers the conclusions on effectiveness of different conservation approaches.

Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Woinarski ◽  
Andrew Burbidge ◽  
Peter Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Action Plan ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Current Conservation ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Management Actions

The Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012 is the first review to assess the conservation status of all Australian mammals. It complements The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010 (Garnett et al. 2011, CSIRO Publishing), and although the number of Australian mammal taxa is marginally fewer than for birds, the proportion of endemic, extinct and threatened mammal taxa is far greater. These authoritative reviews represent an important foundation for understanding the current status, fate and future of the nature of Australia. This book considers all species and subspecies of Australian mammals, including those of external territories and territorial seas. For all the mammal taxa (about 300 species and subspecies) considered Extinct, Threatened, Near Threatened or Data Deficient, the size and trend of their population is presented along with information on geographic range and trend, and relevant biological and ecological data. The book also presents the current conservation status of each taxon under Australian legislation, what additional information is needed for managers, and the required management actions. Recovery plans, where they exist, are evaluated. The voluntary participation of more than 200 mammal experts has ensured that the conservation status and information are as accurate as possible, and allowed considerable unpublished data to be included. All accounts include maps based on the latest data from Australian state and territory agencies, from published scientific literature and other sources. The Action Plan concludes that 29 Australian mammal species have become extinct and 63 species are threatened and require urgent conservation action. However, it also shows that, where guided by sound knowledge, management capability and resourcing, and longer-term commitment, there have been some notable conservation success stories, and the conservation status of some species has greatly improved over the past few decades. The Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012 makes a major contribution to the conservation of a wonderful legacy that is a significant part of Australia’s heritage. For such a legacy to endure, our society must be more aware of and empathetic with our distinctively Australian environment, and particularly its marvellous mammal fauna; relevant information must be readily accessible; environmental policy and law must be based on sound evidence; those with responsibility for environmental management must be aware of what priority actions they should take; the urgency for action (and consequences of inaction) must be clear; and the opportunity for hope and success must be recognised. It is in this spirit that this account is offered. Winner of a 2015 Whitley Awards Certificate of Commendation for Zoological Resource.

The rediscovery of the Southern Swallowtail (Papilio alexanor Esper, 1799) in Bosnia & Herzegovina after 50 years of absence

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-30
Author(s):  
Toni Koren ◽  
Matea Martinović
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
Recent Observation ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Red List ◽  
Historical Records ◽  
Limited Extent ◽  
Current Conservation ◽  
The Third ◽  
Larval Host

The caterpillars of the Southern Swallowtail, Papilio alexanor have been recorded in the vicinity of Trebinje, Bosnia & Herzegovina. This is the first recent observation of this species in the country and the third observation so far. Opopanax chironium is confirmed as the larval host plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was expected due to the recent observations from Croatia. Its status and distribution in the country are still not clear, and further surveys are recommended in order to reconfirm the historical records as well as to assess its current conservation status. Due to the limited extent of its occurrence, we propose to include it in the Red list of fauna of Bosnia & Herzegovina as Vulnerable (VU).

Chasing the phantom: biogeography and conservation of Vipera latastei-monticola in the Maghreb (North Africa)

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inês Freitas ◽  
Soumia Fahd ◽  
Guillermo Velo-Antón ◽  
Fernando Martínez-Freiría
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Habitat Transformation ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Suitable Space ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The Maghreb region (North Africa) constitutes a major component of the Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot. During the last centuries, a consistent human population growth has led to an unprecedented rate of habitat transformation and loss in the region and thus, threatening its biodiversity. The Western Mediterranean viper Vipera latastei-monticola inhabits humid and subhumid areas in the main mountain ranges of the Maghreb, facing such threatening factors; however, its elusive character and rarity hindered data collection for distinct biological purposes. Here, we study the biogeographical patterns and conservation status of the Maghrebian V. latastei-monticola resulting from recent sampling campaigns in Morocco and Tunisia. We update species distribution, and integrate phylogeographic and ecological niche modelling analyses at both species and lineage level to identify suitable areas, and to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic transformation and level of protection of their suitable space. We identified four highly divergent mitochondrial lineages, including a new lineage endemic to the Western High Atlas, with allopatric distributions and restricted to mountain ranges, supporting the role of mountains as past climatic refugia. Despite the remoteness of suitable areas, we report widespread habitat degradation and identify the low effectiveness of the current protected areas system in preserving the species and lineages range. Our study shows the urgent need to apply management actions for the long-term conservation of this vulnerable species and suggests a revaluation of the specific status of V. monticola, as these populations likely represent an ecotype of V. latastei.

