ECO-RICE - Vercelli rice fields: integrated plan for environmental

ECO-RICE - Vercelli rice fields: integrated
plan for environmental requalification and
sustainable management of rice
agroecosystem
LIFE09 NAT/IT/000093
Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data R e a d m o r e Contact details:
Project Manager: Raffaella PAGANO
Tel: 00390161590424
Fax: +39 0161 210492
Email: [email protected]
Project description:
Background
Intensive rice cultivation dominates land use in the western Po river plain regions
of Piedmont and Lombardy (Italy). Mechanised agriculture in these regions has
threatened lowland habitats, leaving only artificial springs, small wetlands,
scrubland and irrigation channels as semi-natural habitat features. Forest areas
are also fragmented and connectivity between riparian woodlands is limited. The
hydromorphology of riparian zones has been further altered by the introduction
of intensive poplar plantations, removal of willows and restrictions on natural
fluvial dynamics. This combination of impacts on habitats has changed the
distribution of some species and severely inhibited the presence of others.
Despite such issues, the Po river plain’s fluvial habitats continue to provide
important breeding and feeding grounds for European birds, including bee-eater (
Merops apiaster), terns (Sterna hirundo a n d Sterna albifrons), sand martin
(Riparia riparia), herons, gull and duck species. However, habitat management in
the area is made more challenging by a mosaic of landownership, which makes it
difficult to apply territorial approaches. Objectives
The main objectives of the ECO-RICE project were to safeguard and improve key
forest sites and riverine ecological corridors in the Po river plain; to identify rice
fields for the development of an ecological network; to implement forest
fields for the development of an ecological network; to implement forest
management models aimed at improving nesting conditions for heron; to pilot an
integrated territorial land management approach (at provincial scale) that brings
together all relevant public and private sector stakeholders; to raise awareness
about the aims, actions and benefits associated with the ecological network; and
t o monitor the s o ci o -ec o n o m i c a n d e n v i r o n m e n t i m p a c t s o f t h e
newly-established ecological network. Results
The ECO-RICE project strengthened core forest areas in the Po river plain area,
through the purchase of about 27 ha of land plots, mainly ex-rice fields and
other cultivated areas. The project restored three forest habitat types on these
land plots: riparian mixed forests (91F0), European oak or oak-hornbeam forest
(9160), and alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (91E0).
These actions were conducted in three SPA and three SCI sites, including the Po
river park, the islet of Ritano, the Trino woodlands, the marshes of San Genuario,
and the Vercelli rice paddies. Restoration actions included the cutting of invasive plant species and the
planting of native species. Quercus rubra was eradicated, for instance, over about
2.5 ha. The project planted 2.48 ha to restore habitat 9160, 16 ha to restore
habitat 91F0 and 0.45 ha to restore habitat 91E0. Innovative silvicultural
techniques were tested and applied to create habitat conditions for target bird
species. In particular, the project elaborated specific forest management
guidelines for the conservation of heronries. A programme of monitoring
activities was conducted, involving experts, to assess the effectiveness of project
actions. The project established habitat stepping stones in the rice-field
environment through the direct involvement of rice farmers. This restoration
work included planting shrubs, hedges, small woods and transforming
ex-cultivated rice fields into wetlands. In the Risaie vercellesi SPA, farmers
helped restore artificial springs and ditches, planted shrubs and plants, and
restored a former rice field into a wetland of total area 1.61 ha. Moreover, five
artificial springs and two wetlands (4 000 m2 and 700 m2) were restored in the
Trino woodland SCI/SPA; while about 5 ha of marsh habitat was restored in the
San Genuario and San Silvestro marshes SCI/SPA, completing the restoration that
was started in the SAN GENUARIO (LIFE00 NAT/IT/007209) LIFE project. The direct involvement of local farmers to establish stepping stones was a key
project success. This led to the replication of project interventions in other sites
in Vercelli province. Nine farms obtained funds from the Rural Development Plan
funds to replicate the project’s actions. For example, thanks to these funds, one
landowner is planting 1 500 m of hedges, along with plants and shrubs inside
the farm; while another landowner turned 2 ha of rice field into wetland, and
planted further shrubs and plants. Moreover, the project farmers started to
produce macrobiotic rice. Two of the project farmers, who sell rice directly to the
public, intend to offer guided visits to the restored sites on their land. One of
them has produced new rice packaging, showing a bird with an explanation of
the relevance of the site and the LIFE project. Moreover, the Vercelli province is
creating a route among the rice fields for tourists, including the restored sites.
