Gran Paradiso National Park

Europarc Conference “We are concerned about climate change”

Measurements of biodiversity in north‐western Italian Alps

Biodiversity monitoring in mountain ecosystems: a multi - taxa approach

Parc Jura Vaudois–20 – 20th October 2016 Gran ParadisoNational Park Mountain ecosystems • Very sensitive to climate change • Bio diversit y h ot spot • Ecosystem services

NW Italian Alps

SfSurface: 70, 000 ha Altitudinal range: 700700--4,0004,000 m a.s.l.a.s.l. Main habitats: rock and glaciers , alpine pastures, woodlands, shrublands

Orsiera-Rocciavré Natural Park , Veglia Devero Natural Park, Val Grande National Park

Image from wwf.panda.org We are concerned about climate change...

Adapted from IPCC 2012

LongLong--termterm monitoring to identify and (potentially) resolve scientific gaps….

….converting the acquired knoweledge in concrete conservation actions Monitoring Projects “Single species approach” “Multi taxa approach”

To analyse the effects of climate To describe alpha and beta parameters on the population dynamic of diversity variation along altitudinal species that can act as surrogate of gradients analysing the factors that biodiversity influence this distribution

Storch (2007) Indicator of the health status of the entire ecosystem

Because of the complexity of biodi versi ty, surrogates such as sub sets of species, species assemblages and habitat types have to be used as measures of biodiversity Margules and Pressey (2000) Systematic conservation planning.

Nature 405 Single species approach – Alpine Ibex (Capra ibex)

Ibex number and snow depth berber mmmm Since the middle of the 80s until 1993, ibex nunu Ibex Ibex number increased

Clear decrease in mean (cm) (cm) snow depth hhhh Snow deptdept Snow Snow 2007

al. 2007

et al.

Pettorelli et Prediction Trend ) Real Trend

Capra ibex e Alpine Ibex ( Alpine Ibex th –( Alpine Ibex n

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ng i 70% vegetation f f rom o appen f

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i ogy o

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Single species approach – a

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l Rate Rate l l a a a a Surviv Surviv ecrease hl h Newborn survival rate rate Newborn survival d dP d f 70% i th WhWh t i h80s to 25% in 2006 i ? Single species approach ––BlackBlack Grouse (Tetrao tetrix ) tetrix

Orsiera Rocciavrè Natural Park

Male density (ind(ind/ha)/ha) 1991-2009

4valleys,4 valleys, characterised by a similar trend

Probable control by a common factor Single species approach ––BlackBlack Grouse (Tetrao tetrix ) tetrix Negative effect of Positive effect of Density dependence rainfalls in June temperature range in December Burrow ––44°° Air–3030°° + + Snow surface –25–25°°

Snow 40 cm –18–18°°

Summers et al., 2004 Klaus et al. 1990 Lindström et al., 1997 Ludwig et al., 2010 Population projections 20% decrease PROTHEUS model - A1B scenario • Snow cover is not included in the populations models • Indirect effects of climate change (e.g. modifica tions in vegetation cover) Single species approach ––RockRock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus ) mutus Veglia Devero Natural Park 25 Snowmelt datett--11 – + Snow cover start datett--11 – 2 20 p<0.0001 R =0.78

alesales 15 es l l mmmm ma

N. 10

Number of of of Number Number 5

Observed data 1996 - 2011 Filtered series by a state space model ((KalmanKalmanfilter, assuming a Gompertz density dependence) Number of males Ptarmigan Lagopus Lagopus muta Early appearancemuta in the of eastern snowsnow- Pyrenees.-freefree Ibis ground 150: 270 in spring is associatedin the easternwith Pyrenees.higher Ibis reproductive 150: 270- success

Novoa et al al 2008. 2008 Effect. Effect of weather of weather on the reproductive on the reproductive rate of Rock rate of Rock -278.278.

