Paludi Capitanata

Case study area SPA Paludi Capitanata il Golfo di Manfredonia IT9110038 (including SCI Zone umide della Capitanata IT9110005) and SPA Saline di Margherita di Savoia IT911006 (within SCI IT9110005)

The case study area
 

The case study area measures 1488 km2 and is located in the Northeastern part of the region Puglia. The site, also classifies as Ramsar site and Important Bird Area, is one of the largest component of the Mediterranean wetland system, crucial to support several water bird species during annual migrations.
 

Here the regional Authority, in charge for compliance to the Habitats and Birds directives is most concerned with the degradation of habitat types such as 1150* Coastal lagoons 1510* Mediterranean salt steppes (Limonietalia) habitat types, supporting several wintering water bird species, among which Botaurus stellaris; Aythya nyroca Sterna albifrons Larus genei Larus melanocephalus Phoenicopterus ruber. Specific human pressures on fragile ecosystems are mainly caused by obliteration due to crop area expansion, agricultural activities (diffuse pollution, water contamination, water withdrawal), hunting and poaching, alien species (fish farming), insect control (mosquitos).