Corpo Forestale - Conservation actions in NATURA 2000 sites managed by the State Forest Service

The main goal of this project is to guarantee a long term, satisfactory conservation status of the biodiversity heritage in 34 Natura 2000 sites managed by the State Forest Service distributed across nine regions. Several aquatic habitats, terrestrial habitats and fauna species of EU importance for conservation were the targeted objectives of non-recurring and recurring management. Concerning the restoration and conservation of the habitats, various practical works were carried out which included mowing, sowing, tree cutting and restoration of the areas. Improvement of wetland habitats through cleaning of 25.000 m2 of water ponds and small water channel beds, restoration of 600 m2 of channels and water ponds and the establishment of 12.000 m2 of new wetlands. New plantations were created on 23 ha using a total of 22.000 trees and 3.800 shrubs. Alien species were eradicated on 3 ha in the Mediterranean pine forests of Alto Adriatico. Concerning the targeted species, various actions included installation of artificial structures (e.g. 100 bat boxes), establishment of new tree habitats for bats in the Mediterranean pine forests of Alto Adriatico and preparation of habitat-trees for saproxylic fauna. Dissemination material was produced and published in the scope of this project.