FLORAL, FAUNAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DIVERSITY OF S.C.I. AREA SICIT110097, AS A BASIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMING AND PLANNING VALLE PELIGNA ...
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Transylv. Rev. Syst. Ecol. Res. 14, (2012), "The Wetlands Diversity" 139
FLORAL, FAUNAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DIVERSITY
OF S.C.I. AREA (SICIT110097),
AS A BASIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMING AND PLANNING
(VALLE PELIGNA, ABRUZZO REGION, ITALY)
Kevin CIANFAGLIONE * and Piera Lisa DI FELICE **
* University of Camerino, Via Pontoni 5, xxxx Camerino (MC) Italy, kevin.cianfaglione@gmail.com
** Sorgenti del Pescara Natural Reserve, Directorship, Via Decondre 103, 65026 Popoli (PE), Italy.
KEYWORDS: Valle Peligna, SCI area, biological diversity, anthropogenic impact.
ABSTRACT
The study area, covering a total land surface of 288 ha, is in River Aterno-Pescara basin,
extending into two provinces (L'Aquila and Pescara). The vegetation shows a high β-diversity; in
fact, it is possible to recognize an ecological gradient ranging from arid and continental
environments, which may be found on calcareous slopes, to mesophilic and then hygrophilous
environments characterizing the springs, rivers and marshy areas that are full of microtherm
species; here we can find numerous species and plant associations rare for the Mediterranean area
and endangered due to previous and current anthropogenic impacts. The area has not been much
studied and conserves also some large trees such as Populus nigra, Salix alba, Alnus glutinosa,
Cercis siliquastrum, Sambucus nigra, Euonymus europaeus and Pinus halepensis, of important
significance for the area of the Abruzzo region. The natural features and ecosystem conservation
are sometimes strongly affected by new impacts such as river excavation, cutting trees, road works,
buildings, water capture and limestone mines.
RÉSUMÉ: La diversité de la flore, de la faune et des écosystèmes de la zone SCI
(SICIT110097) et de la Réservation Naturelle Sorgenti des Pescara (Sources de Pescara) comme
base pour la programmation et le planning de l’environnement (Valle Peligna, Région des
Abruzzes, Italie)
La zone étudiée couvre une surface totale de 288 hectares du bassin hydrographique
Aterno-Pescara ayant un impacte sur deux provinces: L’Aquila et Pescara. La végétation présente
une grande richesse de classe β; en faite, on peut observer un gradient écologique, en partant de
l’écosystème de type aride continental sur les pentes calcaires jusqu’aux écosystèmes mésophiles et
par la suite hygrophiles, caractérisant les sources, les cours d’eau et les zones marécageuses avec
une grande diversité d’espèces microthermes. Dans cette zone se trouvent des nombreuses espèces
et associations végétales rares pour la zone méditerranéenne et menacées de disparition à cause de
l’impacte anthropique plus ancien ou présent. La zone n’a pas été étudiée de manière approfondie
et conserve des arbres de grande dimensions appartenant aux espèces Populus nigra, Salix alba,
Alnus glutinosa, Cercis siliquastrum, Euonymus europaeus, Pinus halepensis, vis-à-vis de la
moyenne de la taille des arbres pour la région des Abruzzes. Le degré de naturalité et de
conservation des écosystèmes de la région est fortement affecté par des nouvelles activités
anthropiques tels que les excavation des rivières, la coupe des arbres, la construction des routes et
des bâtiments, la capture des cours d’eau et les mines de calcaire.140 K. Cianfaglione and P. L. Di Felice – Diversity of Nature Reserve Sorgenti del Pescare (139 ~ 148)
REZUMAT: Diversitatea floristică, faunistică și ecologică a zonei SCI (SICIT110097) și a
Rezervației Naturale Regionale Sorgenti del Pescara (Izvoarele Pescarei) ca bază pentru planificarea de
mediu (Valle Peligna, Regiunea Abruzzo, Italia).