This will bring direct economic benefits for farmers.
The project disseminated its findings widely. It opened a public office to provide
information and assistance for farmers; produced tools to raise awareness
among farmers and the general public; and organised three local workshops, a
national workshop, two international workshops and a final conference.
Awareness among the farmers about the importance of nature restoration in the
rice ecosystem has greatly increased thanks to the project. The project also
contributed to a more general change in attitude to rice agriculture, seeing it not
just as a productive activity but also as a sustainable activity that can improve
nature conservation and create new eco-tourism opportunities. Some
collaborations between farms and nature tourism operators starting during the
proj ect.
The project enabled the provincial Ecological Network to put into place ecological
connections between relevant sites, such the woodland of Trino and the San
Genuario marsh. It also contributed to the establishment of the Sponde fluviali di
Palazzolo Vercellese SCI, and to the enlargement of the Risaie vercellesi SPA.
Overall, the project helped implement the Habitats and Birds Directives. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report
and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
Top
Environmental issues addressed:
Themes
H abitats - F res h w a t er
Biodiversity issues - Invasive species
Keywords
animal corridor‚ environmental impact of agriculture‚ forest ecosystem‚ integrated management‚ river management Target EU Legislation
Nature protection and Biodiversity
Directive 79/409 - Conservation of wild birds (02.04.1979)
Directive 92/43 - Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and
flora- Habitats Directiv ...
COM(2011) 244 final “Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU
biodiversity strategy to 2020 ...
Target species
Ardea cinerea Ardea purpurea Ardeola ralloides Bubulcus ibis Egretta
Ardea cinerea Ardea purpurea Ardeola ralloides Bubulcus ibis Egretta
garzetta Nycticorax nycticorax Target Habitat types
9160 - Sub-Atlantic and medio-European oak or oak-hornbeam forests of
the Carpinion betuli
91E0 - "Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior
(Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)"
91F0 - "Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus
minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the great rivers
(Ulmenion minoris)"
Natura 2000 sites
SCI
SCI
SCI
SPA
SPA
SPA
IT1120002
IT1120007
IT1120013
IT1120021
IT1120029
IT1180028
Bosco della Partecipanza di Trino
Palude di S. Genuario
Isolotto del Ritano (Dora Baltea)
Risaie vercellesi
Palude di San Genuario e San Silvestro
Fiume Po - tratto vercellese alessandrino
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Beneficiaries:
Coordinator
Type of organisation
Description
Partners
Provincia di Vercelli - Settore Tutela Ambientale
Local authority
The public sector beneficiary is the Department
of Environment Protection at the Province of
Vercelli (Northern Italy). Parco Fluviale del Po e dell’Orba, Italy Ente
Parco Fluviale del Po Tratto Torinese, Italy
Parco del Bosco delle Sorti della Partecipanza di
Trino, Italy Top
Administrative data:
Project reference
Duration
Total budget
EU contribution
LIFE09 NAT/IT/000093
01-SEP-2010 to 01-FEB -2014
1,441,900.00 €
720,950.00 €
Project location
Piemonte(Italia)
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Read more:
Brochure
Project web site
Publication
Publication: After-LIFE
Conservation Plan
Publication: Technical report
Publication: Technical report
Video link
Title: "ECO Vercelli Rice Fields : Integrated plan
for environmental requalification and
sustainable managmeent of rice
agro-ecosystem" (2.85 MB) Author: Franco
TESIO Editor: Settore Tutela Ambientale No of
pages: 42 Project's website
Title: Layman report Editor: Provincia di
Vercelli No of pages: 28 Title: After-LIFE Conservation Plan No of
pages: 19 Title: "Azione C.2.3 : Redazione di linee guida
per la gestione sostenibile dell'agroecosistema
risicolo e per la conservazione della
biodiversità" (1.02 MB) Year: 2013
Editor: Università degli studi di Pavia-Dpto di
Scienze de No of pages: 35 Title: "Relazione generale illustrativa delle
Azioni : C3.1 - Interventi di gestione forestale
nella Garzaia di Montarolo (Trino-VC) ed E1 Monitoraggio della gestione forestal nei
SIC-ZPS Bosco della Partecipanza e Palude di
San Genuario" (297 KB) Year: 2013
Editor: Istituto per le piante da legno e
l'ambiente (IPL No of pages: 26 Project's video (5')
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Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data R e a d m o r e

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