1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
- To eradicate invasive, non-native freshwater terrapin and turtle species in two areas, including the most significant wetland habitats of Liguria: the plain of Centa river and the basins of the Magra and Vara rivers;
- To implement ex-situ breeding with the aim of re-stocking the population of the European pond turtle of the Centa plain;
- To restock with captive bred juveniles the Centa plain wetland habitat areas favoured by the European pond turtles. (This action will also aim at the removal of all alien invasive freshwater turtle and terrapin species);
- To improve the wetland habitat quality for the targeted pond turtle species, in particular concerning its important basking and breeding areas;
- To draw up a ‘pathology risk assessment’ (before, during and after the restocking) for both the released and the wild turtle species; and
- To increase public awareness of the vulnerability of wetland ecosystems (1).
- To implement ex-situ breeding with the aim of re-stocking the population of the European pond turtle of the Centa plain;
- To restock with captive bred juveniles the Centa plain wetland habitat areas favoured by the European pond turtles. (This action will also aim at the removal of all alien invasive freshwater turtle and terrapin species);
- To improve the wetland habitat quality for the targeted pond turtle species, in particular concerning its important basking and breeding areas;
- To draw up a ‘pathology risk assessment’ (before, during and after the restocking) for both the released and the wild turtle species; and
- To increase public awareness of the vulnerability of wetland ecosystems (1).
Quantitative targets
- The eradication of invasive non-native freshwater terrapin and turtle species within the Centa plain freshwater sites and a considerable reduction within Magra and Vara river basin areas. (It is estimated that the total number of individuals might reach 200 in the former and 400 in the latter areas);
- The production of at least 80 captive-bred European pond turtle hatchlings per year;
- The annual release into the ponds of at least 50 individuals aged 3-5 years;
- An 80% survival rate of juveniles four months after their release in the wild;
- Significant improvements in the targeted breeding and basking sites;
- A DRA (Disease Risk Assessment) for pond turtle reintroduction/restocking actions; and
- An estimated 1 million visitors to the turtle facility at Genoa aquarium (1).
- The production of at least 80 captive-bred European pond turtle hatchlings per year;
- The annual release into the ponds of at least 50 individuals aged 3-5 years;
- An 80% survival rate of juveniles four months after their release in the wild;
- Significant improvements in the targeted breeding and basking sites;
- A DRA (Disease Risk Assessment) for pond turtle reintroduction/restocking actions; and
- An estimated 1 million visitors to the turtle facility at Genoa aquarium (1).
Monitoring indicators defined
The monitoring indicator defined was observation of the reproduction behaviour of the local turtle species and their surviving rates in the wild environment (1, 2 and 3).
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Implementation activities
- Captures of the alien terrapins from the designated sites and re-location of the animals at the Pistoia Zoo, where it has been created a dedicated wetland for communication to the public.
- Farming of the Emys orbicularis ingauna in order to re-populate the species in the Centa Piana . The re-introduced animals will carry a microchip and radio-tags.
- Habitat improvement to ameliorate the nesting sites by pooling weeds and creating new basking areas.
- Health risk-assessment before and after the re-introduction of the animals, by qualitative and quantitative analysis.
- Public information and education activities at the Pistoia Zoological Garden and Acquario di Genova (2).
- Farming of the Emys orbicularis ingauna in order to re-populate the species in the Centa Piana . The re-introduced animals will carry a microchip and radio-tags.
- Habitat improvement to ameliorate the nesting sites by pooling weeds and creating new basking areas.
- Health risk-assessment before and after the re-introduction of the animals, by qualitative and quantitative analysis.
- Public information and education activities at the Pistoia Zoological Garden and Acquario di Genova (2).
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
Recovery of a natural habitat and restoration of a local animal species (1).
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
This is the first LIFE project located in Italy in which a local species is protected through multiple actions: 1) assistance with reproduction and introduction in the environment, 2) removal of invasive foreign species causing harm to local species, and 3) rehabilitation of the natural habitat (8).
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The aim of the project partners is to expand this intervention in other wetlands in Italy and Europe, so there are high chances to observe similar interventions in upcoming years (8).