Zona studiată acoperă o suprafață totală de 288 de hectare, din bazinul hidrografic Aterno-
Pescara, afectând două provincii: L’Aquila și Pescara. Vegetația se încadrează în clasa β de diversitate;
de fapt, se poate observa o zonare ecologică de la ecosistem arid continental de pe pantele calcaroase, la
ecosisteme mezofile și apoi higrofile ce caracterizează izvoarele, cursurile de apă și zonele mlăștinoase
cu o mare diversitate de specii microterme. În aceste zone, se găsesc numeroase specii și asociații
vegetale rare pentru zona mediteraneană și amenințate cu dispariția din pricina impactului antropic,
istoric și prezent. Zona nu a fost studiată în mod deosebit și păstrează arbori din speciile Populus nigra,
Salix alba, Alnus glutinosa, Cercis siliquastrum, Euonymus europaeus, Pinus halepensis de dimensiuni
mari pentru regiunea Abruzzo. Gradul de naturalețe și conservare a ecosistemelor din zonă este, uneori,
puternic afectat de noi activități antropice, precum excavații de albie, despăduriri, construcții de drumuri
și clădiri, captări de cursuri de apă și exploatarea calcarului.
INTRODUCTION
Study area location
The study area (Fig. 1) covering a total surface of 288 hectares, is in the River Aterno-
Pescara basin, affecting two provinces (L'Aquila and Pescara), falling down among the towns of
Popoli in the north, Roccacasale and Pratola Peligna in the south-east and Vittorito in the south-
west. The altitude of the Site of Community Importance (SCI) area is between 240 and 350 m a.s.l.
Considering the overall surface, 135 hectares of it, are springs, rivers, palustrine and marshy
developing in the lowland valley between two national parks (Maiella and Gran Sasso-Laga) and
the Sirente–Velino Regional Park.
The area under survey coincides with the SCI entitled "Fiumi Giardino, Sagittario, Aterno
esorgenti del Pescara", [Giardino, Sagittario, Aterno rivers and Pescara Springs] reference code
"SICIT7110097", located in the northern part of the Peligna Valley, bounded in the north by the
foothills of the Gran Sasso, in the east by the Mount Morrone chain and in the west by the foothills
of Mount Sirente and the San Venanzio gorges.
The nature reserve "Sorgenti del Pescara" is completely situated in the town of Popoli (PE)
and is within the SCI area. It covers about 50 ha in the northern part of the Peligna Valley, at the
foot of "Colle Capo Pescara" Mt., where more than seventy springs flow giving rise to a crystal
water mirror and revealing the karst nature of the geological substrate. The lithological nature is
mainly characterized by mesozoic limestones, which form a small relief in the North-West and
which are instead covered in the alluvial plain, by a more recent layer of mainly calcareous and
clay deposits.
The Reserve was established in 1986, under the Regional Law No. 57 to protect a large
water area considered very important from the aesthetic, environmental and landscape points of
view; whose waters come mainly from the plateau of "Campo Imperatore", hence flow into the
Aterno River, and then into a river called the Pescara River. The average flow rate estimated for
this aquifer complex is 7000 liters per second, while the extension of the hydrographical basin is
equivalent to 566 km2. The climate can be related to the lower, hilly thermotype and to the upper,
sub-humid ombrotype; xeroteric region, hypomesaxeric subregion, characterized by rainfall
between 700 and 1200 mm annually and by weak summer dryness in July and August.Transylv. Rev. Syst. Ecol. Res. 14, (2012), "The Wetlands Diversity" 141
Figure 1: The studied area localisation.
