Biodiversity and ECOSYSTEMS conservation measures

Conservation of benthic ecosystems

The protected area of Aquatina di Frigole hosts a rich and valuable biodiversity typical of coastal-marine and brackish areas. Not only insect and invertebrates but also reptiles, nesting and migratory birds participate consistently in characterizing such environment. Also, numerous temporary swamps contribute greatly to attracting small amphibians. Some species are protected under the NATURA 2000 network and listed in the Annex I of the Bird Directive (2009/147/EC) and in the Annex II and IV of Habitat Directive (92/43/EEC). Particular attention has been paid in the protection and conservation of the Pinna nobilis population as the species, requires special conservation in accordance with the recommendations of the European Council (EC Directive 92/43/EEC, Annex IV; Barcelona Convention, Protocol for Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean, Annex II). The shells of this mollusc are commonly considered as "isles of biodiversity" in muddy and sandy sea bottoms, due to the high coverage of their surface by epibionts. For this reason, the conservation of this species is important both for the species itself and for its role in maintaining and enhancing the biodiversity in marine coastal areas, by increasing the local spatial heterogeneity and favouring the settlement of benthic species.

In January 2018 and during an exceptional low tide, some specimens of Pinna nobilis were observed in the lagoon and consequently an entire population of Pinna nobilis was discovered. This population is threatened by anthropogenic pressures, including illegal fishing, ornamental harvesting and parasites (Haplosporidium sp.). Moreover, these molluscs suffer considerably from the slow bottom-water exchange with the sea due to the occlusion of the mouth to the sea channel. Consequently, a regular monitoring of the population of P. nobilis living in the lagoon is being carried out with the objective of mapping the spatial distribution of the species and assessing the current populations status in view of the future management and the setting up of conservation strategies. The long-term perspective, however, is to carry out an experimental transplanting of specimens, to evaluate the efficacy of the method for conservative purposes, assess growth rates, mortality and birth rate and carry out recruitment tests, in order to highlight the relationship existing between the stock maintenance and human pressure.

The most urgent issue concerns the surveillance of the protected area and the safeguard and application of the rules contained in the management plan due to the large area covered by the protected area.

Removal and analysis of plastic waste

Plastic pollution from human activities has become a critical problem inside the protected area of Aquatina di Frigole, and a dangerous threat to the important and valuable biodiversity living here. The protected area had been heavily littered for years with discarded plastic bottles and cups, packaging wastes and fishing nets. Not only the aesthetically distasteful plastic litter, but also the microscopic plastic pellets and granules are a threat to coastal waters species. Mostly of these species such as fishes, mammals and seabirds, indeed, are often victims of plastic ingestion. Within IMPRECO project, the University of Salento has been promoting successful initiatives aimed at raising awareness on the threats of plastic waste and at involving actively stakeholders and local citizens in the collection of wastes in the area, including leftover fishing gear and pellets.

The initiative of cleaning the protected area was also supported by the city cleaning company, Monteco Srl, whose staff joined the group providing bags and gloves to collect the wastes. The city cleaners also explained the volunteers and citizens what waste to collect and where to dispose it. During one of these events, for three hours, under adverse weather conditions, the volunteers managed to clean most of the protected area and the main access channel to the lagoon.

The perspective is to periodically carry out such kind of initiatives, increase knowledge exchange, uptake best practice and increase awareness of the impact of plastic litter among local citizens and visitors of the protected area.

Application of ESS approach and related activities

The natural heritage resources of the protected area of Aquatina di Frigole guarantee the provision of ecosystem services such as the maintenance of species and populations, while allowing the presence of recreational and educational activities in the form of active or immersive interactions between school students, local citizens or visitors with the ecosystem. In this regard, the University of Salento is aiming at increasing awareness of the site’ natural condition in local communities and spreading knowledge about the species of community importance through the setup of a terrestrial didactic path as a pilot action inside the protected area. Last but not least, this ecosystem provides the extremely important service of allowing the research activity and field study, carried by staff of the University of Salento in collaboration with other universities, also through the carrying out of internships and experimental activities inside the laboratories.

On the other side, the location of the protected area in the adjacency of the town of Frigole and the large surface covered by the protected area contribute to many anthropogenic pressures derived by human activities. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest concerns for the protected area in terms of marine pollution that is undermining the health of ecosystems and, consequently, their capacity to provide ecosystem services. This as affects seriously the provision of services related to the maintenance of nursery population and habitats. The current altered natural condition is due to lack of knowledge by the local community living near the site and a limited awareness of the need for the ecosystem protection. Therefore, the cleaning activities inside the protected area have the purpose either to restore the degraded ecosystem by reducing the pressures, or to develop awareness on the natural relevance of the area and of the protection of biodiversity.

Premises, equipment and tools for the ES/ESS management systems

Aquatina di Frigole is managed directly and exclusively by the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA) of the University of Salento. IMPRECO staff is responsible for the measures of biodiversity and habitat conservation. Inside the protected area, there is a research centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture, composed of several laboratories for the processing and the monitoring of biological samples, study rooms and offices for researchers and technical staff.

As for the monitoring of the population of Pinna nobilis, the project staff makes use of submersible whiteboards, labels and pencils suitable for underwater use. For the collection and disposal of abandoned litter along the banks of the lagoon inside the protected area, the tools needed include bags and gloves to collect the waste already available or brought by participants themselves.

Nonetheless, the key component for a fruitful management of the protected area is the close and smooth cooperation between the University of Salento and stakeholders, such as the city cleaning company, Monteco Srl, that supports the initiatives for the removal of plastic waste at no costs.

Involvement of stakeholders in the management system