Mismatch between snowmelt and moult?moult? Single species approach ––RockRock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus ) mutus Population projections

Climate change only

Human disturbance only

Human disturbance Climate change + Human disturbance Ski lift wi rere--sstiktrike Up to 5.3 deaths per km of wire per year

Watson A, Moss R (2004) Impacts of ski-ski

((LagopusLagopus mutus Bevanger K,mutus) at Cairn ) at Cairn Gorm mortalityK, inBrøseth a subalpine H (2004) area. Impact Anim of power lines on bird Gorm, Scotland.-developmentdevelopment on ptarmigan H (2004) Impact, Scotland. of power Biol lines on bird Biol Conserv Anim BiodiversConserv 116 Biodivers Conserv116 Conserv 27 27 Multi taxa approach

A multi taxa approach to assess pattern of congruence and diversity

To set the basis for the development of a long term monitoring scheme, focused on multi‐taxa community data

4 yrs stop 4 yrs stop 2006‐2007 2012‐2013 2018‐2019 Multi taxa approach

• Sampling methodology 7 taxonomic groups 9‐10 samplings Formicidae Pitfall traps May‐September every 15 days

Staphylinidae

Araneae Carabidae 2 samplings Point counts April‐July

Aves Butterflies: OhOrthoptera Linear transects • 5 samplings • May‐September Grasshoppers: Lepidoptera • 3 samplings • July‐September Multi taxa approach

Objectives

1. To describe animal biodiversity along altitudinal gradients and identify the parameters influencing species’’species distribution

2. To estimate the risk of biodiversityy, loss, also through the application of climate change scenarios

3. To identify the (group of) species and the habitat type more sensitive to environmental and climatic changes, which can be used as biodive rsit y /ec ological indicato rs 2012‐2014 ‐‐ Fondi ministeriali ex capitolo 1551 ‐‐ Azioni di sistema

Parco Nazionale Parco Nazionale Stelvio Dolomiti bellunesi Parco Nazionale Val 6 transects Grande 30 plot

3 transects 2 transects 17 plot 11 plot

• 2012‐2013: First repetition PNGP, PNOR, PNVD • 2013‐2014: First “2‐years”of activityactivity,, 3 National Parks

132 sampling stations ‐‐ 24 transects Multi taxa approach

MbidiitttMeasure biodiversity status

• Baseline against which identify future changes • Tool for estimating conservation value • Planning highlyfocused conservation action

Active management management to

to reducereduce environmental environmental stressors

stressors Multi taxa approach

FtForecast biodi versit y st at us

Tempppperature increase scenarios applied on multimulti--taxataxadistribution

Alpine Subalpine Montane

• Identify the threshold beyond which the risk of biodiversity loss will be extremely elevated • Identify ppyyotential “vulnerability and safety”

Promote adaptive management Multi taxa approach

Effecti ve biodi versit y monitori ng

One year ρ=0.645, p<0.001 Two years ρ=0.765, p<0.001

• Simplify the monitoring, as much as possible providing, at the same time, a representative picture • Take them into account in developing management strategies ((,p)infrastructures, winter sports…)

Early warning signs of changes Glacier Monitoring

34 glaciers on the 59 presents glaciers inside Gran Paradiso National Park are monitored every year Mass balance since 1999 for the Gran Etrèt Glacier A decrease of more than 13 meters of thickness in 12 years Citizen Science http://www.pngp.it/citizenhttp://www.pngp.it/citizen--sciencescience Concrete Conservation Actions Active management – PSR Piedmont Region 2007-2007-20132013 Measure 323

WtldWetland ecosyst ems

Orco Valley, Dres peat bog (()2100 m)

• Land purchase • Grazing exclusion • Drainage control Active management – PSR Piedmont Region 2007-2007-20132013 Measure 323

Alpi ne past ures

Orco Valley, Gran Prà (2000 m a.s.l.)

