ERSE Ecological Research and Services for the Environment is a Tuscany Company of experts in Environmental Biology and Natural Sciences. ERSE works throughout the national territory.
For the maintenance of the local population of Apuan Alps crested newt Ichthyosaura alpestris LAURENTI, 1768, Vagli Sotto (LU)
LOCATION
Vagli Sotto (LU)
TYPE
Faunal Monitoring
CLIENT
Faeto Escavazione s.r.l.
The Cava Borella biotope conservation project (Vagli Sotto – LU) aims to preserve the local population of the Apuan Alps crested newt Ichthyosaura alpestris. This is done through population censuses, habitat analysis, and defining conservation actions.
The biotope is located in a quarry pond at the base of the rock face of the former mining theater, which has since expanded across the adjacent area. It hosts a stable population of crested newts. The area was previously subject to landscape disturbances. It is no longer exploited for mining but is undergoing restoration works that exclude any extractive activities (cf. “Project for the exploitation of Cava Borella West sector – restoration interventions,” March 2023). The biotope is monitored, and amphibian populations, particularly Ichthyosaura alpestris, are studied.
This species is classified as “Near Threatened” by the Italian IUCN Committee. Conservation trends are negative, though not yet meeting the criteria for “Vulnerable”. Populations in Tuscany and Piedmont are in noticeable decline. The primary threats are habitat loss, particularly the disappearance of freshwater microhabitats such as springs, ponds, and watering troughs. Other threats include anthropogenic disturbances of existing breeding sites (e.g., waste dumping, altered vegetation management, hydrological changes), the introduction of fish species for recreational purposes, the spread of invasive alien species (e.g., Louisiana crayfish), and the spread of pathogenic microorganisms (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans).
During the sampling process, individuals were temporarily removed from the biotope and housed in PET tanks for fish fauna. They were sexed, measured, weighed, and photographed. Key features (e.g., pedomorphic traits, melanism) were recorded. The population was retained only as long as necessary for analysis, and then reintroduced into the biotope. Direct handling was minimized to reduce stress. All tools and devices used by the survey team (gloves, boots, nets, holding tanks, etc.) were sterilized to prevent pathogen introduction.
The analysis indicated a population in satisfactory conservation status. The sex ratio and recruitment rate were within expected ranges. The biotope supports a relatively high number of individuals (around 350 at peak occupancy), with a decent reproductive rate and significant recruitment.
The site survey also found substantial algal colonization, with Chara hispida (Charophyceae, Characeae) and Stigeoclonium sp. (Chlorophyceae, Chaetophoraceae). Newt eggs were found on the algae, particularly on larger C. hispida formations. Recently hatched larvae were observed. These algal formations serve as a nursery and refuge for larvae and adults.
Macroinvertebrates were also sampled. The results showed a typical population for low hydrodynamic environments, but not abundant. The high number of adult and larval newts may help maintain low macroinvertebrate numbers in the basin.