The toponym peligno, which refers to both the place and the ancient people that populated
the area, comes from pedilimnus, that is, on the edge of the lake. The bottom of the basin is almost
completely cultivated and built-up; reclamation projects are carried out in particular by the monks
of the Celestine order and more recently by reclamation consortiums (Consorzi di bonifica) have
profoundly modified the appearance of the valley bottom. Currently, there remain small fragments
of natural vegetation. In addition, we noticed in a few places a process of regeneration of the old
coppices, as well as some strips of secondary succession, due to the abandonment of the less
convenient or less productive farmlands (Cianfaglione, 2009a, b). Limestone mines, withdrawal of
water, sewage, new building, cutting trees and agriculture, are still threatening the area.142 K. Cianfaglione and P. L. Di Felice – Diversity of Nature Reserve Sorgenti del Pescare (139 ~ 148)
The main studies carried out within the SCI, area of study, are as follows:
1) interdisciplinary publications; Corbetta et al., 1996.
2) botanical and vegetational publications; Corbetta and Pirone, 1988; Tammaro et al.,
1989; Pirone et al., 1997; Pirone and Frattaroli, 1998; Cianfaglione, 2009a, b; Nimis et al., 2010;
Cianfaglione, 2011a, b, c
3) zoological pubblications; Ketmaier and Bianco, 2003.
RESULTS
Biodiversity of the area and the environment (Tabs. 1-4)
The potential vegetation is represented by oak woodlands with Quercus pubescens, Q. ilex,
Q. cerris and Pinus halepensis in the middle belts and by mesophilic and hygrophilous woods in
the valley bottom. The vegetation shows a high β-diversity; as a matter of fact, it is possible to
recognize an ecological gradient ranging from arid and continental environments which may be
found in calcareous slopes, up to mesophilic and then hygrophilous environments characterizing
the sources, full of microtherm species; which allows the coexistence in a very limited space of a
number of phytocoenosis, attributable to different plant associations. Within the study area, two
ecological sectors can be distinguished in particular: the calcareous slope in the west of the SCI,
characterized by its aridity and the plain in the valley with the sources and the mesophylic and
hygrophilous vegetation. The potential vegetation of the calcareous slope is represented by
xerophilic woods with Mediterranean and continental influences, among which, it is possible to
discover eastern forests of pubescent white oak (Quercus pubescens), ascribable to phytocoenoses
which represent the stages of degradation of the original oak (Quercus spp.) wood, which then lead
to the formation of garrigues and steppe (Stipa pennata) grasslands with Bromus erectus (Festuco-
Brometalia) and then to the formation of herbaceous vegetation dominated by annual Thero-
Brachypodietea with Avena barbata, Saxifraga tridactylites, Alyssum minus, etc. There are
discontinuous habitats, sometimes located at the edge of the cultivated lands, which can hold a flora
rich in Orchidaceae and in archeophytes, as a flagship species because of being sensitive to the
chemicals used in agriculture. We can locally find Buxus semperevirens populations (typical of the
Capo Pescara Mt. And surroundings) and susceptible to cutting and fires; juniper populations
(Juniperus communis and J. oxycedrus) which constitute a community of Mediterranean and sub-
Mediterranean sclerophyllous in various dynamic stages and fragments of Mediterranean pine
forest with endemic pines, such as the Pinus halepensis. Downhill, the presence of fragments of
mesophilic and riparian forests, is particularly important, especially in the Mediterranean area,
where they are more easily under pressure and in an advanced state of fragmentation, that is why
the study and the detailed analysis of these habitats require specific attention. Mesophilic forests
are here represented mainly by the genera: Populus, Salix, Alnus, Tilia, Ulmus, Prunus, Quercus,
Carpinus and Fraxinus (Nimis et al., 2010). The gallery forest of Salix alba and Populus alba is
sometimes in contact with the gravel- bed weeds of Salix shrubs, like S. purpurea, S. eleagnos, S.
