Under Article 17 of the "Habitats" Directive (92/43/EEC), Member States periodically have to assess and report on the conservation status of Annex I habitats. These reports include data on habitat conservation status, trends, pressures, and threats, guiding policy evaluation and biodiversity strategies. Italy’s V national report (period 2019–2024), coordinated by the Italian Society of Vegetation Science (SISV) and the University of Sassari, with co-coordination by the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), is nearing completion. A multidisciplinary team of regional and thematic experts validated and integrated data on habitat distribution and conservation status submitted by Italian Regions and Autonomous Provinces. Distribution maps, based on the ETRS89-LAEA5210 10x10 km grid, were created and made available via a dedicated WebGIS developed by ISPRA for data entry, validation, and management. Additional datasets, including the Natura 2000 database released by MASE in Dec 2024, were also utilized. The assessment covers 124 terrestrial and inland water habitats across Alpine, Continental, and Mediterranean biogeographical regions. Analytical efforts address data gaps and inconsistencies through robust methodologies and scientific dialogue. Emphasis is placed on traceability and integration of multiple sources, such as peer-reviewed literature, phytosociological surveys, and unpublished expert materials. This extensive knowledge base underpins a long-term strategy to ensure continuity in future reporting cycles. Following European Commission validation, maps, datasets, and associated documentation will be publicly accessible on ISPRA’s national reporting portal. This forward-looking process marks a crucial step toward a science-based monitoring system for conserving Annex I habitats in Italy.
Conservation status of Annex I Habitats in Italy: first overview from the Fifth National Report under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive
D. Ciccarelli;
2025-01-01
Abstract
Under Article 17 of the "Habitats" Directive (92/43/EEC), Member States periodically have to assess and report on the conservation status of Annex I habitats. These reports include data on habitat conservation status, trends, pressures, and threats, guiding policy evaluation and biodiversity strategies. Italy’s V national report (period 2019–2024), coordinated by the Italian Society of Vegetation Science (SISV) and the University of Sassari, with co-coordination by the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), is nearing completion. A multidisciplinary team of regional and thematic experts validated and integrated data on habitat distribution and conservation status submitted by Italian Regions and Autonomous Provinces. Distribution maps, based on the ETRS89-LAEA5210 10x10 km grid, were created and made available via a dedicated WebGIS developed by ISPRA for data entry, validation, and management. Additional datasets, including the Natura 2000 database released by MASE in Dec 2024, were also utilized. The assessment covers 124 terrestrial and inland water habitats across Alpine, Continental, and Mediterranean biogeographical regions. Analytical efforts address data gaps and inconsistencies through robust methodologies and scientific dialogue. Emphasis is placed on traceability and integration of multiple sources, such as peer-reviewed literature, phytosociological surveys, and unpublished expert materials. This extensive knowledge base underpins a long-term strategy to ensure continuity in future reporting cycles. Following European Commission validation, maps, datasets, and associated documentation will be publicly accessible on ISPRA’s national reporting portal. This forward-looking process marks a crucial step toward a science-based monitoring system for conserving Annex I habitats in Italy.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
