NATURA 2000 MANAGEMENT PLANS

for IT13435102 “Parco della Magra-Vara” and IT1345101 “Piana del Magra” concerning Freshwater Fauna.

LOCATION

Liguria

TYPE

Natura 2000 Network, Management Plans

CLIENT

Parco regionale Montemarcello Magra Vara

The management plans for the Natura 2000 sites IT13435102 “Parco della Magra-Vara” and IT1345101 “Piana del Magra” focused on freshwater fauna (particularly crayfish and fish species), were developed through the following activities.

Review of previous studies:
A bibliographic review was conducted to assess habitat and species presence, as reported in the Standard Form for each site. This involved cross-checking with site-specific conservation measures and data from the Li.Bi.Oss database, ensuring alignment with official documentation and reports.
Field surveys:
Specific surveys were carried out to update species presence data from the Standard Form for each site. Monitoring was performed where feasible, following the methodologies outlined in ISPRA Guidelines (Manual 142/2016 and subsequent updates).
Review of “focal areas”:
The review of focal areas, as defined by D.G.R. 1687/2009 for the prioritization of terrestrial Site of Community Importance (SCI) conservation and the relevant cartography of the key areas for SIC protection, was completed.
Database development:
A dedicated database was compiled, based on field survey data, adhering to ARPAL’s guidelines and record-tracking protocols approved by D.G.R. 681/2016.
Proposals for updates to the Standard Form:
Recommendations were made for potential updates to the Natura 2000 Standard Form, based on bibliographic and field survey findings.
Management strategies and human activity impact:
Preliminary recommendations for identifying management strategies for the ZSCs were provided, with particular attention to human activities’ potential or existing impact.
Conservation objectives:
Specific management objectives were formulated in line with Directive 92/43/EEC “Habitats Directive.”
Assessment of pressures and threats:
An assessment was made of critical pressures and threats, particularly focusing on priority species and those of significant conservation concern.
Indicators for management effectiveness:
Proposed indicators for monitoring the effectiveness of the management plan, including their integration into a dedicated monitoring plan.
Regulatory guidelines:
Recommendations for regulatory guidelines were provided, indicating activities incompatible with habitat conservation.
Action plans and thematic cartography:
Contributions were made toward the creation of action plans and related thematic maps, aligning with current regulations to ensure the achievement of specific conservation objectives.

For both ZSCs, the following deliverables were produced:

Habitat checklists, as per the Habitat Directive annexes.
Flora species checklists, including those listed in the Habitat Directive annexes and other species of local, regional, and national interest.
Analysis of primary pressures on habitats and species, whether internal or external to the ZSCs (based on ISPRA’s 2018 or subsequent updates).
Thematic cartographies as outlined in D.G.R. 864/12 and subsequent amendments.
Management guidelines for species and habitats, with corresponding thematic maps, based on specific objectives outlined in D.G.R. 1687/2009 and approved conservation measures (D.G.R. 1459/2015; D.G.R. 1159/2016; D.G.R. 537/2017).
Recommendations for updating and precisely defining conservation measures, as requested by the European Commission and stipulated by L.R. n. 3/2019.

All data collected and processed were provided in accordance with the standards communicated by the Liguria Region and the formats established by ARPA Liguria, ensuring integration into the Ligurian Biodiversity Observatory database (Li.Bi.Oss.)