triandra, etc. (Salicetea purpureae) and with fragments of riparian (Aro italici-Alnetum glutinosae)
and marshy forests of Alnus glutinosa, that sometimes are unique in Italy, like Carici ripariae-
Alnetum glutinosae (Cianfaglione, 2009a), creating a mosaic of phytocoenoses and landscapes of
ecological and conservation importance. The discriminating factor between these two plant
communities with Alnus glutinosa, is the time of flooding (Cianfaglione, 2011a). Along the river
banks, with a well-defined difference between maximum and minimum flow threshold, there is a
clear evidence of Bidentetalia and Chenopodietalia vegetation, including: Bidens tripartita,
Chenopodium album, Polygonum lapathifolium, P. persicaria, Eupatorium cannabinum, Lvcopus
europaeus, Urtica dioica, etc. The Bidentetalia tripartitae order, includes the hygro-nitrophilous
vegetation with a prevalence of annual species, which colonizes periodically inundated substrates,
rich in nutrients and that adapts itself also to the accumulation of soil located on the river banks, in
the sites where the maintenance of the banks was carried out. The aquatic ecosystem is the mainTransylv. Rev. Syst. Ecol. Res. 14, (2012), "The Wetlands Diversity" 143 element of this study area site: habitat and life diversity are reflected by the variation of some important factors such as the flow and the water regime, the flow speed, the temperature, the oxygen and carbon dioxide availability, the trophic level, the lithology, the soil texture of the substrate and the water transparency. Some vegetal species, rare for the mediterranean area, are described as Butomus umbellatus, Uticularia vulgaris, Ricciocarpos natans, Lysimachia vulgaris, etc. (Cianfaglione, 2009; 2011b). The heterogeneity due to the variety of environments offered by the river ecosystem, determines the particular distribution of plant and animal species, particularly of the rare species in the Mediterranean region as in the Appennine Italy, as well as of the plant coenosis, diversified (depending on the adaptation to the various factors listed) both longitudinally and transversely to the flows. The bottom composed by rather rough clasts, is not a hospitable environment for the settlement of macrophytes. But where the flow speed allows the deposit of sandy sediments, a rich aquatic vegetation settles, creating luxuriant sunken islands made up of long stems and of cestoid leaves shaped by the water stress; in these contexts, there is evidence of corridor-type phytocoenoses, placed side by side and parallel to the river flow. The SCI environment has been strongly influenced over the centuries by agricultural activities, by the drainage, by the deforestation, by the cementation and by the canalization of some river stretches. The specifically aquatic vegetation includes a good diversification of habitats, with a mosaic as rich and complex, with features similar to eutrophic lakes (Magno-Potamion) or Hydrocharition, planitial rivers (Ranunculion fluitantis, Callitrichion-Batrachion), planitial mountain borders (Magnocaricion) and oligo meso-trophic calcareous waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp. In still or slow flowing waters, we can find Lemnetea minoris class with Lemnetum trisulcae, Lemnetum minoris associations (with variants of Lemna trisulca and Ricciocarpos natans) and the Ricciocarpetum natantis (Cianfaglione, 2011b), an uncommon, and unique case in the region. Lemnetum minoris is also found in the spring pools within the marshy alder woods (Carici ripariae-Alnetum glutinosae) (Cianfaglione, 2009a); Lemnetum trisulcae is here present as one of the few stations in the region with the most developed population; a small settlement also situated in the SCI, inside the village of Roccacasale, was recently the subject of road works that have seriously compromised the perpetuation. As for Potamion pectinati alliance, Potametum pectinati and Ceratophylletum demersi communities are found. As for Nymphaeion albae, we can find Myriophylletum spicati and Callitrichetum stagnalis communities. The weakly fluent waters are colonized by rizophytes linked to Potametea pectinati class and to Potametalia pectinati order. Within this area we can also find Ranunculion fluitans community. A typical species of this community is Ranunculus trichophyllus subsp. trichophyllus, which frequently grows together with dense settlements of Berulia erecta, giving rise to Ranunculo Sietum erecto-submersi community, ecologically similar to Apietum submersi (Buchwald, 1994). In less deep bights with rather moderate flow speed, communities belonging to Nasturtion officinalis alliance are found: the coenoses typical for such environments are Apietum nodiflori and Nasturtietum officinalis; the latter occurs with dense settlements, even monospecific, in the sources