• Development of a list of Good Practices: mainly determined by rotational grazing, accepted Overgrazed and adopted by the herder Pasture

• Phytodepuration System : a natural purtification technique by biological treatments to reduce System accumulation of organic waste and the eutrophication of nearby grasslands and creeks Active management

MtMontane an dblid subalpine past ures

Orco Valley, Noaschetta (2000 m a.s.l.)

Sustainable Grazing Active management –LIFE– LIFE Bioaquae

Unique ecosystems, extremely delicate and vulnerable to many anthropic factors: factors:climate changg,e, the use of water in energy production, the introduction of alien species, and local sources of pollutants

The LIFE+ BIOAQUAE fiveve--yearyear lllong project ((20122012--20172017))isis an opportunity to develop handshands--onon conservation initiatives for the promotion of the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems in the Gran Paradiso National Park

• Eradication of nonnon--nativenative fishes (Salvelinus fontinalis ) • ElilEcologicalfontinalisfilters • Marble trout (Salmo marmoratus ) marmoratus )

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Monitoring of vulnerable and umbrella species in the long ter of climate and model the effects land use changes on these parameters To • To measure the effectiveness of management decisions ( measure the effectiveness To To underline the climatic and environmen To To underline the climatic and environmen To • • Conclusions... )

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adaptive management adaptive

any c any f

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stressors stressors predictions -stressors -stressors

of mus tal factors that influence these patterns tal factors

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manage adaptively

- manage adaptively as areas d protect protect appropriate places limit non climatic- empirical

e - - limit non climatic

t status measure biodiversity To as empirical tests of predictions as • ec - t for early warning signs of climate change of signs early warning for

- climate change of signs early warning for pro f

Presence of vulnerable species and habitat species and vulnerable Presence of quota…) winter sports, hunting (infrastructures,

Promotion of the resilience of ecological systems se o

ang h

adaptive management adaptive

any c any f

o t

places t

stressors stressors predictions -stressors -stressors

of mus tal factors that influence these patterns tal factors

lit tests

appropriate

manage adaptively

- manage adaptively as areas d protect protect appropriate places limit non climatic- empirical

e - - limit non climatic

t status measure biodiversity To as empirical tests of predictions as • ec - t for early warning signs of climate change of signs early warning for

- climate change of signs early warning for pro f

Presence of vulnerable species and habitat species and vulnerable Presence of quota…) winter sports, hunting (infrastructures,

Promotion of the resilience of ecological systems se o

ang h

adaptive management adaptive

any c any f

o t

places t

stressors stressors predictions -stressors -stressors

of mus tal factors that influence these patterns tal factors

lit tests

appropriate

manage adaptively

- manage adaptively as areas d protect protect appropriate places limit non climatic- empirical

e - - limit non climatic

t status measure biodiversity To as empirical tests of predictions as • ec - t for early warning signs of climate change of signs early warning for

- climate change of signs early warning for pro f

Presence of vulnerable species and habitat species and vulnerable Presence of quota…) winter sports, hunting (infrastructures,

Promotion of the resilience of ecological systems se o

ang h

adaptive management adaptive

any c any f

o t

places t

stressors stressors predictions -stressors -stressors

of mus tal factors that influence these patterns tal factors

lit tests

appropriate

manage adaptively

- manage adaptively as areas d protect protect appropriate places limit non climatic- empirical

e - - limit non climatic

t status measure biodiversity To as empirical tests of predictions as • ec - t for early warning signs of climate change of signs early warning for

- climate change of signs early warning for pro f

Presence of vulnerable species and habitat species and vulnerable Presence of quota…) winter sports, hunting (infrastructures,

Promotion of the resilience of ecological systems se o

• University of Torino, Pavia, Sassari, Milano (()Italia); • Istituto per le Scienze dell’Atmosfera eedeldelClima, Clima,CNRCNR(Italia); (Italia); • University of Sherbrooke (Canada); • University of Quebec at Montreal (Canada)(Canada);; • University of Zurich (Svizzera); • CNRS (Francia (Francia));; • Consortium ACQWA (FP7)

ACQWA Than ks for your attention!