Pianificazione e conservazione della biodiversità di un paesaggio costiero nell’ambito di un processo ICZM: l’avifauna come indicatore gestionale della Maremma Laziale
Author(s)
Tallone, Giuliano
Date Issued
March 7, 2008
Type
Doctoral Thesis
Abstract
Goal of this work is biodiversity conservation planning in a coastal landscape, based on the ICZM
(Integrated Coastal Zone Management) methodological approach. Birds were used as management
indicator. Study area is Maremma Laziale (Montalto di Castro and Tarquinia, Province of Viterbo,
Latium, Italy). In this area land use planning and other sectorial plans were analysed, to investigate
how protected areas and other social and economic driving factors can influence the landscape and
its ecological structure. Landscape analysis was made using a geographic information system and
showed a high level of habitat loss and fragmentation following modifications occurred after large
land use reclamation schemes in the ‘50s. Main woodland fragments are localised in the hill area
surrounding coastal plain and in small pine plantations along the coast line. Wetlands are limited to
Tarquinia salt works (about 170 ha) and few inter-dunal salt marshes. Data birds were collected by
IPA (Index Ponctuels d’Abondance, Blondel et al., 1970) point count method. 108 species were
recorded, of which 86 nesting species, with 526 point counts in three years (330 used in the data
analysis) and 7,196 useful data. The 20 dominant species represented 76.23% of the total
abundance. Most common species (Passer italiae, Carduelis carduelis, Galerida cristata, Miliaria
calandra) show the dominant agricultural features of the study area. Data analysis shows strong
correlation between species and landscape categories considered. Discriminant analysis
discriminated landscape categories by different bird guilds, divided following their habitat
preferences. PCA (Principal Component Analysis) showed that common factors explained few of
the variability, and the importance of the unique factors in explaining correlation between species
and landscape categories. Fragmentation analysis of forest species showed a partial correspondence
with island biology model. “Interior” and “Wood” species richness was related with fragment area.
Some community parameter was related to distance from stepping stones in landscape. Forest patch
habitat quality, and especially medium height of trees was related to “Interior” species richness.
Woodland birds species less sensitive to mature forest and fragmentation are present in habitats
with a pattern directly related to small woodland, edges and shrubs presence. Data analysis showed
that in study area residual patches with natural elements (woodlands, wetlands and drylands) – even
if small in size - are particularly important to maintain the overall landscape diversity in birds. Thus
guidelines for priority management actions in the study area were defined, mainly focused to habitat
management and restoration at patch-scale level. The Agriculture policy, and in particular Rural
Development Plan 2007-2013 of the CAP (Common Agriculture Policy) has been analysed. The
analysis had the goal to define the suitability of CAP measures and actions to improve some
interventions aimed to maintain or develop diversity at landscape level for birds. Management and
conservation proposals were developed for these relevant habitats that gap analysis showed being
outside of the protected areas and Natura 2000 sites.
Additional information
Dottorato di ricerca in Ecologia e gestione delle risorse biologiche
Subjects
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