NIBBIO

The project involved seven provincial nature reserves: Palù di Borghetto, Taio di Nomi, Canneti di S. Cristoforo, Inghiaie, Palude di Roncegno, Foci dell'Avisio and La Rupe.

The reserves represent valuable resting and feeding points along the route of migratory birds that use the valley floors of the main valleys as transit routes to cross the Alpine chain.

This project was the first phase of a larger programme involving other regions in Italy and Austria located along this migratory route.

Specifically, the project aimed to carry out a series of interventions to transform the seven wetlands concerned into a network of biotopes that could serve as refuges for migratory birds.

At the time of the project's realisation, the competent PAT structure was called the Servizio Parchi e Foreste Demaniali.

The European Union, through the LIFE programme, granted funding of €403,800

The project successfully implemented a series of conservation measures in seven wetlands located along bird migration routes:

• The project had planned to purchase a total of about 32 hectares in small sections at the various sites. However, the actual total land purchase was less than planned (about 26 hectares), due to the reluctance of some landowners to sell.
  Although the size of the individual plots was small, taken together with the other project actions, the land purchases are considered to have contributed significantly to the conservation of biodiversity in the area.
• Several practical conservation measures were implemented, such as:
  • the opening of existing and new water holes
  • planting of trees and hedges
  • hydraulic works
  • the creation of new wetlands
  • the removal of landfills
  • the opening of canals
  • the creation of a plant nursery.

^{Visitor path for the blind in the Palù di Roncegno nature reserve}

The project actions led to an almost immediate increase in the presence of species in the wetlands. At the Palù di Roncegno site, for example, the grey heron(Ardea cinerea) and an amphibian species(Triturus alpestris, Bufo bufo, Rana temporaria) were observed after conservation work.

Similarly, at the Inghiaie site, the bird species identified after the work were the grey heron(Ardea cinerea), the black kite(Milvus migrans) and the kingfisher(Alcedo atthis). Amphibian species include the Alpine newt(Triturus alpestris), the edible frog(Rana esculenta) and the European common frog(Rana temporaria).

After the conclusion of this project, two other LIFE projects were approved for completion: Nemos and Necton.