of Pescara. Some phytocoenoses develop on the edge of water bodies, phytocoenoses which appear to be dominated by cespitose and stoloniferous haelophytes, referable to two alliances: Phragmition australis and Magnocaricion elatae. Typical Phragmition australis associations are: Phragmitetum australis, Typhetum latifoliae and Scirpetum lacustris (it seems to be unknown in other Abruzzo settlements). Magnocaricion elatae is instead characterized by the Caricetum acutiformis and Caricetum ripariae coenoses. The area immediately above the summer water limit is characterized by hygrophilous vegetation: they are commonly woody species, with arboreal and shrubby vegetation, which mark the transition between the areas close to the riverbed, in which the vegetal elements are affected by the aquatic environment and the surrounding areas where typical zonal settlements grow. The Salicetum albae association characterizes these environments: the typical species of these consortia is Salix alba, which is found in the site in question, isolated or associated with Populus nigra, P. alba and Alnus glutinosa; sometimes this vegetation is found in ex-cultivated
144 K. Cianfaglione and P. L. Di Felice – Diversity of Nature Reserve Sorgenti del Pescare (139 ~ 148)
fields of Populus x euramericana. In the shrubby layer and in the herbaceous, one of such
coenoses, nitrophilous species develop, as a result of anthropogenic disturbance linked to ancient
and recent activities. It is about associations pertaining to Artemisietea vulgaris and Agrostieta
stoloniferae classes. There is also evidence of Equisetum groups, of E. telmateja and E. fluviatilis
type, which are sometimes very largely spread and with a strong aesthetic impact. During the day,
the vegetation made up of rheophilic submerged seagrass, takes part in the photosynthesis, in the
oxygenation of the waters and in the pH adjustment. In addition, the hydrophytes filtering,
absorbing and using nutrients, cut down them in a remarkable way, contributing in this way
towards the self-softening of the water flows. In addition, the aquatic phytocoenoses, even if
strictly influenced by the environment in which they grow, contribute significantly to determine
conditions of heterogeneity which are necessary for an adequate maintenance of dynamic factors,
crucial for the balance of aquatic ecosystems.
Aquatic plants also provide food for the river fauna (Cianfaglione, 2011a, b, c), directly or
indirectly (representing food substrate for the macrozoobenthos and, therefore, as the first link of
the detritus chain).
The fish community which colonizes the river streams flowing within the SCI site, is made
up of few species and is dominated by the presence of Atlantic brown trout (Salmo trutta trutta),
resulted from breeding and placed to meet the needs of sport fishing. However, recent studies have
underlined that the native genotype of Salmo trutta is not entirely extinct in the streams within the
SCI area. As a matter of fact, researches carried out during the revision of the “Carta ittica della
provincia di Pescara” [Fishing Charter of the Pescara Province] (2007) revealed the presence of
Salmo trutta macrostigma, in the River Pescara, at locality “De Contra” and in the river Aterno, in
the land of the municipal district of Vittorito (Di Felice, 2005). Another fish species which
colonizes the streams flowing within the SCI is apennine barbel (Barbus tyberinus) ecotype of
common barbel (Barbus plebejus). The river lamprey (Lampetra planeri), particularly interesting
from an ichthyologic point of view and endemic in peninsular Italy, is still present in this area
(Zanandrea, 1963). The presence of Lampetra planeri is particularly important: as a matter of fact,
this species colonizes the watercourses flowing into the Tyrrhenian Sea, while concerning the
Adriatic side rivers it only lives in the basin of the river Aterno-Pescara, in the watercourses
flowing within the SCI, specifically in the stretch of the Aterno, upstream of the confluence with
the river Pescara, in the lower part of the river Sagittario and in the first stretch of the Pescara and
finally in the river Giardino. It is also important to mention the presence of rovella or south
european roach (Rutilus rubilio), endemic in peninsular Italy. Other fish species surveyed in the
watercourses flowing in the SCI as part of the research (even during the drafting of the provincial
fishing charter and during its subsequent revision) are the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus
aculeatus), the tench or doctor fish (Tinca tinca), the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), the goldfish
(Carassius auratus), the black bullhead (Ictalurus melas), the pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis
gibbosus) and the european eel (Anguilla anguilla).
