Province of Viterbo Environmental Council

Water Conservancy Sector

LAYMAN’S REPORT

PROJECT LIFE04 NAT/IT/000153 “URGENT ACTIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE UPPER

TUSCIA SITES OF THE NATURA 2000 NETWORK”

Dipartimento di tecnologie, ingegneria e scienze dell’ambiente e delle foreste

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INTRODUCTION The LIFE program is a tool introduced in 1992 by the European Union who finance the conservatione of the biodiversity and environmental in the territory of the member countries. The specific target of the LIFE Project "Urgent actions for the protection of the Upper Tuscia sites of the Natura 2000 Network", is to contribute to the implementation of "Birds" EU directives from (Dir. 79/409/EEC) and "Habitat" from (Dir. 92/43), in particular the European Natura 2000 network as all areas where there are habitat and species worthy of preservation. The LIFE-Nature project "Urgent actions for the Protection of Nature Sites 2000 of the Upper Tuscia", financied by the European Union Programme has been made to pursue the target of safeguarding habitats, flora and fauna in the north-western province of Viterbo. The interventions area it is a strip of territory, which for historical reasons and geographical configuration, it was relatively few used and therefore particularly intact. AIMS AND TARGET OF THE PROJECT The Environmental Council of Viterbo, has designed and developed the project, with this initiative has sought to activate a coordinated and effective management of some of the most important natural areas of Tuscia, encouraging a sustainable economic exploitation. Activities involv over Environment Council of the Province of Viterbo, who is the leader, many other organizzation and local municipalities: Valentano, Canino, Ischia Castro, Montalto di Castro, Farnese and the

Natural Reserve of Selva Lamone, in addition to another beneficiary of this project and scientific referent, the University of Tuscia and its Department of the Environment and Forestry Technologies, Engineering and Sciences (DAF). The focus of the project is to promote the restoration and valorization of certain habitats for the community interest in Sites of Community Importance (SCI), characteristic of wetlands, grasslands steppe and forest areas, compromised or degraded by direct or indirect action of man. Regarding the target, the project is divided into several actions aimed at conservation and habitat protection; these actions is focused on silvicultural operations, wetlands, restoration of riparian stips, construction of infrastructure to limit the damage from poaching in particularly sensitive areas, maintenance of paths. Another target of the project is to make, through actions of communication and dissemination, a network of consensus towards forms of land use based on the valorization of environmental features, ranging from tourism to use natural eco-compatible and sustainable natural heritage . In reference to this target, the project involves other actions designed to improve the enjoyment such as maintenance of footpaths, implementation of

educational-informational panels, organising public meetings, production of informative material. The actions planned for the protection of forest environments provide, in addition to silvicultural, A.6 Action, accession to the System of Certification of sustainable forest management according to the PEFC scheme for the Natural Reserve of Selva of Lamone woods, whose territory is included in SCI "Selva del Lamone." The target of this action is to promote the use of eco-compatible forest reserve, allowing the maintenance of biodiversity, productivity, capacity for renewal and natural potential future, in the form of feature ecological, economic and social, forest resources. The interventions that have scheduled for restoration’s degraded areas and dissemination of techniques for eco-compatible use of the area, have interested natural environments that on the one side host animal and plant

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species at risk of extinction or threatened (orchids , beech woods and forests rate, Western Hermann's Tortoise, Otter, Wolf and some rare bats), and on the other hand used by many species of birds in the nesting and migration. Another activity has been carried out, information action through appropriate communication and dissemination actions, to the people involved, about forms of land use based on the valorization of environmental features of the areas they inhabit, to combining environment and the economy. The working method and philosophy of the project have scheduled that all activities, both direct (forest and river works), both indirect (organization of meetings and production of informative material) had also intended to

