The project aims to:
1. Improve the conservation status of current populations of Falco vespertinus, Falco naumanni, Lanius collurio and Lanius minor populations by: a) improving the ecological network rete ecologica and adopting specific management strategies,
b) implementing specific rural measures from the Development Plan to maintain and increase the natural landscape features (i.e. isolated trees or lines of trees, derelict rural buildings and hedgerows) necessary for the four species to nest, c) safeguarding breeding of all four species in the short-term by installing artificial nests. Enhancing and extending their trophic habitat, mainly grassland, especially permanent meadows (Natura 2000 code: 6510 - lowland hay meadows) which also favour other species present in high numbers: Circus pygargus and Circus aeruginosus.
2. Improve the conservation status of the Heron family target species present: Ardea purpurea, Nycticorax nycticorax, Ardeaola ralloides, Casmerodius albus, Egretta garzetta, Botaurus stellaris and Ixobrychus minutus by:
a) improving the ecological network and adopting specific management strategies, b) maintaining and increasing the natural landscape features necessary for the seven species to nest and feed, c) restoring, creating and expanding their trophic habitats, mainly marshy areas, which also favour other species of European interest: Lycaena dispar, Ophiogomphus cecilia, Chondrostoma genei, Chondrostoma soetta, Sabanejewia larvata, Triturus carnifex, Emys orbicularis, Himantopus himantopus, Acrocephalus melanopogon.
3. Improve the conservation status of bird populations which nest in tunnels in sandy escarpments (Alcedo atthis, Riparia riparia, Merops apiaster) by:
a) improving the ecological network and adopting specific management strategies b) intervening to maintain and increase the number of breeding sites (escarpments without vegetation).
4. Create measures to set up an ecological network for species of European interest, throughout the ‘bassa pianura parmense’. The Province of Parma coordinates Natura 2000 site management and large-scale land-use planning and will ensure these measures are implemented by the end of the Life Project.
5. Design specific intervention strategies to protect other species of European interest (Water Clover and Summer Snowflake), present or recently extinct in the ‘bassa pianura parmense’ sites.
6. Increase habitats (including those of community interest Cod. 3150, Cod. 6510, Cod. 92A0), which attract the target species and other species of conservation interest.
7. Raise awareness of the natural value of the Natura 2000 sites and network and disseminate results among stakeholders so that they can play an active part in protecting species and habitats. The appropriate tools (online courses and forums) will be provided for people to contribute voluntarily to gathering data on the various areas.