Among the crustaceans, it is possible to find the crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes
italicus) (Di Tizio et al, 2010) only in two stations (1 in SCI) within the entire Peligna valley. The
example of the crayfish is very important because the loss of population has been particularly
evident over the past 30 years, during which the growing exploitation of water resources (water
collection and waste disposal) and increasing use of chemicals in agriculture has played a key role
in the decrease in the quality of water bodies. The cement and the urbanization had a negative
impact on the balance of aquatic ecosystems, and the situation was further exacerbated by the
fungus Aphanomyces astaci, that also comes from placing of the exotic species into waterways (Di
Felice, 2005). Two LIFE projects have been launched on the crayfish, projects that involved also
our study area; from September 2003 to July 2006, the LIFE Nature Project “Austropotamobius
pallipes: tutela e gestione nei SIC d ‘Italia Centrale” [protection and management in the SCI of
Central Italy], end Project CRAJNat (Conservation and Recovery of Austropotamobius pallipes inTransylv. Rev. Syst. Ecol. Res. 14, (2012), "The Wetlands Diversity" 145
Italian Natura2000 Sites). In accordance with the Reserve and its rules, with the involvment of
Co.N.Al.Pa. (Comitato Nazionale Alberi e Paesaggio) [National Committee for trees and
landscape], local schools, and State Forestry Corps [Corpo Forestale dello Stato], we have also
attracted during last years, in the Capo Pesacra protected area, renaturalization voluntary programs
and replanting species also useful for animals, and obtained from local genotypes, despite of being
destroyed by unknown people, also if planted out of private properties.
Among the amphibians found in SCI, the most important ones are: the yellow-bellied toad
(Bombina variegata), the spectacled salamander (Salamandra terdigitata) and the crested newt
(Triturus carnifex), among the reptiles, the four-lined snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata) are found.
The high heterogeneity of the river environment favours the dynamics of many bird
populations which use these areas for wintering and nest-building and as a stopover during
migration as well. Especially in the river Aterno stretch, which is very rich in aquatic vegetation
thanks to the slow flowing conditions, there are very interesting birds such as: little grebes
(Tachybaptus ruficollis), wild ducks (Anus platyrhynchos), bald-coots (Fulica atra) and water-hens
(Gallinula chloropus), and it is not uncommon to spot little egrets (Egreta garzetta), spoonbills,
glossy ibises (Plegadis falcinellus), herons (Ardea cinerea and A. purpurea) as well as hen harriers
(Circus cygneus). This environment can also be seen as a suitable environment and there is hope
for the return of some species which were once common in Italy and then almost disappeared
because of the direct disturbance and the destruction of habitats. These are species, that when
presenting themselves again, even just passing through, often cause an event, such as the recent
passing of the common crane (Grus grus) recorded in the Peligna Valley (eg.: near Prezza village,
Cianfaglione, 2011a – on: http://ornitho.it/) and in the adjoining Subequana Valley, as well as of
the white stork (Ciconia ciconia) which largely occupied the local press and whose passage
affected the Subequana Valley, the Peligna Valley and the reserve “Sorgenti del Pescara”.