make the system and organize these areas of Community interest. Indeed, the basic idea is that neighbouring areas can be managed with a single philosophy, which repeat the directions of Natura 2000 Network providing for the practical implementation of Community Directives. Finally, the project has tried to transmit to administrations and citizens, the idea that the presence of areas of Community Interest, such as SCI and the SPA, not the constraints on normal activities and economic interests, but they are areas where natural environments, still a high qualità, can be through projects and Community Life, a major opportunity for economic development.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING AND RESULTS The seven Sites of Community Importance proposed (pSCI) in the territory of the Tuscia Viterbo LIFE beneficiaries of the project are: • "Selva of Lamone" spread over 3066 hectares; • "Caldera of Latera" has extended to 1217.5; • "System of Fiora- Olpeta rivers” 1040 hectares; • "The Crostoletto" spread over 40.7 ha; • "Lake of Mezzano" spread over 149.1 hectares; • "Monti of Castro" has extended to 1558.4; • "Vallerosa" spread over 13.9 ha. Their total area of 7,086 hectares interested territories of municipalities of Farnese, Ischia Castro, Latera, Valentano, Montalto di Castro and Canino and includes a wide variety of environments. The sites "Selva of Lamone," and "Mountains of Castro" are characterized by a well-preserved forest and are rich in animal and plant species. In "Caldera of Latera" there is a steppe plant communities used as a staging post by birds during migration. The pSCI " Fiora-Olpeta rivers" for its relative remoteness from centres of population and its high naturalness, is a fundamental ecological corridor for the dispersal of aquatic species from inland areas towards the Tyrrhenian coast and vice versa. The small basin of “Mezzano Lake" is one of the few eutrofic lakes of centre Italy, finally sites "Crostoletto" and "Vallerosa" host rare plants for Lazio, including many orchids, thanks to the presence of suitable environments. All of the elements typical of the Maremma and Latium-maremma volcanic systems, characterize the particular and unique combination of habitats belonging to the Sites of Community Importance listed above, making priority actions protection, restoration and valorization of the territory of the upper Tuscia. The habitat and species present are: Habitat priority (*): 6210: Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites); 6220: Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea; 6110: Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi;

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9210: Apennine beech forest with Taxus and Ilex; 3170: Temporary Mediterranean ponds with amphibious meadows dominated by small reeds and micro pteridofites Isoeto nanojunceta. Other habitats: 9340: Forests of Quercus ilex and Quercus rotundifolia; 3280: Rivers flowing Mediterranean Standing with Paspolo-Agrostidion and shelters with rows of Salix and Populus alba; 92A0: Salix alba and Populus alba galleries; 3150: Natural eutrophic lakes with. Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition; 91F0: Mixed riparian forests of large rivers; 3260: Rivers of plains and mountains with vegetation Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion; 3140: Water oligomesotrofe limestone with benthic vegetation Chara sp; 3130: Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea; 9130: Forests of neutrophils in the Appennines dominance of Fagus selvatica.

Spices of the Directive: Birds:

A229 Alcedo attihs; A072 Pernis apivorus; A080 Circaetus gallicus; A246 Lullula arborea; A224Caprimulgus europaeus; A133 Burhinus oedicnemus; A231 Coracias garrulus; A243Calandrella brachydactyla; A379 Emberizia Hortulana; A242Melanocorypha calandra; A101 Falco biarmicus; A084 Circus pygargus;ù A073 Milvus migrans; A113 Coturnix coturnix; A099 Falco subbuteo; A338 Lanius collirio; A166 Tringa gl’areola; A026 Egretta garzetta; A136 Charadrius dubius.

Reptiles: 1217 Testudo hermanni; 1279 Elaphe quatuorlineata; 1220 Emyr orbicularis; 1193 Bombina variegata.

Mammals 1352 Canis lupus; 1355 Lutra lutra; 1304 Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum; 1310 Miniopterus schreibersi; 1316 Myotis capaccinii; 1305 Rhinolophus euryale; 1324 Myotis myotis.

