Case study area SCI Murgia Alta
IT9120007 – Puglia (1258,89 km2)
The most important habitat types in this site, according to 42/93/EEC
directive are, 6210(*)Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies
on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (*important orchid sites)
and 6220* Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the
Thero-Brachypodietea.
The regional Autority, in charge for compliance to the Habiat
Directive is most concerned of the degradation of the habitat (loss,
fragmentation, quality depletion) particularly in connection to the
conservation of Falco biarmicus feldeggi and Falco naumanii, (globally
threatened and priority species according to the Birds Directive). These
species are present in the reproductive phonological phase. About ten
years were elapsed in the boundaries definition of the SCI Murgia Alta
IT9120007, located in a hill area of Regione Puglia and to formalize its
inclusion in Natura 2000 network.
Mediterranean
steppic grassland, photo: Luigi Forte
In such a time span the
area, which is characterized by the presence of unique highly diverse
ecosystems and also of endemic and threatened species, was exposed to a
tremendously accelerated process of habitat fragmentation and
contamination both within and at its borders by a number of combined
pressures. Among these: the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) drove
transformation of grassland pastures into agricultural (cereal crops)
areas, which also induced soil erosion and sediment deposition in
aquifer, contamination; the illegal waste and toxic mud dumping on
transformed areas causing heavy metal contamination of soils and aquifer
system; the increasing of traditional legal and illigal mining
activities; wind farms infrastructures.
Mediterrenean steppic grasslands
with Stipa austroitalica,
photo: Luigi Forte
On this SCI Murgia Alta
IT9120007 N2000 site it is available a 1:50.000 map of natural
environments (Carta della Natura) compiled by the Agenzia Regionale per
la Protezione Ambientale (ARPA) by means of visual ortophoto
interpretation (2005) as well as of processing a multi-seasonal Landsat
TM image series (three 2006 images), and validated by local inspection
by the National Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca
Ambientale (ISPRA), which provided funds for the project. However, due
to its relatively coarse resolution the map is already in the process of
being updated and downscaled to 1:25.000.
Moreover, the Regional
Management Authority (Ufficio Parchi) which is involved in VIA and
planning procedures is interested in far more detailed habitat maps both
back in time and apt to be promptly updated in order to evaluate the
kinds and degrees of changes occurred in distribution and state of
biodiversity in that SCI.
Case study area SPA-SCI Valloni e
steppe pedegarganiche IT9110008 (312,02 km2)
Syderitis italica,
photo: Massimo Terzi
This case study area is
located in the Northeastern part of the region Puglia. It includes 6220*
Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea and
also supports Falco biarmicus feldeggi and Falco naumanii nesting during
reproduction. This site is subject to heavy human pressures, such as
fragmentation due to the transformation of habitat type grassland
pasture into agricultural (cereal crops), industrial and transport
infrastructure.
Picture: South Mediterranean chasmophytic
grassland
by Luigi Forte
Ophrys bertolonii, photo: Valeria Tomaselli
Valloni e steppe pedegarganiche,
photo: CSS Foggia Archive