The wolf (Canis lupus) was recorded in SCI, also noted by the State Forestry Corps
[Corpo Forestale dello Stato] and local press. One specimen was killed by car on National road
(S.S. 5 “Tiburtina”), near the crossroad to Corfino; another case was nearby, in Popoli
municipality, in S.S. 5 near loc. “Tremonti”. The local press reported news in the territory of
Roccacasale, where a specimen was found by a Maiella National Park biologist and saved from a
trap set by poachers (Il Centro, 2011). Canalization and flood control interventions, which
devastated lots of rivers in Abruzzo, not only did not achieve the desired effect, but on the contrary,
it had disastrous consequences even on the surrounding environment. In the early 80’s (the age of
the great work on Abruzzo rivers), the assault suffered by many water streams flowing within the
SCI, was very heavy. Three exemplifying cases falling within the SCI (study area), are the one
concerning the river Giardino, which still preserves some very interesting species but that turns out
to be completely canalized and widely cemented and build on; and the other one concerning the
River Aterno, which was flood controlled, rectified and whose banks of the low watercourse were
completely tampered and made artificial. As a matter of fact, the change of the riverbed shape,
together with the quaying and embanking of the river Aterno stretch, as in the stretch on the
municipal district of Vittorito, are interventions that completely distorted and altered the standard
dynamics of the rivers. Actions of forced channelling reduced the several chances of draining the
flood energy: the non-overflowing in flood plains and holms, the disappearance of erosion activity
to the detriment of the concave banks (which usually offer resistance through riparian vegetation)
and the tendency to remove the roughness of the bottom, had as a result the rise in the speed and in
the destructive force of water (Di Felice and Di Felice, 1991).
Local communities often do not understand and do not know the importance of these
ecosystems, and the related environmental-penal risk caused from their destruction. The third case
of river destruction, similar to the second, was in the River Sagittario between Pratola Peligna and
Popoli, totally channeled in some parts, excavated and totally cleaned up by vegetation recently. In
this area, after carpentry companies arrived from outside the area to cut and bought virgin timber,146 K. Cianfaglione and P. L. Di Felice – Diversity of Nature Reserve Sorgenti del Pescare (139 ~ 148)
were improperly destroyed. No one had ever bothered to check this until its closure, reported by
WWF to the competent authorities. In the reserve area as well, there have been many changes and
the destruction of the original environment (Tammaro, 1998). Now, after many years, some traits
abandoned or protected by preservation from the regular maintenance, recovered a certain aspect of
naturalness, but many areas related to floods disappeared. In these areas, there are different groups
of ruderal plant formed on the accumulations of soil, often covering the cement. Different
specimens of Salix alba, of up to 12 and 15 metres high, grow here: the maximum width of the
willow grove is about two metres. The vegetation growing in the shade of the willows is primarily
made up of ruderal and nitrophylous plant populations, sign of anthropogenic disturbance and
definite heritage of cementing interventions. Polygonum lapathifolium together with Bidens
tripartita and Artemisia vulgaris and A. Verlotorum are very abundant. Immediately close to the
willow grove, the soil accumulation is colonized by halophytic vegetation ascribable to the
Phragmiti-Magnocaricetea class: in particular, within this tract it is possible to find Typhetum
latifoliae and Glycerio-Sparganietum neglecti communities which extend, in some cases up to 5
metres in width. In these populations, however there is an evidence of the intrusion of the same
nitrophilous species found in the willow grove (mainly Polygonum lapathifolium). The same
communities also thrive on the islets naturally formed in the middle of the river. In some cases,
where there are no cattails (Typhetum latifoliae) and bur-reeds (Glycerio Sparganietum-neglecti),
the elophytic vegetation is represented by the Glycerio-Nasturtietea officinalis class, by the
Apietum nodiflori community, whose dominant species Apium nodiflorum is often accompanied by
Veronica Anagallis-aquatica and Epilobium hirsutum. Populations of hydrophytes attributed to
Potametea pectinati class are found in the water. Veronico-Apietum submersi organized into the
Ranunculion fluitantis alliance and Potametum pectinates related to the Potamion pectinates are
well represented.
Table 1: Priority species according to the Abruzzo region list.
Aves Amphibia and Reptilia
Code Species Code Species
A022 Ixobrychus minutus 1279 Elaphe quatuorlineata
A229 Alcedo atthis 1193 Bombina variegata
A243 Calandrella brachydactyla 1175 Salamandrina terdigitata
1167 Triturus carnifex
Invertebrata Pisces
Code Species Code Species
1084 Osmoderma commuta 1137 Lampetra planeri
1044 Coenagrion commutate 1096 Rutilus rubilio
1092 Austropotamobius pallipes 1136 Salmo macrostigma
1108 Barbus plebejus
Table 2: Other species of interest reported in the SCI.