Amphibians 1167 Triturus carnifex;

Fish 1137 Barbus plebejus; 1131 Leuciscus souffia; 1136 Rutilus rubidio; 1156 Padogobius nigracans; 1103 Alosa fallax; 1095 Petromyzon marinus; 1115 Chondrostoma genei; 1152 Aphanius fasciatus.

The actions been carried out under the project Life-Nature for achieving the conservation targets have considered: Preliminary analysis of territory: • Establishing a territorial database (GIS) to identify priority areas for intervention. Protection of forests: • Regulating coppiece woods, management of old forests, and removal of alien species; • Compliance with the system of certification of forest management at European level (Pan European Forest Certification (PEFC).

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Protection of grassland habitats: • Managing grassland habitats through periodic cutting.

Protection of riparian vegetation: • Speeches of wetland water; • Restoration of riparian vegetation band. Protection of Orchids and rare herbaceous plants: • Creation of fences and structures to reduce the degratation. Monitoring of population of bats: • Upgrading data on the species of bats in the area. Monitoring of water quality: • Collect Data on the state of pollution of the waters of the system of lake of Mezzano and Olpeta River. Exploitation and Dissemination: • Rehabilitation and maintenance of existing trails; • Creation of educational-informational panels; • Activities of communication and awareness; • Organization of public meetings and press conferences; • Creation of information material; • Creating a website; • Production of gadgets and educational CD-ROMs.

The Viterbo Province expects to continue to perform maintenance actions, together with local authorities, using public funds and regional funds, for all the activities. MAIN THREATS FOR HABITAT AND SPECIES IN WORKING AREA

Threat 1: Degradation of riparian strip subject of frequent cuts. This activity reducer the habitats 3280: Rivers flowing Mediterranean Standing with Paspolo-Agrostidion and shelters with rows of Salix and Populus alba, and 92A0: Salix alba and Populus alba galleries. This environment is extremely important for the the stop, shelter and reproduction of many species of vertebrates. Threat 2: Eutrophication of Lake of Mezzano and system of Fiora - Olpeta rivers due to the percolation of substances derived from farming with severe habitat. The threat leads to a drastic reduction in suitable areas to maintain viable populations of Amphibians, Fish and Invertebrates in particular for their reproduction.

Threat 3: Degradation of semi-dry grassland and facies covered by bushes on limestone substrate, because the normal farming practices which are managed with these crops if not carried out in an appropriate and environmentally sustainable, all leading to a progressive loss of these habitats. In these semi natural environments, where there is a high biodiversity, grow dozens of species of orchids and rare plants

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Threat 4: Degradation of pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea and of Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi. Grazyng activity and the spread of abusive practices settlement has reduced the areas occupied by natural environments grasslands a few plots and between these environments arid grasslands are residual and heavily degraded with negative effects on the composition species (species general invasion). Threat 5: Degradation of beech Apennines with the Taxus and Ilex* and Forestry of Quercus Ilex and Quercus rotundifolia. These environments are degraded by a heavy use connected with the development of the wood industry and colonization by exotic species such as Black locust and Tree-of-heaven. Threat 6: Trampling of semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites) and loss of biodiversity in particular, due to the passage of motor vehicles. The compaction of the soil and the continued poaching during the flowering stage, in fact impede the smooth take place in the life cycle of most rare herbaceous species. Threat 7: Shortage updated data on the consistency of populations and species richness in the bats fauna reported for SCI System of Fiora-Olpeta river which is currently little known and do not know either the current status nor the species composition latest, and this affects the possibility effectively manage these rare and vulnerable species.