scholarly journals The Dessau Grassland Experiment—Impact of Fertilization on Forage Quality and Species Assembly in a Species-Rich Alluvial Meadow

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 339
Author(s):  
Sandra Dullau ◽  
Knut Rydgren ◽  
Anita Kirmer ◽  
Urs Georg Jäger ◽  
Maren Helen Meyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Long Term Experiment ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium ◽  
Eu Habitats Directive ◽  
Summer Flood ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Species Assembly

Since alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii are protected by the EU Habitats Directive, reconciling farmers’ demands for forage quality with the objective of maintaining them in good conservation status is an important issue in grassland research. In a long-term experiment from 2010 to 2018, we investigated the impact of fertilizing on forage quality and species assembly on a species-rich and twice-mown alluvial grassland in the Dessau Elbe floodplain (Germany). The experiment was composed of an unfertilized control, PK, N60, N60PK and N120PK applications. A significant improvement in forage quality was achieved by nitrogen fertilization only for crude protein, with higher feeding requirements for sheep met only in individual years. The legume cycle was inhibited by the application of nitrogen and high grass cover was maintained, but not increased, at the highest nitrogen application after an exceptional summer flood. The target forbs persisted in numbers over the study period in all treatments. For cover, the low-competitive target forbs responded neutrally to nitrogen fertilization, whereas detrimental effects were demonstrated for the competitive ones. Thus, we recommend not applying more than 60 kg year−1 of nitrogen and only in combination with phosphorus and potassium.

scholarly journals Spatial distribution of the Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara) in Sardinia explained by land use and climate

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianpasquale Chiatante ◽  
Marta Giordano ◽  
Anna Vidus Rosin ◽  
Oreste Sacchi ◽  
Alberto Meriggi
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
European Population ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Study Sites

AbstractMore than half of the European population of the Barbary Partridge is in Sardinia; nonetheless, the researches concerning this species are very scarce, and its conservation status is not defined because of a deficiency of data. This research aimed to analyse the habitat selection and the factors affecting the abundance and the density of the Barbary Partridge in Sardinia. We used the data collected over 8 years (between 2004 and 2013) by spring call counts in 67 study sites spread on the whole island. We used GLMM to define the relationships between the environment (topography, land use, climate) both the occurrence and the abundance of the species. Moreover, we estimated population densities by distance sampling. The Barbary Partridge occurred in areas at low altitude with garrigue and pastures, avoiding woodlands and sparsely vegetated areas. We found a strong relationship between the occurrence probability and the climate, in particular, a positive relation with temperature and a negative effect of precipitation, especially in April–May, during brood rearing. Furthermore, dry crops positively affected the abundance of the species. We estimated a density of 14.1 partridges per km2, similar to other known estimates. Our findings are important both because they increase the knowledge concerning this species, which is considered data deficient in Italy, and because they are useful to plan management actions aimed to maintain viable populations if necessary.

Anthostomella arenaria. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Minter
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Present Species ◽  
Leymus Arenarius

Abstract A description is provided for Anthostomella arenaria. Some information on its dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Europe (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and UK)) and habitats. This species has been recorded from coastal dunes and grasslands. Some members of Anthostomella are endobionts for part of their life cycle, but for the present species the time of substratum colonization and nutritional relations with the associated plant (Leymus arenarius) have not been established.

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