Plantae Animalia
Butomus umbellatus Allogamus ausoniae
Carex acutiformis Apion frumentarium
Carex elata Bagous lutulentus
Carex riparia Canis lupus
Ceratophyllum demersum Ciconia ciconia
Fraxinus angustifolia Cordulegaster boltoni
Lysimachia vulgaris Gasterosteus aculeatus
Myosotis scorpioides Halesus appenninus
Myriophyllum spicatum Histrix cristataTransylv. Rev. Syst. Ecol. Res. 14, (2012), "The Wetlands Diversity" 147
Palustriella commutate Hypera contaminata
Ricciocarpos natans Lucanus tetraodon
Thalictrum aquilegifolium Meira straneoi
Thalictrum flavum Neoplinthus tigratus
Utricularia vulgaris Ptilophorus dufouri
Raymondionymus marqueti
Saga pedo
Thamiocolus kraatzi
Table 3: Priority habitats already recognized by the Abruzzo region.
Code Name
3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition vegetation.
3260 Lowland and mountain rivers with Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion.
92A0 Salix alba and Populus alba gallery forests.
6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands on calcareous substrate (Festuco-Brometalia).
3280 Constantly flowing Mediterranean rivers with Paspalo-Agrostidon and with Salix and
Populus alba riparian hedgerows.
6430 Lowland, mountain and alpine borders with hygrophilous Megaphorbiae.
5210 Arborescent matorral with Juniperus spp.
6220 Sub-steppe paths with grasses and annual plants of Thero-Brachypodietea.
91AA Eastern or pubescent white oak woods = Quercus pubescens.
3140 Oligo-mesotrophic calcareous waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp.
Table 4: Priority habitats found but not yet recognized by the Abruzzo region.
Code Name
91E0 Residual alluvial forests of Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion,
Alnion incana, Salicion albae).
345 Sub steppe paths with grasses and annual plants (Thero-Brachipodietea).
9540 Mediterranean pine forests with endemic, mesogean pines including mountain pine
(Pinus mugo).
5110 Stable Buxus sempervirens formations on calcareous rock slopes.
91F0 Riparian mixed forests of great rivers with Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis, Ulmus minor,
Fraxinus excelsior or F. Angustifolia (Ulmenion minoris).
3270 Rivers with muddy banks with Chenopodietum rubri p.p. and Bidention p.p.
vegetation.
3170 Mediterranean temporary ponds
5330 Thermo Mediterranean and pre-desert shrubland
621 & Chasmophytic vegetation on rocky slopes, calcareous sub types
621a
8210 Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation
CONCLUSIONS The site has not been even studied and in some cases knowledge is still
very scarce; many mechanisms and species have to be well studied (eg. Chiroptera, flora,
vegetation, steps of renaturalization, etc.). Current studies and knowledge have to be the basis of
environmental programming and planning, allowing a better understanding of the natural resources
of the area of study. The past and present environmental destruction, the current fragmentation of
the landscape are important aspects to be considered for adopting strategies of reinstatement of
ecological connectivity. The high diversity of biological communities present in a relatively small
area is of more interest in studies and restoration with the application of appropriate methods that
allow to estimate the conservation status of the area and their vulnerability. Regarding the human148 K. Cianfaglione and P. L. Di Felice – Diversity of Nature Reserve Sorgenti del Pescare (139 ~ 148)
activities, on the site, it will be given special attention in the preparation of the Site Management
Plan, in relations to the conservation status of the species: to assess the sustainability, the
conservation, the naturalness of the site, which help the biological populations at risk because of
man and identify specific indicators for monitoring. Finally, the Plan, in addition, will have a
specific chapter on people’s participation in the ‘implementation of the Plan, as forms of citizen
participation, so as to also be a valuable social and territorial planning.
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