CARRIED ACTIONS - RESULTS OBTAINED

ACTIONS OF A CATEGORY Implementation of a Data Base (GIS) habitats and species: (A1). The database product, besides containing the main environmental themes (the distribution of habitats and species of Community interest), made it possible to collect all those environmental emergencies (distribution of the species, type of anthropogenic stress), which were the starting point for implement the project. In addition, it also can be interactive, allowing the operator of the project, but also in future visitors to the website, make specific questions to make thematic maps. The layers upon information contained in DB_CARTO_LIFE are as follows:

• Photos georeferenced aerial scale 1:10.000 for the year 2000. • Borders administrative of province of Viterbo. • Digital Terrain Model - (DEM) Region Lazio, with a resolution of 40 m. • Use of Soil (Corine 2005). • Slopes (derived from DEM) with legend FAO. • Catchment areas - Lazio Region. • Fitoclimatic Zone - Lazio Region (Blasi, 1994). • Geology - Lazio Region. • Municipal Boundaries for the Province of Viterbo. • Surface hydrografy of river basin - Lazio Region. • Protected Areas - Lazio Region. • hydrogeological risk maps.

In addition to the following information layers that are derived from specific studies carried out by the Department DAF:

• Forests in the province of Viterbo (2000). • Power (2000). • Traffic (2000). • Setting scattered and continuous (2000); • Structural Elements "hedges" of Viterbo Province.

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Final design of project of interventions: (A2). The projects were drawn up following the indications coming from environmental and preliminary consultation with regional, local institutions and private citizens.

Corsican training of public administration: (A5). At Corsican attended assiduously about 15 technicians of the local government involved, which was issued a certificate of participation. The operation is expected that lectures and field trips to areas already affected by other LIFE projects. At the end of lessons, held a seminar at the University of Tuscia involving concerned a large number of university students and technicians. The Corsican has developed for 84 hours of lessons subdivided as follows:

• 56 hours of classroom lectures and seminars; • 24 hours of field visits; • A seminar conclusive.

Adherence to Forest Certification System Pan European Forest Certification - PFCE (A6). The goal reached by this action was to promote the use of environmentally friendly forest reserve of Lamone, thus, the maintenance of biodiversity, productivity and capacity of natural renewal, features ecological, economic and social resource. With a particular processes in forest management, it was possible to obtain the forest certification that ensures, that on the one hand the use correctly the forest resources, in the other hand provides a value added to wood products. In addition, at the end of the activity, in addition to the planned activities, have produced 11,000 copies a bilingual document to distributing at the forestry companies to disseminate more effectively the issues relating to forest certification.

ACTIONS OF C CATEGORY Forestry activities (cutting, removing of invasive species):

C1. The action were located within the habitat 9210 * Apennines beech with the Taxus and Ilex * and in 9340 Forests of Quercus ilex and Quercus rotundifolia. In the Natural Reserve of the Selva of Lamone, cutting actions of exotic species, were particularly urgent for the serious state of deterioration that they bring to above habitats of interest. The action, which took place in "leopard spot” on 110 h total, also saw selective cutting of invasive species of conifers, the fight to pathogenic organisms, starting with Timber forests. Laying infrastructure to limit the damage in areas rich in orchidacee: (C2). The action provides for the creation of 4 wooden gates that go up to regulate vehicular and pedestrian traffic

which insists on these particular areas subjected to excessive use and abandonment of waste and provide for a fence within the SCI for Vallerosa adjust the influx of visitors.

Restoration of riparian zone: (C3). Interventions were made on the river Olpeta, at Vallegiardino and at the source of Lake of Mezzano, for about 1110 linear meters.

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At cleaning weeds from non-riparian (Blak locusta, canes, nettles, brambles and other herbaceous) is followed grooming certain points in the channel of the River Olpeta, where it had accumulated a large amount of organic and not residue (branches, reeds, material plastic debris, etc.…), which imped the water flow.

Fito depuration actions on the Olpeta river and Mezzano lake: (C4). The action was carried out on those shores nude or whit obvious stability issues, the works have scheduled for the planting of native riparian species of shrubs and herbaceous, produced by a local nursery (Cyperus longus; Tipha latifoglia; Eleocharis palustris; Phragmites australis, Iris pseudachorus; Ranunculus spp.).

