For the first time theISPRA publishes the results on the status of conservation of species and habitats of community interest and actions to combat exotic species of Union importance in our country (Ercole et al., 2021). This is the summary of the reports that Italy has already sent to the European Commission in 2019 (period 2013-2018) in compliance with Habitat Directives (92/43 / EEC) and Birds (2009/147 / EC), as well as EU Regulation 1143/2014 for invasive alien species. The data reported are those already included in the European Composite Report (State of Nature in the EU) produced by the EU every 6 years, the reference basis for the European strategies of the sector such as the Nature Directives and the European Strategy for Biodiversity to 2030.
The Report was drawn up by ISPRA, MiTE and LIPU, but the contents of the three reports which substantiate it are the result of the work of many experts, environmental and ornithological associations and scientific societies. The Hunting Associations, and Federcaccia in particular, collaborated on the final version of the Report concerning the Birds Directive, which was sent by ISPRA in an almost final draft. Various parts on the threat factors and environmental initiatives indicated by FIdC have been incorporated in the Report, however this collaboration is not mentioned in the text. Federcaccia, while appreciating the involvement, asks that in the future, from the beginning of the process of drafting the Reports, a Working Table be established in which the technicians of the Hunting Associations and the Regions and Autonomous Provinces also participate, for a collegial management of the information.
This is the indication of the European Commission and the best way to get sharing. In any case, it is well known that even at a European level over 40% of the information in the Reports produced for the Habitats Directive comes from partial surveys and more than 20% is based exclusively on expert judgment, while for the Birds Directive over 30% of the information comes from partial surveys and more than 15% is based on expert judgment (EC, 2020). The Italian data are not dissimilar from the European ones and it clearly emerges the need for greater commitment and coordination in data collection to try to draw a reliable picture. The Report confirms a particularly rich biodiversity for our country, with 306 bird species, 349 animal and plant species (322 terrestrial and inland waters and 27 marine) and 132 habitats (124 terrestrial and inland waters and 8 marine) of interest community.
However, there are also relatively many invasive alien species of Union significance (31), for which EU Regulation 1143/14 requires Member States to carry out law enforcement actions. The situation that emerges from the Report, and which is repeated for the period 2013-2018, is that of a picture of light and shadow. 53% of terrestrial fauna and inland waters are classified in an unfavorable state of conservation (considering all taxonomic groups, of which 17% in poor state of conservation), 22% of marine species and 89% of terrestrial habitats (of which 40% in poor state of conservation). Particularly significant is the latter data, which obviously also heavily conditions the conservation status of the animal species that frequent them. In the terrestrial environment, agriculture is the main cause of deterioration of habitats and species, followed by the impact of infrastructure and urbanization.
These factors are also recurring threats to bird conservation. In particular, it is believed that modern agricultural practices have had a decisive impact on the drastic decrease in the populations of species typical of agricultural environments. The phenomenon is also well known at a European level where agriculture and related activities are the main threat to species and habitats of community interest. In particular, 74% of ground-nesting bird species are estimated to be in decline, not only due to the direct impact of agriculture, but also because they have become more vulnerable to generalist predators. Overall, the conservation status of breeding birds in Italy reflects the processes underway over the decade, with 47% of the species showing an increase in population or demographic stability and almost a quarter of the species in decline. However, threatened species have decreased, having gone from 30% to 26%.
Among the wintering ornithic species, 61% are in stable or increasing conditions and 23% are decreasing. It is interesting to note that the most important populations of birds of prey migrating to Italy have been showing a positive trend for some time, after the decline of a few decades ago. In summary, the overall results of Italy appear in line with those that emerged on a European scale in the last reporting cycle. As regards the invasive alien species of Union interest present in Italy the results of the Report, produced pursuant to EU Regulation 1143/14, show that 35% were not subject to any management intervention aimed at contrasting. This is objectively serious as there is a growing body of evidence documenting the threat to protected or threatened habitats and species (on about 12% of Natura2000 sites and 20,1% of habitats).
In this regard, we cannot fail to note that one of the main reasons for their progressive almost uncontested diffusion in the country is due to the status of legal protection paradoxically granted in the past also to these species (but still partly today) and what we could define as a systematic indecision / latency of the Authorities in charge. Let us not forget that on this issue Italy is third in the ranking among the countries of the Union after France and Belgium. Definitely the data presented highlight the urgent need for a greater commitment to the conservation of species and habitats in Italy, by activating and financing adequate management and conservation measures mainly of habitats (Source: Hunting Federation).