Natura 2000 protected habitats, Massaciuccoli Lake (northern Tuscany, Italy)

Abstract

The Massaciuccoli Lake (northern Tuscany, Italy) Natura 2000 habitat map (1:10,000) was compiled from photo-interpretation and recent phytosociological studies, integrated by field surveys of the vegetation units. Conventional geographical information system procedures were used to select and manage spatial information. The following attributes were assigned to each map polygon: (i) vegetation type, (ii) habitat typology and (iii) percentage cover of the habitat type. Habitat types covering polygons smaller than 50 m 2 were treated as points. A total of nine Natura 2000 habitat types were identified and mapped; they cover almost 20% of the study area. The results show that of all sites on the Italian peninsula, Lake Massaciuccoli Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus covers the largest surface area and is crucial for the national conservation of this habitat type. It is also of priority importance in Europe.ARTICLE HISTORY

Exploring Methane Emission Drivers in Wetlands: The Cases of Massaciuccoli and Porta Lakes (Northern Tuscany, Italy)

“…−65‰ vs. V-PDB as the CH 4 contents increased (Figure 8), suggesting the involvement of largely and readily available organic substrates for acetoclastic methanogenesis. Notably, the highest ΦCH 4 value, up to two orders of magnitude higher than those measured in the other sites, was recorded at LSW7, i.e., a sampling site located within an area largely covered by reed beds [50] (Figure 1b), confirming the relevant dual role of reed beds in (i) providing labile organic matter enhancing CH 4 production while (ii) sheltering winds and hindering water oxygenation. Notably, the ΦCH 4 values at Massaciuccoli Lake were within the range reported in literature for lakes and reservoirs (Figure 4), with the sole exception of LSW7.…”

“…The lake waters are affected by severe eutrophication related to water inputs from the drainage of the farmlands and treatment plants of urban wastewater that produce a dramatic reduction of macroalgae and submerged macrophytes and an excessive growth of phytoplankton [46,48,49]. Reed beds are only discontinuously present along the lake and channel shores [50]. Such an environment is thus characterized by variable conditions of water depth, temperature, pH, salinity and redox state (dictated by the availability of free oxygen) along both vertical and lateral profiles, also depending on the contribution of brackish waters due to the marine ingression and fresh, meteoric and runoff waters from the hinterland.…”

The floodplain woods of Tuscany: towards a phytosociological synthesis

“…Distribution in Tuscany (Fig. 3): These woods were found in the north-western Tuscany, especially in the plains of Serchio and Arno rivers: Selva di San Rossore (Gellini et al1986), Macchia lucchese ), Cerbaie (Arrigoni 1997), Tenuta di San Rossore (Tomei et al 2004), Tenuta di Migliarino (Sani et al 2011), Lago di Massaciuccoli (Lastrucci et al 2017;Viciani et al 2017), Lago di Porta (Lastrucci et al 2016). Syntaxonomy: the communities dominated by Alnus glutinosa can be referred to the association described by for the Selva di San Rossore (PI), and Ecology and Chorology: Fraxinus angustifolia subsp.…”

Present plant formations of the Sierra del Aramo (Asturian Central Massif, Cantabrian Mountains, NW Spain)

“…Through an understanding of structure and dynamics of vegetation, data are obtained not only on the ecological behavior, present situation, and physiognomy of communities, but also on the relationship between the vegetation in question and the anthropic factor. Thus, the vegetation offers us the chance to understand the evolution and the current state of a landscape system (Bertrand, 1964;Bertrand & Bertrand, 1986), especially in highly anthropized areas where there are elevated natural values that can be or become integrated into the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and the Natura 2000 Network (Beato Bergua et al, 2017;Dalle Fratte et al, 2019;Evans & Arvela, 2011;Gianguzzi et al, 2016;Viciani et al, 2016;Viciani et al, 2017Viciani et al, , 2018. In this sense, vegetation mapping is indispensable in all eco-geographical analysis for nature conservation (Černecký et al, 2020;Freudenberger et al, 2013;Führer, 2000;Ibarra & Yetano, 1998;Maxted et al, 1997;Panareda, 2000).…”