ACTIONS OF D CATEGORY Periodic cutting: (D1).

Intervention areas were located in SCI Caldera of Latera, IT6010011, Crostoletto, IT6010014, Monti Castro, IT6010016 and Vallerosa, IT6010015: the increase of Scotch broom, carduus and other shrubs was reducing glades available for many rare herbaceous species. In these SCI has worked on a large surface (about 30 hectares) spaced differently depending on the characteristics and needs of individual sectors in a timely manner, limiting the invasion by shrubs. For the Crostoletto intervention has been guaranteed through regulation of grazing, with structures made with the action C2.

Management of Forestry activites: (D2). We have made control of alien weeds through periodic interventions at the aim to eliminate them, because these are species that have a greater ability to reproduce by agametic way. Also has been guaranteed adequate cleaning of the undergrowth from those shrubs and herbaceous species in order to drastically reduce the risk of fire very frequent in these areas particularly arid.

Management and cleaning of paths: (D3)

Through these activities, a part of the paths network (about 15 km) is available now, not only by visitors, but also by emergency vehicles, having on this occasion also reactivated the service roads that provide a timely intervention in the area.

Particularly in the case of Lake Mezzano was possible even resume a path along the lake, which remained only in trace in old maps disappeared as a result of abandonment by residents.

Maintenance of riparian buffer strip: (D4). The activities were planned with the cleaning and removal of materials in the river where it was made action C3 The maintenance was carried out through the help craft aluminium hard bottom and a van car specially purchased.

Monitoring of bat fauna: (D5). They were viewed four sites: Infernaccio Cave, Nova Cave, Misa Cave, Devil's Cave. The monitoring whit ultrasound was can detecting the presence of numerous species rare, we recorded the bats at sunset in front of the entrance to the caves, At the end of it we produced a specific report.

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Monitoring of Lake of Mezzano (D6). For this action has been carried out the following activities:

Purchase of equipment, laboratory and field; Running periodic thermal profiles and oxygen in the

waters of the lake, using a multiparametric probe; Relief for periodic measurement of transparency (Secchi

Disk); Installation of an water level measurement gauge and his

regular reading; Installation and use of a weather station for the

acquisition of the following data: precipitation, air temperature, solar radiation, wind speed, relative humidity;

Periodic sampling and analysis of water at different depths (1, 10, 20, 30 meters), for the analysis of the main chemical parameters to define the trofic status water.

Running profiles using the multiparametric probe (SA8060) for the measurement of the following parameters: oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity;

Collection of biological samples to determine the status of macrobentonic community of lake ecosystem and Fiora-Olpeta rivers;

Relief and periodic analysis of data on the nutrient content in the lake sediment;

Relief periodic and analysis of data related to bacterial flora.

Editors of two specific reports: biological monitoring, chemical and physical monitoring.

The data collected so far indicate that the lake Mezzano appears to a decrease of water quality because of anthropogenic pressures.

ACTIONS OF E CATEGORY Production of materials for dissemination: (E1, E2, E8).

The action was expected, the production of a large amount of material for information of the local population on the European dimension of this natural heritage in the areas of intervention of the project, with explicit reference to the NATURA 2000 network, this material is informative been so divided:

BROCHURE, printing and distribution of 30,000 copies; BROCHURE, printing and distribution of 8,000 copies; MOUSE PAD, printing and distribution of 8,000 copies. PANELS FOR BACHECHE printing and development of 16 descriptive panels. The distribution was carried out at the Cities of speech, the tourist circuit (Pro Loco, tourism associations etc.), Associations (local producers, the receiving system linked farm, shepherds, farmers, artisans), at the Schools and the University of Tuscia in Viterbo, and in conjunction events nature tourists - information to which the province of Viterbo participated.

Creation of Website: (E3).

The website, bilingual version is currently active and can be visited at: http://www.life-natura.viterbo.it/ or entering search criteria in the main engines words: life nature Viterbo. The site is updated regularly and contains the lines of development of the project, the philosophy of funding LIFE, the status of activities and any news.

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Graphic design and installation of boards and panels information: (E4, E5). In the text of the message boards were given the characteristics of SCI on the respective municipal territories, with the evidence of the particularities of species and habitats present, a brief description of the project and the philosophy of funding LIFE. The boards were placed in the centre of each of the municipalities involved and the main access points to the various SIC.

E.6 ACTION: Organization of public meetings and press conferences. This action provides for the organization of two press conferences, maintained by the Province of Viterbo. The first was held at the beginning of the activities was presented the project and its fallout on areas of common interest. At this meeting were invited local authorities, regional, and the Ministry of Environment of the European Commission. In the second, we have been highlighting the results of the work, but had, at the local level a great emphasis certification of forest woods of the Selva Lamone, which represents an innovative activity for the agro-forestry industry. These reports have been published in various magazines, both on paper and on the Web.

Another event that has been circulated in the press was the conclusive seminar for the A5 action, which was reported on the main organs of information.

ACTION E.7: Production of a final report informative bilingual (paper and electronic). This action provides for the printing of a document of 16 pages containing the following paragraphs:

Introduction; Projects life-nature; The characteristics of the sites; targets and actions; List habitats and species; Main threats to the habitats and species in the intervention; Description of the sites of Community importance; Carried out actions; Summary of action; Final considerations.

The document, printed in Italian and English will be distributed to all Italian provinces and municipalities of the province of Viterbo, as well as other stakeholders which will be gradually identified.

Meetings with public category of farmers and production of a leaflet to inform about the damage caused on habitats and species with the practice of fires: (E9). The public meeting was addressed to the sector of agriculture and pastoralism, with the aim of raising awareness on the same compartment damage to habitats, fauna and flora, induced not eco-compatible practices, particularly along the banks of canals and aquatic environments. In order to involve a wider audience, were contacted about 800 farmers between subscribers to the major trade associations in the area, professional and business operators. It also discusses the prospects for new measures planned European funding in the coming years, providing information to distribute material that concerns the new forms of eco-compatible behaviour incentive for farmers: The new policy of Rural Development, Agriculture and nature 2000 network; EC Regulation 1698/2005 on support for rural development of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (FEASAR).

ACTIONS OF F CATEGORY Activation of coordinating structure of entities involved: (F1).

The structure of coordination, with the participation of officials of the province of Viterbo, DAF and TEMI society, conducted a series of meetings between representatives, in specific meetings with regional officies

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(Regional Agency for Defence Soil, the State Forestry Corps,… etc.), mayors and representatives of local authorities, managers of protected areas, the Owners of the land.

Updated database (GIS): (F2).

A database created with the action A1, has been updated regularly with input information derived from monitoring and surveillance. This database includes information derived from the annual satellite photos of the area, covered by the project.

Report monitoring evaluation Posts - ante operam: (F3).

The report includes: Assessment of the status of conservation of vegetational component; Guest status macroinvertebrata conservation component in aquatic environment; technical report on the conditions dell'entomofauna prior to the implementation of interventions

renaturalisation.

Final report of assessment interventions post operam: (F4). Have been properly assessed the performance of the project through sampling of macroinvertebrates of lawn environment and freshwater, to classification and ecological functional to assess changes in the composition taxonomic and functional. For each area of intervention we collected video and photographic information digitally to assess the environmental and landscape changes.

Administrative Report (independent audit): (F5). To carry out this action has been identified a company to control the administrative part of the project. The company (TEMI Society), had to review and control the financial reporting, as reported in the administrative rules standard with the production of a specific report Certification. All reports and documents cited are available in the Documents section of the site of the project: http://www.life-natura.viterbo.it/ Throughout the conduct of project activities were also obtained additional product than initially proposed by the project. These additional results have been obtained with a shrewd consultation among regional offices involved, the contractors and management of tenders for the procurement of services and supplies.

List of additional products obtained for the various activities pursued: Activities Additional Products

1 Proceedings of a Corsican training for the staff of the Administration

Organization of a final seminar at the University of Tuscia.

2 Adherence to the system of certification of forest management recognised at European level

Printing 11,000 copies of a bilingual brochure devoted to action.

3 Restoration of riparian buffer strip of Olpeta River and Lake of Mezzano

Actions on additional 500 linear meters.

4 Accomplishing interventions riparian wetlands on the band at Olpeta and at the shores of Lake of Mezzano

Actions on additional 500 linear meters. Construction of a fence (about 400 m) from protection of wild pasture.

5 Additional periodic cutting Posts for about 5 hectares in SIC Lake Mezzano.

6 Posts forest-farming (planting and maintenance) Construction of a fence (about 600 meters) to protect some of the speeches.

7 Maintaining of patch Posts additional of about 5 km of trails.

8 Realisation and allocation counters and informative panels

Printing further 16 panels charts for the notice board.

9 Producing a final report informative bilingual paper and electronic

Printing 10,500 more copies of the report. 10 Production of a gadget of the project have been Printed and distributed 5,000 more mats.

N.B. In bold shows the Milestones Project.

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CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of the benefits of conservation and implication for the network nature 2000. Transferability of the project results.

The activities have had a positive impact on environments intervention in the whole area there has been a significant improvement in general conditions, the status of places, the possibility tourists, the awareness that has spread among citizens, students , farmers. Regarding interventions on the ground, here too there are positive results of the project, such as meadows of orchids to SIC, where there were waste and bushes of broom after the first year showed signs of recovery vegetative, Moreover, landfills are completely drained and has not been used more; the activities maintenance and cleaning of undergrowth have prevented fire during last very dry summer; the banks of the Olpeta River rives and Lake Mezzano, show signs of stabilization and growth of vegetation; organized groups and individuals have taken to travel the paths, before closed, of Selva of Lamone and around Lake Mezzano. The actions of Group E, made it possible to spread so capillary information related to finance and Network LIFE Nature 2000, in this regard need to register considerable success of dissemination activities. In fact, among these has aroused considerable interest the action E9 (public meeting with the categories of agriculture), which saw the concrete request by the farmers support and additional information about issues of LIFE projects, development opportunities and preservation of the territory; the dissemination activities of the products (Depliantes, brochures) and gadgets (for mouse pad), have seen get a large number of requests from schools, associations and local authorities. Among other activities, the province of Viterbo was able to sensitize the local offices of the various competent administrations such as soil conservation and hydraulic areas, about the management of river areas, in fact, from solicitations Environment Council was launched a table comparing the techniques as possible friendly environments and species, with the project activities, the concept of "retraining River is spreading among the public and the local population. Starting from the experience of LIFE, were set to recovery and preservation of other Sites of Community Importance in the province of Viterbo. Through European and regional funding, it was possible to design and implement interventions with the SIC Marta River and the Lake of Bolsena, using techniques Engineering Naturalistica already tried and initiating procedures for dissemination at the stakeholders involved. Finally, the performance of the project has brought considerable benefits to areas of intervention, but has mainly communicated to the local population and government that Sites of Interest Community environments are to be preserved and which can be, with projects LIFE and other measures Community an important opportunity for development.

Made by the Province of Viterbo - Environment Department - Water Sector Protection - Inland Waters Protection Office For further information: Province of Viterbo - Environment Department - Via Saffi, 49, Viterbo - Water Sector Protection - Inland Waters Protection Office Dr. Paolo Andreani - Dr. Alessia Milazzo andreani@provincia.vt.it - Tel.: +39 0761 313 331 Website: http://www.life-natura.viterbo.it/